{"id":81356,"date":"2024-01-29T00:01:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-29T08:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=81356"},"modified":"2024-01-27T07:09:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T15:09:57","slug":"the-bible-history-hwa-and-the-gap-doctrine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/doctrine\/the-bible-history-hwa-and-the-gap-doctrine\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bible, History, HWA, and the Gap Doctrine"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nSketcher’s view of the Gap Theory<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Genesis 1:1 has the ‘In the beginning\u201d statement and Genesis 1:2 has the “chaos and void” statement.<\/p>\n

The time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 has been called the Gap Theory.<\/p>\n

Where does the Bible actually begin?<\/p>\n

In terms of time order, it would be John 1:1, and not Genesis 1:1 as many assume.<\/p>\n

Here is an explanation from the late\u00a0Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a>:<\/p>\n

If one should ask, where do you find the actual beginning of events in the Bible, most who possess even a slight knowledge of the world\u2019s \u201cbest seller\u201d would say, \u201cWhy in Genesis chapter one verse one, of course.\u201d WRONG!<\/p>\n

The real beginning, in order of time sequence, is found in the New Testament, in the first chapter of John, verse one. The events portrayed in Genesis occurred later \u2013 possibly even millions of years later. But the event recorded in John 1:1 reveals an existence perhaps long prior to the time God created the earth and the material universe. Note it: \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.\u201d It continues, \u201cThe same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.\u201d The term \u201call things\u201d is translated in Hebrews 1:3, in the Moffatt translation, as \u201cthe UNIVERSE.\u201d The entire UNIVERSE was made by Him!<\/p>\n

The fourteenth verse of John 1 says: \u201cAnd the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.\u201d The Personage called the Word was the one who ultimately-yet more than 1900 years ago-was born Jesus Christ. The name, \u201cthe Word,\u201d is translated from the original Greek text, and means, literally, just what is translated into English -\u201cSpokesman.\u201d But He was not the Son of God \u201cin the beginning.\u201d Yet the Scriptures reveal that He has always existed, and always will \u2013 \u201cfrom eternity to eternity.\u201d He was \u201cwithout father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life . . .\u201d (Heb. 7:3).<\/p>\n

So think on this, if you will! Originally there existed only these two Spirit Personages, self-existent. They had creative powers \u2013 they had perfect supreme minds \u2013 they possessed perfect, holy and righteous CHARACTER.<\/p>\n

But THERE WAS NONE ELSE \u2013 NOTHING ELSE! There was no matter \u2013 no material universe \u2013 YET! No other living being or thing. Only these two, equal in mind and powers, except that God was supreme in authority, and the Word in perfect harmony under that authority. They were of one mind, in absolute agreement.<\/p>\n

But ALL THINGS \u2013 the universe and everything existing in it \u2013 was made by the Personage called the Word. Yet, as we read in Ephesians 3:9: \u201cGod. . . created ALL THINGS by Jesus Christ.\u201d And prior to becoming Jesus Christ, He was \u201cthe Word!\u201d Also, in His human life Jesus said He spoke only as the Father directed. Yes. THINK!<\/p>\n

In the eternity even prior to \u201cprehistory\u201d there were these two Supreme Beings. Alone! In the emptiness of space! No other life forms \u2013 no other living beings! Nothing else!\u2026<\/p>\n

The Perfect Creation<\/h2>\n

The original Hebrew words (the words originally written by Moses) imply a perfect creation. God reveals Himself as Creator of perfection, light, and beauty. Every reference in the Bible describes the condition of any completed phase of God\u2019s creation as \u201cvery good\u201d \u2013 perfect. This first verse of the Bible actually speaks of the original PHYSICAL creation in its entirety \u2013 the universe \u2013 including the earth, perhaps millions of years ago \u2013 as a perfect creation, beautiful and perfect as far as its creation was a finished, completed work. God is a perfectionist! In Job 38:4,7, God is speaking specifically of the creation of this earth. He said all the angels (created \u201csons of God\u201d) shouted for joy at the creation of the earth. This reveals that angels were created before the creation of the earth \u2013 and probably before the material universe.<\/p>\n

The suns, planets, and astral bodies are material substance. Angels are individually created Spirit beings, composed solely of Spirit. It will come as a surprise to many to learn that angels inhabited this earth BEFORE the creation of man. This passage from Job implies it.<\/p>\n

Angels on Earth Sinned<\/h2>\n

Other passages place angels on earth prior to man. Notice II Peter 2:4-6. First in time order were \u201cangels that sinned.\u201d Next in time sequence, the antediluvian world beginning with Adam, carrying through to the Flood. After that, Sodom and Gomorrah. This Book of books, containing the revealed knowledge of the Creator God, tells us that God created angels as composed of Spirit. But can you imagine angels becoming sinning angels? Angels were created with power of thought, of decision and of choice, else they have no individuality or character. Since sin is the transgression of God\u2019s law, these angels rebelled against God\u2019s law, the basis of God\u2019s government. Notice carefully what is revealed in II Peter 2:4-5:<\/p>\n

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These verses show that universal sin brings universal destruction to the physical earth. The antediluvian sin, culminating with the flood, was worldwide, universal sin. Notice: \u201c\u2026the earth was filled with violence \u2026. for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth \u2026. for the earth is filled with violence.\u201d (Gen.6:1 1-13). \u201cBut Noah found grace in the eyes of the [Eternal]\u2026. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God\u201d (verses 8-9). All flesh had sinned \u2013 over the whole earth. But only Noah \u201cwalked with God.\u201d So, the Flood destroyed the whole earth \u2013 all but Noah and his family. The homosexual and other sins of Sodom and Gomorrah spread over the territory of those two cities. And physical destruction came to their entire area. The sin of the angels was worldwide; the destruction of the physical earth was worldwide. The verses quoted above place the sinning of the angels prior to the antediluvian sins that started with Adam, prior to the creation of man. And that should be a surprise revealing of one phase of the missing dimension in knowledge! Angels inhabited this earth before the creation of man. And the government of God was administered on earth until the rebellion of the sinning angels.<\/p>\n

How long these angels inhabited the earth before the creation of man is not revealed. It might have been millions \u2013 or even billions \u2013 of years. More on that later. But these angels sinned. Sin is the transgression of God\u2019s law (1 John 3:4). And God\u2019s law is the basis of God\u2019s government. So we know these angels, apparently a third of all the angels (Rev. 12:4), sinned \u2013 rebelled against the government of God. And sin carries penalties. The penalty for the sin of the angels is not death, as it is for man. Angels are Immortal Spirit beings and cannot die. These Spirit beings had been given dominion over the PHYSICAL EARTH as a possession and an abode. The universal, worldwide sin of the angels resulted in the physical destruction of the face of the earth\u2026<\/p>\n

Now back to Genesis 1: 1-2. Verse 1, as stated above, implies a perfect creation. God is the author of life, of beauty, of perfection. Satan has brought only darkness, ugliness, imperfection, violence. Verse 1 shows the creation of a perfect earth, glorious and beautiful. Verse 2 reveals the result of the sin of the angels.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the earth was [became] without form, and void.\u201d The words \u201cwithout form and void\u201d are translated from the Hebrew tohu and bohu. A better translation is \u201cwaste and empty\u201d or chaotic and in confusion.\u201d The word \u201cwas\u201d is elsewhere in Genesis translated \u201cbecame,\u201d as in Genesis 19:26. In other words, the earth, originally created perfect and beautiful, had now become chaotic, waste, and empty, like our moon, except its surface was covered with water.<\/p>\n

David was inspired to reveal how God renewed the face of the earth: \u201cThou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth\u201d (Ps. 104:30).<\/p>\n

Now another surprise for most readers. Here is another bit of the missing dimension in knowledge, actually revealed in the Bible, but unrecognized by religion, by science, and by higher education. From verse 2 of Genesis 1 on, the remainder of this first chapter of the Bible is not describing the original creation of the earth. But it is describing a renewing of the face of the earth, after it had become waste and empty as a result of the sin of the angels.<\/p>\n

What is described from verse 2 on, in the supposed \u201cCreation chapter\u201d of the Bible, did occur, according to the Bible, approximately 6,000 years ago. But that could have been millions or trillions of years after the actual creation of the earth described in verse 1! I will comment later on the length of time it might have taken before all earth\u2019s angels turned to rebellion.<\/p>\n

The earth had become waste and empty. God did not create it waste and empty, or in confusion. God is not the author of confusion (I Cor.14:33). This same Hebrew word \u2013 tohu \u2013 meaning waste and empty, was inspired in Isaiah 45:18, where it is translated \u201cin vain.\u201d Using the original Hebrew word, as originally inspired, it reads: \u201cFor thus saith the [Eternal] that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain [tohu], he formed it to be inhabited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continue now with the remainder of verse 2 (Gen. 1) (the earth had become chaotic, waste, and empty): \u201cAnd darkness was upon the face of the deep [the ocean or fluid surface of the earth]. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness\u201d (verses 2-4).<\/p>\n

Satan is the author of darkness. The rebellion of the angels had caused the darkness. God is the author of light and truth. Light displays and enhances beauty, and also exposes evil. Darkness hides both. The verses which follow in this first chapter of the Bible describe the renewing of the face of the earth, yielding beautiful lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetation \u2013 then the creation of fish and fowl, animal life, and finally man. (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential, 1978)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, yes God and the Word existed from the beginning and before anything else was made (John 1:1).<\/p>\n

And while there was a creation in Genesis 1:1, there was a gap between that and the recreation that was needed in Genesis 1:2. Thus, this explanation (which, in my view, is the one that best agrees with the records, despite flaws of science) is commonly referred to as the gap theory. And yes, I hold to it (see\u00a0How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

A while back, The Temple Institute<\/em> had the following in its newsletter:<\/p>\n

\n

“In the beginning”<\/h2>\n

(Genesis 1:1)<\/p>\n

Tishrei 26, 5779\/October 5, 2018<\/p>\n

“In the beginning… “<\/em> A lot of things happened in six days. Between “chaos and void”<\/em> to “be fruitful and multiply,”<\/em> an entire world came into being.<\/p>\n

“In the beginning,”<\/em> or to be more true to the exact Hebrew grammar employed, “In the beginning of… “<\/em> In the beginning of what, we are not told.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Yes, there was a gap starting with chaos and void<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Before going into some old quotes, it should be pointed out that in the Hebrew of the Masoretic text, there a pause\/gap symbol between the first and second verses of Genesis.<\/p>\n

\n

Furthermore, in the Masoretic text in which Jewish scholars tried to incorporate enough “indicators” to guide the reader … is one small mark which is technically known as Rebhia<\/em> which is classified as a “disjunctive accent” intended to notify the reader that he should pause before proceeding to the next verse. Such a mark appears at the end of Genesis 1:1. This mark has been noticed by several scholars including Luther. It is one indication among others, that the waw<\/em> (\u05d5\u05bc<\/span>\u202c) which introduces verse 2 should be rendered “but” rather than “and,” a dis<\/em>junctive rather than a con<\/em>junctive. (Custance AC. Without Form and Void. 1970, pp. 18-19)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This shows a gap, not a conjunctive connection, between verses one and two, therefore verse one is NOT an explanation of verse two as some wish to believe.<\/p>\n

So we see that, anciently, there is an actual gap symbol between verses 1 and 2 of Genesis. And that instead of Genesis 1:2 beginning with “And” like the KJV and Douay Rheims have, it should begin with “But.”<\/p>\n

Now, one anti-Gap article asks, “WHY CAN’T WE JUST BELIEVE THE BIBLE?” It then refers to the biblical gap view as an “imagined theory” and claimed it was based on non-biblical evidence (Closing the Gap. co-written by Brian and Kenneth Hoeck for Truth On The Web Ministries. http:\/\/www.truthontheweb.org\/gapclose.htm accessed 07\/23\/18), yet it failed to mention that there is an actual pause\/gap in the Masoretic text of scripture.<\/p>\n

And a correct translation of the Bible makes the point more apparent.<\/p>\n

Let’s now see two translations of something else in the Bible:<\/p>\n

\n

28 And God blessed them; and God said unto them: ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth.’ (Genesis 1:28, Jewish Publication Society Tanakh 1917)<\/p>\n

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28, KJV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Original Douay OT (1610) also teaches to “replenish the earth, and subdue it” (though the version I checked uses old English spelling, like “fubdew it”).<\/p>\n

To replenish (Strong’s word 4390, transliterated from Hebrew into uwmil\u00b0uw<\/em>) means to “restore (a stock or supply of something) to the former level or condition.” There would be no reason to “replenish” if there had not been a previous time when the Earth existed.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, consider that this was the same command (with the same Strong’s word 4390, transliterated from Hebrew into uwmil\u00b0uw<\/em>) God gave Noah after the Great Flood:<\/p>\n

\n

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1, Jewish Publication Society Tanakh 1917)<\/p>\n

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1, KJV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Adam was told to replenish as Noah had.<\/p>\n

Now, did any old Jewish writings outside the Bible point to some type of gap?<\/p>\n

Yes.<\/p>\n

Here is something from an old Jewish source:<\/p>\n

\n

The ancient work known as The Book of Light<\/em> or Sefer Hazzohar<\/em>, sometimes simply Zohar <\/em>was traditionally ascribed to one of Akida’s disciples, a certain Simon ben Jochai. In this work … there is a comment on Genesis 2:4-6, which, though difficult to follow, reads thus:<\/p>\n

\n

These are generations of heaven and earth. … Now wherever there is the word ‘these’ the previous words are put aside. And these are the generations of the destruction which is signified in verse 2 of chapter 1. The earth was Tohu and Bohu. These indeed are the worlds of which it is said that the blessed God created them, and destroyed them<\/em>, and, on that account<\/em>, the earth was desolate and empty. (Custance, p. 20; see also Nurho de Manhar. Library of Alexandria. The Sepher Ha-Zohar, Or, The Book of Light: Bereshith to Lekh Lekha, Chapter VIII)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, there is a Jewish work which supports a type of ‘gap’ understanding of Genesis 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a slightly different version of that work from the late first century\/early second century:<\/p>\n

\n

“These (aleh) are the generations (children or races) of the heavens and the earth” (Gen. xi., 4). It has been stated that in every passage of Scripture that the word aleh occurs, there is no connection with what precedes it. This is the ease with the passage just quoted. Its logical reference and connection is with the words “tohu,” and “bohu” (without form and void) in the second verse of Gen. i. There are those who say that the Holy One created worlds and then destroyed them. Why were they destroyed? Because, as the Scripture says, “the earth was tohu and bohu,” indicating the state of former worlds before their destruction<\/strong>. (Nurho de Manhar. Library of Alexandria. The Sepher Ha-Zohar, Or, The Book of Light: Bereshith to Lekh Lekha. 1900-1914, pp. 127-128)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

(Note that the above author meant Genesis 2:4, not 11:4 as an editor improperly added the ‘x’ instead of ‘i’ by accident as ‘aleph’ is not in Genesis 11:4, but is in 2:4.)<\/p>\n

Thus, it should be clear that no later than the second century A.D. some version of the gap theory was documented.<\/p>\n

As far as worlds go, while scripture does not teach that multiple worlds were destroyed (unless we are talking about what happened to the Earth after Satan and during the Great Flood) notice what the New Testament teaches:<\/p>\n

\n

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

More than one ‘world,’ more than one ‘age’ (the Greek is aio\u00f3nas<\/em>) was framed\/repaired (the Greek is katartizo) by God.<\/p>\n

The Onkelos Targum is a Jewish document, also dating from the late first or early second century (the Jewish Targums, essentially paraphrases usually in Arabic date from that period). Here is a report about it:<\/p>\n

\n

“Among the early Jewish writings there are a number of Aramaic paraphrases of the Old Testament. The oldest of these so-called Targums is that of Onkelos, which is confined to the Pentateuch. According to the Babylonian Talmud, Onkelos was a proselyte who was the son of a man named Calonicas, and was the composer of the Targum which bears his name, which he in turn had received from Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua, both of whom lived toward the end of the first and the beginning of the second century A.D. However, in the Jerusalem Talmud the very same thing is related by the same authorities (and almost in the same words) of the proselyte Aquila of Pontes, whose Greek version of the Bible was much used by the Greek-speaking Jews down to the time of Justinian; so it is sometimes argued that Onkelos is but another name for Aquila. Aquila Ponticus was a relative of the Emperor Hadrian, living in the second century A.D. Thus even if Onkelos is not an absolutely authentic figure, the works attributed to him must still be placed very early in the Christian era.<\/p>\n

In dealing with the first chapter of Genesis, Onkelos gave the following Aramaic paraphrase of verse 2: W’are’ah hawath tsadh’ya In this passage, the composite verb form (tsadh’ya) means ‘was destroyed,’ being the Aramaic form of the verb to be (hawath) with the feminine passive participle of the verb tzadhah, which means ‘to cut’ or ‘to lay waste.'” – Arthur C. Custance, The Doorway Papers, Vol. 6, Part 3, Ch. 3, p. 3 (as cited in Old Earth, Old View at http:\/\/www.dispensationalfriends.org\/articles\/envoldview.html accessed 08\/02\/18)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, this is another early document supporting at least aspects of the gap theory.<\/p>\n

Here are some comments from the later Babylonian Talmud:<\/p>\n

\n

‘And the earth was without form and void.’ There seems to be some reason for the earth’s despondency, as though she was aware of her lot beforehand. (Genesis Rabba 2. p. 59 http:\/\/www.sacred-texts.com\/jud\/tmm\/tmm07.htm accessed 08\/02\/18)<\/p>\n

“Other worlds were created and destroyed ere this present one was decided on as a permanent one.” – Genesis Rabba 3 (as cited in Old Earth, Old View at http:\/\/www.dispensationalfriends.org\/articles\/envoldview.html accessed 08\/02\/18)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The idea that there was some type of a gap was NOT simply a modern idea to deal with evolutionists as various anti-gap writers have claimed.<\/p>\n

Here is something that the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert Armstrong, wrote about this:<\/p>\n

\n

It will come as news to most readers that angels were created before the earth and the physical universe were brought into existence. Job 38:1-7 shows the angels shouted for joy when God first created the earth. It is stated in both Genesis 1 and 2 that the earth was created at the same time as the entire physical universe. …<\/p>\n

Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning [of the physical universe] God created the heavens and the earth.” These are material and physical.<\/p>\n

As previously stated, in the Authorized Version will be found the word heaven in the singular. But this originally was written by Moses in Hebrew. And in the Hebrew the word is in the plural–heavens–thus including not only our earth, but the entire material UNIVERSE.<\/p>\n

It is therefore indicated that at that time–after the creation of angels–the entire universe was brought into existence at the same time as the creation of our earth. I find strong indication of this in other biblical internal evidence, and also it is definitely stated in Genesis 2:4.<\/p>\n

The Perfect Creation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The original Hebrew words (the words written by Moses) imply a perfect creation. God reveals himself as Creator of perfection, light and beauty. Every reference in the Bible describes the condition of any completed phase of God’s creation as “very good”–perfect.<\/p>\n

This first verse of the Bible actually speaks of the original PHYSICAL creation in its entirety–the universe–including the earth, perhaps millions of years ago–as a perfect creation, beautiful and perfect as far as its creation was a finished, completed work. God is a perfectionist!<\/p>\n

In Job 38:4, 7, God is speaking specifically of the creation of this earth. He said all the angels (created “sons of God”) shouted for joy at the creation of the earth. This reveals that angels were created before the creation of the earth–and probably before the material universe. The suns, planets and astral bodies are material substance.<\/p>\n

Angels are individually created spirit beings, composed solely of spirit.<\/p>\n

It will come as a surprise to many to learn that angels inhabited this earth BEFORE the creation of man. This passage from Job implies it.<\/p>\n

Angels on Earth Sinned<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other passages place angels on earth prior to man.<\/p>\n

Notice II Pet. 2:4-6. First in time order “angels that sinned.” Next in time sequence, the antediluvian world beginning with Adam, carrying through to the Flood. After that, Sodom and Gomorrah. …<\/p>\n

Angels inhabited this earth before the creation of man.<\/p>\n

It is revealed in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, that God placed the archangel Lucifer, a cherub, on a throne on the earth. He was placed there as a ruler over the entire earth. God intended him to rule the earth by administering the government of God over the earth. And the government of God was administered on earth until the rebellion of the sinning angels.<\/p>\n

How long these angels inhabited the earth before the creation of man is not revealed. It might have been millions–or even billions–of years. More on that later. But these angels sinned. Sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4). …<\/p>\n

By this angelic sin, Lucifer became Satan the devil and his angels became demons.<\/p>\n

God is Creator, Preserver and Ruler.<\/p>\n

Satan is destroyer!<\/p>\n

So, now we read in Jude 6-7: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”<\/p>\n

Now back to Genesis 1:1-2. Verse 1, as stated above, implies a perfect creation. God is the author of life, of beauty, of perfection. Satan has brought only darkness, ugliness, imperfection, violence. Verse 1 shows the creation of a perfect, if unfinished earth, glorious and beautiful. Verse 2 reveals the result of the sin of the angels.<\/p>\n

“And the earth was [became] without form, and void.” The words “without form, and void” are translated from the Hebrew tohu and bohu. A better translation is “waste and empty” or “chaotic, in confusion and in a state of decay.” The word was is elsewhere in Genesis also translated became, as in Genesis 19:26. In other words, the earth, originally created perfect and beautiful, had now become chaotic, waste and empty, like our moon, except earth’s surface was covered with water.<\/p>\n

David was inspired to reveal how God renewed the face of the earth: “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth” (Ps. 104:30).<\/p>\n

A Surprising Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now another surprise for most readers. Here is another bit of the missing dimension in knowledge, actually revealed in the Bible, but unrecognized by religion, by science and by higher education.<\/p>\n

From verse 2 of Genesis 1 on, the remainder of this first chapter of the Bible is not describing the original creation of the earth. But it is describing a renewing of the face of the earth, after it had become waste and empty as a result of the sin of the angels.<\/p>\n

What is described from verse 2 on, in the supposed creation chapter of the Bible, did occur, according to the Bible, approximately 6,000 years ago. But that could have been millions or trillions of years after the actual creation of the earth described in verse 1! …<\/p>\n

When God placed angels–apparently a third of all (Rev. 12:4)–on the newly created, perfect, beautiful and glorious earth, he set over them, on a throne, to administer the government of God, an archangel–the great cherub Lucifer. …<\/p>\n

What Caused the Angels’ Sin?<\/strong><\/p>\n

What caused the angels on earth to sin, to turn to lawlessness? Certainly the ordinary angels did not persuade this great superbeing to turn traitor. No, it was in him that iniquity was found. But, after how long? We don’t know. God does not reveal that! It could have been any number of years from one or less to millions times millions.<\/p>\n

And then, even after Lucifer himself made the decision to rebel and try to invade God’s heaven to take over the universe, it is not revealed how long it took him to persuade all of the angels under him to turn traitor and follow him.<\/p>\n

I know well the method he used. He uses the same method still today in leading deceived humans into disloyalty, rebellion, and self-centered opposition against God’s government. First, he turns one or two to envy, jealousy and resentment over an imagined injustice–then into disloyalty. Then he uses that one or two, like a rotten apple in a crate, to stir up resentment, feelings of self-pity, disloyalty and rebellion in others next to them. And, as each rotten apple rots those next to it until the whole crate is rotten, so Satan proceeds.<\/p>\n

If, in the government of God on earth today, the “rotten apples” are not thrown out early enough, they would destroy the whole government. But, once thrown out of the crate, they cannot do any more damage to those in the crate.<\/p>\n

But think how long it must have taken the soured and embittered Lucifer to turn millions of holy angels into resentment, bitterness, disloyalty, and finally open and vicious rebellion. It could have taken hundreds, thousands or millions of years. This was all before the first human was created.<\/p>\n

All this happened after the original creation of the earth, described in verse 1 of Genesis 1. Verse 2 of this creation chapter describes a condition resulting from this sin of the angels. The events described in verse 2, therefore, may have occurred millions of years after the original creation of the earth.<\/p>\n

The earth, therefore, may have been created millions of years ago. But continue this passage in Ezekiel 28: “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as proface out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy [remove] thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground…” (verses 16-17). (Armstrong HW. Mystery of Angels and Evil Spirits part of Chapter 2 in Mystery of the Ages, 1985).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Scriptures about angels provide additional support for the ‘gap’ position.<\/p>\n

The Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> recently put together a sermon related to the Gap Theory which is at its ContinuingCOG <\/a>channel:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1:15:25 <\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Gap Theory: Doctrine or Modern Heresy?<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Must the Earth be less than 6000 years old? Was there a gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2? Was the Earth created without form and void? What are tohu and bohu? Does the second chapter of Genesis support the idea that the Earth was completed, hence indicating that there was a time it was not? Was the ‘gap theory’ produced to deal with Darwinism? Did angels have dominion over the earth and did they lose it? Does the Masoretic Old Testament provide direct support for some type of a gap? Did any ancient Jewish writers support a re-creation? Did any second century Church of God leaders teach any part of the gap theory? Did any Greco-Roman-Catholic saints teach the idea of a re-creation? What about Protestants like Martin Luther and Thomas Chalmers? What does the ‘Kolbrin Bible’ teach? Are there statements in the actual Bible that clearly support the gap doctrine? What are some of the arguments raised against the gap theory? Is the gap theory an early doctrine or a relatively new heresy? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to this sermon: Gap Theory: Doctrine or Modern Heresy?<\/a><\/p>\n

Some items of possibly related interest may include:
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Gap Theory?<\/a> Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Were the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long? Here is a link to two sermons: Gap Theory: Doctrine or Modern Heresy?<\/a> and <\/span>Genesis, ‘Prehistoric man,’ and the Gap theory<\/a>. Here is a link to a related article in Spanish: \u00bfCu\u00e1n vieja es la Tierra? \u00bfCu\u00e1n largos fueron los D\u00edas de la Creaci\u00f3n? \u00bfTeor\u00eda de la brecha?<\/a><\/span>
\nIs God\u2019s Existence Logical?<\/a> Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: <\/span>Big Bang: Nothing or Creator?<\/a> and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/b>Does it Make Physical Sense to believe in God?<\/a> Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?<\/a>
\nIs Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II<\/a> This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Is There Another View of Evolution?<\/a> and another titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life<\/a>.
\nDoes God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?<\/a> Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2029 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come?<\/a> Here is a link to the article in Spanish: \u00bfTiene Dios un plan de 6,000 a\u00f1os?<\/a><\/span>
\nIs God Calling You?<\/a> This is a booklet discussing calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is a link to a related sermon: <\/span>Could God be Calling You?<\/a>
\n<\/span>Nascent Sanhedrin structure and high priest: The plan is to start animal sacrifices \u0013this would fulfill prophecy!<\/a> The reconstituted Sanhedrin wants the reimplementation of animal sacrifices. A related video is titled Sanhedrin pushing animal sacrifices<\/a>.
\nThe Red Heifer, Jewish Beliefs, and the End of the World<\/a> The Temple Institute is watching a ‘red heifer.’ Why might this be important in the sequence of end time events? Here is a related link in the Spanish language Novilla roja descubierta en EE.UU. e Instituto del Templo est\u00e1 interesado en ella<\/a><\/em>. Here are links to two related videos in English: Red Heifers and the Fate of the World<\/a> and The Red Heifer and the End of the World<\/a>.<\/span>
\nChristians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a> This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God<\/a>.
\nThe Gospel of the Kingdom of God<\/a> This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World\u2019s False Gospel<\/a>, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments<\/a>, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution<\/a>.
\n<\/strong>Where is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? <\/a>Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: \u00bfD\u00f3nde est\u00e1 la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?<\/a> Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?<\/a> Here is a link in the French language: O\u00f9 est la vraie \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne aujourd\u2019hui?<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a> This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D<\/a>. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries<\/a> and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries<\/a>. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuaci\u00f3n de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios<\/a>, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes<\/a>, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw\u2019ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sketcher’s view of the Gap Theory COGwriter Genesis 1:1 has the ‘In the beginning\u201d statement and Genesis 1:2 has the “chaos and void” statement. The time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 has been called the Gap Theory. Where does the Bible actually begin? In terms of time order, it would be John 1:1, and not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctrine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81356"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86073,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81356\/revisions\/86073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}