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NASB | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. [Heb 11:3] |
Subject: How old is the earth scripturally? |
Bible Note: From Gen. 1: 1 the very first verse of the Word of God, we can understand that God created all things out of nothing----------------------Heb.11: 3 He created all things by His word--------------------------Psa.33: 6-9 He created all things in perfect order and beauty---------Rev.4: 11; Isa.45: 18. In this verse, the heavens and the earth refer to the whole universe created by God, out of nothing, in the distant past. Man simply cannot comprehend the size of the whole universe. The universe consists of countless number galaxies. Our earth is in one such galaxy. It is estimated that there are two hundred billion stars within our own galaxy. The sun is one of those stars, which are in our galaxy. The next nearest star is about 4 ½ light years away from the earth. (One light year is equal to the distance traveled by light in one year whereas the speed of light is 3,00,000kms per second) So man can never know or understand anything about even the nearest star. So beyond Gen.1: 1 God is revealing to man only about the earth. In Gen. 1: 2 the second verse, we see clearly that the earth existing in a ruined condition. The word WAS in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word “hayah” (Strong’s 01961). This can be translated in one of the following forms - was, come to pass, came, has been, were happened, become. Please note the following inferences 1) The EARTH ALONE is mentioned from this verse onwards. 2) God did not start His creative activity from such a ruined condition. The word CREATED, in the first verse means creation OUT OF NOTHING. So it is clear that an unrevealed length of time has elapsed between Gen.1: 1 and Gen.1: 2. This period of time may be a number of ages. 3) In this verse we see that the earth was (became) in a ruined condition, without form, void, in darkness and filled with waters (death). 4) The Spirit of God moved (fluttered) without rest in relation to the ruined condition of the earth. |