(Continued-Chapter VI-Eternity Or The Plan Of The Ages)  Chart

After God created the angelic beings, he brought the material universe into existence. As to how much time intervened between these two events no one knows. All that we can say concerning this matter is that in that portion of eternity which is designated as "in the beginning," God created first the intelligent beings whom we know as cherubim seraphim, and angels. Later He spoke the material universe into existence. We only know that these two acts of creation occurred "in the beginning."

The Scriptures are silent as to what method or means the Almighty employed in calling the universe into existence. Neither do we know how long He was in creating it. If it were simply a question of power He could have created it in a split-second of time. Again He might have occupied long ages in bringing it into existence. In view of our ignorance on these points it behooves us to be cautious and reticent in our assertions.

The idea that the earth was created in a moment of time approximately six thousand years ago must be abandoned in the light of teachings of both the Scriptures and science. The teachings of the Scriptures, we are often told, are to the effect that God created the universe in six days. Nowhere in the Bible is there such an assertion. The statement appearing in Exodus 20:11 -- "... for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them is, and rested the seventh day" --is often cited as biblical proof of this position. In reply to this misunderstanding, let me call attention to the fact that the word in the original translated create, which appears in Genesis 1:1, is not used in this passage. On the contrary, the word appearing here indicates to make. This term connotes labor that is bestowed upon material that is already in existence. There is no intimation in the Word as to the age of the universe or how long God was in bringing it into existence.

There are indications however in the Scriptures that this earth has been standing for long geological ages. For instance, in the American Revised Version we find the expression times eternal in II Timothy 1:9, Titus 1:1,2 and Romans 16:25-27. In the first two of these passages the apostle was speaking of the grace by which we are saved and of eternal life which was given us in Christ Jesus before the period which is called "times eternal." But in the common Version this Greek expression is paraphrased "before the foundation of the world." Every Greek scholar knows that the translators of the King James Version did not render the original expression in these passages literally but simply paraphrased the thought, which, in this instance, happened to be true as we shall presently see. By their thus handling the text, they obscured a great truth which, when known, refutes many erroneous ideas. In Romans 16:25-27 we have these words; "To him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever [into the ages of the ages]. Amen." Here we read of the mystery kept in secret through times eternal but now made manifest and known in the gospel and the preaching of Jesus. Obviously the apostle was speaking of the gospel. Once again, Paul referred to the gospel in the following passage: "We speak wisdom, however, among them that are full-grown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught: but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (I Cor. 2:6-8). In this passage we see that the gospel by which we are saved was foreordained before the ages, was kept in secret during times eternal, but was manifested by the coming of our Lord. In these passages it is very evident that the speakers referred to the gospel of Christ, the grace of God, and the mystery or secret of Christ. These expressions are clearly referring to our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. These passages tell us that God's scheme of redemption was devised before times eternal, that it was kept in silence during those times, and was finally made manifest by the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eternity in the past never had any beginning; neither will it have any ending in the future. In three of the passages Paul speaks of God's planning the scheme of redemption before times eternal. Since eternity in the past never had any beginning, nothing could occur before that time. This English translation of the Greek word is obviously erroneous. In our language we have no word whereby we can accurately and literally render the original. I will therefore transliterate the adjective in this expression and thus coin a phrase new to all but those who are familiar with the Greek. The grace by which we are saved was given us before aionion periods, or ages. The reader who understands only the English does not know what time is indicated by this expression. Thus far we only know that the plan of redemption was devised before these aionion periods began.

In Ephesians 1:3,4, we read that God chose us in Christ "before the foundation of the world." These verses then, which speak of the same plan of redemption, affirm that God devised it and elected us before the foundation of the world. The phrase, the foundation of the world, obviously refers to the creation of the earth which was brought into existence at the time of the creation of the entire universe. The Apostle Peter in his first epistle, 1:17-21, spoke of our being purchased with the blood of Christ who was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in the end of times. Here again we find the expression, "foundation of the world," which refers to the creation of the earth. In Revelation 13:8 we read of those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the "book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain" from the foundation of the world. Once more the apostle was speaking of the plan of redemption which was provided in Christ from the foundation of the world. In all seven of these passages the writers were speaking of redemption and salvation through Christ. In three of them they affirm that this scheme of salvation was planned before times eternal, or aionion ages, whereas two of them mention the same thing as being done before the foundation of the world, and one states definitely that it was from the foundation of the earth. When these facts are taken into account, it becomes abundantly clear that our redemption was planned by the Almighty immediately before the creation of the universe. Furthermore He kept this plan secret to Himself through the aionion periods. Only when Satan led Adam to revolt against God, did the Lord announce His intention of redeeming man through the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). Thus the times eternal, or aionion periods lie between the beginning of the work of creation and the Fall of man. In view of these facts one must reject the rendering of the Revised Version in three of the passages discussed above and must think of the aionion periods as coming between the creation of the world and the Fall of man recorded in Genesis, chapter 3.

This conclusion is further strengthened by the proper understanding of Hebrews 9:26: "... else must he [Christ] often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." The student should read verses 24-28 of this passage to get the connection. For the sake of investigation let us assume the earth was created six thousand years ago--as is in many quarters believed. Our Lord came to earth after four thousand years of human history and was crucified approximately two thousand years ago. The present Christian Age will be followed by the millennial reign of King Messiah. According to this data the earth, which passes away at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:11), stands for seven thousand years. Since there were four thousand years, according to our hypotheses, before the crucifixion of Christ and there are to be three thousand years after His execution, we would say that His crucifixion was only five hundred years past the central date of the seven thousand years. Could Paul have believed that the earth was created only four thousand years before his time and, knowing approximately the length of time that it would continue after that event, still say that the crucifixion occurred "at the end of the ages?" It is preposterous to ask this question. If the earth stands for only seven thousand years, he would have had to speak of the crucifixion as having occurred in the middle of the ages. An inspired man would not make such a mistake as this. When, however, we see that there were long ages designated as the aionion periods which intervened between the creation of the universe and the destruction recorded in Genesis 1:2, we see that Paul in speaking of Christ's crucifixion two thousand years ago could correctly and accurately say that event occurred in the conclusion of the ages--that is, the ages of the existence of the world.

This fact is confirmed by scientists of the conservative, believing group. I am thoroughly aware that the radicals among scientific men, most of who are unbelievers, indulge in the greatest flights of imagination in their interpretation of physical phenomena. The conclusion to which we have been led in this study thus far relative to the age of the earth or the time of its creation is confirmed by believing scientists. For the benefit of my readers I wish to quote an article in full which appeared in the Moody Monthly October, 1942, the caption of which is "Science Discovers the Day of Creation," by Peter W. Stoner, M.S., who is professor in Pasadena Junior College and is a member of the American Scientific Affiliation, an organization of Christian believers who are teachers of science.

" 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Does 'in the beginning' mean the beginning of God, or the beginning of the physical universe? Is 'in the beginning' a definite fixed time?

"It cannot mean the beginning of God, for He had no beginning. It must therefore refer to the beginning of the heavens and the earth. When was the day of creation of the whole physical universe? 'In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens' (Gen. 2:4). Does this word 'day' imply that the earth, the moon, the sun, and the stars were all made at the same period of time, 'in the beginning'? What contribution does science make to the question?

"Consider first the layers of the earth. The ages of the different layers of the earth have been estimated at varying amounts by many scientists for generations. Within the last few years a new method has been developed for determining the age of any igneous rock which contains deposits of uranium. This method seems to be universally accepted by scientists.

"Uranium is a radio active element which changes into a series of other elements, one of which is radium. Radium finally changes, into lead. Uranium is unstable: an atom of uranium throws off a part of itself and becomes an atom of a different substance. That atom again throws off a part of itself and changes to a third element, and continues to change until radium is formed. Radium again changes. (It is this radiation from radium which is used for the treatment of diseases in our hospitals.) Radium finally becomes lead, and lead undergoes no further change.

"The important thing about uranium changing to lead is that it changes very slowly and at a definite fixed rate. It changes at this same rate regardless of heat or cold, moisture or dryness, pressure, or anything else. The age of a specimen of uranium crystallized from molten rock may be quite accurately determined by the amount of it that has changed to lead. The lead derived from uranium has a different atomic weight than other lead, so that common lead in the same vicinity need not be confused with the lead derived from uranium.

"The ages of various layers of the earth have thus been determined, the oldest being a little less than two billion years. The earth, of course, is older than the oldest layer so far studied. The earth is, perhaps, not younger than two billion years.

We think next of the age of meteorites. Meteorites are rocks which come to the earth from outside of our atmosphere. These may be separated into two classes. One class travels with the solar system. These meteorites travel around the sun, just as do the earth and the other planets, and never go out to excessive distances. The other class of meteorites comes to us from extreme distances, far outside of the solar system. (These two groups can easily be distinguished from the velocity at which they enter our atmosphere. Those from outer space are traveling too fast for the gravitation of the sun to hold. If they do not strike a member of the solar system they will go on to indefinite distances and forever leave our system.)

"Meteorites from both of these groups have been found containing uranium. The greatest ages found in each group again approaches two billion years. This indicates that the matter of the solar system and the matter of distant stars may both be about two billion years old.

"Another factor of importance is the age of the moon. The moon produces tides on the earth and the earth produces tides on the moon. These tides slow down both the earth and the moon. In the slowing down of the moon it rotates more slowly and moves further from the earth. How long would be required for the moon to reach its present position? This problem has been carefully examined by mathematical physicists. They report that the time required to bring the moon to its present position is, again about two billion years.

"Lastly we note the age of island universes. The island universes or spiral nebulæ, as they are often called, appear to be traveling at high and measurable rates of speed. The farther away they are the more rapidly are they traveling. If we follow the paths of these universes backward, we discover that they all appear to have come from the same place at the same time, and that time was about two billion years ago.

"It therefore appears that something like two billion years ago, at one time and at one place (the reader will understand that I am not referring to the beginning of man, but the beginning of the universe), God did indeed create the physical universe and sent each part on its own way. The material of the earth's layers testifies to this early creation date as does every available bit of evidence from all space.

"No wonder 'all the sons of God shouted for joy' at an event of such inconceivable magnitude, when more than two billion separate island universes, each containing some ten billion stars averaging greater than our sun, came from the hand of God at His command. Indeed, the heavens declare the glory of God.

"How often when we pray do we forget that God created this universe and all the life upon it. How often do we wonder if God has the ability to answer our prayers and grant our requests. How often do we pray for guidance for the day. How often do we pray for the salvation of those who know not this God. How often do we forget to pray." (Reprinted from Moody Monthly. Used by permission.)

If this conclusion, which is held by many of the leading scientists of today, is correct with regard to the age of the earth, we can accept it and at the same time maintain our absolute, unswerving faith in the infallibility of the Scriptures. (But of the correctness of this position, I cannot say. I await more positive evidence.) In fact, as has just been shown the Scriptures teach that this earth is hoary with age.

When the Lord created the earth, it was not a waste (Isa. 45:18): "For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, the God that formed the earth and made it, that established it and created it not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there is none else." When He thus brought it into existence, He planned that it should be inhabited, which fact is also seen in this quotation.

That portion of eternity, which is designated by "In the beginning," was brought to a conclusion by the epoch of the creation of the universe. At that time the second section of eternity, which is shown on the accompanying chart as "time," began. To an investigation of this period we now turn.

Many scientists, especially those of the radical type, speak of the antiquity of the earth and of the life upon it. Having adopted the false, unproved theory of organic evolution, they think of the time prior to recorded history as prehistoric ages. In this unknown past they believe that man evolved from the lower forms of life and finally developed into the man of historic times. Moreover, they, by their imagination, reconstruct the earliest type of man and civilization. In those far-off eras, according to these rationalistic scientists, man dwelt in caves and employed the rudest type of implements. He lived in this uncultured state for these countless millenniums without leaving any records of his thoughts, deeds, and accomplishments. Moreover these so-called experts tell us that he emerged from this primitive state still a crude denizen of the holes of the earth and finally evolved a picture type of writing. From then onward to the present he has recorded his thoughts and deeds. This latter period is called historic times.

It is proper to speak of time, which, as we have seen above, began with the creation of the world, and which, as we shall presently see, will end with the passing away of the material universe at the end of the great Millennial Age (Rev. 20:11). The portion of eternity called "time" is properly divided into prehistoric and historic times. In the foregoing discussion we have learned that there lay between Genesis 1:1 and 1;2, the period of time called by the Apostle Paul "aionion periods." If the scientists are correct in their estimation of the age of the earth, these aionion periods lengthened into approximately two billion years. Let us always be cautious and hold ourselves by a sane reserve before we accept the liberal estimates of scientists regarding the age of the universe. At the same time let us be open and receptive to any new truth, but let us be certain that the data presented justify the conclusions urged upon us. Only by our being eternally vigilant can we avoid error and learn the truth.

Should one ask me what conditions obtained upon the earth and who was here during those ancient eras, I would have to plead great ignorance; because the data in our possession are very meager. Notwithstanding the scantiness of our information, there are certain things about which we have positive knowledge relating to that period and to the earth. From Ezekiel 28, as we have already seen "the anointed cherub that covereth" dwelt in what we, humanly speaking, have called a crystal palace upon this earth. The specific place where it was located was called Eden, the garden of God. This information is contained in verse 13. The last clause of this verse is very illuminating: "... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was in thee; in the day that thou wast created they were prepared." It seems from the entire passage that without question this Eden, that garden of God, was located on the earth; but we have seen that this anointed cherub was created, together with the angelic hosts, prior to the calling into existence of the universe. Notwithstanding this fact we are told that the workmanship of the tabrets and the pipes was in this anointed cherub when he was created. A study of these facts leads one--at least me--to conclude that the meaning is this: God endowed Satan with capacities, abilities, and powers to construct this crystal palace of every precious stone. When the universe was created the Lord also permitted Satan thus to construct his royal abode and placed him on earth as the prince of this world to govern and control it. If these conclusions are correct, the language of our Lord takes on added significance: "... because the prince of this world hath been judged" (John 16:11). Since our Lord was speaking of Satan, we can identify the anointed cherub as the prince of this world, who is the adversary of both God and man. Further confirmation of this position is seen by a closer study of the Ezekiel passage. Notwithstanding the fact that Satan was created a perfect, righteous being--with the power of choice and free will--God thus spoke of him: "By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned ... By the multitude of thine iniquities, in the unrighteousness of thy traffic, thou hast profaned thy sanctuaries ..." (Ezekiel 28:16-18). What is meant by the statement that this anointed cherub by his traffic caused this situation: "They filled the midst of thee with violence"? There were certain ones who, according to this passage, by trade and traffic filled the midst "of thee"--that is, the place of his abode. That such is the meaning of this passage becomes abundantly evident when we see that Ezekiel was drawing a parallel between what the king of Tyre--a literal man who lived at the time of Alexander's conquest--built up in the form of an international trade and made his capital the commercial center of the world--a miniature kingdom modeled after Satan's original one--and what Satan did when he was reigning supreme--under God--over the world during the "aionion times." History reveals the fact that the king of Tyre actually made his little island kingdom the center of the financial and commercial world of his day and time. Ezekiel, in calling attention to the fact and in blending the description of the activities of this earthly monarch with those of Satan in the prehistoric earth, meant for us to understand that the prince of this world had everything to gravitate toward himself in order that he might be "all in all" as far as this earth was concerned.

But what is meant by the statement, "By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence"? Evidently the personal pronoun, they, refers to some intelligent beings. Who were they? On this point no one can be dogmatic. It is altogether possible that this pronoun refers the angels who were placed under Satan's command and authority. Again it is possible that it might refer to a pre--Adamic race--although we cannot be positive on this point. Those who believe that there was such a race call our attention to the command which God gave to Adam, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Gen. 1:28). The Lord spoke the same words to Noah after the Flood (Gen. 9:1). We know the import of this command as it related to him. The human family had been blotted out by that universal deluge. Noah was urged to re-populate the earth. Hence to replenish the earth meant to him to re-populate the world. If it had the same signification when spoken to Adam that it did when addressed to Noah, there was a pre-Adamic race. But who knows enough to affirm dogmatically that it has the same connotation in both instances? I, personally, do not. We therefore must be very cautious on this point. Should the scientists discover skeletal remains of a primitive race, and should they find indisputable evidence that people lived upon this earth fifty thousand years ago--still we will accept no guessing or speculation but demand absolute proof and facts--I would then say that these bones were of a pre-Adamic race, which had no connection with the present human family descended from Adam and Eve.

Returning directly to the study of Ezekiel 28, I wish to draw a deduction if possible, with reference to the ones referred to by the pronoun "they" in verse 16. The conclusion to which I come is that, if there were a pre-Adamic race here, "they" likely refers to it. If there were not, this pronoun would refer to the angels under Satan. Moreover, if there were such a pre-Adamic race, this word probably included both men and angels whom Satan used for his own enrichment and glorification; for by his traffic he concentrated everything to himself.

A study of the kings of the world shows that with few exceptions this is exactly what they have always done. This general rule applies especially to the rulers of ancient times. Heathen kings often arrogated to themselves the claim that they were the sons of heaven or the sons of the gods and largely exploited the people over whom they reigned. In acting thus, they have done that which the prince of this world did before them. They simply follow in the steps of the one who in a most subtle manner is still controlling them. Of course in making these broad generalizations I make an exception of those monarchs and rulers who have known God and accepted His Word and His salvation. Especially is this true during the Christian centuries when some noble, Christian rulers have governed in the interests of the people and have refused to exploit their subjects.

Only here and there in the Scriptures are there allusions to prehistoric times. The only record that is preserved to us is found written in the fossil remains of the rocks and deposits--the hieroglyphics of that ancient civilization. It is all right for the scientists to study the alphabet of the fossil remains and tell us what they discover. Let them give us the data regarding their findings--apart from speculative thought; then we can consider these facts for ourselves and draw our own conclusions.

Prehistoric times passed and historic ages began when the earth, which had become a desolation and waste (Gen. 1:2), was reconstructed and prepared for man (Gen., chap. 1). There are a few echoes here and there in the Scriptures of that far-off disaster. For instance, in Job 9:5-12 we find one such. Another most import one appears in Psalm 74:12-17.

When a person is familiar with the prophecy of Ezekiel 28 which we have been studying, and when he is acquainted with the facts of the catastrophe of Genesis 1:2, instantly he comes to the conclusion that Satan is the one who caused the wrecking of the earth at that time. Being puffed up with pride and conceit, and unrighteousness entering into his heart, he led a rebellion against God which resulted in the wrecking of the earth and the contaminating of the entire universe. The Lord then had to restore order and exercise authority throughout His vast domain. This calamity brought to a conclusion prehistoric times ².

Historic times began with the six days of reconstruction during which time God was repairing to a certain extent, the wreckage which had been wrought by the revolt of Satan. When all the phenomena involved in the discussion of Genesis, chapter 1, are taken into consideration, one is led to believe that those days of reconstruction are to be understood literally. On the sixth day the Lord, after a consultation among the personalities of the Holy Trinity, created man and made him master of this earth, placing him in a garden eastward in Eden (Gen., chaps. 2 and 3). Thus by the authority of God Almighty, man supplanted Satan as the ruler of this earth. Naturally, therefore, the devil became enraged and figuratively speaking, swore eternal vengeance against him as well as against God.

He brought about the Fall of man which will be discussed in Chapter X. It is he who has caused all the wreckage, sin, destruction, and death that have trailed man through the centuries.

Historic times are divided into dispensations, which are those of Innocence, Conscience, Civil Government, Promise, Law, Grace, and Glory. (For a full discussion of this point see the study, "The Earthly Pilgrimage of Man," in The World's Greatest Library Graphically Illustrated.) According to the chronological data found in the Old Testament, the crucifixion occurred in the year 4071 Anno Hominis. (This system of dating begins the count of time with the creation of Adam.) It has been approximately nineteen hundred years since the crucifixion of Christ. There will be a thousand years during which our Lord will reign upon the earth. The total of these centuries approximates seven thousand years. Historic times therefore will cover practically seven thousand years. This period will be concluded with the passing away of the material heavens and earth in fulfillment of our Lord's prediction (Matt. 24:35) and that of John (Rev. 20:11).

Eternity in the future begins with the dissolution of the earth and the creation of a new order, which will last throughout all the cycles of ceaseless eternity. A description of this new glorious order is found in Revelation, chapters 21 and 22. All the information that we have regarding it is found in these chapters. Since it is not within the scope or the purpose of this book to deal with the eternal ages, the facts just stated will suffice.

Footnotes:

² Our attention is sometimes called to seventeen different layers of the earth's strata, (one superimposed in succession upon the others), each of which represents a separate and distinct period of vegetation. From this data it is argued that there were that many calamities that have struck the earth. The evidence for this conclusion is found in the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park. There may have been that many periods of growth of vegetation inundated and submerged in this particular vicinity. Before we can draw the conclusion that there were seventeen universal calamities, we must have similar evidence from various parts of the earth. Since we know so very little about conditions during prehistoric times, we must hold ourselves with a strong reserve and await further light.