Gap Theory

[SBG]

Since I saw Genez back on here, I thought I would ask this question.

If I have understood correctly, there is the belief that this creation is on top of another creation. (Something like that) So, this would be considered the second creation. So how do you reconcile this verse from Revelations 21:1

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."

The Apostle John wants to convey to the reader that this is the first earth. The implications of this is that there is no previous earth created, whether under this creation or not.

I am curious as to the Gap Theorists view on this verse.

 

[Smidlee]

The first heaven and the first earth is in Genesis 1:1 . In the beginning ... is used a few time in scripture point back to an unknown time or before time. The statement in verse 2 is very similar to Jeremiah 4:23 which Jeremiah was referring clearly to judgement. We know the scriptures speak atleast one judgement , that's the flood.
There is a few other verses the gap theory uses but for the most part if there is a gap between Genesis 1:1 and Verse 2 , the scriptures is silent on it. We still do know exactly when Satan rebelled againest God nor what happen but there's a good chance it happen before man came into the picture. We also don't know how long was Satan faithful to God either.

 

[Marshall Janzen]

So how do you reconcile this verse from Revelations 21:1

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."

If two earths are being referred to, it seems natural to refer to them as the first earth and the new earth. This isn't necessarily making a claim that the first is the absolute first -- it's just the one John's mentioned up until this point.

Example: I went to a car lot and saw a car that I wanted. Then a salesman told me next year's model of that car had just come in, so he showed me the new car. He said the new car was much better than the first car.

This doesn't mean the first car was the first car ever made, and it may have even been preceded by earlier models in prior years.

 

[nephilimiyr]

Since I saw Genez back on here, I thought I would ask this question.

If I have understood correctly, there is the belief that this creation is on top of another creation. (Something like that) So, this would be considered the second creation. So how do you reconcile this verse from Revelations 21:1

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."

The Apostle John wants to convey to the reader that this is the first earth. The implications of this is that there is no previous earth created, whether under this creation or not.

I am curious as to the Gap Theorists view on this verse.

I believe in the gap theory and my view is that the earth today is still the same earth God created when He first created the earth.

Most people who believe in the gap theory believe that something happend to the earth to make it "without form and void". And of those people most believe what happend was judgement from God.

The gap theory doesn't say that the first created earth passed away and then God created a new earth, the one in which we live on today. What the gap theory says is that the earth suffered a catastrophic event of somekind that rendered it formless and void. Then God recreated life back onto the earth which is the story in the first chapter in Genesis. The gap theorist doesn't believe that Gen. 1:3 to Gen. 1:31 is the story of the original creation, only Gen. 1:1.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."

You seem to think that the gap theory contradicts Revelation 21:1 but it doesn't. John says he saw the first earth and first heaven pass away, the gap theory says that as of yet the first earth and first heaven hasn't passed away yet. Where's the contradiction? There is none because the gap theory doesn't say that God recreated the earth or the heavens in Genesis 1:3-31.

Genesis 1:1 is about the original creation, a creation that was perfect. Genesis 1:2 talks about the earth in chaos, the perfect condition is gone. What comes next is a RESTORATION of a once perfect earth.

According to John in Revelation, the new earth is going to be a whole different planet, not a restoration of an old one or one that was in chaos.

Hope that helps.

 

[SBG]

Thanks for the responses! It seems that are different Gap beliefs as well.

 

[nephilimiyr]

Thanks for the responses! It seems that are different Gap beliefs as well.

Yes there is and I've talked to genez in the past about the gap theory. I don't remember if we agreed 100% on our view but I do know there are different variations to the theory.