That's possible. Between 0 and 10, how much weight do you put on the above?
9
A complete explanation is probably too much for this format. But I do believe the gap teaching to be true. I first heard of it early in my walk, around 1972. Dakes and Larkin have a pretty good presentation. Also Pember. I think the key to the teaching is Gen 1:2. The word translated "was" is also translated as "became." Suggesting that the condition of the earth (without form and void) was not the original condition... something happened, and it "became" that way.
Genesis 1:2 KJV
2. And the earth was (âyâh) 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.
The
New Messianic Version version renders it as such:
Genesis 1:2 NMV
and the earth
became without form and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God-Elōhīm [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] moved upon the face of the waters.
Some messianic groups also render the word "became."
Genesis 1:2:
‘The land
became formless and empty...
Strong's
âyâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 1162
Some of these occurrences include:
came, 538
come, 136
become, 67
became, 66
becamest, 2
fell, 7
follow, 4
followed, 2
accomplished, 1
brake, 1
cause, 1
caused, 1
conferred, 1
fainted, 1
happened, 1
made, 1
Here are Dake's notes on the Gap:
The Pre-Adamite World
1. The following facts prove that the term "in the beginning" in Gen_1:1 refers to the original creation of the heavens and the earth, and does not refer to the time or work of the six days of Genesis 1:3-2:25:
(1) The word "and" is used 153 times in Genesis 1-2 to separate the 102 independent acts of God. The "and" of Gen_1:2 proves that the work of Gen_1:2 is entirely independent of the work of Gen_1:1. While Gen_1:1 records the original creation of the heavens and the earth, Gen_1:2 records the original dry land, or earth, made into chaos and flooded through a great catastrophe which destroyed all life on a pre-Adamite earth.
(2) The word "was" in Gen_1:2 is from the verb to become, not the verb to be, proving that the earth became waste and empty since its original creation and habitation in the beginning. See note on "was," Gen_1:2.
(3) The phrase "without form" in Gen_1:2 (see notes there) is from the Hebrew tohuw (H8414), meaning waste or desolation. It is translated "waste" (Deu_32:10), "without form" (Gen_1:2; Jer_4:23), "vain" (Isa_45:18; 1Sa_12:21), "confusion" (Isa_24:10; Isa_34:11; Isa_41:29), "empty" (Job_26:7), "vanity" (Isa_40:17, Isa_40:23; Isa_44:9; Isa_59:4), "nothing" (Job_6:18; Isa_40:17), and "wilderness" (Job_12:24; Psa_107:40). It can be seen from these passages what the condition of the earth was in Gen_1:2. Yet Isa_45:18 states that God did not create the earth "in vain," or tohuw (H8414). Therefore, the earth was originally perfect, dry land, beautiful, and inhabited, but later became empty, waste, and a ruin because of sin (Deu_32:4; Ecc_3:11).
(4) The Hebrew for "void" in Gen_1:2 is bohuw (H922), "empty, ruined, void." It is translated "void" (Gen_1:2; Jer_4:23), and "emptiness" (Isa_34:11). The Hebrew phrase, tohuw wabohuw, "waste and empty," describes the chaotic condition of the earth at the time that it was cursed and flooded because of the sins of Lucifer and the pre-Adamites. It doesn’t refer to the earth as originally created—beautiful, perfect, dry land.
2. The earth was created to be inhabited (Isa_45:18), and was inhabited before the flood of Gen_1:2 and the work of the six days of Adam’s time (Genesis 1:3-2:25; Isa_14:12-14; Jer_4:23-26; Eze_28:11-17; 2Pe_3:5-7).
3. The earth is called "dry land" in Gen_1:10 which means that Gen_1:1 could read, "In the beginning God created the heaven and dry land." Since it was created dry, it stands to reason that the flooded condition of Gen_1:2 was a curse, not a creative act. According to Psa_136:6 the earth was originally "stretched above the waters," not covered by them (see note, Psa_136:6). This requires a pre-Adamite race whose sin brought such a curse.
4. In Gen_1:2 the earth is not only flooded with water but covered in total darkness, causing all life on earth to be destroyed. This requires a pre-Adamite world with vegetation, birds, animals, and human beings as proven in the notes on Jer_4:23-26.
5. Gen_1:2 reveals that the earth, waters, and darkness were already in existence before the work of the six days which began in Gen_1:3 and continued until the earth was restored to a second habitable state in Gen_2:25. Thus, it is clear from Gen_1:1-2 (and related scriptures) that:
(1) In the beginning—the dateless past, not six thousand years ago—God created the heavens, including the sun, moon, and stars. See note, Psa_136:7.
(2) At the same time God also created the earth or dry land.
(3) The heavens and the earth were created by God, a personal and an eternal Being. They were not the result of a cosmic accident.
(4) The heavens were created before the earth, as revealed in Job_38:4-7.
(5) Both the heavens and the earth were created before the earth was flooded.
(6) The earth was created dry land, not wet and flooded (Gen_1:1, Gen_1:10; Isa_45:18).
(7) The waters that flooded the dry land were created in the beginning along with the earth, to cause the dry land to become productive (Job_38:4-30), not to curse the earth as in Gen_1:2.
(8) Light and darkness was also created in the beginning, to help sustain life on the earth (Job_38:4-41).
(9) The earth alone was cursed, flooded, and filled with darkness—not the heavens (Gen_1:2).
We therefore conclude that Gen_1:1-2 proves a pre-Adamite world that was destroyed in a flood, requiring the making of the present Adamite world for God’s original purpose for the earth to be realized (Isa_45:18).
6. Gen_1:2 reveals the Spirit of God moving on the flooded earth to restore dry land. This confirms that the pre-Adamite world was destroyed, making it necessary to restore the earth to a second habitable state.
7. In Scripture, all instances of obscuring the sun and bringing darkness are the result of judgment, not creation—which is also true of the two universal floods (Genesis 6:8-8:22; Exo_10:21-23; Isa_5:30; Jer_4:23-26). All predictions of future darkness depict judgment (Mat_8:12; Mat_24:29-31; Rev_6:12-17; Rev_8:12; Rev_9:2; Rev_16:10; Isa_13:10; Joel 2:30-3:16; Amo_5:18-20). Could we say that Gen_1:2 is the only place in Scripture where darkness and a universal flood are not an act of judgment? If it isn’t an option, then Gen_1:2 proves that there was a pre-Adamite world destroyed by darkness and flood. No one questions that Noah’s flood was an act of judgment, or doubts the existence of free moral agents before the flood actually came. Why then doubt the existence of a pre-Adamite world which was destroyed by the darkness and flood of Gen_1:2? See Lucifer’s Flood.
8. The command for Adam to "replenish" the earth (fill it again, not plenish it) proves the earth had been filled before this (Gen_1:28). God gave the same command to Noah, after the second universal flood (Gen_9:1-2). Should we conclude that God meant for Noah to fill the earth for the first time, and not refill it? Substitute the word fill (meaning supply for the first time) in Gen_9:1; Isa_2:6; Isa_23:2; Jer_31:25; Eze_26:2; Eze_27:25, as some do in Gen_1:28 and see if it makes better sense. Whatever we conclude in the other places where "replenish" is used, we should be consistent and give the same meaning to Gen_1:28.
9. The fact that Lucifer had already ruled the earth and become a fallen creature before Adam’s time is proof that Adam and his race were not the first ones on earth. We must acknowledge that Satan’s fall was before Adam’s time, because he was already a fallen creature when he came into Adam’s Eden (Gen_3:1-24; 2Co_11:3). Hence, he must have fallen with a pre-Adamite creation.
10. According to Isa_14:12-14, Lucifer actually invaded heaven from earth, hoping to defeat God and take His kingdom; but Lucifer himself was defeated and his kingdom cursed. Before his defeat, he had a throne, implying a kingdom and subjects to rule over. His kingdom was under the clouds, under the stars, and under heaven—therefore, on earth. Having weakened the nations over whom he ruled, and wanting to be like God and take His place in heaven, Lucifer led the invasion of heaven. All this had to be in Adam’s day, because no such things have occurred since Adam was created.
11. Eze_28:11-17 pictures Lucifer before he fell, as the anointed cherub or protector of the earth, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty, ruling in a garden of Eden (before Adam), created by God and perfect in his ways up to the time of his fall. The passage gives both the reason for his fall and the results. The only time this could have been true of Satan was before the days of Adam, thus proving a pre-Adamite world.
12. In Jer_4:23-26 we have a full description of the earth under a total curse, as in Gen_1:2. It was desolate and empty. The heavens had no light, the hills and mountains were undergoing convulsions, and there was neither man, bird, animal, nor fruitful place; no city was left standing because of God’s fierce anger. The only time Jeremiah could have seen the earth "without form and void" was at the same time that Moses saw it thus, as recorded by him in Gen_1:2. There never has been a time from Adam until now when the earth was in such a state—not even at the time of Noah’s flood—and there will never be a time of such a curse in the eternal future. The only time Jer_4:23-26 could be fulfilled was before Adam, because the earth was in that condition when the Spirit began the six days’ work of restoring it to a second habitable state (Gen_1:2-21). Regarding the future, this will never be the condition of the earth again, because at His second coming Christ will begin to reign over all nations on earth forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end (Gen_8:22; Gen_9:12; Isa_9:6-7; Isa_59:21; Dan_2:44-45; Dan_7:13-14, Dan_7:18, Dan_7:27; Zec_14:1-21; Luk_1:32-33; Rev_1:6; Rev_5:10; Rev_11:15; Rev_20:4-10; Rev_22:4-5). Even the renovation of heaven and earth at the end of the Millennium will not make the earth desolate as pictured in Gen_1:2 and Jer_4:23-26 (see notes, Rom_8:19-25; Heb_1:10-12; Heb_12:25-28; 2Pe_3:10-13). Therefore, Jer_4:23-26 must refer to the same judgment as Gen_1:2, proving further that a real social system—human beings, birds, fruitful places, cities—existed before Adam.
13. Psa_104:5-9 speaks of God sending a flood on the earth after its creation, at which time the waters stood above the mountains. Psa_104:7 identifies this as Lucifer’s flood, saying "At Thy rebuke they fled." In the case of Noah’s flood, the waters slowly and naturally abated. Furthermore, Psa_104:9 makes it clear that this flood was at a time when God set a boundary for the waters "that they turn not again to cover the earth," and that is what happened in the six days’ work of Genesis 1:3-2:25. Thus, Psa_104:5-9 refers to the same flood as Gen_1:2 and proves the existence of a pre-Adamite world which was overthrown by a flood.
14. Turning to the New Testament we find that Jesus taught the fall of Satan from heaven in
Luk_10:18. When did he fall? Before Adam’s time, because he was already a fallen creature when he came into Adam’s Eden (Gen_3:1-24). Why did he fall? Because of pride and wanting to exalt his earthly kingdom above God’s (Isa_14:12-16; Eze_28:11-17). What was the result of his fall? All of Satan’s earthly subjects as well as over one third of God’s own angels fell with him (Rev_12:3, Rev_12:7-12); and all nations were totally destroyed, along with vegetation, fish, fowl, and animals (2Pe_3:5-7). Thus, Luk_10:18 substantiates the teaching of Old Testament passages regarding a pre-Adamite world.
15. Jesus further taught the overthrow of the pre-Adamite world by plainly stating that the world had been overthrown. See note, Mat_13:35.
16. Paul also taught the overthrow of the pre-Adamite world (Eph_1:4; Heb_4:3; Heb_9:26; see notes at these scriptures and the note on Mat_13:35). In Col_1:15-18 he made it clear that there are thrones, principalities, and powers in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible. It shouldn’t be difficult to believe that Lucifer was given one of these thrones and a kingdom to rule over, before he fell. That his kingdom was on earth in a pre-Adamite period is indicated by the fact that he returned to the earth after his fall and brought about the downfall of the new ruler, Adam. Why all this desire to usurp man’s dominion on earth if the earth was not at one time Lucifer’s place of rulership? Even his eternal punishment will be in the lake of fire under the earth, which further proves his sin was in connection with the earth—and when else could that have been but at the time of a pre-Adamite world?
17. Contrasting "the world that then was" with the heavens and the earth "which are now" Peter spoke clearly of a social system overthrown before Adam. See Pre-Adamites.
18. John also referred to the overthrow of the pre-Adamite world, as is clear from the note on Rev_13:8.
Thus, it is clear that both the Old Testament and the New Testament give proof of a pre-Adamite world. Scientific findings of prehistoric animals and human beings, the age of the earth, and other facts are consistent with the Biblical revelation of a pre-Adamite social system. There are many questions which cannot be answered apart from a belief in the pre-Adamite age. How did Lucifer become the devil and the prince of demons? When did he weaken the nations, ascend into heaven to exalt his throne above the stars, and fall from heaven as in Isa_14:12-14? How did demons originate, for what purpose, and when? What caused the calamity of Gen_1:2; Jer_4:23-26; Psa_104:6-9; and 2Pe_3:5-6? Why was hell prepared for the devil and his angels as stated in Mat_25:41, and why was it located beneath the earth (Mat_12:40; Eph_4:7-11)? Why was Adam told to "replenish" the earth and not merely to plenish it? These and other questions go unanswered apart from a belief in the pre-Adamite world.
a [was] Hebrew: hayah (H1961), became. Translated "became" 67 times (Gen_2:7; Gen_19:26; Gen_20:12; Gen_24:67; etc.); "becamest" (1Ch_17:22; Eze_16:8); "came" and "came to pass" 505 times (Gen_6:1; Gen_11:2; Gen_14:1; etc.); "become" 66 times (Gen_3:22; Gen_18:18; Gen_48:19; etc.); "come to pass" 131 times (
Gen_4:14; Gen_24:43; Gen_27:40; etc.); and "be" in the sense of "become" (Gen_1:3, Gen_1:6, Gen_1:9, Gen_1:14; Gen_3:5; etc.).
b [without form, and void] Hebrew: tohuw (H8414) wabohuw (H922), "waste and empty" (Jer_4:23). The earth wasn’t created tohuw in the beginning (Isa_45:18), but "became" (see note above) this way because of sin.
c [darkness] Obscuring the sun and consequent darkness is always a result of judgment, never of creation (Genesis 6-8; Exo_10:21; Jer_4:23; Joe_2:31; Rev_6:12; Rev_8:12; Rev_9:2; Rev_16:10).
d [deep]
Lucifer’s Flood
We find proof of two universal floods on earth, one in Lucifer’s day (Gen_1:2; Isa_14:12-14; Jer_4:23-26; 2Pe_3:5-7) and another in Noah’s (Genesis 6:11-8:14). The flood of Noah lasted a year and seventeen days, yet vegetation wasn’t destroyed. But in Lucifer’s flood the fruitful place became a wilderness (Jer_4:23-26). New vegetation had to be planted in the six days of re-creation, because the earth was totally desolate (Gen_1:11-12; Gen_2:5, Gen_2:8-17). This proves that Lucifer’s flood was longer than Noah’s and served as judgment for a more serious rebellion. See The Pre-Adamite World.