Millions of Years of Death and Suffering: Does the Old Earth View Compromise God’s Character?
by Rich Deem

Introduction

Millions of Years?

Young earth creationists claim that the old earth interpretation denigrates the character of God, since God is said to have designed the earth so that there were millions of years of death, disease and suffering. However, according to the young earth interpretation, God cursed the animals with thousands of years of death and suffering because of human sin, which would not seem to reflect positively upon God’s righteousness.

Rich Deem

Old earth creationists says that God designed the earth and its creatures in stable ecological communities similar to today, with predators keeping herbivore populations in check through their predatory activity. Young earth creationists say that all animals were originally created to eat only plants, and that none ate each other until after Adam and Eve sinned. They claim that God would never create a world with death and suffering (even for animals), since that would reflect negatively on God’s character. What does the Bible have to say about these issues?

The world before the fall

Young earth theology has changed over the years. Originally, most young earth ministries claimed that the earth was vastly different before the fall, including the existence of a water canopy above the earth, no rain before the flood, and the lack of the second law of thermodynamics before Adam’s sin. Although these ideas have been rejected by young earth ministries for lack of biblical and scientific support, other non-biblical ideas persist.

God did say that he had given the green plants to the animals for food.1 However, the verse only applies to certain animals, specifically the nephesh2 creatures and birds. Conspicuously missing from the list are all the sea creatures created on the fifth day.3 In addition, this verse (or subsequent verses) does not say that all animals ate only plants. Ultimately, all animals (even carnivores) rely upon plants for food. In addition, Genesis 1:24-25 directly states that God created the carnivores on the sixth day.

The Bible actually suggests that Adam had seen death before the creation of Eve. When Adam was first put into the garden, God said that he could eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17).4 God threatened that Adam would “surely die” if he broke this command. This threat makes no sense unless Adam had already seen the death of animals. There is no recorded reply of Adam asking what death was. If he had never seen death this would have been an obvious question. This is strong biblical evidence that Adam had already seen the death of animals even before Eve was created. In addition, Adam’s choice of names for the animals indicated that he had seen them kill other animals.5 For example, the Hebrew name for lion is derived from the Hebrew root that means “in the sense of violence.” In addition, Adam named some of the predatory birds using a Hebrew word with the meaning “bird of prey.” In naming the eagle, Adam used the Hebrew word whose root means to lacerate. So, scripture suggests that there was animal death before the fall of Adam and Eve.

How did sin cause death?

Whenever the young earth claim is made that Adam’s sin led to animal death, it is seldom explained how sin caused that death to happen. The Bible does say that the wages of sin is death.6 However, every instance in which sin is equated with death, it always refers to human death.7 There is no verse stating that human sin led to animal death.

Did God judge the animals for Adam’s sin?

Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding CreationAccording to a prominent young earth ministry, “The Bible makes it obvious that death is the penalty for our sin. In other words, it is really our fault that the world is the way it is—God is a loving, merciful God.”8 Although not directly stated, the implication is that God imposed the penalty of death on the animals because of human sin. The theological problems with this claim are several-fold. First, God told Adam that he would die if he disobeyed and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.9 No mention is made of imposing death upon the animals if Adam sinned. Second, the penalties that are specifically mentioned in Genesis 3 are all inflicted on the guilty parties. The serpent (Satan in animal form,10 who deceived Eve) was to be cursed by the “seed of the woman,”11 the first prophecy of the coming Messiah.12 Eve, who believed the serpent, was to be cursed by increased pain in childbirth and by being ruled over by her husband.13 Adam, who followed Eve into sin, was cursed by having to work hard in the dirt to grow his own food (as opposed to picking fruit in the garden14) in a world filled with weeds.15 The third, and most significant, theological problem is that God does not judge unrighteously. Saying that God cursed the animals because of Adam’s sin makes God an unrighteous judge. The Bible clearly states that God does not judge those who are not guilty, but is a just judge.16

Is animal death sinful?

According to Answers in Genesis, old earth creation theology “makes God an ogre responsible for millions of years of death, disease and suffering?”17 Other articles go on to make the following statements:

What does the Bible have to say about animal death? Since animals lack a spirit with which to communicate with God, they have no concept of God and are not under any of God’s laws or judgment. Therefore, death and pain inflicted by animals on other animals is not evil. In addition, scripture clearly tells us that God Himself allowed humans to kill20 and eat animals.21 In fact, God was pleased with the sacrifice of Abel, which involved the killing of animals.22 Therefore, scripture itself eliminates the death of animals as being evil or bad.

Is God a sinner?

God Himself is implicated in the death of animals. First, God killed animals to clothe Adam and Eve after the fall23 and then killed many animals during the flood (Genesis 7). God set up the system of animal sacrifice for atonement for sin.24 In addition, scripture tells us that God created carnivores on day 6. Numerous verses of scripture tell us that God provides food for the carnivores of the Earth, therefore condoning the death of some animals for the survival of others. If one states that the death of animals and carnivorous activity are evil, then one must admit, according to scripture, that God is responsible for these things and therefore a perpetrator of evil. Such a viewpoint would make God a sinner— something vehemently refuted by scripture. God Himself states that He is directly involved in the deaths of some animals to provide food for other animals:

If God is responsible for causing “this brutal and sickening scene,” does it really matter if the time is millions of years or thousands of years? Sin is sin, whether it be a lot or a little. Since God says that He is directly involved in what young earth creationists say is “cruel, sadistic, and ugly”, then there must be two options. First option, God is an ogre. Second option, Answers in Genesis is wrong. You choose!

Has God withdrawn His “sustaining power?”

Young earth ministries used to claim that God initiated the second law of thermodynamics (entropy) at the fall. However, Genesis 1 clearly indicates that the second law was in operation during each of the first six days of creation. So, lately, the claim has been made that God “withdrew some of His sustaining power” at the fall of Adam and Eve.25 Cited as scriptural evidence for this claim is Romans 8:2226 and Colossians 1:16–17.27 Romans 8:22 may or may not be referring to the creation, but certainly does not say anything about God withdrawing His sustaining power. Colossians 1:17 does not refer to any kind of “sustaining power” at all. In this verse, the Greek word, sunistēmi,28 refers to the act of putting all the parts (mentioned in verse 16) of the creation together. In fact, the King James version translates the verse, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Although Answers in Genesis usually cites the King James version, they don’t in this instance to try to make it appear that the verse refers to some form of continuing action (which it doesn’t). So, this new doctrine of God removing some of His sustaining power at the Fall is completely without biblical support.

It actually gets worse. According to Ham and Sarfati, God is purposely making our lives more difficult so that we can see what life would be like without Him. According to their article, “...He is deliberately letting things fall apart to give us a taste of what life is like without God.”29 Cited as evidence for this assertion is Romans 1:18–32. However, these verses directly contradict the assertion, since they proclaim:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

In fact, this verse says that God’s existence can be “clearly seen” through the creation, and that this has been true “since the creation of the world”. If God really withdrew some of His “sustaining power”, then the unbelievers would have an excuse for rejecting God. The statement that God’s power and His divine nature could be seen “since the creation of the world” suggests that there was no dramatic change in this creation evidence since before the beginning of humanity. In fact, the redemptive history of the earth suggests that, in these last days,30 God has provided more of His power to His people.31

The young earth creationist claim that God’s intervention is required for the universe to operate actually makes God seem to be a bumbling designer. If God must constantly input His “sustaining power,” then He did a very poor job at designing the universe. One would think that a really good Designer could make the universe so that its day to day actions occurred automatically as the result of good design. In fact, the Bible implies that this is true.32 Further support for the idea that the universe runs largely unaided comes from the biblical descriptions of the end of the universe. According to the Bible, the universe does not end by God just withdrawing His “sustaining power,” but by God actively destroying the universe through some fiery conflagration.33 So, the young earth doctrine of God’s “sustaining power” is really without biblical support.

The purpose of millions of years of death

Young earth creationists have asked what is the purpose for millions of years of animal death before the creation of mankind, claiming that old earth creationists have never given an adequate explanation.34 Although we cannot be certain of God’s motives35 unless specifically described in the Bible, there are some very good reasons why God spent billions of years preparing the earth for the arrival of human beings. First, time doesn’t mean anything to God, since He created time,36 along with the universe. Even young earth creationists believe that God created time.37 Second, the size and nature of the universe allows us to see God’s glory.38 If it were to have been created instantly, we would have no idea about its origin. Scientists would have assumed that it had always existed that way, which would have promoted atheism. Instead, the atheist is confronted with the reality that the universe had a beginning, confirming what the Bible says.39

The third reason for billions of years of life before the creation of mankind was to prepare the earth for human civilization. The lives and deaths of plants, animals, and bacteria, buried through the actions of plate tectonics, and converted through high temperatures and pressure, has left the earth with an immense supply of biodeposits. Most people think only of petroleum products—oil, natural gas, and coal—which power modern civilization. The Bible even mentions use of these products before the flood40 (contradicting the young earth assertion that oil deposits are the result of the flood). However, in addition to high energy biodeposits, living organisms are responsible for the vast stores of limestone and marble (formed from the shells of countless mollusks, corals, etc.). Bacteria are responsible for indirectly forming many of the concentrated metal ores found in the earth. Without all these biodeposits, modern civilization would not be possible. Most Christians believe that modern communication methods (which are dependent upon these biodeposits) will allow us to fulfill the Great Commission41 within this century. This alone is a great reason why God spent so much time (our time, not His) preparing the earth for human arrival.

Another God? Another gospel? Ad hominem attacks

A common tactic among young earth ministries is to use emotional appeals and ad hominem attacks on old earth creationists. In a recent "A Question of Age" conference, pitting young earth and old earth creationists, Answers in Genesis speaker, Jason Lisle presented a very insulting talk, including intimidating Christians (by implying that believing in an old earth is equated with following Satan) and showing missiles being shot at the cross (by old earth creationists). Such tactics are unworthy of those who claim the name of Christ.

According to a Answers in Genesis, old earth creation theology actually results in “worshipping a different god” that “destroys the Gospel.”

In yet another ad hominem attack, Ken Ham accused old earth creationists to be followers of “the doctrine of Balaam.”42 However, Peter tells us that Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness.”43 The Apostle Jude tells us that those who “rushed headlong into the error of Balaam” are “doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.”44

Implying that old earth creationists worship another God is tantamount to claiming we are non-believers. Likewise, accusing us of the “doctrine of Balaam” implies, according to the New Testament writers, that we are unrighteous and destined for hell. However, as established in verses in the previously, God does not see the death of animals as being cruel. So, in essence these young earth creationists reveal that either they don’t understand God or do not believe that He is righteous in all His actions.

Adam's world according to YECs

According to YEC dinosaurs and humans lived (and ate) side by side. Yum!Young earth creationists don't realize that their profound misinterpretation of the fossil record impacts negatively upon the character of God. According to young earth creationists, God created dinosaurs as contemporaries of modern humans. This means that humans would have been confronted with dozens of species of carnivorous dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus rex and packs of velociraptors. This theology implies that carnivorous dinosaurs would have been eating humans for at least 1,400 years from the fall of Adam and Eve until the flood. Is this the YEC version of God's love?

Conclusion Top of page

Young earth creationists claim that millions of years of animal death reflects negatively upon the character of God, since they say that He would never create a world that was “cruel, sadistic, and ugly.” However, young earth creationists claim that God vindictively condemned the animals to thousands of years of death and suffering because of human sin. Contrary to young earth theology, in the Bible God says that He is a willing participant in the deaths of some animals to feed others. So, young earth creationists actually judge God's actions on the basis of what they think God should do, instead of accepting His stated plan for the role of animals on the earth.

Purpose of this page

My purpose in writing this page is not to attack the ministry of Answers in Genesis. My goal is that they would reform their methods and theology to conform to biblical standards and join us in the joyful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May God be with us.

Rich Deem

Young earth creationists have made up a new doctrine, claiming that God “withdrew some of His sustaining power” after Adam and Eve sinned. However, no verse indicates that any of God's power has ever been withdrawn from the world to “give us a taste of what life is like without God.” Instead, the Bible says that the evidence from the creation clearly shows God's power, and that this evidence was available "since the creation of the world." In addition, the Bible indicates that God must actively destroy the present universe in order to create the new heavens and new earth. If the universe were really dependent upon God's continual input of power, it would just fall apart if God withdrew this power, instead of having to be actively destroyed. The young earth implication is that God must continually tinker with the universe to make it work right, making Him into a bumbling Designer. Instead, the Bible says that God has designed the universe with laws that cause it to run correctly.

When young earth creationist ministries must resort to emotional appeals and imply that old earth creationists are supporting the doctrines of Satan, it is obvious that they are becoming desperate. When young earth theology fails the test of scripture, resorting to such practices is unworthy of the calling of Christians.

Related Pages Top of page

A Matter of Days by Hugh RossA Matter of Days by Hugh Ross

Dr. Ross looks the creation date controversy from a biblical, historical, and scientific perspective. Most of the book deals with what the Bible has to say about the days of creation. Ross concludes that biblical models of creation should be tested through the whole of scripture and the revelations of nature.

Peril in Paradise: Theology, Science, and the Age of the Earth Peril in Paradise: Theology, Science, and the Age of the Earth by Mark S. Whorton, Ph.D.

This book, written for Christians, examines creation paradigms on the basis of what scripture says. Many Christians assume that the young earth “perfect paradise” paradigm is based upon what the Bible says. In reality, the “perfect paradise” paradigm fails in its lack of biblical support and also in its underlying assumptions that it forces upon a “Christian” worldview. Under the “perfect paradise” paradigm, God is relegated to the position of a poor designer, whose plans for the perfect creation are ruined by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. God is forced to come up with “plan B,” in which He vindictively creates weeds, disease, carnivorous animals, and death to get back at humanity for their sin. Young earth creationists inadvertently buy into the atheistic worldview that suffering could not have been the original intent of God, stating that the earth was created “for our pleasure.” However, the Bible says that God created carnivores, and that the death of animals and plants was part of God’s original design for the earth.

References Top of page

  1. “and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:30)
  2. nephesh nephesh (Strong’s H5315)
    1. soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
      1. that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
      2. living being
      3. living being (with life in the blood)
      4. the man himself, self, person or individual
      5. seat of the appetites
      6. seat of emotions and passions
      7. activity of mind
        1. dubious
      8. activity of the will
        1. dubious
      9. activity of the character
        1. dubious
    Part of Speech: noun feminine
    A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5314
    Same Word by TWOT Number: 1395a
  3. Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:20-21)
  4. Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17)
  5. Adam’s names for carnivores
    Animal Strong’s # Meaning
    Lion H738 from H717 “in the sense of violence”9
    Cormorant H799410 “bird of prey” from H7993 “to throw, cast hurl fling”—referring to its diving in pursuit of prey11
    Hawk H5322 “unclean bird of prey”12
    Eagle H5404 from an unused root meaning “to lacerate”13
    Owl H846414 from H2554 “to wrong, do violence to, treat violently, do wrongly”15
  6. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
  7. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— (Romans 5:12)
    so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
    For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. (Romans 6:10)
    Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)
    and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:13)
    Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
    But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. (Romans 7:8)
    Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. (Romans 7:13)
    For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Romans 8:2)
    If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)
    The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; (1 Corinthians 15:56)
    Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:15)
    If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. (1 John 5:16)
    All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. (1 John 5:17)
  8. Ham, K. 2001. Two histories of death. Creation 24(1):18–20. Answers in Genesis.
  9. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)
  10. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:9)
    And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; (Revelation 20:2)
  11. And the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly shall you go, And dust shall you eat All the days of your life; And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)
  12. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (Galatians 4:4)
  13. To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall bring forth children; Yet your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)
  14. Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
    15. ThistleThistle
  15. Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)
  16. “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” (Genesis 18:25)
    God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day. (Psalm 7:11)
    And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. (Psalm 9:8)
    Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness. (Psalm 96:13)
    Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:9)
    But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. (Isaiah 11:4)
    “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
  17. “Which history of death do you, the reader, accept? Is it one that makes God an ogre responsible for millions of years of death, disease and suffering?”
    Ham, K. 2001. Two histories of death. Creation 24(1):18–20. Answers in Genesis.
  18. Taylor, P. and M. Van Bebber. 1994. Six days or billions of years... Does it make any difference?. Creation ex nihilo 16(4):48–49. Answers in Genesis.
  19. Ham, K. 1999. The god of an old earth. Creation 21(4):42–45. Answers in Genesis.
  20. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering (Genesis 4:4)
  21. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. (Genesis 9:3)
  22. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; (Genesis 4:4)
  23. And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)
  24. “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor is the fat of My feast to remain overnight until morning.” (Exodus 23:18)
  25. “At the same time that God judged sin with death, He withdrew some of His sustaining power.” From Ham, K., and J. Sarfati. Why is there death and suffering. Answers in Genesis.
  26. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. (Romans 8:22)
  27. For by Him [Jesus] all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17)
  28. Thayer’s Greek Definitions:
    sunistaw / sunistanw / sunisthmi
    sunistaō / sunistanō / sunistēmi (Strong’s G4921)
    1. to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together
      1. to stand with (or near)
    2. to set one with another
      1. by way of presenting or introducing him
      2. to comprehend
    3. to put together by way of composition or combination, to teach by combining and comparing
      1. to show, prove, establish, exhibit
    4. to put together, unite parts into one whole
      1. to be composed of, consist
    Part of Speech: verb
    A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G4862 and G2476 (including its collat. forms)
    Citing in TDNT: 7:896, 1120
  29. Ham, K., and J. Sarfati. Why is there death and suffering. Answers in Genesis.
  30. in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. (Hebrews 1:2)
  31. “‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;’” (Acts 2:17)
  32. This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name. “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.” (Jeremiah 31:35-36)
  33. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)
    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)
    looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! (2 Peter 3:12)
    “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18)
    “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
    “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)
    And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” And this expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:26-27)
  34. In this ‘progressive creation’ view, the Creator does not choose to make this brutal and sickening scene as short as possible; rather, it is supposedly extended for millions or even billions of years prior to man’s creation. One might rightly wonder, for what purpose is all of this? Old-earthers have never offered a satisfactory explanation.” Taylor, P. and M. Van Bebber. 1994. Six days or billions of years... Does it make any difference?. Creation ex nihilo 16(4):48–49. Answers in Genesis.
  35. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)
    “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
  36. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
    No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. (1 Corinthians 2:7)
    This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9)
    The hope of eternal life, which God... promised before the beginning of time (Titus 1:2)
    To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:25)
  37. Bodie Hodge. 2006. Feedback for the week of May 15, 2006 Is God bound by time? Answers in Genesis.
  38. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1)
    And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. Selah. (Psalm 50:6)
    The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory. (Psalm 97:6)
    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)
  39. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
  40. “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch.” (Genesis 6:14)
  41. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
  42. Ham, K. 1997. Millions of years and the ‘doctrine of Balaam’. Creation 19(3):15–17. Answers in Genesis.
  43. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. (2 Peter 2:12-16)
  44. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 1:11-13)

http://www.godandscience.org/youngearth/millions_years.html
Last Modified June 12, 2006

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