Question:<\/strong> The Bible gives a detailed account of creation, especially of animals, plants, and mankind. But what about things like darkness<\/strong>, water<\/strong>, and the formless earth<\/strong>? When were these created, since they seem to exist before<\/em> the six days of creation?<\/p>\n To address this question, we must begin with the foundational verse of Scripture:<\/p>\n Genesis 1:1 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This verse describes the initial act of creation<\/strong>, which occurred prior to<\/em> the six days described in the rest of Genesis 1. The Hebrew phrase for “In the beginning” (Bereshith<\/em>) signifies the very origin of time and space<\/strong>, marking the absolute starting point<\/strong> of the material universe.<\/p>\n According to Genesis 1:1-2:<\/p>\n \u201cNow the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.\u201d<\/em> Before the six-day sequence of creation begins in verse 3, we see several elements already present:The heavens<\/strong>The earth<\/strong> (in an unformed state)<\/span>Darkness<\/strong>Water<\/strong>The Spirit of God hovering<\/strong><\/p>\n None of these are described as being created during<\/em> the six days. This suggests they were all brought into existence during the initial act of creation<\/strong> mentioned in Genesis 1:1.<\/p>\n Christian theology affirms that God created all things from nothing<\/strong> (Latin: ex nihilo<\/em>) including matter, energy, time, and space. This includes primordial elements like water<\/strong>, earth<\/strong>, and darkness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This view is supported by:<\/p>\n Hebrews 11:3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBy faith we understand that the universe was formed at God\u2019s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The presence of darkness in Genesis 1:2 should not be interpreted as the presence of evil or chaos, but rather the absence of light<\/strong>, which God had not yet called forth. Darkness had a role within God\u2019s initial creation:<\/p>\n Isaiah 45:7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Thus, darkness is part of God\u2019s design, later used to distinguish day from night<\/strong> (Genesis 1:5).<\/p>\n The Hebrew term “tehom”<\/em> (translated “deep”) refers to the primordial oceanic abyss. Water often symbolizes potential<\/strong> and unformed chaos<\/strong> in ancient Near Eastern thought, yet in Genesis, God is in control of the waters<\/strong> from the beginning, not battling them as in pagan myths.<\/p>\n Psalm 104:5\u20136 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cHe set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The six days of creation<\/strong> beginning in Genesis 1:3 focus on ordering<\/strong> and filling<\/strong> what God had already brought into being:Day 1\u20133<\/strong>: Forming (light\/dark, sky\/sea, land\/vegetation)<\/span>Day 4\u20136<\/strong>: Filling (sun\/moon\/stars, birds\/fish, animals\/humans)<\/span><\/p>\n Darkness and water are not recreated<\/strong>, because they were already present. Instead, God begins shaping them: He separates light from darkness<\/strong> (Day 1) and divides the waters<\/strong> (Day 2).<\/p>\n There is no definitive biblical explanation<\/strong> for why the earth is “formless and empty” in Genesis 1:2. Some scholars propose the Gap Theory<\/strong>, suggesting a long interval between verses 1 and 2. Others see it as a natural phase in the process of forming and preparing the earth.<\/p>\n However, we are assured that God did not<\/strong> create the world to remain empty or desolate:<\/p>\n Isaiah 45:18 (NIV)<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cFor this is what the Lord says\u2014he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Interestingly, Scripture prophesies that the earth will again become desolate<\/strong> and uninhabitable<\/strong> during the time of God\u2019s final judgment:<\/p>\n Isaiah 13:9\u201310 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSee, the day of the Lord is coming a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 2 Peter 3:10 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBut the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n While judgment will come upon the world, those who are in Christ <\/strong>who have trusted in His atoning work will be spared from God\u2019s wrath<\/strong> and dwell forever with Him:<\/p>\n 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n John 14:3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This profound truth not only speaks to the sovereignty<\/strong> and wisdom<\/strong> of God but also reminds us that His work has always had a purpose to bring life<\/strong>, order<\/strong>, and ultimately redemption<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.\u201d \u2013 Genesis 1:1<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n May the Lord bless you.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nWhat Was Created \u201cIn the Beginning\u201d?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n(Genesis 1:2, NIV<\/strong>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nTheological Implications<\/strong><\/h3>\n
1. Creation ex nihilo (“out of nothing”)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. Darkness Was Not Created as Evil<\/strong><\/h4>\n
3. Waters as Part of God\u2019s Raw Creation Material<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nWhy Aren\u2019t Darkness and Water Mentioned in the Six Days?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nWhat Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nFuture Desolation in Prophecy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nHope for the Redeemed<\/strong><\/h3>\n