CHAPTER ONE
AN OVERVIEW OF GENESIS
1.1 THE BOOK OF GENESIS
Genesis is the first of the five books of the Hebrew Torah, commonly called the Pentateuch, The five Books of The Law and the Five Books of Moses. It is also the first book of the Christian Canon of Scripture. The Christian title is taken from the Hebrew word “re’shyith”, which means “in the beginning.”
The word used for Genesis in the Septuagint (Greek version of the Bible) denotes birth, creation, beginning, source and origin. Genesis records several beginnings and origins, such as:
Creation of the universe: 1:1-25
Creation of humanity: 1:26-31; 2:18-24
Temptation: 3:1-5
Sin: 2:16-17; 3:6-8
Judgement: 3:14-19
Prophecy: 3:15
Sacrifice: 3:21
Murder: 4:4-14
Drunkenness: 9:20-21
Covenant: 12:1 -3; 15:1-21; 17:-27
Tithing : 14:18-20
1.2 THE AUTHOR
Scripture verifies that Moses is the writer of the Five Books of The Law. In Exodus 17:14 and 34:27 God commands Moses to write and in Exodus 2:5-7; Numbers 33:2 and Deuteronomy 31:9, we discover that Moses heeded the command of Almighty God and wrote what God commanded him to write.
Joshua, the servant of Moses, who later became the leader of the Jewish nation after the death of Moses was told by Almighty God to heed the writings of Moses: “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left (Joshua23:6).”
Jesus, our beloved Saviour, also gives credit to Moses as the writer of the Pentateuch. After His resurrection, Jesus accompanies two of His disciples on their journey to Emmaus, notices their discouragement, and begins to convince them that the crucifixion was in the perfect plan of Almighty God. He convinces them and it is interesting to note that Jesus persuades them by referring to Scripture and begins His discourse with them by beginning His teaching from the books of Moses: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27).”
The Pharisees that brought the adulteress to Jesus for His opinion of what should be done to her also gave credit to Moses as the write of the Law: “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou (John 8:5)”?
1.3 THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
The main characters of Genesis are:
Adam, which means: “to show blood (in the face), i.e. flush or turn rosy”
Eve, which means: “life giver or mother of all living”
Cain, which means: “lance or spear”
Abel, which means: “to be vain in act, word, or expectation”
Noah, which means: “rest”
Abraham, which means: “father of a multitude”
Isaac, which means: “laughter”
Jacob, which means: “supplanted”
Joseph, which means: “let him add”
1.4 THE SEEDBED OF DOCTRINE
Genesis, as the book of beginnings contains the seedbed of the many important doctrines expressed in the Bible. The keen scholar will surely detect these initial stages of the various doctrines as he diligently and keenly studies Genesis. Some of these seedbeds of doctrine are:
CREATION: It is interesting to note that only two chapters are dedicated to the origin and creation of the universe and humanity, however there are sprinklings throughout the Bible that further elaborate on the Creation narrative (Gen. 1:1-4, Ex. 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 26:7; Psalm 102:25; Isaiah 40:28; Acts 14:15; Heb. 11:3).
GOD: The doctrine of God, existing in three persons, known as the Trinity though evident in Genesis is not openly declared, however throughout the Old and New Testament the doctrine is developed and finalised with great clarity. God, who is all wise (omniscient) progressively reveals His personage in the Trinity so that we may digest this great truth not only by faith but also through wise revelation on the part of God (Gen. 1:1-4; 1:26)
THE SABBATH: God institutes the Sabbath after the completion of His creative work and throughout the Old and New Testament; it plays a dominant spiritual role in the life of the Jewish nation of the Old Testament and The Born Again Christian of the New Testament (
HAMARTIOLOGY (SIN): Sin is introduced in Genesis with the fall of Adam and Eve, however on close examination the Scriptures clearly declare that sin originated with Lucifer and sin in all forms is rebellion against God and His Word.
SOTERIOLOGY (SALVATION): God had clearly stated that on partaking of the forbidden tree that Adam and Eve would die. Though they are banished from the Garden of Eden, their lives are spared. Spiritually they were separated from God and they did not die physically because God had shed innocent blood as atonement for their sin. Genesis 3:21 speaks of a coat of skins placed upon Adam and Eve as a covering, a type of The Lamb of God that was to come and shed His life’s blood for the remission of sin and the redemption of all men who shall call upon His name for salvation.
THE RAPTURE: Many Christians reject the doctrine of the Rapture simply because the word Rapture does not appear throughout the Bible and yet many emphatically believe in the Trinity though the word also does not appear throughout the Bible. The rapture is a New Testament doctrine that teaches the “catching away” of the Church to escape the impending Tribulation recorded in the book of Revelation. Enoch is the first person to be “caught away.” He was taken out of the world to escape the impending flood (Gen. 5:24; 1Thes. 4:13-17; Rev. 6-19).
TITHING: Preaching and teaching about money offends many Christians. Some blatantly refuse to tithing declaring it is a part of the Law and no more do Christians live by the law as Christ through His death and resurrection has ushered in the dispensation of Grace. What these Christians fail to comprehend is that the Law did not introduce the principle of tithing. It was introduced by the patriarch Abraham that first tithed to Melchizedek (see Gen. 14:18-20)) and thereafter became a part of the Jewish form of worship and upkeep of the Levitical priest hood. As Christians, we practice tithing for the simple reason that to our very day it is the God ordained manner of supporting His minsters that preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1.5 THE THEME OF GENESIS
There are several important topics in Genesis as mentioned earlier, however the central theme is the bringing forth of a nation in covenant with God and chosen by God to be fathered by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the patriarchs of Israel) from whom would come the Messiah that would redeem man from the eternal punishment of sin.
1.6 THE FIRST PROMISE OF THE MESSIAH
All that which is good originates with God. God Himself echoes the first prophecy of the coming Messiah: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel (Gen. 3:15).
1.7 THE KEY VERSE
Genesis has several important topics that make it difficult to pinpoint a particular verse as the key verse and therefore the following verses are suggested in keeping with the revelation of the various truths revealed in Genesis:
CREATION: 1:1-4; 1:26-27 THE TRINITY: 1:26; 11:7
THE SABBATH: 2:2-3
THE PROMISED MESSIAH: 3:15
PICTURES OF SALVATION: 3:21
ABRAHAM: 12:1-3; 15:17
JOSEPH: 50:20
1.8 THE OUTLINE OF GENESIS
The history of the creation of the universe and humanity: 1:1-2:25
The temptation, fall and judgement of Adam and Eve: 3:1-24
Cain, Abel and Seth: Abel: 4:1-5:32
Noah and Sons: 6:1-10:32
The confusion of language at Babel that dispersed humanity: 11:1-32
The Life of Abraham and Isaac: 12:1-25:20
The Life of Jacob: 25:21-35:29
The Genealogy of Esau: 36:1-43
Jacob and Tamar: 38:1-30
The Life of Joseph: 37:1-50; 39:1-50:26
GLEANINGS FROM GENESIS
CHAPTER TWO
THE REVELATION OF ALMIGHTY GOD
2.1 THE SEEDBED OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY
To this day, the Church is constantly being attacked with false teachings and even in these days, the validity of the doctrine of the Trinity is under attack. For centuries, the Church has endeavoured to defend this scriptural doctrine and probably because of our defensive attitude, we have created doubt and thus making an in road for scepticism (disbelief, doubt, uncertainty). Apostle Edwin Gray, the founder of Open Door Assemblies (South Africa) said “TRUTH DOES NOT NEED DEFENCE BUT DECLARATION.”
The opening statement of the Bible “IN THE BEGINNING GOD” is a declaration of truth. God declares His existence and throughout the canon of Scripture God does not defend this statement of truth. He leaves it entirely up to man to accept or reject His existence and no wonder Hebrews 11:6 declares: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
It is interesting to note just how God introduces Himself to man. The Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:1 is “elohiym.” God’s limitless wisdom is in action here, in that the Hebrew word for God is in the plural form. On reading, the cry of Jesus on the cross of Calvary prophesied in Psalms 22:1 it is exciting to note the singular form used: “eli.”
Once again the limitless wisdom of God in play. As we compare these two Scriptures, we see The Holy Spirit conveying two principle truths and that being the existence of the Trinity and that Jesus, the Son of God, is part of the Trinity. It is the second person of the Trinity that cries out to the other two persons of the Trinity. Be it that Jesus was not a part of the Trinity then he would have cried out thrice, My God, My God, My God, but because he is a part of the Trinity, He cries out twice My God, My God. Be it that there was and is no Trinity then Jesus would have cried out My God but once, thus also declaring Himself not God as well (see Isaiah 6:3 and Rev. 4:8).
Concerning the creation of man it is the determinate counsel (Acts 2:23), and that being the Trinity that speak in plural form: “LET US CREATE MAN IN OUT IMAGE AND LIKENESS (GEN. 1:26).” When confusing the glory seekers building the Tower of Babel God speaks again in the plural form: “let Us go down (see Gen. 11:5-7).”
2.2 THE TRINTITY IN CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE AND HUMANITY
We have already noted the Godhead in the creation of man; now let us briefly note the role of the Trinity in the creation of the universe. As we read Genesis 1:1-4 carefully, we note the three persons of the Trinity in the creation narrative. God, our heavenly Father creates through the Word ( The Pre-Incarnate Son of God) with The Holy Spirit brooding over that which is without form and void (see also John 1:1-3).
2.3 THE ETERNAL GOD WHO CREATED THE BEGINNING
Often Genesis 1:1 is misinterpreted and many say that God himself had a beginning. This is completely contrary to what the Scripture teaches. In the beginning is a reference to creation, the very beginning of the universe and humanity and not the beginning of God. The golden rule of interpreting scripture must be applied: “LET SCRIPTURE INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.”
Genesis 21:33 declares that the patriarch Abraham called on the name of the LORD (note the capitals, which denotes Jehovah God, I AM), The Everlasting God. King David, the psalmist praises God and exclaims joyfully that his God has no end (Psalm 102:27) and further rejoices that his God is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). The prophet Isaiah boasts that God inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15).
The New Testament further emphasizes the eternalness of God. Romans 6:16 speaks of THE EVERLASTING God, Hebrews 9:14 speaks of the ETERNAL SPIRIT, Hebrews 1:8 speak of the throne of God that is FOREVER and EVER.
IN THE BEGINNING has no reference to God’s existence or beginning of His existence, it deals with the beginning of time. God, Himself is the creator of time and therefore He is not conditioned by it and no wonder the Scriptures convey God’s perception of time: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day (2 Peter 3:8).” When appearing to Moses God revealed Himself as “I Am.” The tense of “I AM” is noted, as the present tense. God is NOW IN THE NOW, GOD IS NOW IN THE PAST AND GOD IS NOW IN THE FUTURE. In simple words God transcends time and no wonder Elihu (one of Job’s friends) speaks of the greatness of God and the fact that no one can number the years of God (Job 36:26).
Jesus, the second person of the Trinity reveals Himself as eternal: “I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, SAYS THE LORD, WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY (Rev. 1:8).”
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, like the Father and the Son is eternal: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through THE ETERNAL SPIRIT offered Himself without spot to God (Heb. 9:14).”
2.4 THE IMMUTABLE ALMIGHTY GOD
Names and titles are very important in that often they depict character and ministry. Elijah means “Jehovah is God” and we see clearly that the hallmark of his ministry was when he challenged the false prophets of his day to proof who was the real God of Israel. He challenged the false prophets to call on their God and for their God to answer with fire to consume their prepared sacrifice. He promised to do like wise and the God that consumed the sacrifice with fire would be the one true God of Israel (1Kings 18:19-39). We are familiar with the narrative, for we know that Jehovah answered with fire. Jonathan, King David’s covenant friend, means “Jehovah’s gift.” Jonathan as a friend to David was a gift from God. He protected David from his own father, Saul, who was enraged with jealous over the popularity of David among his subjects. Samuel, the judge and prophet of Israel, means “Asked of God.” His barren mother sought the face of Jehovah in ardent prayer to have a child and Jehovah graciously answered and gave her a son that would lead the nation out of depravity and back to serving Jehovah.
God has several names and each depict a certain characteristic of His person. The very first name we read of in the Bible is Elohim (the English spelling of the Hebrew word elohiym). It is mentioned thirty two times in Genesis chapter one. The name means TO BE STRONG.
God, alone has the attributes of OMNIPOTENCE, OMNISCIENCE AND OIMNIPRESENCE. It is these attributes and many more that make God, The Creator distinct from all His creation. God is OMNIPOTENT, meaning ALL POWERFUL. The name Elohim thus means that God is ALL POWERFUL – THE ALMIGHTY GOD.
Almighty God’s power is immutable. It never fluctuates. It is forever the same, never decreasing, never increasing. This is why the Scriptures in the very first book, Genesis, declare that the God of the Holy Scriptures is ALMIGHTY GOD.
Several years ago (perhaps 1982), the writer, whilst still a very young pastor received illumination (NOTA BENA: NOT REVELATION) concerning the Almighty God. Whilst in prayer, God spoke one word: “God.” As the writer waited upon God in silence and mediation the acrostics for God unfolded within his spirit.
G … GOD
O … OVER
D … (the) DEVIL
G … GOD
O … OVER
D … DEMONS
G … GOD
O … OVER
D … DEATH
G … GOD
O … OVER
D … DESEASE
G … GOD
O … OVER
D … DEBT
G … GOD
O … OVER
D … DIVORCE
GOD OVER (the) DEVIL
The devil has played havoc with God’s people since the fall of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3) and many Christians eagerly wait for that day when he together with the fallen angels, the anti-Christ and the false prophet will be cast in the lake of fire never ever again to temp and torment the children of God (Rev. 20:10). This great event and permanent blessing is only seen as a future experience, however on close examination of the Scriptures the Born Again Christian can experience victory over temptation, over sin, over the devil immediately. Scripture declares: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).”
The Born Again Christian has a delegated authority over the devil. Jesus conquered the devil, He never succumbed to sin and because He dwells within our spirits, we have the God given ability to overcome the devil. The Scriptures confirm this great truth: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12:11).
GOD OVER DEMONS
The Scriptures contain many examples of Jesus casting out demons: THE MAN OF CADARA (GOD OVER DEMONS) THE SPIRIT OF IMFIRMITY THAT POSSESED A WOMAN FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS (Mark 5:1-15; Luke 13:11-16). This power over demons has been delegated to Church by the head of the Church (Jesus Christ): “And these signs shall follow them that believe, in my name they shall cast devils, they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:5).”
GOD OVER DEATH
Jesus, God in the flesh (John 1:1-14), has conquered death: “I am He that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hell and death (Rev.1:18).” Jesus has locked off death to the child of God and opened up life eternal instead “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1Cor. 15:55)?”
GOD OVER DISEASE
The Scriptures and the personal experience of thousands of people throughout the world validate that God is truly has power over all diseases. The psalmist King David joyfully exclaimed: “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 103:1-3).”
GOD OVER DEBT
Like the Old Testament saint of God, the New Testament saint of Gods experiences the miraculous provision of God: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37;25),” “My God shall supply all my needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).”
GOD OVER DIVORCE
God, through Jesus Christ, His son, is the great reconciler. He brings the estranged back together. In our modern day, society divorce is rampant; however, those who turn to the Lord for help will not be disappointed. God will shower His grace upon the estranged and He will bring about lasting reconciliation (see Eph. 2:16 and Col. 1:20).
GOD OVER DEMONS, DISEASE AND DEATH
The Gospel records of Mark 5:1-43 and Luke 8:26-56 shows forth the power that Jesus the Son of God exhibited over demons (the demon possessed man of Gadare), over disease (the woman who suffered with a blood issue for twelve years) and over death (the raising of the twelve year old girl).
2.5 THE GREAT COMMISSION
There are those unique experiences when the voice of God resounds within our spirit. Like Elijah, we do not always hear the voice of God in the lightning and the thunder; rather within our inner man, we hear the still small voice of God (see 1Kings 19). As a young pastor, I was always zealous to follow the commands of our Saviour, knowing that my obedience to my God was evidence for my sincere love for Him. I visited my good friend, Basil Smith (one of the kindest and most caring person I have ever known) and no sooner with him he began to share from a booklet (if I remember correctly written By pastor Ray McCauley, a renowned South African minister) of how that two thirds of the name GOD spells GO. The Spirit of the Lord came upon us and we began to lament before the Lord, asking the Lord that we would heed the command of the Great Commission. As we prayed, the still small voice that spoke to Elijah spoke to me and I heard these words ringing and ringing in my mind ( no doubt springing forth from my spirit, where the richness of God’s presence dwells); “I HAVE CALLED YOU TO PREACH THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF MY WORD AND THEREFORE DO NOT FORGET THE OTHER THIRD OF MY NAME, DON’T FORGET THE D.” I yielded to the Lord and began to mediate on what was ringing in my mind. When God does give his children a RHEMA WORD, He will never leave us floundering and guessing. He unveils His Word to us clearly and emphatically (this experience is one of the few times in my life and ministry that I was convinced that God had spoken to me personally).
As I waited before the Lord, the meaning of the D began to unfold — DIRECTION. As ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ heeding the Great Commission is noble and yet many of us miss God’s purposes for we simply have not received DIRECTION from the Lord: “ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way (Psalm 37;23). Paul, an apostle to the Jews and Gentiles brings great clarity and understanding to our role as minsters of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He makes clear-cut distinctions between his roles as a servant of Jesus to that of his role as an apostle of Jesus.
Addressing the Church in Rome he refers himself first as a BONDSERVANT and then as an APOSTLE.
Addressing the Corinthian Church, he mentions the fact that he has been called as an APOSTLE.
To the Galatian Church, he refers to himself as an APOSTLE not called by men but through Jesus Christ and god the Father.
To the Ephesians he addresses himself as an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ and by the will of God.
To the Philippian Church, he addresses himself as a BONDSERVANT.
Addressing the Colossian Church, he emphasizes his ministry of an APOSTLE.
Writing to Timothy, he addresses himself as an Apostle.
Writing to Titus, he addresses himself first as a BONDSERVANT and then an APOSTLE.
As a BONDSERVANT, he is emphasising the fact that he has no will of his own. He is very submissive to the will of his Master. In fact, he has no mind of his own. The servants of those days wore earrings, thus indicating their servant hood and allegiance to their masters. Paul was saying in no uncertain terms that like a servant that could be pulled from this end to the other by his master so was he directed of the Lord. It is also interesting to note why Paul at certain times mentions APOSTLE first. In these cases he was expressing his authority as an APOSTLE (who as a servant of God as well has heard from God) and now brings correction, and doctrine to the various Churches.
Paul as a BONDSERVANT experienced repeatedly the authority of his master. Zealous in all his ways to fulfil the Great Commission and yet wise enough to know that his ministry was in the hands of the Lord and that even in times of great revival, like in Philippi, he would be taken out of the revival and place in jail. Taken out of the revival of the multitude and placed in jail to deal with one solitary person, the jailer.
On another occasion Paul, together with his apostolic band was zealous in preaching the Gospel in Asia: “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia (Acts 16:6).”
Sadly, many of us are fishing in the wrong water. We are casting our Gospel net in the same area for years and the catch is so minimal, that often we wonder if we are truly called of God. There is so little fruit in our ministries. Perhaps herein lies the answer: “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes (John 21:3-6).”
It is essential that as minsters of the Gospel we have our priorities in divine order and that being SERVANT HOOD ALWAYS PRECEEDS APOSTLESHIP (or whatever your Ascended Gift is).
CHAPTER THREE
THE THEORIES OF CREATION
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Genesis 1:1-4: In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and empty. And darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on 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 between the light and the darkness.
The creation narrative has always been a controversial subject amongst scholars of the Word. It is essential that this interesting subject be approached without preconceived ideas or notions. An open mind is needed to grasp and understand the wonder of the creation of Almighty.
There are several schools of thought of concerning creation, however the writer has purposely familiarised himself with the following three:
THE PRELIMINARY THEORY
THE RECONSTRUCTION THEORY (GAP THEORY)
FIAT THEORY
3.2 THE PRELIMINARY THEORY
This simply teaches that the verses that follow verse one are the explanation of the preliminary statement of verse one. In simple words, they are the description of how God created the heavens and the earth. This view is also commonly associated with THE SIX DAY THEORY OF CREATION.
3.3 THE RECONSTRUCTION THEORY
This theory teaches that the heavens and the earth was first created by God and later destroyed by God and thereafter after a period of God reconstructed the heaven and the earth once again. Of the two theories mentioned above, it seems to the writer that THE PRELIMINARY THEORY most logical because of much Scriptural evidence (this is but a suggestion and not a dogmatic statement, it is like all teaching subject to every person’s personal judgement). Let us consider two evidences that promote this theory of creation:
EVIDENCE NUMBER ONE: Is it possible for the Almighty God (Elohim) to create something that is WITHOUT FORM AND VOID. This surely seems to be a contradiction to the power of God. The Bible clearly conveys the fact that God cannot fail and it would seem to indicate that creating the heavens and the earth waste and empty that God had failed. The Hebrew words for WITHOUT FORM AND VOID are tohu va bohu and means waste and empty. Isaiah, the evangelical prophet declares that this was not the case: “For so says the LORD the Creator of the heavens, He is God, forming the earth and making it; He makes it stand, not creating it empty, but forming it to be inhabited. I am the LORD, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:18).
God created the heaven and the earth perfect. God cannot fail. Something drastic must have made the perfect creation of Almighty God to become waste and empty, thus making the creation uninhabitable. The RECONSTRUCTIONAL THEORIST teaches that there is a parenthesis (gap) of time between the close of verse one (i.e. the completion of creation) and verse two (the start of the reconstruction process). The RECONSTRUCTION THEORIST does not cite this duration of time between the completion of creation and the start of the reconstruction. The duration of the time is unimportant but what transpired in Heaven during that time is of paramount importance. Two Scriptures give us the necessary information to what occurred between the close of creation (end of verse one) and the beginning of the reconstruction of the creation (the start of verse 2).
SCRIPTURE ONE (THE REBELLION OF SATAN) ISAIAH 14:12-15: “How you are fallen from the heavens, O shining star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will go up above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the Pit”.
SCRIPTURE TWO (THE JUDGEMENT OF LUCIFER) Ezekiel 28:13-19: “You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the turquoise, and the emerald, and gold. The workmanship of your tambourines and of your flutes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. .You were the anointed cherub that covers, and I had put you in the holy height of God where you were.; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire .You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you. By the multitude of your goods, they have filled your midst with violence, and you have sinned. So I cast you profaned from the height of God, and I destroy you, O covering cherub, from among the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have spoiled your wisdom because of your brightness. I will cast you to the ground; I will put you before kings, that they may behold you. By the host of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trade, you have profaned your holy places; so I brought a fire from your midst; it shall devour you, and I will give you for ashes on the earth, before the eyes of all who see you. All who know you among the peoples shall be astonished at you; you shall be terrors, and you will not be forever.”
Lucifer, a created cherub looked upon his exquisite beauty. Pride entered his
heart. He influenced a third of the angelic host and marched toward the throne of God with the purpose of setting himself as God. The Word of God emphatically teaches that pride goes before destruction (Pro. 18:15). Someone once said that “beauty is only skin deep, how deep is ugliness:”
Lucifer (light bearer) was cast out from heaven by the scruff of his neck together with his rebellious angels. Influence is very powerful; it can change and alter people’s perceptions and actions. Often when coming under the cloud of others persuasive influences good turns to evil. Satan is not only the first to allow pride to enter his being, but he is also the first to use the spirit of witchcraft upon others: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idol-worship (1Sam. 15:23).” The New Testament records that Jesus saw Satan fall like a bolt of lightning to the earth: “And He said to them, I saw Satan fall from Heaven like lightning (Luke 10:18).”
Lightning is a destructive force. As Lucifer and his rebellious angels struck the earth as a force of lightning, the earth became waste and empty. It became uninhabitable. It was not Lucifer that destroyed God’s perfect creation; it was the act of judgment upon Lucifer and the rebellious angels.
EVIDENCE NUMBER TW0: In the creation narrative of Chapter 1, two words help us immensely to see that the RECONSTRUCTIONAL THEORY is more than likely. These two words are CREATE and MADE. Using the principle of etymology (the study of word origins, history of a word), the student would note marked distinctions of meaning between these vital words. The Hebrew word for CREATE is bara which means to bring into existence that which never existed before. The Hebrew word for MADE is asah which means to fashion from that which already existed.
3.4 FIAT DECREE THEORY
Certain scholars advocate that the creation involved thousands of years, a timeless creation. The FIAT DECREE THEORISTS vehemently maintain that this is contrary to the very nature and power of God Almighty. They believe that although God involves Himself in the NATURAL HE WORKS IN THE SUPERNATURAL. It is their belief that God is not conditioned or controlled by time.
The opposing Theorists have specific Scriptures that support their theory of a long and drawn out creation. In fact, all biblical theorists have their unique Scriptures that reinforce their theories.
Those that oppose a FIAT DECREE CREATION emphasise 2Peter 3:8: “But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day.” To further strengthen their doctrine they wisely use Genesis 1:3-4 and 14-19: “And God said, Let there be light. And there was light. And God saw the light that it was good. And God divided between the light and the darkness. And God called the light, Day. And He called the darkness, Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. . . . And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and the night. And let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years, And let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night, and the stars also. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night; and to divide between the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.´
No doubt, using these Scriptures gives them a strong argument. No more is the belief that God created the heaven and the earth in six days but rather it took God six thousand years. Furthermore, their exposition of verses four to 19 has a ring of truth. It is on the first day that God that creates the light and seeing that the light was good, He then separates the light from darkness. God then wisely names the light day and the darkness night. What is interesting though is this day and night has no sun or moon and therefore there is a major distinction between day one to day three to that of day four. It is on day four that God creates the two lights and what is important is that the one light rules the light that is already existing and the lesser light rules the night that is already existing. The light of the first, second and third day is a different light to that of the light of the fourth day. The Hebrew words used for day one, two and three are a different word used for day four. The light day one to three is owr and ma’owr is the fourth day two lights. The light of the first three days is a singular light and the lights of the fourth are two lights. The singular form of light and the plural form of light is evident. The first day unto day, three with the one light is timeless and the fourth day is the first ever twenty-four hour day. After the fourth day, all days are of twenty-four hours. This reasoning using Scripture has a very strong argument and cannot readily be dismissed and this is why many adhere to a timeless creation.
On the other hand, FIAT DECREE THEORISTS have other Scriptures that support their theory as well. The scriptures that entrench their belief are Hebrews 11:3 and Psalm 33:6-9: “Through faith we understand that the ages were framed by a word of God, so that the things seen should not have come into being out of the things that appear. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea like a heap, setting the depths in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke and it was done; He commanded, and it stood.
The word Fiat is derived from the old Latin language and according to The Collins English Dictionary means:
Official sanction (authorize – added by writer)
Authoritative permission
An arbitrary (random – added by writer) order or decree (dictate –added by the writer)
Chiefly literary, any command, decision, or an act of will that brings something about (C17: from Latin literary: let it be done, from fieri to become.
Considering Gen. 1:3: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” we see that Creation was definitely a Fiat command. God spoke to nowhere and from nowhere came everywhere. Out of nothing, everything came forth as THE OMNIPOTEN SPOKE BY FIATE DECREE.
3.5 CONCLUSION
After considering the above theories what is the writer’s conclusion concerning the amazing Creation. Which of the theories does he follow? To be candid, a mixture of the theories. It is his persuasion that God Almighty spoke by FIAT DECREE and instantly heaven and the earth came into being (the beginning occurred), thereafter Lucifer and a third of the angelic host rebelled and God cast them out of His presence. This act of judgement destroyed the Creation and the earth became uninhabitable. Genesis 1:2 onwards is the history of the reconstruction of heaven and earth; with the first three days not being, the day and night that we are familiar with (see Gen. 1:14-19). The writer favours this conglomeration (mass collection) because there is a definite similarity between the creation of Heaven and Earth. We have read that Lucifer’s rebellion caused the destruction of the creation and surely as we read the account of the Creation of Adam and Eve, we see Satan (by this time his name is changed from Lucifer to Satan, which means adversary) tempting Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit. On eating the forbidden fruit as Adam and Eve died spiritually and were cast out from the Garden of Eden by God. And just like the Heaven and the Earth was reconstructed, so was man reconstructed spiritually. No, wonder the Gospel of John records: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
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