Question:Is it true that the world was created about 6,000 years ago? And was Satan present on Earth during creation?

Answer:

From a biblical perspective, by counting the genealogies and lifespans recorded in Scripture, many scholars estimate the timeline as follows:

• From the Garden of Eden to the Flood: approximately 2,000 years
• From the Flood to the birth of Jesus Christ: about 2,000 years
• From Jesus’ birth to today: roughly 2,000 years

This adds up to around 6,000 years from Eden to the present day (see Genesis genealogies; Luke 3:23-38 for Jesus’ genealogy). However, this timeline refers to the period starting from Eden, not the initial creation of the Earth itself.

The Bible begins with the statement in Genesis 1:1 

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

This verse affirms God as the eternal Creator who brought the universe into existence, but it does not specify how long ago this occurred. It could have been thousands, millions, or even billions of years ago. The exact timeframe is not detailed.

Verse 2 of Genesis introduces a condition of the Earth:
Genesis 1:2 

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”

The phrase “without form, and void” (Hebrew: tohu va bohu) suggests a state of desolation or chaos. Many theologians interpret this as evidence that the original creation was subjected to judgment or ruin prior to the six-day creation account described afterward. This is often linked to the rebellion of Satan, who brought disorder to the creation (cf. Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17—passages traditionally interpreted as referring to Satan’s fall).

This interpretation aligns with Isaiah 45:18

“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”

Here, God emphasizes that He did not create the Earth to be empty or desolate, but to be inhabited. The presence of chaos in Genesis 1:2 implies a disruption of God’s original perfect creation.

Therefore, the six-day creation narrative in Genesis 1 is best understood as a re-creation or restoration of the Earth following that disruption. This means that while humans and all living creatures were created about 6,000 years ago, the Earth itself existed beforehand.

Regarding Satan’s presence: the Bible indicates that Satan existed before humans were created. He appears as the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), tempting Adam and Eve into disobedience. Revelation calls him “that old serpent”:

Revelation 20:2 

“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”

This reveals that Satan is a fallen angelic being who rebelled against God and was cast down from heaven to the Earth prior to humanity’s creation (cf. Luke 10:18; 2 Peter 2:4).

The biblical narrative supports that creation is not static but has undergone spiritual conflict and cosmic disturbance due to Satan’s rebellion (cf. Job 1:6-12; Colossians 1:16-17). God’s restorative work in Genesis 1:3 and onward shows His power to bring order from chaos and life from desolation.

May this understanding deepen your faith and trust in God’s sovereign plan!

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