by Timothy W. Burnett
Next we noted what seemed to be the best possible candidate for what would have caused the above noted change as seen in Isaiah 14:12, 45:12-18 and Revelations chapter 12. A rightly dividing of these verses show that the earth was very likely changed into an uninhabitable wasteland after Lucifer was cast out of heaven, along with his host of angels. Lucifer is also referred to as the devil, serpent and dragon along with other titles.
So far, no information is found in the Bible that would reveal any more details about the earth, as it existed prior to the above referenced cataclysmic change.
A study of Genesis 1:2-31 reveals details that would help to understand a little about what the earth was like in its initial state. Reading through these verses, we can see that God never �created� anything else on the earth. Everything was formed and made as God gave the word.
From God�s angle, creating something is very much distinct from making something. People often use the term �create� in the context of a new and unique product of any kind. An artist is said to have �created� a beautiful work of art because it was never known before and was unique to any future work.
Approaching this subject from God�s perspective, to create would mean to truly create something out of nothing that existed before. The earth and all of its basic elements never existed prior to its initial creation. But once it was created, God was able to make things to exist on earth, out of its elements. Therefore, Genesis 1:3-30 would be the record of God rebuilding the earth with its own existing elements.
To rebuild things is not meant to suggest that everything God made in the rebuilding process was the exact same as what existed in its initial condition, but instead that what God made came from the same basic elements of the earth as before.
God started by dividing the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:4-5). The earth�s change resulted in a condition of complete darkness, or complete lack of light. He shined some light on the subject. It doesn�t say how God jump-started the sun and set the planets in motion around it. It�s possible that He did not intend for us focus our attention on it.
The next record has God making a �firmament� which divided the waters (Genesis 1:6-8). According to Crosswalk.com Bible Study tools, the term firmament in the Hebrew referred to an extended solid surface or expanse that supported the waters above. Whether or not it was really a solid support does not change the truth that something divided the waters. It�s also interesting to note that after the earth�s drastic change, it was covered by a large mass of water that must have extended far from its surface. Please not that in verse 8, the word �Heaven� does not refer to the dwelling place of God and his angels. This word is also used throughout the Bible in reference to all space above the ground.
We find in verses 9-10, God calling for the waters under the firmament to be gathered together unto one place allowing the dry land to appear. At this point we can see a picture of the earth including water filled areas, dry land and that large mass of water above the firmament.
Verses 11-12 reveal God commanding the earth to bring forth grass and many herb yielding seeds both plants and trees. Please note the reference to �after his kind� refers to how each seed natural produce more it its own kind.
God called for the lights in the firmament to divide the day from the night for signs, seasons, days and years. This would include the stars as organized in the constellations that follow the ecliptic path and planets that wonder through the night skies. It is difficult for anybody today to fully understand how God�s word is written in the stars, but He must have taught Adam the meanings of the story written in the constellations as they passed over month-to-month and year-to-year.
Next week, we will continue with Genesis 1:20-30.