The 3rd Angels message: those who fail to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus receive the mark

Originally posted by ppm56: ↑

1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth—

This section, from the Priestly source, functions as an introduction, as ancient stories of the origin of the world (cosmogonies) often did. It introduces the primordial story (2:4–11:26), the stories of the ancestors (11:27–50:26), and indeed the whole Pentateuch. The chapter highlights the goodness of creation and the divine desire that human beings share in that goodness. God brings an orderly universe out of primordial chaos merely by uttering a word. In the literary structure of six days, the creation events in the first three days are related to those in the second three.

light (day)/darkness (night) = 4. sun/moon
arrangement of water = 5. fish + birds from waters
a) dry land = 6. a) animals
b) vegetation (b) human beings: male/female
The seventh day, on which God rests, the climax of the account, falls outside the six-day structure.

Until modern times the first line was always translated, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Several comparable ancient cosmogonies, discovered in recent times, have a “when…then” construction, confirming the translation “when…then” here as well. “When” introduces the pre-creation state and “then” introduces the creative act affecting that state. The traditional translation, “In the beginning,” does not reflect the Hebrew syntax of the clause.

2 and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters—

This verse is parenthetical, describing in three phases the pre-creation state symbolized by the chaos out of which God brings order: “earth,” hidden beneath the encompassing cosmic waters, could not be seen, and thus had no “form”; there was only darkness; turbulent wind swept over the waters. Commencing with the last-named elements (darkness and water), vv. 3–10 describe the rearrangement of this chaos: light is made (first day) and the water is divided into water above and water below the earth so that the earth appears and is no longer “without outline.” The abyss: the primordial ocean according to the ancient Semitic cosmogony. After God’s creative activity, part of this vast body forms the salt-water seas (vv. 9–10); part of it is the fresh water under the earth (Ps 33:7; Ez 31:4), which wells forth on the earth as springs and fountains (Gn 7:11; 8:2; Prv 3:20). Part of it, “the upper water” (Ps 148:4; Dn 3:60), is held up by the dome of the sky (vv. 6–7), from which rain descends on the earth (Gn 7:11; 2 Kgs 7:2, 19; Ps 104:13). A mighty wind: literally, “spirit or breath [ruah] of God”; cf. Gn 8:1.

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As the Book of Genesis does not accord with the book of science we can be certain that Genesis is symbolic. To read Genesis as other than symbolic is to go against its intended meanings and causes endless harm to religion.

The general theme of Genesis is that G.d Caused Creation. The details in Genesis do not present a step-by-step process in any literal sense. The primary, overall theme is the development of the human spirit in stages leading to a personal responsibility to know G.d and recognise G.d and be singularly responsible for one's own actions.

The development of the human spirit was achieved in 6 days of Creation. As per the Bible, a day of G.d is equal to a 1000 years. In the Adamic cycle there are 6000 years and 6 Messengers or Prophets. Each Prophet being a day of G.d with a teaching that lasted 1000 years. The 7th day is the day of G.d when the Promise of all these religions will become manifest. Christians claim it to be the return of Christ. Jews await the Messiah. Muslims await the Twelfth Imam, etc.

Each Day, 1000 years, each Prophet, contributed new attributes to the development of the human spirit. Adam - Day 1 / Noah - Day 2 / Abraham - Day 3 / Moses - Day 4 / Jesus - Day 5 / Muhammad - Day 6. Muhammad was the Seal of the Prophets, 6 Days, 6000 years. Muhammad ended this process of development so that on the 7th Day a universal Teacher would arise and this would be G.d's Day.

Genesis then goes on the explain via the story of Adam and Eve how each individual must become responsible for their own spirituality. Adam being the spirit we all possess and Eve the human life-force that is in constant challenge to the human spirit. The story of Adam and Eve is then the evolution of the power of G.d within mankind.

Eden, the first stage, means place of living, this is the development of human body.
Garden of Eden, the second stage then signifies growth, evolution of that body.
The different fruits signify the third stage, senses and functionality of the human condition arising and developing.
The fourth stage is that of gaining understanding, reasoning, he can understand the Tree of Good and Evil, he now knows the difference between right and wrong.
The fifth stage is that of being fully human, he is completely responsible for his own actions and can position himself before the Tree of Life, which is the the Spirit of G.d in human form, such as Jesus.

To claim Genesis is literal is to miss the point completely. Genesis is a deeply complex telling of the Creation and development of the human spirit and there are many more meanings to be drawn from this work.