The Creation of this World

Introduction

Four great facts of Creation are being increasingly denied by both secularists and professed Christians:

(1) The True God — the God of the Bible — created all of the universe. (2) He created it by His Word without using pre-existing material. (3) He created this world and everything in it in six literal 24-hour days and then rested on the Seventh day, which He then dedicated as the weekly Sabbath that all of His worshipers are to forever keep. (4) That first week, which we call "Creation Week," occurred about 6,000 years ago. This means that there has only been approximately 6,000 years since this world and all that it contains was brought into existence.

In addition to Bible chronologies, which help fix the time of Creation Week, here are some additional statements regarding God’s creation of this world:

The Bible

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." — Genesis 1:1.

"By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth . . For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." — Psalm 33:6-9.

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited." — Isaiah 45:18.

God the Father created all things by Christ His Son.

"For by Him [the Son] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him." — Colossians 1:16.

"All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made." — John 1:3.

"God. .hath. .spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power." — Hebrews 1:1-3.

In all the works of His Creation we see overwhelming evidences of His wisdom and power.

"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard ." — Psalm 19:1-3.

The facts of Creation are proof to infidels, to all false gods, and to all false worship.

"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." — Romans 1:20.

"Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens." — Jeremiah 10:11.

"0 come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." — Psalm 95:6.

The Spirit of Prophecy

What does the Spirit of Prophecy teach us in regard to the facts of creation? First, was everything in this world made in six literal days of Creation Week?

"The Great Jehovah had laid the foundations of the earth; He had dressed the whole world in the garb of beauty and had filled it with things useful to man; He had created all the wonders of the land and of the sea. ln six days the great work of creation had been accomplished. After resting upon the seventh day, God sanctified it, or set it apart, as a day of rest for man. Following the example of the Creation, man was to rest upon this sacred day, that as he should look upon the heavens and the earth, he might reflect upon God’s great work of creation; and that as he should behold the evidences of God’s wisdom and goodness, his heart might be filled with love and reverence for his Maker.." — Patriarchs and Prophets, 47.

"God made the world in six literal days, and on the seventh literal day He rested from all His work which He had done, and was refreshed. So He has given man six days in which to labor. But He sanctified the day of His rest, and gave it to man to be kept, free from all secular labor. By this setting apart the Sabbath, God gave the world a memorial. He did not set apart one day and any day in seven, but one particular day, the seventh day. And by observing the Sabbath, we show that we recognize God as the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth. There is nothing in the Sabbath that restricts it to any particular class of people. It was given to all mankind." — Testimonies to Ministers, 136.

It is clear that this world and everything in it was made in six literal days of 24 hours each. And it is equally clear that that fact is closely tied to God’s great Memorial of Creation: the Seventh-day Sabbath, which He gave to mankind as the day they are forever to worship Him upon. But "science falsely so-called," which is nothing more than wrong conclusions based on scientific evidence, claims that everything in Creation simply made itself over a period of time.

"Inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature have, however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation; and in the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the Word of God. Geology has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of the Mosaic record of the creation. Millions of years, it is claimed, were required for the evolution of the earth from chaos; and in order to accommodate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days of creation are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering thousands or even millions of years." — Education, 128.

"The work of creation can never be explained by science. What science can explain the mystery of life? The theory that God did not create matter when He brought the world into existence is without foundation. In the formation of our world, God was not indebted to preexisting matter. On the contrary, all things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice and were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things therein, are not only the work of His hand; they came into existence by the breath of His mouth." — 8 Testimonies, 258-259.

"In dwelling upon the laws of matter and the laws of nature, many lose sight of, if they do not deny, the continual and direct agency of God. They convey the idea that nature acts independently of God, having in and of itself its own limits and its own powers wherewith to work. Vital power is attributed to matter, and nature is made a deity." — 8 Testimonies, 259.

Only in the Inspired Word of God can we find a correct understanding of the facts of Creation.

"The Bible is the most comprehensive and the most instructive history which men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and a divine hand has preserved its purity through the ages.... In God’s Word alone we find an authentic account of creation." — 5 Testimonies, 25.

In addition to the above information, we also know that this world was brought into existence shortly after the fall of Lucifer in heaven.

"Then there was war in heaven.... Not a taint of rebellion was left in heaven. All was again peaceful and harmonious as before.... The Father consulted His Son in regard to at once carrying out their purpose to make man to inhabit the earth. He would place man upon probation to test his loyalty before he could be rendered eternally secure. . The Father and the Son engaged in the mighty, wondrous work they had contemplated - of creating the world. The earth came forth from the hand of the Creator exceedingly beautiful . . After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and the Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image." — Story of Redemption, 19-20.

Although the creation of this earth was completed during Creation Week, yet without His continual care life would cease to exist, and even the earth itself would leave its orbit and be destroyed.

"As regards to this earth, Scripture declares the work of creation to have been completed. ‘The works were finished from the foundation of the world.’ But the power of God is still exercised in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because the mechanism once set in motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats, and breath follows breath. Every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the care of Him in whom we live and move and have our being. From the smallest insect to man, every living creature is daily dependent upon His providence." — Education, 130-131.

"All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of the life of God. From the highest seraph to the humblest animate being, all are replenished from the Source of life." — Desire of Ages, 785.

"Not by its own inherent energy does the earth produce its bounties, and year by year continue its motion around the sun. An unseen hand guides the planets in their circuits of the heavens." — Education, 99.

A truth especially denied is the fact that this world is only 6,000 years old. Modernists place the creation of the earth millions of years in the past — because they do not believe that our world and everything on or in it was created in six literal days. Thus the 6,000 year truth stands beside the Creation Week truth. And together they guard and protect the origin of the Sabbath truth.

On the last two pages of this tract we will look at this major fact of Creation that is being denied. Bible chronology indicates 4,000 years from Creation Week to the time of Christ (and secular history verifies nearly 2,000 years from Christ’s time to ours). This fact of approximately 6,000 years since the creation of this world took place is strongly supported by the Spirit of Prophecy, as we shall see on pages 3 and 4 of this tract.

Just below, we will mention a related fact that helps buttress the great truth that our world is no more than 6,000 years old: The Inspired statement that the Sabbath is as old as our planet! The earth itself cannot have existed for millions — or even thousands — of years prior to the six-day creation recorded in Genesis 1, since the Bible Sabbath, which itself began at the end of Creation Week, was given to us at the time that this entire planet was brought into existence.

"Infidel geologists claim that the world is very much older than the Bible record makes it. They reject the Bible record, because of those things which are to them evidences form the earth itself, that the world has existed tens of thousands of years. And many who profess to believe the Bible record are at a loss to account for wonderful things which are found in the earth, with the view that creation week was only seven literal days, and that the world is now only about six thousand years old." — 3 Spiritual Gifts, 92.

"Against this argument it was shown that the Sabbath and its observance were more ancient and widespread, even as old as the world itself, and bearing the sanction both of angels and of God. When the foundations of the earth were laid, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy, there was laid the foundation of the Sabbath." — Great Controversy, 455.

"The Sabbath institution, which originated in Eden, is as old as the world itself." — P atriarchs and Prophets, 336.

Conclusion

How very thankful we can be for God’s creative power, wonderful love, and tender care for all His creatures! Let the great facts of Creation continually remind you of your heavenly Father’s love for you.

"If it were possible for created beings to attain to a full understanding of God and His works, then, having reached this point, there would be before them no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge, no further development of mind or heart. God would be no longer supreme; and men, having reached the limit of knowledge and attainment, would cease to advance. Let us thank God that it is not so. God is infinite; in Him are 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ And to all eternity men may be ever searching, ever learning, and yet they can never exhaust the treasures of His wisdom, His goodness, and His power." — 5 Testimonies, 703.

"In the heavens above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love." — 8 Testimonies, 265.

We are repeatedly told that on the Sabbath day we should with our children go out amid the scenes of nature and observe and study it. If you would like an excellent example of such nature instruction, read Mount of Blessing, page 95-98, and Steps to Christ, page 85-86. Throughout all eternity, we shall ever study the depth of God’s wisdom and power as we study His created works, and that study should begin now.

"The education begun in this life will be continued in the life to come. Day by day the wonderful works of God, the evidences of His wisdom and power in creating and sustaining the universe, the infinite mystery of love and wisdom in the plan of redemption, will open to the mind in new beauty. ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.’ Even in this life we may catch glimpses of His presence and may taste the joy of communion with Heaven, but the fullness of its joy and blessing will be reached in the hereafter. Eternity alone can reveal the glorious destiny to which man, restored to God’s image, may attain." — Patriarchs and Prophets, 602.

On the next two pages wlll be found every Spirit of Prophecy statement on the most controverted Creation topic in our ranks: the age of the earth.

How long ago was the earth created? This is a question that Christians will answer with less certainty in our day than in former centuries when Christians based their conclusions on Bible chronology and historical records.

Bible chronologies — from Creation down to Moses, David, and Christ, — plus historical records since that time, clearly indicate that this earth was created about 6,000 years ago.

But modern Christians have decided that the speculations of "science falsely so-called" (1 Timothy 6:20) and the erroneous conclusions of men who key their calculations to the foolishness of evolutionary theory — must now be placed on an equality with, if not higher than, the plain statements of the Word of God.

Therefore you will now hear of 10,000, 50,000, and 100,000 years to Creation. You will also hear of Christians (including teachers in our own colleges and universities) who are quietly suggesting time spans of millions of years to the creation of this world.

And if you listen closely, you will find that frequently those educated men are more certain about the millions of years of earth prehistory — than they are about a Divine Creation that began it.

This present study is composed of a Spirit of Prophecy compilation on the Age of the Earth, And such a study is needed to safeguard the humble followers of Christ who still want to place Scripture above the pronouncements of evolutionists and modernists.

We are living in a time when many of the highly-educated in our church are moving away from belief in a 6,000-year creation of this earth.

Fortunately, though men may blow this way or that in order to be in line with the current fads of scientific premises, Scripture standeth sure. If we will learn it, stand by it, and defend it, — we will be safe in the days just ahead. And we will have encouraged many others to stand true to those Biblical facts and principles also. — vf

ABOUT SIX THOUSAND YEARS FROM CREATION TO OUR DAY

1864 3 SG, 92 (1 SP, 87 [1870]; ST Mar. 20, 1879). "And many who profess to believe the Bible record are at a loss to account for wonderful things which are found in the earth, with the view that creation week was only seven literal days, and that the world is now only about six thousand years old."

1868 Test. No. 16, p. 71." He holds mortals in his snare at the present time. He has lost none of his skill and his shrewdness during his experience of nearly six thousand years. All this time he has been a close observer of all that concerns our race."

1872 Test. No. 22, p. 15 (HR Nov., 1872 11872]). "God endowed man with so great vital force that he has withstood the accumulation of disease, brought upon the race in consequence of perverted habits, and he has continued for six thousand years."

1875 Test. No. 25, p. 42 (3 T, 492[1885])."The continual transgression of man for six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death, as its fruits. And as we near the close of time, Satan’s temptation to indulge appetite will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome."

1875 HR Aug., 1875. "But slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character. The continual transgression of man for six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death, as its fruits. (Quoted in Te, 16)."

1877 2 SP, 93 (ST Nov. 15, 1887). "Six thousand years has this arch-enemy been warring against the government of God, and continued practice has increased his skill to deceive and allure."

1881 RH Dec. 13, 1881 (CTBH, 7[1890]). "Man came from the hand of his Creator perfect in organization, and beautiful in form. The fact that he has for six thousand years withstood the ever-increasing weight of disease and crime, is conclusive proof of the power of endurance with which he was first endowed."

1884 ST May 8, 1884 (GC, 518 [1888, 1911]) "The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried on for almost six thousand years, is soon to close."

1884 4SP, 371. "Thus under a new disguise the great rebel still carries forward his warfare against God, begun in Heaven, and for nearly six thousand years continued upon the earth."

1885 2T, 172. "He holds mortals in his snare at the present time. During his experience of nearly six thousand years he has lost none of his skill and shrewdness. All this time he has been a close observer of all that concerns our race."

1885 3T, 138. "God endowed man with so great vital force that he has withstood the accumulation of disease brought upon the race in consequence of perverted habits, and has continued for six thousand years. (FE 22; HL, 45)."

1886 HS, 133 (ST Sept. 29, 1887). "Ever since he succeeded in overcoming our first parents in their beautiful Eden home, he has been engaged in this work. More than six thousand years of continual practice has greatly increased his skill to deceive and allure."

1888 GC (f), author’s preface."For six thousand years that master-mind that once was highest among the angels of God, has been wholly bent to the work of deception and ruin."

1888 GC, 656 [1911]. "For six thousand years the great controversy has been in progress; the Son of God and His heavenly messengers have been in conflict with the power of the evil one, to want, enlighten, and save the children of men."

1888 GC, 659 [1911]. "For six thousand years, Satan’s work of rebellion has "made the earth to tremble." He has made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof."

1888 GC, 659. "And "he opened not the house of his prisoners." For six thousand years his prison-house has received God’s people, and he would have held them captive forever, but Christ has broken his bonds, and set the prisoners free."

1888 GC, 673 (ST June 11, 1902 [1902,1911]. "Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe, and causing grief throughout the universe. The whole creation has groaned and travailed together in pain."

1890 PP, 51 (VI April 16, 1907). "The laws and operations of nature, which have engaged men’s study for six thousand years, were opened to their minds by the infinite Framer and Upholder of all. (Also in CE, 207, [1893])."

1890 PP, 342. "Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years, Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. (AH, 539)."

1890 CTBH, 154." The continual transgression of man for over six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death as its fruit. And as we draw near the close of time, Satan’s temptations to indulge appetite will be more powerful, and more difficult to resist."

1898 DA, 413. "For six thousand years, faith has builded upon Christ."

1898 DA, 413. "For six thousand years the floods and tempests of satanic wrath have beaten upon the Rock of our Salvation; but it stands unmoved."

1899 Ms., 174. "Those who are destroying the earth have had a long probation. For six thousand years God has borne with the ignorance and wickedness of men."

1909 ST Dec. 8, 1909." The spirits deny the divinity of Christ, and place even the Creator on a level with themselves. Thus under a new disguise the great rebel still carries on his warfare against God, begun in heaven, and for nearly six thousand years continued upon earth."

1911 GC (x), author’s intro. "For six thousand years that mastermind that once was highest among the angels of God has been wholly bent to the work of deception and ruin." (1911 ed. a revision of the 1888 ed.)

1911 GC, 552-553." The spirits deny the deity of Christ and place even the Creator on a level with themselves. Thus under a new disguise the great rebel still carries on his warfare against God, begun in heaven and for nearly six thousand years continued upon the earth."

1911 GC, 659. And he "opened not the house of his prisoners." For six thousand years his prison house has received God’s people, and he would have held them captive forever; but Christ has broken his bonds and set the prisoners free."

1913 . CT, 467. "The continual transgression of man for nearly six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death as its fruit"

ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND YEARS FROM CREATION TO THE TIME OF CHRIST

1874 TC, 30 (RH July 28,1874; ST June 11, 1874). "The Son of God humbled Himself, and took man’s nature, after the race had wandered four thousand years from Eden, and from their original state of purity and uprightness."

1874 TC, 30 (RH July 28, 1874; ST June 11, 1874; ST Feb. 22, 1883; ST Feb. 18, 1913). "Christ, in the wilderness of temptation, stood in Adam’s place to bear the test he failed to endure. Here Christ overcame in the sinner’s behalf, four thousand years after Adam turned his back upon the light of his home."

1874 TC, 33 (RH July 28, 1874; ST June 11, 1874; ST Feb. 22, 1883; ST Feb. 18, 1913). "Satan had succeeded so well in deceiving the angels of God, and in ruining noble Adam, that he thought he should be successful in overcoming Christ in His humiliation. He looked with pleased exultation upon the result of his temptations, and the increase of sin in the continued transgression of God’s law, for more than four thousand years."

1874 TC, 44 (RH Aug. 18, 1874; ST July 9, 1874)." Four thousand years he had been warring against the government of God, and had lost none of his skill or power to tempt and deceive."

1874 TC, 46 (RH Aug. 18,1874; ST July 9, 1874). "Four thousand years had Satan been at work against the government of God, and he had obtained strength and experience from determined practice."

1874 TC, 46 (RH Aug. 18, 1874; ST July 9,1974). "Fallen men had not the advantages of Adam in Eden. They had been separating from God for four thousand years."

1874 TC, 80 (RH Mar. 18, 1875; ST Feb. 25, 1875). "For four thousand years, ever since the declaration was made to Adam that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, he had been planning his manner of attack."

1877 25P, 88 (ST Nov. 15, 1877). "What a contrast to this perfect being did the second Adam present, as he entered the desolate wilderness to cope with Satan, single handed. For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in size and physical strength, and deteriorating in moral worth; and, in order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him where he stood."

1884 4SP, 366-367 (ST April 16, 1885). If for four thousand years the righteous had gone directly to Heaven at death, how could they be said to perish, even though there should never be a resurrection?"

1888 GC, 327 (GC, 327-328 [1911]). "With the great sacrifice offered upon Calvary, ended that system of offerings which for four thousand years had pointed forward to the Lamb of God."

1888 GC, 547 (GC 546-547 [1913]). "If for four thousand years the righteous had gone directly to Heaven at death, how could Paul have said that if there is no resurrection, "they which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished?" No resurrection would be necessary."

1897 Ms. 43, 1897. "He, the pure, spotless Lamb of God, was presenting Himself as a sin-offering; and as He now ate the Passover with His disciples, He put an end to the sacrifices which for four thousand years had been offered." (5 BC, 1139).

1898 DA, 49."It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin."

1898 DA, 117. ""For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in physical strength, in mental power, and in moral worth; and Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity. Only thus could He rescue man from the lowest depths of his degradation.

1898 DA, 652. "He, the spotless Lamb of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, and He would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies that for four thousand years had pointed to His death."

1898 DA, 759. "Satan led men into sin, and the plan of redemption was put in operation. For four thousand years, Christ was working for man’s uplifting, and Satan for his ruin and degradation."

1900 ST May 16, 1900. "He, the pure and spotless One, was about to offer Himself as a sin-offering for the world; and as He ate the Passover with His disciples, He put an end to the sacrifice which for four thousand years had been offered."

1902 ST Dec. 3, 1902."For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in physical strength, in mental power, in moral worth; and Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity. Only thus could He rescue man from the lowest depths of degradation."

1908 ST May 27, 1908 (ST Dec. 9, 1913). "It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature, even as it was when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity as weakened and defiled by four thousand years of sin."

ABOUT TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED YEARS FROM CREATION TO THE EXODUS

1872 HR Nov. 1872. "The book of Genesis gives quite a definite account of social and individual life, and yet we have no record of an infant being born blind, deaf, crippled, deformed, or imbecile. There is not an instance upon record in that book, covering the period of twenty-five hundred years, of a natural death in infancy, childhood, or early manhood."

1874 RH Dec. 13, 1881. "The book of Genesis gives quite a definite account of social and individual life during the first twenty-five hundred years of man’s history, and yet we have no account of an infant born blind, deaf, crippled, deformed, or imbecile."

1888 GC (c), author’s preface (GC (v), author’s intro. [1911]). "During the first
twenty-five hundred years of human history, there was no written revelation."

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