“With God One Day is a Thousand Years”? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.If I had a dollar for each time I heard someone use this phrase to add thousands of years to the biblical, six-day Creation, I finally might be able to trade in my 1997 Saturn for a newer model car. It seems as if whenever there is a discussion of the days of Creation, someone mentions how those days may have been long periods of time. After all, the Bible does say, “With God one day is a thousand years and a thousand years is one day.” Does this phrase really support the Day-Age Theory as many suggest?
First, the Bible does not say, “With God one day is a thousand years and a thousand years is one day.” The apostle Peter actually wrote: “Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). Peter used a figure of speech known as a simile to compare a day to a thousand years. It is not that one day is precisely equivalent to 1,000 years or vice versa. Rather, within the specific context of 2 Peter 3, one could say that they share a likeness.What is the context of 2 Peter 3? In this passage, Peter reminded Christians that “scoffers” would arise in the last days saying, “Where is the promise of His [Jesus’] coming?” (vss. 3-4). Peter declared: “The heavens and the earth...are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (vs. 7). Regardless of what the scoffers alleged about the Second Coming, Peter wanted the church to know that “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise [of a return], as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (vs. 9). Sandwiched between these thoughts is the fact that the passing of time does not affect God’s promises, specifically the promise of His return. If Jesus promised to return 1,000 or 2,000 years ago, it is as good as if He made the promise yesterday. Indeed, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” With men, the passing of long periods of time generally affects their keeping of promises, but not with God. Time has no bearing on whether He will do what He said He would do: “a thousand years are like a day” (vs. 8, NIV).
Another point to consider is that Peter used the term “day” (Greek hemera) and the phrase “thousand years” (chiliaete). This in itself is proof that God is able to communicate to man the difference between one day and 1,000 years. (For similes to make sense, one first must understand the literal difference between what is being compared. If there were no difference, then it would be meaningless to use such a figure of speech.) What’s more, within Genesis chapter one God used the terms “days” (Hebrew yamim) and “years” (shanim). Many rightly have questioned, “If a day in Genesis is really a thousand years (or some other long period of time), then what are the years mentioned in Genesis chapter one?” Such a definition of “days” makes a reasonable interpretation of Creation impossible. The facts are: (1) God knows the difference between a day and a thousand years; (2) Peter and Moses understood this difference; (3) their original audience comprehended the difference; and (4) any unbiased reader today can do the same.
Finally, even if 2 Peter 3:8 could be tide to the length of the Creation days (logically and biblically it cannot), adding 6,000 years to the age of the Earth would in no way appease evolutionary sympathizers. A person could add 600,000 years or 600 million years and still not come close to the alleged age of the Universe. According to evolutionary calculations, one would still be 13+ billion years away from the Big Bang and four billion years this side of the formation of Earth. Truly, even an abuse of 2 Peter 3:8 will not help Day-Age theorists.
This article has be taken from the Apologetics Press. There are so many programs on TV promoting evolution. Our children are being inundated with evolutionary theories. For the next few weeks there will be articles concerning the evolutionary theories.Apologetics Press 230 Landmark Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117 U.S.A. Phone (334) 272-8558
This is to let everyone know what we are doing. The Disaster Assistance Mission will be continuing our work here at Central Church of Christ, where we are also working with Northport CoC and Westside CoC. We have over 30 groups of volunteers scheduled to come here and work during the next few weeks. The work here in Alabama is far from over. We do not have the resources to be working in more than one location and we make a commitment to the Church and people not to leave until our services are no longer needed. The news coverage has now shifted to another area but please remember that your prayers, volunteers and funds are still needed for our work here in Alabama.
You can donate online or make check payable to and mail to:
Disaster Assistance
402 Center Way
Lake Jackson, Tx 77566
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, ..." Matt. 25:35
"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1 John 3:17.
You can also view an update form Don Hudson(our director of evangelism) on his mission work in Belize this week on our blog. Please keep us and everyone effected by these storms in your prayers.
TRAVELERS: Many will be traveling over the summer holidays. Our prayer is that all will travel safely. Mary Ellen Swain and Jonathan Thompson are still on their travels. Jonathan is in South Carolina and Mary Ellen is still visiting with her family out West.
SICK AND/OR INJURED:Please keep Rhonda in your prayers as she battles her chronic illnesses. Keep Rhonda and Randy both in your prayers.Also remember Robert Lyles who is at Shands fighting cancer.Continue to remember Ruth Gufford, Kim Land (Connie Cauthen’s sister-in-law), Bob Earnhart (Blu’s uncle), Jean Gause, Larry Pahman’s father, Patty Earnhart, Cathryn Scruggs and Della Brunson, Mike Elledge, Randy Adams, Shirley Rogers, Sherrelle Kendrick, Randy Howe’s mother, Linda Martin, Tommy Mikell, Ann Ewing, Diane Jones, Terry Dickerson (nephew of Ruth Gufford), Shirley Kirby, Carolyn Canady (Rhonda’s Mom), James Harrison, Edward Brow
GRADUATION: Our only graduate this year, Shannon Nortz, will graduate this Friday, June 3. Congratulations Shannan and may God be with you always as you begin a new chapter in the book of your life.
MOVING: The Loanzon family will be leaving us as soon as school is completed this year. It is with great sadness to us that they are returning to Louisiana. They have been a great asset to our congregation. We pray that they will return and visit with us whenever they come back our way and that God be with them always in their endeavors. UPCOMING EVENTS: TEENS: Trip to Wild Waters at Silver Springs is on Friday, June 10. Please see Jessica about this trip. LADIES: Ladies Nite Out – June 14TEENS: Teens – Movie Nite – June 17BIBLE CAMP: June 19 - Alachua’s Week at Florida Bible CampWHITEWATER RAFTING: Trip will be on June 30th. See Luther concerning this trip.
THE TRUCK FROM THE CHILDREN’S HOME IN VALDOSTA:
Will be coming Tuesday or Wednesday, July 5, 6, 2011 as it does every year.
Please begin bringing items.
They have noted on their list that they DO NOT need VEGETABLES at this time and they CANNOT use expired foods.
