The Creation Allegory
“In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
Many Bible stories are allegorical. Not that they did not literally happen, but that the events they contain were so overruled by God as to contain a deeper allegorical lesson in addition to their historical facts. Examples of this include the life of Abraham and the book of Job. The Creation account may well be another example.
THE BASIS
Certain Scriptures suggest the possibility that Creation is a picture of Restitution, the re-creation of earth and mankind to their finished state.
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea.”-Revelation 21.-l (See also 2 Peter 3:13)
“And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth,- and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish: but thou remainest: and they all shall wax old as doth a garment: And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, a d they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” – Hebrews l:10-12 (See also Psalms 102:25, 26)
These texts show a relationship between the created and the restored. In the Hebrews text, the similarity with the vesture is not in the destruction of the garment, but in the folding of it for storage and later re-use.
The same thought is suggested by the “re” prefix on such words as restitution and restoration. The “re” prefix contains the thought of again or anew.
With this preface, let us look at the allegorical similarities between creation and restitution.
THE ORIGINAL STATE
“And the earth was without form, and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2
Symbolically a similar state prevails at the beginning of restitution. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the Lord returns “with [en, literally in] a shout.” This suggests that the Lord’s return is in the midst of a shout.
On page 146 of the Second Volume (B146) this shout is identified as the Jubilee Trumpet, the clamor for liberty. It is this call, carried to extremes, that leads to the age-closing scenes of anarchy. This anarchy is analogous to the earth being “without form and void.”
LIGHT
“And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.” – Genesis 1:3
Light was the necessary first step. Not only did it provide warmth, but it became a catalyst for all future steps. Light is necessary for life, providing for photosynthesis in plants and metabolic action in animals.
Although the sun did not become visible until the fourth creative day, it seems certain that the light referred to in Genesis 1:3 is sunlight, appearing then indirectly and indistinguishable as to source.
In Acts 3:19-21 the Lord’s return is directly connected with “the times of restitution.” The first stage of the restitution process is the return of Christ. He, primarily, is the “Sun of righteousness,” though he is not yet recognized as such. Nevertheless he is “the light of the world.” (John 8: 12; 9:5)
As light, in creation, was the catalyst for life, so Jesus, at his return, is the catalyst for the resurrection life –the “Everlasting Father.”
“And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” – Genesis 1:5
The designation of light as “Day” and darkness as “Night” is also worthy of note. Day is from a root word meaning warmth, which is logical. However, Night is from a root meaning “to twist, as away from the light.” This meaning cloaks the scientific fact that night is caused by the turning of the earth away from the sun, a fact supposedly unknown until the time of Copernicus.
Allegorically, too, this is fitting. Man’s nighttime of sin and death has been caused by a turning, a moral turning away from the light of rectitude and righteousness.
ATMOSPHERE
“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”- Genesis l:6-8
The firmament, or air, serves many functions in the creative process. (1) It provides breathable materials for both plants and animals. (2) It provides a shield protecting the planet from asteroids and other outside invasions. (3) It supports the wind structure so necessary to moving the air over the water masses to pick up moisture to irrigate the landmasses.
This firmament is specifically said to be created by dividing waters from waters. The earth had been enveloped in a cloud of vaporous waters. The lighter part of this moisture was forced upward, leaving a space between it and the heavier waters which covered the globe.
How analogous this is to the provision of the Mediator in the restitution process. While Acts 3:19- 21 connects restitution with the Lord’s return, the following two verses join restitution with the raising up of a prophet like unto Moses-a mediator.
This work is carried out by the raising to life again of the Church class, beginning with the resurrection of the sleeping saints. Since waters frequently represent peoples, how better to describe this process than to liken it to the making of a firmament by separating waters from waters some going upward while others remain on earth. The Mediator is formed by separating one segment of mankind, the Church, from the rest through a process of raising one to a spiritual life. The functions of this Mediator exactly parallel the functions of the atmosphere. (1) The Mediator, like the air, provides a breathing space for man’s development. Idiomatically we use the expression “give me space” to describe the very type of needs that mankind will have before being able to stand before the strict justice of God’s throne. (2) In this manner, like the atmosphere, they will provide a protective covering for man during the 1000-year reign, safeguarding them from the judgments of strict justice. (3) As the winds move the clouds over the water to irrigate the dry land, so the Church will take the lessons from the turbulent unstable (water) state of the present evil world to the stable (dry land) conditions of the kingdom age.
It is noteworthy that this second day of creation lacks one phrase that is common to all of the other creative days – “it is good.” It is the only creative day lacking this appellation. Why? Not because it wasn’t good, but because the work of separating waters from waters was not yet complete. It would not be until some 1656 years of the seventh day had elapsed before this phase of creation would be completed-when the last canopy of waters broke and produced the world-wide flood of Noah’s day.
On various occasions Bro. Russell suggested that the ancient worthies, after the Millennium, might be raised to a spiritual nature. While not dogmatic on the point, he does introduce several scriptures which support his concept. If this thought is correct, it would parallel nicely the fact that the separation of the heavenly waters from the earthly waters was not complete until some time into the seventh day, the day of rest.
DRY LAND
“And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.” – Genesis 1:9
Apparently the surface of the earth was totally covered by water up to this time. The soupy mixture of vapor and mineral-laden waters that prevailed in the “void” condition of earth had cooled, leaving only liquid. Further eruptions would be required to heave up land masses from beneath the covering seas. But land would be essential, not only for man and animals, but for the ecosystem they would need for their support.
The same is true in our allegorical picture. Consider this progressive picture of society, as it is painted by the Psalmist and the Revelator:
“Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” – Psalms 46:2
“And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” – Revelation 16:20
The mountains, kingdoms of earth, are swept up in the rising tide of liberty demanded by the restless masses, pictured by the sea in Psalms. Then these “islands” [mountains in the midst of the sea] are swallowed up as the restless masses become worldwide in total anarchy. The whole earth is now a “sea,” turbulent and out of control.
But when the Kingdom shall have completed its work, we read: “and there was no more sea.” (Rev. 2 1: 1) The whole world will retreat from its restless, anarchistic conditions, and become as stable as the dry land.
The beginning of this stabilizing work will be with the “better resurrection” of the Ancient Worthies. The radiating effect of these “princes in all the earth” will echo through Israel to all the nations of the world, producing increasing tranquility and stability. These faithful ones of the past will be the first fruits of the dry land condition.
PARALLEL DAYS
Before proceeding further, it is worthy to note the relationship between the first three and the next three creative days.
The second set of three days populates the areas created by the first three days. This direct relationship suggests a distinctive and planned division of the creative process into two types of activity. So it is with restitution. That work is divided into two distinct sections: (1) Preparation the return of Christ, the raising of the Church and the resurrection of the Ancient Worthies; and, (2) Resurrection and the subsequent educational processes by which man will become equipped to maintain the life which he has obtained through the ransom. This second set of days, therefore, relates to the steps which man will need to take from the grave to perfection.
SUN, MOON, STARS
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night: and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” – Genesis 1:14-19
These lights were already there and had been for millions of years. This is evident by the amount of time it takes for light to travel from the more distant stars to the earth. What evidently occurred on the fourth day was the thinning of the vapor clouds around the earth to such a degree that they permitted these luminaries to be individually distinguished.
So it will be with men in the Kingdom. The light of the Gospel sun is even now shining, though men recognize it not. The moon of the new law covenant will soon be evident. And the divinely provided teachers-whether the apostles (Rev.12:1) or the ancient worthies (Dan. 12:3)will be also provided. Man’s first step will be in not only recognizing the enlightenment from these sources, but acknowledging the sources themselves.
These lights – especially the sun and the moon – are said to be for rulership, “to rule” the day and the night. The Gospel and the new law will be the display of divine rulership on the earth.
They are also said to be “for signs.” The mariner, at night, sets his course by these heavenly guideposts, determining the set of his compass by the consistency of the stars. The divinely appointed teachers of the kingdom will provide similar guideposts for mankind along the highway of holiness.
The lights are also for “seasons.” The alternating warmth of summer and cold of winter are results of the angle of the earth to the sun. So mankind will need the contrasting lessons of good and evil, determined by their spiritual attitude to the “Sun of righteousness,” to provide the appropriate climate for their growth.
“Awake, O north wind: and come, thou south: blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and cat his pleasant fruits.” – Song of Solomon 4:16
These lights are also timekeepers -for days and years.” They set the milestones of time by which we mark our human progress. So the Gospel sun, as a mirror or as a clock, will inform men of their progress and set the time schedule for their learning of righteousness – at first, a hundred years; and then, a Millennium.
FISH AND BIRDS
“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” – Genesis 1:20-23
Fish and birds, the animate life to populate the air and sea, formed in the second creative day, were the product of the next creative step. Fish are animals that are designed to live in the sea. They are suggestive of the qualities that man must have to endure the turbulent, unstable (Gen. 49:4) condition of their water, or restless, condition. The learning of the lesson as to why God permitted evil is the first lesson which resurrected man must learn.
Birds are those creatures which can navigate vertically in the sky and can well picture, among other things, the heavenward navigation of our prayers. The development of an active prayer life is another prime essential in the development of resurrected mankind.
LAND ANIMALS
“And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, a d beast of the earth after his kind: a d it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”- Genesis 1:24, 25
The object of this vast array of animate creation is given in verse 28:
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.- and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
As to how man was to use each of the animals which God provided in this dominion we are not informed. We do know that Adam’s early days were spent in getting intimately acquainted with the wide variety of God’s creation.(Genesis 2:19)
The dominion of man in God’s Kingdom, while it may include the animals, is much more extensive.
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty,- and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” – Proverbs 16:32
This dominion of self is well illustrated by the creation of the animals. It is interesting to note that while the creation of animate creatures may well have been the invertebrate first, followed by domestic animals and, finally, wild beasts, they are listed in a different order in verse 25. There they are given as (1) beasts, (2) cattle, and (3) creeping things.
A familiar expression giving man’s dominion is that man is to have a victory over “the world, the flesh and the devil.” In such instances as Daniel’s vision of earthly governments (Daniel 7), wild beasts represent the nations of the earth the world. In the Tabernacle, the cattle were the animals of sacrifice, upon which the priest would lay his hands saying, in effect, “This represents me.” The cattle, then, are a good picture of the flesh. The most noted creeping thing, the serpent, is the age- old symbol for the devil. Thus, the order of man’s dominion as given in Genesis 1:25 is strongly suggestive of that which it illustrates -dominion over the world (beasts), flesh (cattle) and the devil (creeping thing).
MAN
Finally, the creative activity is crowned with the final act-the making of man … and of woman.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them .” – Genesis1:27
It is only after these six successive steps that the restitution process will have produced its finished product perfected mankind. It is only then that man will be in God’s own image. It is only then that he will show the completeness contained in the expression “male and female“- the created complete with his helpmate, combined as a whole being.
It will be only then that “resurrection” will receive its full meaning – a complete restanding, and not a mere resuscitation from the dead.
“But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die anymore: for they are equal unto the angels,- and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” – Luke 20:35, 36
The “resurrection” is not automatic, but something of which one must be “accounted worthy.”
GOD RESTED
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” – Genesis 2:2
And so it will be, when the resurrection work is complete, not only can God rest in his finished creation, but man, too, can rest in the joy of his eternal inheritance.
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” – Matthew 25:34
– Carl Hagensick