From Paradise to Misery

When we read books or any type of literature, we tend to take certain things like materials and words for granted because we already know the meaning of such. In the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis, you can’t take anything for granted, because everything that’s mentioned in chapter one for instance, is being mentioned for the first time in the history of creation, at God’s command. Hence, when you look at the first chapters of the book of Genesis, it is paramount to read with innocent eyes. For example, the darkness mentioned in Genesis 1:1 cannot be interpreted in the sense of judgment as we know it today:
• As in the time of Noah’s flood, when darkness covered the whole earth.
• As in the time of the judgment of the great white throne when the wicked will be cast into the darkness
We also can’t spiritually apply it to sin. Such conclusions have led many theologians and great thinkers to the believe that:
• Between Genesis 1:1-2 there was a prolonged time of millions of years.
- Many believe that Genesis 1:1 is presenting a complete creation as the end of chapter 1 presents it.
• It is also assumed, that it was within this time, that Satan rebelled against God
- Many believe that during this time, the first creation fell into sin
- They believe that it was during this time that the dinosaurs existed
- They say this is when God judged that first creation
- They also say that as of verse 2, what God is doing is restoring the planet to what it once was.
From this belief, we get the “Gap theory.”
It is crucial to understand that Genesis, aside from being the first book of the bible; also contains the first chapter in the whole bible.
What is the importance of knowing this?
Genesis chapter one begins presenting Elohim- the Supreme God, as the creator of three elements:
1. Time- In the beginning
2. Space- heavens
3. Matter- earth
Elohim is revealing His creation power. He makes this revelation in the very beginning. God is stating three things:
1. He can present time without years and without hours.
2. He can present a universe without its hosts
3. He can present a planet earth completely in disorder and void.
As we continue reading, we will understand that Elohim doesn’t just show us an earth without:
• Light
• Day
• Night
• Skies
• Seas
• Solid ground
• Trees
• Plants
• grass
• Sea life
• Birds
• Land animals
• Human beings
Elohim also presents us a universe that is also void:
• No sun
• No moon
• No stars
God’s intention in Genesis has never been to defend His existence, but rather to show His eternal power and divine nature. As the Apostle Paul says, “since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Romans 1:19, 20).”
Also, the psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalms 19:1).”
We must understand that these three components of creation are intertwined with the origin of creation and must also be seen with an original mindset. In other words:
• Time is new
• Space is new
• Earth is new
They had just been created for the very first time. It’s like a cake coming out of the oven. It’s freshly baked and no one has had a piece of it.