Topical Encyclopedia Creation and Origin The Earth, according to the Bible, is the creation of God, who formed it by His command. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The Earth was initially formless and void, and darkness covered the surface of the deep, until God said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Genesis 1:2-3). Over the course of six days, God meticulously crafted the Earth, separating the waters, bringing forth dry land, and filling it with vegetation, animals, and ultimately, humanity (Genesis 1:9-31). Purpose and Significance The Earth is depicted as the dwelling place for humanity, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). It is a place where humans are to exercise dominion and stewardship over all living creatures (Genesis 1:28). The Earth is also the stage for God's unfolding plan of redemption, as it is where the narrative of sin, salvation, and divine intervention takes place. The Fall and Its Impact The Earth was affected by the Fall of Man, as described in Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world, bringing with it a curse that affected the ground itself. Genesis 3:17-18 states, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field." This curse introduced hardship and decay into the natural order. The Flood The Earth underwent a significant transformation during the time of Noah, when God judged the wickedness of humanity with a global flood. Genesis 7:11-12 describes the event: "On that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights." The floodwaters covered the Earth, destroying all life except for Noah, his family, and the animals preserved in the ark (Genesis 7:23). God's Covenant with the Earth After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never to destroy the Earth with a flood again. The sign of this covenant is the rainbow, as stated in Genesis 9:13, "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." The Earth in Prophecy The Bible speaks of a future renewal of the Earth. In Isaiah 65:17, God declares, "For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." This promise is echoed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Peter writes, "But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). The Earth and the End Times The Earth plays a crucial role in eschatological events. Jesus spoke of signs on the Earth that would precede His return, including earthquakes, famines, and other natural phenomena (Matthew 24:7). Revelation describes a series of judgments that will affect the Earth, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:1). Stewardship and Responsibility Believers are called to be stewards of the Earth, caring for it as God's creation. This responsibility is rooted in the mandate given to Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). The Earth is to be respected and preserved, reflecting the glory of its Creator. Conclusion The Earth, as presented in the Bible, is a testament to God's creative power, a stage for His redemptive plan, and a future promise of renewal. It is both a gift and a responsibility, entrusted to humanity to steward wisely until the fulfillment of God's ultimate plan. Subtopics Earth: Ancient Notions Concerning Earth: Created by God by Christ The Earth: Burning at God Presence The Earth: Created to be Inhabited The Earth: Diversified by Hills and Mountains The Earth: Full of God's Glory The Earth: Full of God's Goodness The Earth: Full of God's Mercy The Earth: Full of God's Riches The Earth: God: Governs Supremely The Earth: God: Laid the Foundation of The Earth: God: Makes Fruitful The Earth: God: Shall be Exalted In The Earth: God: Suspended in Space The Earth: Ideas of the Ancients Respecting the Form of The Earth: Made to Mourn and Languish by Sin The Earth: Man by Nature is of The Earth: Man by Nature Minds the Thing of The Earth: Man: Brought a Curse On The Earth: Man: Given Dominion Over The Earth: Man: Shall Return To The Earth: Melting at God's Voice The Earth: Not to be Again Inundated The Earth: Saints Shall Inherit The Earth: Satan Goes to and Fro In The Earth: Shall be Filled With the Knowledge of God The Earth: Shining With God's Glory The Earth: Subject to God's Judgments The Earth: The Dry Land As Divided from Waters The Earth: The World in General The Earth: To be Dissolved by Fire The Earth: Trembling Before God Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |