Understanding Earth's Age and the State of Chaos

The earth was without form and void during the initial state of creation when darkness covered the face of the deep, and it was brought into its ordered state through six literal days of divine labor Genesis 1:2GC 658.3. Regarding its age, the world is approximately 7,500 to 7,600 years old, as historical and biblical calculations placed it at 7,400 years old in the year 1855SOSL 188.1.

The Duration of the Original Chaos

The period where the earth was "without form and void" describes the original condition of the world before the six days of creation began Genesis 1:2GC 658.3. While some suggest this period was indefinite, the divine record clarifies that God's work was accomplished in literal days, not immense periods of timeARSH August 11, 1859, page 93.19+1.

• Literal Days: Each day of the creation week consisted of a literal evening and morningTEd 77.3+1.

• Immediate Creation: God did not require long durations to evolve the earth from chaos; rather, He spoke and it was done, commanding and it stood fast Psalms 33:9Ed 129.1.

• The Sabbath Connection: The fact that the Sabbath is a memorial of a completed work proves the six days were literal, 24-hour periods, as a man cannot observe an "indefinite period" as a day of restTM 135.2+1.

Determining the Age of the Earth

Determining the exact age of the earth involves tracing the biblical chronology from the first week of time through the lives of the patriarchsSOSL 180.2+1.

• Chronological Milestones: Adam was created on the sixth literal day and lived for a total of 930 years Genesis 5:5ARSH August 11, 1859, page 93.19.

• Specific Dates: Detailed biblical chronology has identified that the world reached the age of 7,400 years on Wednesday, September 26, 1855SOSL 188.1.

• The 6,000 Year Cycle: There is a historical understanding that things will come to an end at the conclusion of six thousand years of human history, with each creation day representing a thousand-year period of timeHSFD 305.2+1.

The Future Return to a Void State

Interestingly, the earth will return to a state of being "without form and void" during the thousand-year period following the second coming of Christ Jeremiah 4:23GC 658.3.

• The Bottomless Pit: The term "bottomless pit" used in the Greek Septuagint for the "deep" in Genesis is the same word used to describe the earth's dark and confused state during this future time Revelation 20:1-3GC 658.3.

• Total Desolation: During this time, the earth will be utterly emptied, broken down, and without light or inhabitants Isaiah 24:1-3EVRR685.

• New Creation: Following this period of chaos, the earth will be renewed into a perfect state where the redeemed will observe the Sabbath to all eternity1SG 113.1+1.