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!
Question: What does it mean to pray with “vain repetitions”? And how should I pray so that my prayers are meaningful before God?
Answer:
God bless you. This is a great question because it helps us understand the kind of prayer God values.
In Matthew 6:7, Jesus says:
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
The phrase “vain repetitions” does not mean praying loudly or with passion. Rather, it refers to empty, mindless repetition—saying the same words over and over again without genuine thought or faith. Jesus was addressing a common religious habit, especially among the Gentiles (non-Jews), who believed that repeating long prayers could convince their gods to respond.
In contrast, Jesus teaches us that God is not moved by the quantity of our words, but by the sincerity of our hearts.
Jesus continues in Matthew 6:8:
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
This shows a key theological truth: God is omniscient—He knows all things, including our needs before we even express them (see also Psalm 139:1–4). So, we don’t need to perform or strive to get His attention. He’s already listening.
The Heart of the Matter
In Matthew 6:5–6, Jesus also warns about praying just to be seen by others:
Verse 5 – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”
Verse 6 – “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Here, Jesus emphasizes that prayer is a private, spiritual communion with God, not a performance for others. The reward of such sincere prayer is not praise from people, but a personal response from the Father who sees in secret.
Does This Mean Loud or Repeated Prayer Is Always Wrong?
Not at all. There are many examples in Scripture where God’s people prayed with strong emotion and even repeated themselves:
- Jesus Himself prayed the same words three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:44).
- David cried out loudly to God in the Psalms (Psalm 142:1).
- The early church prayed fervently together in Acts (Acts 4:24–31).
So the issue is not volume or repetition alone, but the intention behind it.
If we pray loudly to pour out our hearts to God—that’s good. But if we pray loudly or repetitively just to look spiritual or to earn God’s attention, then our prayer loses its meaning.
What About Religious Traditions That Repeat Prayers?
In some traditions, people repeat prayers like the Rosary or the “Hail Mary” for long periods, thinking that repeating them many times increases their power. However, this directly contradicts Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6:7. Repetition in itself is not wrong—but mindless repetition is.
God wants your heart, not just your lips. He desires a personal relationship, not a religious ritual (see Isaiah 29:13).
How Should You Pray?
When you go before God:
- Be honest and focused.
- Present your needs clearly.
- Avoid trying to impress Him or others.
- Don’t rely on formulas—just speak from the heart.
- Once you’re done, give thanks and trust that God heard you.
As Philippians 4:6 says:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
When you pray this way—authentically, humbly, and with faith—your prayers will be meaningful before God.
May the Lord bless you and teach you to pray in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
QUESTION:Will all Jews be saved according to Romans 11:26?
Romans 11:25–26
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
ANSWER:
The phrase “all Israel shall be saved” in Romans 11:26 does not mean that every Jewish person throughout history will be saved automatically, regardless of their belief or lifestyle. Instead, it refers to a future national turning of the Jewish people to faith in Jesus Christ, which will happen when the “fullness of the Gentiles” is complete.
Let’s break this down theologically and biblically.
1. Not All Physical Jews Are Spiritual Israel
The apostle Paul makes it clear that ethnic identity alone does not guarantee salvation. Just being descended from Abraham or Israel does not make someone truly part of God’s covenant people.
Romans 9:6-7
“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
Paul distinguishes between ethnic Israel (Jews by birth) and spiritual Israel (those who live by faith). True covenant membership is based not on genetics but on faith and obedience to God—just as it was for Abraham (Romans 4:13-16).
2. Biblical History: Even in the Old Testament, Not All Jews Were Saved
Many Jews in the Old Testament were judged by God for their sin and rebellion, despite being descendants of Abraham:
- Korah and Dathan rebelled and were swallowed up by the earth (Numbers 16).
- Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were immoral priests judged by God (1 Samuel 2).
- Bar-Jesus, a Jewish false prophet, was called “a child of the devil” by Paul (Acts 13:6–10).
Acts 13:10
“O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness…”
God’s judgment is impartial. As Romans 2:11 says, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Even chosen people are held accountable if they reject God’s truth.
3. Israel’s Blindness Is Temporary—and Part of God’s Redemptive Plan
Paul explains that Israel’s current unbelief is not permanent. God allowed this partial hardening so that the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (non-Jews). But once that time is complete, God will turn again to the Jewish people, and many will believe in Jesus as their Messiah.
Romans 11:25
“…blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Romans 11:24
“If thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature… how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?”
This is part of God’s mysterious salvation plan—His mercy shown first to Israel, then to the Gentiles, and then returning again to Israel (Romans 11:30-32). It reflects God’s sovereignty in election and mercy (Romans 9:15–16).
4. “All Israel Shall Be Saved” Refers to a Faithful Remnant
When Paul says “all Israel shall be saved,” he is not referring to every Jew who has ever lived. Instead, he is referring to a future generation of Jewish people—those who will repent and believe in Jesus near the end of the age.
Isaiah 59:20— which Paul quotes in Romans 11:26:
“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.”
The “all Israel” refers to the faithful remnant among the Jewish people—those who turn from sin and trust in the Redeemer. This is consistent with Old Testament prophecy and with Paul’s earlier statement in Romans 9:27
“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.”
5. Gentiles Are Also Warned Not to Be Arrogant
Gentile believers are warned not to become prideful, thinking that they have replaced Israel forever. Paul warns that God can cut off Gentile believers just as He disciplined Israel.
Romans 11:21
“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
6. The Window of Grace Is Closing
While we still live in the age of grace, a time is coming when the door will close. Jesus warned that many will want to enter but will find the door shut:
Luke 13:25
“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door…”
Hebrews 2:3
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…”
This is a call to urgency. Salvation is available now by faith in Christ. Whether Jew or Gentile, no one should presume upon God’s mercy.
Not all Jews will be saved automatically just because they are descendants of Abraham. Salvation has always been through faith, not bloodline. When Romans 11:26 says “all Israel shall be saved,” it is referring to a future turning of the Jewish people to Jesus Christ—a faithful remnant who repent and believe at the end of the age.
In the meantime, Gentiles should not be proud or careless with the grace they’ve received. We are living in a critical moment of opportunity. The gospel has reached us—but it will soon return to Israel.
So the real question is:
Have you received this grace personally?
Is your life in Christ, or are you still outside the door?
God has opened the door wide—for now.
Question: What is the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit?
Answer:
The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is described clearly by Jesus in Matthew 12:25-32
When the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (the prince of demons), Jesus responded:
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand… If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you… Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” (vv. 25-28, 31)
Explanation:
1. Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Is a Deliberate Rejection of God’s Work:
The Pharisees saw Jesus perform miracles and cast out demons through the power of the Holy Spirit, yet they knowingly attributed His work to demonic powers (Beelzebul). This was a willful and malicious denial of God’s truth (cf. Hebrews 10:26-29), showing a hardened heart that rejects the Holy Spirit’s testimony.
2. The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth and Brings Conviction:
The Spirit convicts the world of sin and reveals Jesus as Lord (John 16:8-11). Rejecting the Spirit’s work is therefore a rejection of God’s only means to salvation (cf. Acts 2:38). This sin is unforgivable because it cuts a person off from repentance and faith.
3. Not a Momentary Doubt or Sin, But Persistent Hardness of Heart:
The unforgivable sin is not a single slip or question of faith but a persistent, willful rejection of the Spirit’s testimony about Christ (cf. 1 John 1:9 — forgiveness is promised for confessing sinners).
4. Nicodemus’ Example Shows the Pharisees Knew the Truth:
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, acknowledged Jesus’ divine authority (John 3:1-2), proving the religious leaders were not ignorant but chose to blaspheme intentionally.
5. Practical Warning for Believers:
When we see God’s Spirit at work through a believer, we must not accuse that person of evil or deception out of jealousy or misunderstanding (cf. James 3:9-10). Doing so can hinder God’s work and cause spiritual damage.
6. Encouragement for Those Who Fear God:
Many believers fear they have committed this sin due to guilt over past sins. However, a repentant heart that seeks God’s forgiveness shows the Spirit is active in you. The blasphemy against the Spirit is marked by total hardness and refusal to repent, not by sincere repentance (cf. Romans 8:16)
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a conscious, hardened rejection of God’s Spirit and work through Jesus Christ. It’s unforgivable because it rejects the very means God provides for salvation. But those who genuinely repent and trust in Jesus can be confident of forgiveness and salvation.
Are All Sins the Same? Are There Big and Small Sins?
Question: I want to understand—is there such a thing as big sins and small sins? If not, will someone who kills be punished the same as someone who insults another person?
Answer: From a biblical perspective, sin is sin. Whether we label it as big or small, all sin is fundamentally a violation of God’s holy law and separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). The Bible teaches that any sin, no matter how “small” it seems to us, makes us guilty before God.
James 2:10-11states:
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”
This means the law of God is perfect and indivisible. Breaking any part of it—even one command—makes a person guilty of breaking the entire law. This underscores the total depravity of humanity—that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).
However, God’s justice is also perfect and takes into account the severity and knowledge of the sin. Jesus taught that the consequences or judgment vary depending on one’s actions and awareness.
Luke 12:47-48 explains:
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
This passage highlights God’s principle of proportional justice—those who knowingly reject God’s will face harsher judgment, while those ignorant receive lighter punishment. It also emphasizes human responsibility based on the knowledge and gifts received.
Regarding eternal consequences, all sin leads to spiritual death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). But God offers the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ to those who repent and believe (John 3:16).
Therefore, while the Bible does not categorize sins as “big” or “small” in terms of their spiritual nature, the earthly and eternal consequences can vary. Both the severity of sin and the heart attitude matter.
Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ? These are the last days, and none of us know when our time will come. If you died today, where would your soul go? Turn to Jesus now, repent, and receive His forgiveness and eternal life.
God bless you.
