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

While many believe that the Bible teaches that the 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, the earth is far more ancient than this.

While the Bible does not give exact details about the period of time on the 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.

1. Learn the difference between Bible scriptures that speak of man’s dispensation (time, forward from Adam) upon the earth specifically (7,000 to 10,000 years) and the scriptures in regard to the actual age of the earth (dateless past). Some scriptures do in fact refer to a pre-adamic event and time period. This involved an angelic dispensation and a judgment that fell upon the earth, which involved some of God’s created angels who opposed him.

   Much of what is included in this study about the age of the earth is referred to as the “Genesis gap” and it is believed and taught by many Evangelical Christians, of all denominations, although there are many who also do not agree with it. There are other Christian writings on this subject as well that refer to the Bible and date as far back as the 4th century A.D.

   The most important consideration, however, is the fact that there is in-context, Bible scripture backing for this study. Another important point to remember is that the Bible is a “revelation” and not an “explanation.” It was God’s intention, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to reveal only what he wished for man to know and in the timing he wanted him to understand it.

   • (2Peter 1:21) {21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2. Study the Bible scriptures in regard to the “fall of Lucifer,” the fallen angel who became Satan, which happened during a pre-adamic time period. These scriptures reveal a dispensation on earth that predates mankind. The Bible does not reveal in detail what was here on earth before Adam, but the pre-historic (pre-adamic) time period, according to the Bible, did involve the revolt/protest and fall of Lucifer who became Satan and a judgment that came upon the earth that was once inhabited and/or overseen by angels.
   
   • Note: That in bold below, is my addition: (Jude 1:6) {6} 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.

   According to the Bible, this judgment happens because of Lucifer’s disobedience and because 1/3 of the angels that were under his authority also protested against God with him.

   Revelation 12:9 retrospectively reveals that “1/3” of the angels fell with Lucifer. This worldwide judgment of angels also very likely included the destruction of the dinosaurs that controlled the lush, pre-judgment earth vegetation of that time. These dinosaurs and other prehistoric plant and animal life that were on the earth at the time of this judgment of the rebellious angels were also brought to an abrupt end/extinction.

   The “ice age” that scientists have long believed brought about the pre-historic extinction of dinosaurs, was actually a catastrophic flood of judgment from God. This flood was similar to the flood of Noah’s day, which may have also become an ice age. God did not allow light/heat to shine upon the flood-covered earth for a period of time after this judgment had taken place. God then re-created the earth, after casting these angels into “hell”, and he placed man on the re-made/revived earth, made in his own image and likeness (Gen 1:26).

   Jesus states in Matthew 25:41, that hell (everlasting fire) was “…prepared for the devil and his angels” originally, during the pre-adamic time period but was afterward described as the holding place for all spirits who follow Satan’s example of disobedience and rebellion. You see no mention whatsoever of the creation of hell, which is described as being in the heart/belly of the earth, in the Genesis chapters because it was created for the fallen angels prior to the Genesis account.

   This study, that some call the “Genesis Gap”, reveals that something catastrophic happened on the Earth involving angels. It is mentioned between the first two verses of Genesis chapter 1 and in many other scriptures, indicating that there was a space of time between these two verses that was possibly millions or billions of years (eons). Gen 1:1 describes a created, finished earth and heaven (atmosphere above the earth and beyond) but then describes an Earth in verse 2 that is void, flood-covered, and full of darkness.

   • Note: The italics in parentheses below are my additions: (Genesis 1:1-2) {1} In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (finished past-tense statement). {2} And the Earth was (Hebrew word meaning “became” or “to become”) without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

   This study also agrees with the idea that God’s restoration of the earth for Adam/mankind to live on, took place in the literal six-day period that the Bible describes in the book of Genesis. Following are two scriptures that refer to the fall of “Lucifer”, who became “Satan”. Note that both state that his fall took place upon the earth and resulted in it becoming “a wilderness”.

   • Note: The italics in parentheses and bolds below are my additions: (Ezekiel 28:12-18 KJV) {12} Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus (a man and Satan; the influence behind this man), and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. {13} Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. {14} Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. {15} Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. {16} 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 profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. {17} 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 (earth), I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. {18} Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
   • (Isaiah 14:12-17 KJV) {12} 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! {13} For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven (ascended from earth), I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (stars were in existence at this pre-adamic time period): I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: {14} I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. {15} Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. {16} 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; {17} That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities (pre-adamic) thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

Please see Part II of this article, which will include steps # 3 and 4, for gaining Bible knowledge of this subject.