Part 1
There was a popular mini-series on television a few years back, based on the best selling novel by Alex Haley called "Roots". In the story the author traces his family history back to Africa. From there he follows the progression of his ancestors as they were captured, and brought over to America and sold as slaves. This sparked an inner need for many to have a connection with their past. People began to search out their family history; there was a desire to know their "roots".In as much as we may have this desire to know our family roots, there is also a desire to know man’s roots. Where did we come from? What is man’s origin? Did man begin as some sort of accidental freak of nature; as some would have us to believe? Or is there a Creator responsible for it all?
To admit a Creator is responsible for the universe would bring oneself to face accountability to that Creator. It is easier to believe in evolution, or in scientific answers; rather than a Supreme Being. With the apparent contradictions between scientific facts, and the interpretation that is commonly given to the Scripture on creation; this offers some basis for disbelief of the accuracy of the Word of God. Of course, we know that Scripture tells us: "He that comes to God must first believe that He is..." also, Jesus said: "No man comes to the Father but through me." Unless the Father reveals Himself we can not believe on Him.
Unfortunately, even among theologians there is disagreement as to the origins of man. If there is a misinterpretation of Scripture, then there becomes a conflict with scientific facts. A commonly taught view of creation is that God spoke the universe into existence, and in six days completed it; that God created man on the sixth day, and on the seventh day He rested. If that is the beginnings of the universe, then to remain consistent with the rest of the Scripture it would make the universe only about six thousand years old. Since science can easily prove the earth and the moon, and other planets are much older than six thousand years, it brings that creation theory into question.
To compensate for this conflict, creationists developed an "Age Day" theory. According to this theory the days of the first chapter of Genesis were lengthy periods of time equivalent to geological eras. They were days only in a figurative sense; e.g. "In the day that the Pharaohs ruled Egypt..." may mean an era that is centuries in duration.
This "geologic day" theory (as it is also known) may satisfy some scientific questions, but it is in conflict with Scripture. Each day in Genisis is referred to as: "and the evening, and the morning.", Which infers a twenty-four hour day.
Another theory introduced which carries some weight; and may account for some inconsistencies; is what is known as "The Gap Theory." It holds that the original creation was at some time in the dateless past, and whatever may be needed to explain the geologic eras took place between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. This theory, I believe, offers the most plausible explanations that would remain consistent with the rest of Scripture, and can also corroborate scientific proofs.
There are several points to which the gap theory responds. First, many Hebrew scholars agree that Genesis 1:2 is best translated, "And the earth became an empty waste and ruin." What was created perfect became ruined. Jer. 4:23 says: "I beheld the earth, and lo, it was [i.e. became] without form and void; and the heavens, and they had no light." Secondly, Isaiah 45:18 in revised versions declares that God created the earth not a waste. This verse may be interpreted to teach the fact of an original perfect creation, and to assume a later catastrophe that made the earth without form and void. Isaiah 24:1 states: "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it a waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof."
In Genesis 1:28 man is instructed to "be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth." The English word replenish means to fill again or to stock anew. Although the Hebrew word MALE does not necessarily infer the thought of repetition, the fact remains that "replenish" is deemed a suitable translation.
In Job 38:7 the laying of the foundation of the earth is spoken of as a time "when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." It was unlikely that a dismal chaotic mass would call forth such an angelic oratorio. Furthermore, the notion of a created chaos is itself a contradiction.
In Ezekiel 28:13, we find mentioned a garden of Eden; with a description of its inhabitant, and conditions that cast a conflict on the accepted interpretation given to Genesis. This conflict is easily solved if one was to accept the gap theory, and place this text in the time frame between Genesis 1:1, and 1:2. However, if these verses are not in reference to Adam and Eve in the garden, (and I believe they are not) then it must be understood as to who is described here.
If the gap theory is accepted as an explanation to the first two verses of Genesis, then the question is posed; what caused that which God had created to become without form and void; and darkness to be upon the face of the deep? Also what can we know about what happened during the time of this gap?
To find the answers to these questions, we will first look at who Lucifer is from Isaiah 14:12-17. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?"
It is commonly taught that this excerpt about Lucifer is in reference to the devil; however this cannot be the case for several reasons. If we read the footnote in the Amplified version, in part it has this to say: "The Hebrew for this expression--light-bringer or shining one-- is translated Lucifer in The Latin Vulgate, and is thus translated in the King James Version. But because of the association of that name with Satan, it is not now used in this and other translations. Some students feel that the application of the name Lucifer to Satan, in spite of the long and confident to that effect is erroneous. The application of the name to Satan has existed since the third century A.D., and is based on the supposition that Luke 10:18 is an explanation of Isa. 14:12, which many authorities believe is not true..."
Furthermore, in the Gospel of John 8:44, Jesus speaking to the Pharisees said this: "You are of your father the devil, and the desire of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and [does not] stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [resources], for he is a liar and the father of it."
Also, in John 10:10: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
As one can see from these verses there is a conflict in Jesus’ description of the devil, and that of Lucifer (the Light-Bearer). Either Jesus was mistaken, or traditional teaching has been wrong. I think it would be safe to agree; traditional teaching has been wrong. Consider also the verses in Ezekiel 28:12-15: "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering... The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created... You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you."
The word "found" comes from the Hebrew meaning: to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist. This would mean that the iniquity that appeared in Lucifer, was included in him when he was created. God purposed this iniquity to come forth, and manifest itself when he was tempted of the devil. Thus the bringing about of his casting down.. This was no accident. God is always Sovereignly in control working out His plan and purpose in His creation. God created Lucifer with that flaw; God created the devil, and used him as an agent to expose that flaw in Lucifer, and bring about his down fall. This all took place (I believe) between Genesis 1:1, and 1:2. An interesting study of its own, will be to look into who Lucifer is. If we can concede he is not the devil, then who is he? Was he a part of a separate creation altogether, or were he and Adam one in the same? Is the story of his fall the same story of Adams fall or are they two separate events?
How we interpret one Scripture, affects how other verses are interpreted. It is important we do not contradict those truths that are clear, to support our theories that are not. There can be no mistaking Heb.9:22, which says: "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." is in reference to the blood of Jesus which takes away the sin of the world.
When Jesus was crucified on the cross, darkness was upon the earth for six hours. Jesus is the: "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." [Greek: Kosmos] (Rev. 13:8). The Greek for the word "foundation" means: a deposition, i.e. founding; fig. conception. The word deposition means: declaration. Therefore Jesus was the Lamb slain from the declaration or conception of the cosmos. It is at that time I believe when the "destruction of the cosmos" took place, and "darkness was upon the face of the deep." (Gen. 1:2). The light of the world was removed, and darkness and chaos was left. God did not react with an afterthought to the consequences of the iniquity; rather He took care of the cure before the disease! Before there was ever a need for it, the answer was already provided.
The root cause of all causes is God. As we search out our ‘roots’ and discover the truth about our family tree, we won’t find monkeys swinging from it. However we will find a loving and caring and Sovereign Creator as its designer working out a plan and purpose that is completely under His control.
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