How To Learn About the Age of the Earth and the Origin of Evil from the Bible (Part II)

This is a continuation of Part I and the first paragraph below, is a repeat of that article-introduction, followed by Part II:

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While many believe that the Bible teaches that Earth is approximately 7,000 to 10,000 years old, it in fact does not reveal this. According to many passages found in Bible scriptures, Earth is far more ancient than this.

While the Bible does not give exact details about the period of time on Earth prior to mankind, it does reveal that there was an ancient pre-adamic (before Adam) time period and that it was during this time period that evil or opposition to God originated.

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Part II:

1. Study the scriptures in Genesis and corresponding Bible passages that distinguish between the pre-adamic time period and the dispensation that began with Adam. The scriptures that refer to Lucifer's fall state that he "made the world as a wilderness" (Is 14:17, Jer 4:23 and Gen 1:2). We also see the earth as "without form and void" in Gen 1:2. Similarly, Gen 1:1 that says he, God "...created (past tense) the heaven and the earth."

   It is also a fact that the world "was without form and void." in verse two, in the original Hebrew, means "became or to become". When taken literally this reads; "And the earth became without form and void."

   Isaiah 45:18 states that God did not create the earth "in vain", but to be inhabited and so the originally created earth was perfect, until corrupted and perverted by the pre-adamic sin of Lucifer and the other angels that rebelled. Adam was not the original sinner or else how could one who was already fallen (separated from God) tempt him in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:1-5 Satan used the subtlety of the snake/serpent))?

   Gen 1:2 refers twice to a large body of water that covered the entire earth. Water of this magnitude would not logically be for creative purposes since this much water would not bind but wash things apart/way. This flood of water, plus the presence of "darkness" (Gen 1:2..."and darkness was upon the fact of the deep..."), would indicate a judgment that fell upon the earth (I Jn 1:5 "...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.").

   By looking at all of these scriptures together (II Tim 2:15 ...rightly dividing the word of truth.") it would be impossible not to conclude that Lucifer had some type of "throne" (Is 14:13) and a dominion of some kind, over angels, which was destroyed by a flood of judgment at the time of his rebellion. The absence of light on the earth (Gen 1:2) at the time of this flood would also have potentially caused an ice age, causing the extinction of all plant and animal life.

   The literal six days of re-creation following that judgment, that plainly also states that God removed this body of water from the "dry land" (Gen 1:9), would have been the restoration or re-creation of the earth, after this catastrophic flood.

   When God placed Adam and Eve on the restored earth, he told them to "be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth" (Gen 1:28), meaning to repopulate or refill. This is the very same word--"replenish"-- that God told Noah and his family, when they exited the Ark after the second flood of judgment. The first flood being the one we have been looking at, found in Gen 1:2, caused by the fall of Lucifer, who sinned before God created Adam.

   To believe that the judgment of those fallen angels did not happen at a pre-adamic time, on this same earth, you would have to deny the existence of millions of devils/demon spirits that tempt the earth's entire population of people, every day on this planet. If they are not from a pre-adamic time period, where did they come from? (Ephesians 6;12) {12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2. Realize that Adam was tempted by the one who originally rebelled against God: Satan. And Satan's authority on the earth came from getting man to follow his rebellion, which began God's plan for redemption, through Jesus Christ. While this study is one of the deeper and more complicated ones found in the Bible, it holds an importance to understanding it, on many levels. Not only does this study reveal an extremely ancient earth and prehistoric life on the earth, it also helps us understand the origin of evil.

   We cannot fully understand God's plan in allowing a fallen angel to tempt Adam, but we can see from other Bible scriptures that God desires a family of people, who choose to be his family and who are not forced to do so (angels did not have free-will).

   God allows us to be tested by Satan and his kingdom of other fallen angels (God does not tempt with evil but allows temptation). Satan's and his kingdom have attempted to gain back something they once had, that was lost through rebellion against their creator. My belief is that Satan was loosed from hell for a reason: so that Adam's choice to be in relationship with God could be tested. When Adam failed this test and obeyed the voice of Satan (rebellion), the authority over the earth given to Adam (Gen 1:26) fell to Satan, and all of the other fallen angels were released from their prison, back into the world.

   Jesus was similarly tempted by Satan, to turn his authority over to him. (Mat 4:8-10) {8} Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; {9} And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. {10} Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Men often find themselves at times, in the same position of temptation to rebel against God. Men sometimes wish to believe there is no creator and that he is the greatest authority to himself and his life situations. This is actually a description of sin and we find the first example of it in this study, taking place during a pre-adamic time period, when certain angels were the first to rebel against their creator.