Thoughts on the Beginning

[Just_A__Follower]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

 

[Gideon300]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

This "all" agrees. It's known as gap theory or pre Adamic creation theory. "In the beginning" refers to the original creation. But the word translated "was", as in formless and empty, can be translated "became".

I believe that the first creation was ruled over by Satan, who was then Lucifer, the light bearer. When he rebelled against God, he was thrown down from heaven. God judged that creation by a world wide flood.

Some say that Isaiah 45:18 confirms this:
"For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other."

Personally, I believe that some dinosaurs were part of God's recreation of the earth. There is no reason why juveniles could not have been on the ark. God's description of Behemoth is an exact description of a now extinct dinosaur.

For a more in depth explanation, you could read "The Mystery of Creation" by Watchman Nee. Larry Ollinson has an excellent series on youtube.

The theory explains the apparent age of the earth compared to the history of man from Adam. I believe that six days means six days in the Genesis account.

Is the theory correct? God knows for sure. It is not a salvation issue. It does offer an explanation to those who can't get their heads around a 6,000 year old earth.

 

[homwardbound]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

You might want to get a book called "The Angelic conflict" there is a lot in there, that covers before man was created and placed here, and after. There is much to learn and I see to not make any doctrine of but Christ was here in the only perfect flesh went to death willingly to save us once anyone turns to Father in belief to see it, Christ is risen, then one is at rest, even through troubles too. Which is not easy to decide to rejoice in troubles happening to anyone, self ,included, those we love either.
When the call is to love all, in God's truth All, thank you. Yes even those that did you wrong! Have you not done wrong? And does not God still love you? God does, others do not, I did not for a long while, until I saw and then can't not love in truth God's love as in 1 Cor 13:4-7, that God imputes to his children, those that sincerely decided to believe God without a reason to get anything, to me at least. God says God will get us through, time to simply stand in belief through it all, at least me, hoping for all to make the decision

 

[Inquisitor]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

I don't think you will have any problem understanding Genesis.

As long as you don't use genealogy only you will have a very old earth.

You also have an indeterminate age for mankind.

There is a lot of hard scientific evidence that supports a very old earth and mankind.

These controversial topics have nothing to do with Jesus Christ and salvation, and on
occasion can seriously hurt younger Christians.

 

[GWH]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

I have two thoughts:

1. Genesis does not teach that there is more than one creation.

2. Places in GW indicate creation of angels preceded this world,
but they do not reveal how that jibes with Genesis.

 

[o-madsen]

I have two thoughts:

1. Genesis does not teach that there is more than one creation.

2. Places in GW indicate creation of angels preceded this world,
but they do not reveal how that jibes with Genesis.

actually, it does, there are one or two passages in the old testament that says that the earth is like a clothing that can be worn and be renewed, it almost begs the question: how many time? also there are jews who have said that God has done it over and over again and again, well this is what I believe

 

[rockfist]

actually, it does, there are one or two passages in the old testament that says that the earth is like a clothing that can be worn and be renewed, it almost begs the question: how many time? also there are jews who have said that God has done it over and over again and again, well this is what I believe

Job 38:14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.

The word seal is very heavy symbolically, because in geomancy, planets can have their own seals, like a geometric system with its own fractal or harmonic resonance. Even though this is gnosticism and goes against biblical knowledge, it can still be useful to understand symbolism when interpreting spiritual creation. The laws in which earth is created is not a physical phenomenon, it is spiritual.

When they say earth is like a garment, they aren't referring to it like clothing, they are referring to its flexible and spiritual nature. Heaven is God's throne and earth is his footstool.

 

[o-madsen]

Job 38:14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.

The word seal is very heavy symbolically, because in geomancy, planets can have their own seals, like a geometric system with its own fractal or harmonic resonance. Even though this is gnosticism and goes against biblical knowledge, it can still be useful to understand symbolism when interpreting spiritual creation. The laws in which earth is created is not a physical phenomenon, it is spiritual.

When they say earth is like a garment, they aren't referring to it like clothing, they are referring to its flexible and spiritual nature. Heaven is God's throne and earth is his footstool.

ok, never heard of it like that before, but it dont change a thing for me

here is the vers I refere to

psalm 102
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

 

[Clayman]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

I like expressing thoughts I have two thoughts on this...

For me any idea that there was a gap theory undermines God, my God is an all powerful all knowing omniscient God, and a gap theory to me intimates an idea of God wiping the blackboard clean after a failed attempt at creation. Yet contrarily My God cannot fail at anything and everything goes according to His plan.

Not only that but the failed creation produced anomalies that evaded being erased and then snuck into this creation to mar it, as if they are powerful enough to oppose and effect the creator.

It would be the same if God decided again that this creation is no good, and start over, he burns up the heavens and earth and re-creates again from scratch, yet the pesky angel, and maybe a couple of degenerates like Hitler, somehow evade death and sneak into the next new creation, and thwart Gods purposes.

To me that would make a mockery of creation and makes a mockery of God as that God would be an idiot.
The only reason people come up with ideas like this seems to me is to support evolution, or Satan being a bad egg, fallen before he fell which is contradiction God's Word in my humble opinion.

Another thought I like is the idea of an extremely short earth history, Adam died about the time or just before Noah was born so Noahs father Lamech, and Methuselah and Enoch etc all had contact with one another, also Noah died 300 and something years after the flood so would have seen the tower of babel come and go and possibly had a bit of contact with Abraham, which means Abe could have had third hand accounts of what was in Eden. if not Noah then Shem probably was alive when Jacob was a wee nipper. for a fourth hand account.

Anyway I like how earth and it's history is short, for what would be even the point of having it prolonged, I mean from God's point of view it only needs to long enough to accomplish and do everything to reveal the sons of God, and I guess I see the history of earth will also end soon for the soon new creation that will not need us to sneak into but be welcomed in as joint heirs to live in forever.

 

[Howdy]

One should ask the question "Could/would a perfect God create anything that was without form and void"?

 

[lrs68]

Agreed, the Book of Bereshyt is not a timeline of events but rather the Creation that leads us to the Messiah. Too many proofs throughout the Tanakh reveal there's more than what we are reading.

For me, the Earth itself is existing even destroyed or in the form that Chapter 1 reveals and we don't see God speaking that much into existence. It's already there and God manipulates for it's current use we're in now

 

[DJT_47]

What was actually created on day 1? Light

 

[Suze]

ok, never heard of it like that before, but it dont change a thing for me

here is the vers I refere to

psalm 102
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

When u read the Bible , it's very important to b aware of the use of ; metaphors , similes and parables , u need to get very familiar with these terms pretty quickly , they will help u immensely

 

[GWH]

I like expressing thoughts I have two thoughts on this...

For me any idea that there was a gap theory undermines God, my God is an all powerful all knowing omniscient God, and a gap theory to me intimates an idea of God wiping the blackboard clean after a failed attempt at creation. Yet contrarily My God cannot fail at anything and everything goes according to His plan.

Not only that but the failed creation produced anomalies that evaded being erased and then snuck into this creation to mar it, as if they are powerful enough to oppose and effect the creator.

It would be the same if God decided again that this creation is no good, and start over, he burns up the heavens and earth and re-creates again from scratch, yet the pesky angel, and maybe a couple of degenerates like Hitler, somehow evade death and sneak into the next new creation, and thwart Gods purposes.

To me that would make a mockery of creation and makes a mockery of God as that God would be an idiot.
The only reason people come up with ideas like this seems to me is to support evolution, or Satan being a bad egg, fallen before he fell which is contradiction God's Word in my humble opinion.

Another thought I like is the idea of an extremely short earth history, Adam died about the time or just before Noah was born so Noahs father Lamech, and Methuselah and Enoch etc all had contact with one another, also Noah died 300 and something years after the flood so would have seen the tower of babel come and go and possibly had a bit of contact with Abraham, which means Abe could have had third hand accounts of what was in Eden. if not Noah then Shem probably was alive when Jacob was a wee nipper. for a fourth hand account.

Anyway I like how earth and it's history is short, for what would be even the point of having it prolonged, I mean from God's point of view it only needs to long enough to accomplish and do everything to reveal the sons of God, and I guess I see the history of earth will also end soon for the soon new creation that will not need us to sneak into but be welcomed in as joint heirs to live in forever.

I agree that the gap theory creates more questions than it answers.
Astrophysics does not agree with the theory that the universe is only a few thousand years old, but science is evolving.
I agree that the OT spoke as though human history was only about that long,
and I believe it began at the point "dust" gained consciousness of God and moral conscience.
We must keep in mind that 2Pet. 3:8-9 indicates a long time is brief to an eternal God.
Thus, when Rev. 22:12 says the Lord is coming soon, a couple of thousand years may be indicated.

 

[Inquisitor]

I’ve heard many commentaries on the creation of the earth timeline. But I haven’t really heard anything on the theory I lean towards. Would like to get some thoughts on it. I’ll try to make it short. My theory is that “in the beginning” is not referring to our beginning. I think that the earth is old, like very old, and that it is possible that God had other creations on it before the current one that we are a part of. For instance maybe the dinosaurs were part of one of those creations. Possibly as with the flood that creation defied Him also so He sent a meteor down to destroy them. Then day 1 of our time He started preparations for another new creation. What are y’all’s thoughts?

If your offering a theory then you would be required to include some evidence to support it.

If your making a claim based on speculation then that is different to a theory.

Some modern animal species are dinosaurs, for example; the crocodile, shark, turtles and snakes.
These have all been found in ancient fossil layers.

According to science we have had 5 extinction level events that they know of in history.

Scientists now say we are currently in a sixth extinction event, climate change.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

I like expressing thoughts I have two thoughts on this...

For me any idea that there was a gap theory undermines God, my God is an all powerful all knowing omniscient God, and a gap theory to me intimates an idea of God wiping the blackboard clean after a failed attempt at creation. Yet contrarily My God cannot fail at anything and everything goes according to His plan.

Not only that but the failed creation produced anomalies that evaded being erased and then snuck into this creation to mar it, as if they are powerful enough to oppose and effect the creator.

It would be the same if God decided again that this creation is no good, and start over, he burns up the heavens and earth and re-creates again from scratch, yet the pesky angel, and maybe a couple of degenerates like Hitler, somehow evade death and sneak into the next new creation, and thwart Gods purposes.

To me that would make a mockery of creation and makes a mockery of God as that God would be an idiot.
The only reason people come up with ideas like this seems to me is to support evolution, or Satan being a bad egg, fallen before he fell which is contradiction God's Word in my humble opinion.

Another thought I like is the idea of an extremely short earth history, Adam died about the time or just before Noah was born so Noahs father Lamech, and Methuselah and Enoch etc all had contact with one another, also Noah died 300 and something years after the flood so would have seen the tower of babel come and go and possibly had a bit of contact with Abraham, which means Abe could have had third hand accounts of what was in Eden. if not Noah then Shem probably was alive when Jacob was a wee nipper. for a fourth hand account.

Anyway I like how earth and it's history is short, for what would be even the point of having it prolonged, I mean from God's point of view it only needs to long enough to accomplish and do everything to reveal the sons of God, and I guess I see the history of earth will also end soon for the soon new creation that will not need us to sneak into but be welcomed in as joint heirs to live in forever.

I guess I see it as saying that we are so special to be God’s only creation ever being He has existed for eternity, is putting limits on what He did, does, and will do. I also believe it’s possible that He may have other creations in existence now elsewhere in the universe or other.

He creates good, yes. But He also creates individual beings with their own personalities and minds to make their own decisions. So it’s not that He failed but the beings that He created failed Him, hence satan. And as far as starting over, we’ll just in our time there’s the flood. That would be wiping most of the blackboard clean.

The gap theory doesn’t necessarily support evolution but is simply a replacement theory. I for one don’t believe in evolution. I also see “science” as the study of His processes. So if scientific dating procedures are close to being correct then a previous creation would explain the fossil evidence that we see and many scientists try to claim as proof of evolution.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

If your offering a theory then you would be required to include some evidence to support it.

If your making a claim based on speculation then that is different to a theory.

Some modern animal species are dinosaurs, for example; the crocodile, shark, turtles and snakes.
These have all been found in ancient fossil layers.

According to science we have had 5 extinction level events that they know of in history.

Scientists now say we are currently in a sixth extinction event, climate change.

The dinosaur fossils would be evidence Since we find fossils with no carbon 14 that would pretty much disprove the earth being 7,000 years old. Also theres the extinction events as you mentioned. If the bible was a historical record of the earth and not just humans, then you would think that there would be mentions of ice ages, meteor strikes, etc.

So if the earth is millions of years old scientifically speaking and the human race is 6-7000 years old, the question is: Would God create a planet dark, formless, and void just to have it float around in space for millions of years until He decided to use it for us?

 

[Inquisitor]

The dinosaur fossils would be evidence Since we find fossils with no carbon 14 that would pretty much disprove the earth being 7,000 years old. Also theres the extinction events as you mentioned. If the bible was a historical record of the earth and not just humans, then you would think that there would be mentions of ice ages, meteor strikes, etc.

So if the earth is millions of years old scientifically speaking and the human race is 6-7000 years old, the question is: Would God create a planet dark, formless, and void just to have it float around in space for millions of years until He decided to use it for us?

The only evidence for a young earth is from the dating applied to a genealogy in the OT.

The evidence from science is obtained from many disciplines, geology, astronomy, cosmology, etc.

I have no personal opinion on such matters and that is the same for the book of Revelation.

These two subjects are far beyond personal speculation or opinion.

 

[Clayman]

I agree that the gap theory creates more questions than it answers.
Astrophysics does not agree with the theory that the universe is only a few thousand years old, but science is evolving.
I agree that the OT spoke as though human history was only about that long,
and I believe it began at the point "dust" gained consciousness of God and moral conscience.
We must keep in mind that 2Pet. 3:8-9 indicates a long time is brief to an eternal God.
Thus, when Rev. 22:12 says the Lord is coming soon, a couple of thousand years may be indicated.

2Pet 3:8 with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day.

Rev 22:12 "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done"

Absolutely, for the Lord our whole creation is like a couple la days, and as we grow in Christ like mindedness and begin to think more like God, I think older Christians also begin to see the creation as a couple la days mate.

I like how Enoch prophesied to all those before the flood, not about the coming flood, But about the Lords coming (second coming) to earth in judgment, Adam and the line of Seth would have been well acquainted with and would know the Lords plan which would soon be fulfilled, Adam lived to 900yrs old, nearly a seventh of the the time our creation will be in existence.

Jude :14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones :15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him


I like how you said evolution is evolving, they get to change their theories all the time, showing that the old theories were wrong, yet people think this is totally logical and acceptable practice and still factual. even changing the dates for certain things from 150,000 years to 2 million years. One day science may be honest and correct itself and will line up with God, the ultimate all knowing scientist.

 

[Dino246]

One should ask the question "Could/would a perfect God create anything that was without form and void"?

How do “(temporarily) featureless and without inhabitant” fit?

When we approach the text with our minds full of biases and preconditions, we can’t help but see it through those lenses. Your concept of “perfect” might be hindering your ability to see the God Who actually is.