RR THREE EARTH AGES? A BIBLE-COMPATIBLE EXPLANATION THAT MAKES SENSE By Dr. Raymond Finney
Shavuah Tov,
(Rabbi’s note: Apologies for the formatting errors. They are minor, especially when compared to the excellent content.)
THREE EARTH AGES?
A BIBLE-COMPATIBLE EXPLANATION THAT MAKES SENSE
By Dr. Raymond Finney
I had trouble reconciling Biblical and earth science views of the creation of the Universe, a difficulty shared by others. Fundamentalist believers claim that God created all we see in six literal (24-hour) days (Young Earth Creationism). If their view is questioned, they answer: “Well, God can do anything.” Okay, but why? Does God wear a Rolex wrist watch set to an earthly time zone? A 24-hour day applies to earth, but not most other places in the Universe. Peter taught that God considers time to be fluid. (2 Peter 3:8: But don’t forget this one thing, loved ones, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.) Scientifically oriented people claim that the Universe is very old. Scientists estimate that the Universe may have been created 13.8-billion years ago and the earth may have been created 4.54-billion years ago. How many people refuse to accept the Bible’s teachings because of disbelief in Genesis’ six-day account of creation?
I learned of the Three Earth Ages Theory a few years ago. This Bible-compatible theory reconciles controversies mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Are earth scientists and Bible creationists saying the same thing, only using different words? I will try to explain the Three Earth Ages Theory in the following rough (poorly understandable?) RR text. I may write enough to interest you and you can read better explanations.
KEY SCRIPTURE. I usually quote from the Tree of Life Version, but I now quote from the King James Version. (Genesis 1:1-2: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.)
THE DIFFERENCE IS ONE WORD. The verb in the first sentence of Genesis 1:2 is haya (pronounced haw-yaw). The King James Version (KJV) translates this word as “was” (And the earth was...). This translation implies that God created a formless, watery earth that would be changed in the following few “days.” The Tree of Life Version also uses “was,” and other translations may follow the KJV’s lead. An acceptable (preferable?) translation of the verb is “became” (And the earth became…). This translation implies that God created an earth which was unsatisfactory (first earth age). Then, He created another, more acceptable earth (second earth age). See Strong’s Concordance for haya at: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1961/kjv/wlc/0-1/ .
The Greek word for “age” is aion, the source of English “eon.” The KJV and other versions erroneously translate aion as “world.” The Greek language had another perfectly good word for “world.” “World” and “age” are significantly different. End of world contradicts other Scriptures (world without end, New Jerusalem’s descent to remodeled earth, etc.). Yeshua knew about ages and their replacement. Should we also know?
When read with an open, inquisitive mind, the Bible seemingly supports three earth ages:
… First earth age (PAST): This age began at creation and may have lasted a few billion years. Evolution of life from simplest to complex life forms occurred, as willed by Creator God. Plants and animals lived and died, evolved and became extinct, and were even fossilized and buried in the earth’s crust. For an unstated reason, God became dissatisfied with and destroyed this earth’s surface. Was the first earth destroyed by a flood? Most ancient cultures taught an earth-destroying flood, which predated the Bible’s Noah’s flood. Genesis describes the earth of the first age as being formless and covered in water (consequence of a cataclysmic flood?). Then in this watery world, land masses (continents, islands) were formed. (Genesis 1:6: Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water! Let it be for separating water from water.”) The first earth age is briefly described in the first verse of the Bible. (Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.) Incidentally, did God tell about His creation of dinosaurs? (Job 40:15: [Adonai told Job] “Look now at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He eats grass like an ox.”) The Hebrew word for behemoth is pronounced be-hay-mohth’. There is no modern animal called “behemoth.” Scholars suggest a behemoth was a large extinct animal (a dinosaur?). Behemoths (dinosaurs) would have perished (extinction, destruction) before completion of the first earth age. The first earth age has come and gone (our past).
… Second earth age (PRESENT): This age includes the creation of modern humans. In the Tanakh, Adam’s wife was Chavvah (Hebrew), which translates to “Life-giver.” Adam’s name simply translates to “Man.” In the B’rit Chadashah, her name was Heua (Greek), which translates to “Life.” Heua, pronounced yoo-ah, is the source of “Eve” (I suppose). Humanoid animals may have existed, but Adam was created in God’s image. God is a Spirit. The difference between soulless humanoids, e.g., Neanderthals, and Adam (modern humans) is that Adam had a soul. Chavvah (Heua, Eve) was created with Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:21-23). Although sounding strange, this rib transplant seemingly transferred God’s image (eternal soul) from the first soul-bearing man to the first soul-bearing woman. Thus, the first two humans had souls with all of the advantages, blessings, and responsibilities of being God’s spiritual children. The second earth age will continue through the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah, until Yeshua’s thousand-year reign on earth concludes. This age is described in Genesis 1:2 through the first twenty chapters of The Revelation. We live in the second earth age now (our present).
… Third earth age (FUTURE): This age will begin at the end of time, as we know it, and will last for eternity. The beginning of this age is described in The Revelation. (Revelation 21:1-2: Then I [John] saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city— the New Jerusalem— coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.) The rest of Revelation (chapters 21 and 22) describes New Jerusalem (Heaven). This age is yet to come (our future). Yeshua promised an eternal home for Believers. (John 14:3-7: [Yeshua said] “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Master, we don’t know where You are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 If you have come to know Me, you will know My Father also. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”) Read Jeremiah, chapter 4; 2 Peter, chapter 3; and other Scriptures in which ultimate destruction of a sin-filled earth to make way for descent of New Jerusalem (Heaven) to earth. Heaven will not be “up there” somewhere, but will be here on a remodeled world, a world without end. (Among other Scriptures, Isaiah 45:17: [Adonai Elohim said] “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered or come to mind.”)
HOW LONG IS A “DAY?” The Bible’s creation account teaches that Elohim (Creator God) created the Universe and all in it in six “days” (Genesis 1:3-31) and took His Shabbat rest– terminated creation-- on the seventh “day” (Genesis 2:1-3). Fundamentalist creationists insist each “day” of creation was a standard twenty-four hour day.
Both Hebrew of the Tanakh and Koine Greek of the B’rit Chadashah had vocabularies of far fewer words than our modern English. This over-abundance of English word choices creates a headache for Bible translators. A word of ancient Hebrew or Greek text may have several English synonyms from which to choose. And, the English language continues to grow. Just this year, the Cambridge Dictionary added more than 6,000 words.
In the Genesis creation account, “day” translates the Hebrew yom. This word is commonly associated with short, twenty-four hour time periods (Yom Kippur, for example). But, yom can also be used for longer or even indefinite periods of time. Concordances list several possible translations for yom (day, today, yesterday, tomorrow, time, year, time period, etc.). See: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3117/kjv/wlc/0-1/ . Bible translation does not seem as simple as one would think or hope. Even English speakers loosely use “day.” A well-known English phrase is “back in the day.” Is this a specific day or a general time period of many twenty-four hour days?
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Nonbelievers may laugh at the Bible. One thing they mock is the six-day Universe creation account of Genesis. There is wide discrepancy between earth scientists’ theory and the six-day creation account. Careful search of Scriptures reveals there may not need to be a discrepancy. Scriptures reveal:
>> God seemingly created and will continue to create the earth in three stages (three earth ages).
>> The first earth age (Genesis 1:1) is past and could have lasted billions of years. Behemoth lived and may represent now-extinct dinosaurs. Humanoid creations had no souls (were not created in God’s image).
>> We are living in the second earth age (Genesis 1:2 through Revelation 20:15), an age in which man and woman created in God’s image first appeared. This age will end when Adonai is ready to call His children home.
>> The third earth age (Revelation, chapters 21 and 22) is yet to come, is eternal, and consists of two domains– Heaven and Hell. Those whose names are inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be admitted to Heaven. Those whose names are not inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be confined to Hell.
>> God created life and other features we associate with earth and the Universe in six “days.” “Day,” translated from the Hebrew yom, may describe a twenty-four hour day as well as an indefinite, even long period of time. The Biblical sequence of life evolution presented in Genesis generally follows the sequence of life evolution presented by Darwin and other evolutionists.
>> Hallelujah! We can reconcile the Bible and scientists. We Believers need not take a back seat when “scientists” tell us the creation account in Genesis is absurd. We need not disagree with their timeline of creation. We can say, “Yes, that was in the first earth age. We are now living in the second earth age. Let me tell you about the future, glorious third earth age for Believers.” Not many Believers have heard about the three earth ages, but this concept follows the Bible’s “fine print” and clears up many questions I have had about creation.
Explore an interesting subject about advanced civilizations which predated modern civilizations by using a search engine to read about the Silurian Hypothesis. This hypothesis discusses evidence of intelligent humanoids that dominated the earth many years ago. These ancient humanoids built impressive civilizations. They died out. Most of their lesser accomplishments were destroyed. Relative to this RR, they would have lived in the first earth age. (Ecclesiastes 1:9: What has been is what will be, and what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.) I have only scratched the surface of this topic, but I hope you get the idea. Until we meet again on October 5 to study God’s precious Word, Shalom and Maranatha.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun21 Sep 202528th of Elul, 5785
De 31:1-3Hag 1-22 Ch 24Rev 9(Ac 17)
(Rabbi’s note: Apologies for the formatting errors. They are minor, especially when compared to the excellent content.)
THREE EARTH AGES?
A BIBLE-COMPATIBLE EXPLANATION THAT MAKES SENSE
By Dr. Raymond Finney
I had trouble reconciling Biblical and earth science views of the creation of the Universe, a difficulty shared by others. Fundamentalist believers claim that God created all we see in six literal (24-hour) days (Young Earth Creationism). If their view is questioned, they answer: “Well, God can do anything.” Okay, but why? Does God wear a Rolex wrist watch set to an earthly time zone? A 24-hour day applies to earth, but not most other places in the Universe. Peter taught that God considers time to be fluid. (2 Peter 3:8: But don’t forget this one thing, loved ones, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.) Scientifically oriented people claim that the Universe is very old. Scientists estimate that the Universe may have been created 13.8-billion years ago and the earth may have been created 4.54-billion years ago. How many people refuse to accept the Bible’s teachings because of disbelief in Genesis’ six-day account of creation?
I learned of the Three Earth Ages Theory a few years ago. This Bible-compatible theory reconciles controversies mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Are earth scientists and Bible creationists saying the same thing, only using different words? I will try to explain the Three Earth Ages Theory in the following rough (poorly understandable?) RR text. I may write enough to interest you and you can read better explanations.
KEY SCRIPTURE. I usually quote from the Tree of Life Version, but I now quote from the King James Version. (Genesis 1:1-2: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.)
THE DIFFERENCE IS ONE WORD. The verb in the first sentence of Genesis 1:2 is haya (pronounced haw-yaw). The King James Version (KJV) translates this word as “was” (And the earth was...). This translation implies that God created a formless, watery earth that would be changed in the following few “days.” The Tree of Life Version also uses “was,” and other translations may follow the KJV’s lead. An acceptable (preferable?) translation of the verb is “became” (And the earth became…). This translation implies that God created an earth which was unsatisfactory (first earth age). Then, He created another, more acceptable earth (second earth age). See Strong’s Concordance for haya at: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1961/kjv/wlc/0-1/ .
The Greek word for “age” is aion, the source of English “eon.” The KJV and other versions erroneously translate aion as “world.” The Greek language had another perfectly good word for “world.” “World” and “age” are significantly different. End of world contradicts other Scriptures (world without end, New Jerusalem’s descent to remodeled earth, etc.). Yeshua knew about ages and their replacement. Should we also know?
When read with an open, inquisitive mind, the Bible seemingly supports three earth ages:
… First earth age (PAST): This age began at creation and may have lasted a few billion years. Evolution of life from simplest to complex life forms occurred, as willed by Creator God. Plants and animals lived and died, evolved and became extinct, and were even fossilized and buried in the earth’s crust. For an unstated reason, God became dissatisfied with and destroyed this earth’s surface. Was the first earth destroyed by a flood? Most ancient cultures taught an earth-destroying flood, which predated the Bible’s Noah’s flood. Genesis describes the earth of the first age as being formless and covered in water (consequence of a cataclysmic flood?). Then in this watery world, land masses (continents, islands) were formed. (Genesis 1:6: Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water! Let it be for separating water from water.”) The first earth age is briefly described in the first verse of the Bible. (Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.) Incidentally, did God tell about His creation of dinosaurs? (Job 40:15: [Adonai told Job] “Look now at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He eats grass like an ox.”) The Hebrew word for behemoth is pronounced be-hay-mohth’. There is no modern animal called “behemoth.” Scholars suggest a behemoth was a large extinct animal (a dinosaur?). Behemoths (dinosaurs) would have perished (extinction, destruction) before completion of the first earth age. The first earth age has come and gone (our past).
… Second earth age (PRESENT): This age includes the creation of modern humans. In the Tanakh, Adam’s wife was Chavvah (Hebrew), which translates to “Life-giver.” Adam’s name simply translates to “Man.” In the B’rit Chadashah, her name was Heua (Greek), which translates to “Life.” Heua, pronounced yoo-ah, is the source of “Eve” (I suppose). Humanoid animals may have existed, but Adam was created in God’s image. God is a Spirit. The difference between soulless humanoids, e.g., Neanderthals, and Adam (modern humans) is that Adam had a soul. Chavvah (Heua, Eve) was created with Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:21-23). Although sounding strange, this rib transplant seemingly transferred God’s image (eternal soul) from the first soul-bearing man to the first soul-bearing woman. Thus, the first two humans had souls with all of the advantages, blessings, and responsibilities of being God’s spiritual children. The second earth age will continue through the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah, until Yeshua’s thousand-year reign on earth concludes. This age is described in Genesis 1:2 through the first twenty chapters of The Revelation. We live in the second earth age now (our present).
… Third earth age (FUTURE): This age will begin at the end of time, as we know it, and will last for eternity. The beginning of this age is described in The Revelation. (Revelation 21:1-2: Then I [John] saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city— the New Jerusalem— coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.) The rest of Revelation (chapters 21 and 22) describes New Jerusalem (Heaven). This age is yet to come (our future). Yeshua promised an eternal home for Believers. (John 14:3-7: [Yeshua said] “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Master, we don’t know where You are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 If you have come to know Me, you will know My Father also. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”) Read Jeremiah, chapter 4; 2 Peter, chapter 3; and other Scriptures in which ultimate destruction of a sin-filled earth to make way for descent of New Jerusalem (Heaven) to earth. Heaven will not be “up there” somewhere, but will be here on a remodeled world, a world without end. (Among other Scriptures, Isaiah 45:17: [Adonai Elohim said] “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered or come to mind.”)
HOW LONG IS A “DAY?” The Bible’s creation account teaches that Elohim (Creator God) created the Universe and all in it in six “days” (Genesis 1:3-31) and took His Shabbat rest– terminated creation-- on the seventh “day” (Genesis 2:1-3). Fundamentalist creationists insist each “day” of creation was a standard twenty-four hour day.
Both Hebrew of the Tanakh and Koine Greek of the B’rit Chadashah had vocabularies of far fewer words than our modern English. This over-abundance of English word choices creates a headache for Bible translators. A word of ancient Hebrew or Greek text may have several English synonyms from which to choose. And, the English language continues to grow. Just this year, the Cambridge Dictionary added more than 6,000 words.
In the Genesis creation account, “day” translates the Hebrew yom. This word is commonly associated with short, twenty-four hour time periods (Yom Kippur, for example). But, yom can also be used for longer or even indefinite periods of time. Concordances list several possible translations for yom (day, today, yesterday, tomorrow, time, year, time period, etc.). See: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3117/kjv/wlc/0-1/ . Bible translation does not seem as simple as one would think or hope. Even English speakers loosely use “day.” A well-known English phrase is “back in the day.” Is this a specific day or a general time period of many twenty-four hour days?
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Nonbelievers may laugh at the Bible. One thing they mock is the six-day Universe creation account of Genesis. There is wide discrepancy between earth scientists’ theory and the six-day creation account. Careful search of Scriptures reveals there may not need to be a discrepancy. Scriptures reveal:
>> God seemingly created and will continue to create the earth in three stages (three earth ages).
>> The first earth age (Genesis 1:1) is past and could have lasted billions of years. Behemoth lived and may represent now-extinct dinosaurs. Humanoid creations had no souls (were not created in God’s image).
>> We are living in the second earth age (Genesis 1:2 through Revelation 20:15), an age in which man and woman created in God’s image first appeared. This age will end when Adonai is ready to call His children home.
>> The third earth age (Revelation, chapters 21 and 22) is yet to come, is eternal, and consists of two domains– Heaven and Hell. Those whose names are inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be admitted to Heaven. Those whose names are not inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be confined to Hell.
>> God created life and other features we associate with earth and the Universe in six “days.” “Day,” translated from the Hebrew yom, may describe a twenty-four hour day as well as an indefinite, even long period of time. The Biblical sequence of life evolution presented in Genesis generally follows the sequence of life evolution presented by Darwin and other evolutionists.
>> Hallelujah! We can reconcile the Bible and scientists. We Believers need not take a back seat when “scientists” tell us the creation account in Genesis is absurd. We need not disagree with their timeline of creation. We can say, “Yes, that was in the first earth age. We are now living in the second earth age. Let me tell you about the future, glorious third earth age for Believers.” Not many Believers have heard about the three earth ages, but this concept follows the Bible’s “fine print” and clears up many questions I have had about creation.
Explore an interesting subject about advanced civilizations which predated modern civilizations by using a search engine to read about the Silurian Hypothesis. This hypothesis discusses evidence of intelligent humanoids that dominated the earth many years ago. These ancient humanoids built impressive civilizations. They died out. Most of their lesser accomplishments were destroyed. Relative to this RR, they would have lived in the first earth age. (Ecclesiastes 1:9: What has been is what will be, and what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.) I have only scratched the surface of this topic, but I hope you get the idea. Until we meet again on October 5 to study God’s precious Word, Shalom and Maranatha.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun21 Sep 202528th of Elul, 5785
De 31:1-3Hag 1-22 Ch 24Rev 9(Ac 17)
Posted in Rabbis Reflections
Recent
Archive
2025
May
RR Psalm 28:5 Part 5RR Psalm 28:6 Part 6RR Psalm 28:7a Part 7RR Psalm 28:7b Part 8RR Psalm 28:7c Part 9RR Psalm 28:7d Part 10RR Psalm 28:8 Part 11Rabbi’s Reflections - Saturday, May 10, 2025 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 28:9 Part 12RR Psalm 28:9 Part 13RR Psalm 28:9 Part 14RR Psalm 28:9 Part 15RR Psalm 29:1 Part 1RR Psalm 29:2 Part 2Favor From a Fooled Philistine By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:3 Part 3RR Psalm 29:4 Part 4RR Psalm 29:5 Part 5RR Psalm 29:6 Part 6RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7Favor/Grace in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:8 Part 8RR Psalm 29:10 Part 10RR Psalm 29:9 Part 9RR Psalm 29:11 Paert 11RR Psalm 30:1,2 Part 1RR Psalms 30:3 Part 2RR Psalm 30:4 Part 3Favor (Chen/Charis) in the Psalms By David HarwoodRR Psalm 30:5 Part 4
June
RR Psalm 30:6 Part 5RR Psalm 30:7 Part 6RR Psalm 30:8 Part 7RR - Psalm 30:9-11 Part 8RR Psalm 30:12,13 Part 9RR Favor (Chen/Charis) in Proverbs By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 31:3 Part 2RR Psalm 31:4 Part 3RR Psalm 31:5 Part 4RR Psalm 31:6 Part 5RR Psalm 31:7 Part 6RR Kohelet By David HarwoodRR “Taking Our Thoughts Captive – Part 2” By Jerry MillerRR Psalm 31:8 Part 7RR Psalm 31:8 Part 8RR Psalm 31:9 Part 9RR - Psalm 31:10 Part 10RR Psalm 31:11 Part 11Zechariah and Favor By David HarwoodRR - Psalm 31:12-14 Part 12RR Shalom SpecialRR Psalm 31:15 Part 13RR Psalm 31:16,17 Part 14RR Psalm 31:18 Part 15RR Psalm 31:19,20 Part 16RR Adonai-Tzva’ot and End-Time Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:21 Part 17RR Psalm 31:22 Part 18RR Psalm 31:23 Part 19
July
RR Psalm 31:24 Part 20RR Psalm 31:25 Part 21RR Psalm 32:1 Part 1Rabbi’s Reflections - Favor and Luke By David HarwoodRR Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3 by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 32:2 Part 2RR Psalm 32:3,4 Part 3RR Psalm 32:5 Part 4RR Psalm 32:5 Part 5RR Psalm 32:6 Part 6Some Nuances of Charis By David HarwoodRR Psalm 32:7 Part 7RR Psalm 32:8 Part 8RR Psalm 32:8 Part 9RR Psalm 32:9 Part 10RR Psalm 32:10 Part 11RR Psalm 32:11 Part 12RR Psalm 33:1 Part 1RR Psalm 33:2,3 Part 2RR Psalm 33:4,5 Part 3RR Psalm 33:6,7 Part 4RR Psalm 33:8,9,10 Part 5Favor In Acts 1 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 33:11,12 Part 6RR Psalm 33:13,14 Part 7RR Psalm 33:15,16 Part 8RR Psalm 33:17,18,19 Part 9RR Psalm 33:20,21 Part 10RR Psalm 33:22 Part 11RR Favor in Acts 2: Stephen by David HarwoodRR “Endurance for the Race” by Jerry Miller