6
saw that it was good. It is not proposed to study each detail of the creation of this heaven and earth but it may be of
interest to set out an outline of the six days creation.
Light and Darkness
Day and Night
FIRST DAY
Waters divided
SECOND DAY
Dry land appears
Earth
THIRD DAY
Lights Sun and Moon
Day and Night
FOURTH DAY
Life in the waters
FIFTH DAY
Life in the earth
SIXTH DAY
Rest
SEVENTH DAY
The Heavens Distinguished
As we look up, it may not have occurred to the reader that above the heavens, which contain the sun, moon and
stars, there is a layer which has the density of water, and beyond that expanse a heaven separated from the heavens
which we can see. This is confirmed by other Scriptures. For example, in Psalm 148:4 we read:
`Praise Him, ye heaven of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens'.
Nehemiah 9:6 refers to heaven and the heaven of heavens.
`Thou, even Thou, art LORD alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth,
and all things that are therein'.
Again in Deuteronomy 10:14:
`Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is'.
The temporary nature of this creation is implied by such an expression as `It is He ... that stretcheth out the
heavens as a curtain' (Isa. 40:22), and in Jeremiah 10:20 the same expression is used `to stretch forth My tent'. We
are living in a creation which, in the sight of God, is a temporary structure where He is working out His plan of
redemption.
The Three Spheres
So far then, we can conclude that, as we understand this creation (and so far as we are concerned it is enough if
we follow the revelation of the Holy Spirit in this matter) there are three spheres. These are:
1.
THE EARTH.
2.
THE HEAVENS.
(The Firmament)
3.
THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS.
In our searching of the Scriptures, we find that as God's plans reach fruition, there will be blessing in each of
these three spheres. Our own personal hope as believers can be related to one of these in particular by the
redemption effected by the Lord Jesus Christ and His revealed purpose.