Void and without Form

Let me open this study by making it perfectly clear that it does not matter to me if the earth is a sphere, or flat, round, bowl shaped or square. I believe that because of the popularity of this topic it has become a distraction. I can, however, imagine this earth sitting at the center of our solar system regardless of shape, which does not affect my faith or trust in the Creator.

I have ignored flat earth theorists longer than I put off tackling the calendar discrepancies, so now must be the time for me to dive in.

Genesis Chapter One

When MarYah began to create heaven and earth - the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from Yah over the water - He said 'Let there be light." He separated the light (Day) from the darkness (Night) and there was evening and there was morning, a first day.

Yah said: "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water to separate water from water." The expanse He called Sky. Now there is water above the sky and below the sky. (2nd day)

He gathered the waters below the sky into one area (Seas) so that dry land (Earth) could appear.  The earth sprouted vegetation. (3rd day)

Yah said: "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate day from night; they shall serve as signs for the set times - days, years - and to shine upon the earth." He made the sun and the moon and the stars, setting them in the expanse of the sky. (4th day)

The waters brought forth swarms of living creatures and birds that fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky. He created great sea monsters, and all the living creatures that creep, which the waters brought forth in swarms, and all the winged birds of every kind. (5th day)

Now the earth brings forth every kind of living creature: cattle; creeping things; wild beasts of every kind.  Last but not least He creates man, male and female, He created them to master the earth. (6th day)

When Yahweh finished His work, He rested on the 7th day. He blessed the 7th day and declared it Set Apart. (7th day)

• Unformed defined:: not arranged in regular shape, order, or relations; undeveloped
• Void defined:: containing nothing :not occupied :vacant :not inhabited :being without something specified
• Expanse defined by Scripture = Sky 
• Expanse defined from the dictionary:: firmament: great extent of something spread out

Just a reminder that this description is how things were BEFORE the flood. So now we know where all that water came from, in the time of Noah, that covered the earth upwards to several feet above the tallest mountain.

In reading the first chapter in Genesis, I see no indication of shape in regards to the earth. It was without form, not inhabited and without any specifics to start with. Yahweh changed all that! He separated light from darkness; water from water; water from dry land; day from night. Then He set apart the 7th day.  

I accept Yah at His Word and am amazed at His awesome power! He exists in a realm we can only imagine, and I'm afraid it is our imagination that gets in the way from time to time. But who can blame us? Look at the world we've grown up in. 

Reading that He placed the sky between the waters does make one see in a linear way, but could this take place regardless of the shape of the earth? Think of concentric circles rippling outwards when a pebble is dropped into the midst of a puddle of water. A type of separation occurs in a circular pattern.

Flat Earthers believe that a dome covers a circular, flat earth, with its edge resting on the earth beyond the ice wall of Antarctica. The stars are affixed to this dome, while the sun and moon are above the earth but beneath the dome. 

If that is what they believe, how do they explain the reference 'the four corners of the earth', which is also found written in Scriptures... ?

The use of the phrase "four corners of the earth" is another picturesque use of language that usually means from a far distance, not actual corners of the earth.

Heaven is generally understood as being above us. Depending on the context, the word can refer to that which is immediately above us, where flying birds, clouds, and rain are. It also can refer to the realm of astronomical bodies. Finally, it often refers to the Spiritual realm of Yahweh Elohim. “Heaven” has all these meanings, both in modern use and in the Bible. Does the word 'firmament' also have all of these meanings?

Answers in Genesis

Nearly everyone understands that a sphere does not have an edge. Indeed, we can travel indefinitely around a sphere and never reach a boundary or edge. On the other hand, if the earth is flat, it must have an edge somewhere, unless the earth is an infinite plane. (end quote)

If I had a high-tech aircraft that could perform my experiment, and I took off from Phoenix Arizona, headed west and continued flying, would I run into this dome effect? Would I find Antarctica lying in the west? What if I went by boat, would I find this edge?  This brings to mind old world maps with sea monsters threatening sailing ships as they got too close to the edge of the 'known world'.

Let's move on.

Here are a couple of verses referencing the earth sitting upon pillars, which the flat earthers visualize as true structures resembling pillars.  I will keep the verses in context and highlight what has been picked out for their purpose. Taken as a whole, can you see the poetic choice of words to get the point across?

Job 9- Indeed I know that it is so; Man cannot win a suit against Yahweh. If he insisted on a trial with Him, He would not answer one charge in a thousand. Wise of heart and mighty in power-- who ever challenged Him and came out whole? He who moves mountains without them knowing it, Who overturns them in His anger; 9:6 Who shakes the earth from its place, till its pillars quake; Who commands the sun not to shine; Who seals up the stars; Who by Himself spread out the heavens, and trod on the back of the sea; Who made the Bear and Orion, Pleiades, and the chambers of the south wind; Who performs great deeds which cannot be fathomed, and wondrous things without number.

Psalm 75- We praise You O Elohim; we praise You; Your presence is near; men tell of Your wondrous deeds. At the time I choose, I will give judgment equitably. 75:4 Earth and all its inhabitants dissolve; it is I who keep its pillars firm. To wanton men I say, "Do not be wanton!" to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horns!"

Now over to 1 Samuel 2:8. To be fair and in context He was talking about people = the poor, the needy granting them seats of honor - they are the pillars of the earth, He has set His world upon them, guarding the steps of His faithful. (Probably where 'pillars of the community' came from.)

Pillar definitons:
:a firm upright support for a superstructure
:a usually ornamental column or shaft
:a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part
:a fundamental precept

I think folks miss the 'poetic language' used many time throughout Scriptures to make a point. For example: Yahweh said His throne is Heaven and the earth is His footstool = which means He as the Creator has complete power over the spiritual and physical elements. It is not an attempt to confine our Creator in a physical shape or size. The word is used again in Hebrews 1:13- “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Would you think He was going to wad up a bunch of enemies and form them into a footstool? I don't 'read it' that way, but certainly enemies can be conquered,  and 'put under one's feet' - Yahweh is speaking figuratively.  

Isaiah 40:22- It is He who is enthroned above the vault of the earth, so that its inhabitants seem as grasshoppers; Who spread out the skies like gauze, stretched out like a tent to dwell in. 

Yahweh's throne is in Heaven, above the sky that we see, beyond our atmosphere, into His Spiritual Realm, another dimension. Again, this is not an attempt to place Yahweh into a physical shape or size so that we appear small as grasshoppers to Him.  How foolish does that sound? Yahweh performs great deeds which cannot be fathomed, and wondrous things without number. 

Quote from Mike Clayton:

No other passage of scripture has been picked apart and ridiculed as much as Genesis One. In this chapter we read of the creation of the heavens, the earth and all that is in them. We read the order of creation and the astounding words that it was done in six days. We then count from this time period using subsequent scripture and find all this was accomplished about six thousand years ago! Could that really be so? Could He really mean it as He states it here? Is this not merely code language for six million days or maybe six billion years? Did He really mean what He said?  "Did He really say?" 

Men have done their best through the years using junk science and fuzzy logic to ridicule and prove wrong the words of Genesis One. They have come up with evolution (which makes a monkey out of them), big bang theories and any number of ridiculous thoughts to place doubt in the words of Scripture. This so called teaching has produced a generation of Godless thought and Godless actions in the world around us. (end quote)

This may or may not be the subtle reason behind the Flat Earth Theory - to cause doubt, specifically to call Yahweh into question.  This is not a good thing.

I will leave this study as it is for the time being as there is more to research behind the idea of a flat earth. The Books of Enoch are used in part to support this theory and I do have copies of these books but I always use Scripture first in all things placing the Word of Yahweh above all. Referring to writings quoted in Scriptures (Enoch; Jasher) are worth investigating and can prove to add understanding in certain circumstances.

It is not a matter of importance to know the shape of the earth but it is important to absolutely trust Yahweh and the truth revealed by His Spirit.

(to be continued...)

Nephilim - Then and Now

In this study I use Scriptures, the books of Enoch and the historical accounts found in Jasher to research the topic of giants.  Many folks today refer to 'Fallen Angels' as relating to the 'alien deception' and other possible scenarios of the end times.  From what I have read so far it is the Nephilim who are a part of the signs of the end, so I figured a deeper look into these events was in order.

I'd like to note that I recommend one be fully grounded in the Word of God before using other writings such as Enoch and Jasher so that one can discern that which lines up with Scriptures.  I do not substitute anything for the Word of our Creator yet find these sources help describe scenarios which are only alluded to in Scriptures.  Yahweh is our final word on all things.

How the Nephilim Came to Be

Genesis 6 -- When men began to increase on the earth and daughters were born to them, the Divine Beings saw how beautiful they were and took wives from among those that pleased them.  It was then, and later too, that the Nephilim appeared on the earth (as a result of sexual relations between the Divine Beings and human women).  They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

From then on man's wickedness pervaded the earth and every plan devised by his mind was nothing but evil.  Yah was so saddened - He regretted that He made them. Then came the Flood.  

I understand the Nephilim being renown: the condition of being known or talked about by many people - but I never quite got how these genetic mutants could be referred to as 'heroes': someone who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities - were they cute little half-breed babies who grew up to hero status but when they didn't stop growing (upwards to 300 cubits = 450 feet!) is that when folks became intimidated by them?

The Flood swelled upon the earth and the mountains were covered, then the waters swelled another 15 cubits (another 22 and half feet above the tallest mountain). Makes sense that this much water would be needed to drown giants along with the rest of the unsaved souls.

This same event is recorded in the Books of Enoch with more detail of just how bad things had gotten.  Not only were these angels (divine beings) attracted to the human women, they desired to create progeny - descendants of mixed marriages - in other words they wanted to be like 'God'.  Satan deluded Eve with this same concept.

According to Enoch there were 200 of these angels who left their station in heaven to achieve their desires on earth.  They defiled themselves by having sexual relations with these women.  They also taught these women charms, pharmacies, root cutting and uses of plants - secret knowledge humans weren't suppose to know.  These women became pregnant and gave birth to what is called the Nephilim, who grew to 300 cubits in height. They ate every thing produced for them and when that ran out they turned against mankind and ate them.  The Nephilim sinned against birds, beasts, reptiles and fish (more genetic manipulations? crossbred mutants?) and began to eat each other's flesh and drink their blood (cannibals and vampires?).  They were lawless ones. They taught men metallurgy in the making of swords, shields, knives and breastplates as well as bracelets and ornaments.  They taught the use of antimony (A metalloid element having many forms, the most common of which is a hard, very brittle, shiny, blue-white crystal) and the use of paints and dyes, the use of make up to beautify eyes, the use of gemstones - then did all godlessness increase and everything was corrupt.

Here is where we find out those we call the 'fallen angels' are the 'Watchers' because they were made to watch the destruction of their loved one, those genetic mutants, the Nephilim.  YHWH tells Gabriel to:

"Go to the bastards and to the reprobates and to the children of fornication, and destroy them, the seed of the Watchers, from among the sons of men and send them one against one another so that they will perish by killing each other... And when they (the Watchers) have seen the destruction of their loved ones, bind them for 70 generations in the valleys of the earth until the day of their judgment and of their end..." He goes on to say, "Destroy all the lustful spirits and the seed of the Watchers for they have wronged mankind. Let all oppressors perish from the face of the earth and let every evil work be destroyed..."

Then came the Flood to cleanse the earth from all unrighteousness, from all sin, from all godlessness and from all the uncleanness which is committed on it.

Reading from Jasher we find a similar account. In the latter days of Methusalah, men were turning from God in rebellion, and corrupted the earth, robbed each other and transgressed and corrupted themselves, up to the point Yahweh thought to destroy and annihilate them.  The earth was filled with violence. The difference in Jasher is there is no mention of 'divine beings' but 'judges and rulers' who took wives by force from their husbands and that the 'sons of men' (Nephilim?) in those days took cattle, beasts and fowls and taught the mixture of animals of one species with another in order to provoke YHWH.  This could relate to what is written in Enoch about the Nephilim sinning against birds, beasts, reptiles and fish. Sin is living according to one's own imaginings, turning against the teachings of YHWH our God.  

Yah saw all flesh was corrupt, all men and all animals... and Noah found grace in His sight.

I made mention earlier that Scriptures - the Word of God - is the final authority.  I now refer to what we can read in The Forgotten Books of Eden, the story of Adam and Eve. I must say that if you can read this account with Scriptures running in the background, a lot of it makes sense.  I will only touch on what seemingly relates to the Nephilim who came on the scene during the time of Jared. Satan was the culprit in instigating snares and traps via the descendants of Cain using ravishing music, strong drink, and colorful clothing to entice the descendants of Seth to come off the mountain, away from God and into the sinful corrupt life below. This always makes me think of the 60's when 'sex, drugs and rock-n-roll' were the temptations.

In this version it is Satan who teaches Genun, the son of Lamech, to bring strong drink out of corn by which Genun multiplied sin exceedingly. He was prideful and taught others to commit all manner of the grossest wickedness that had never known before. Satan was very pleased with all this and taught Genun how to make weapons of war from iron. Sin continued to increase: a man married his own sister or daughter - there was no more a distinction of relationship... the earth became defiled with sin.  They angered God the Judge who had created them.  Satan entered into Genun and taught him to make dyes for garments of diverse patterns... Only three righteous men are left in the world.  The evil continues up until the Flood.

If the purpose of the Flood was to cleanse the earth of all wickedness, how do the Nephilim become part of the post-flood time line?

In the writings of Enoch we read: 

Yah said to Gabriel, "Go to the bastards and to the reprobates and to the children of fornication and destroy them, the seed of the Watchers... Bind the Watchers for seventy generations until the day of their judgment (when they will be taken away to the abyss of fire and torment and shut in prison forever and ever more).  

They chose to leave the high and set apart heaven and defile themselves with the blood of women, acting like men instead of Divine Beings and they begat Nephilim as their seed.  God did not appoint wives for His Spiritual Beings because they were immortal - no need to procreate. Because they were Spiritual Beings, heaven was their intended dwelling place.

The Nephilim were produced from the spirit and flesh and on earth were called 'evil spirits' and they would dwell on earth, there was no place in heaven for them.  Evil spirits proceeded from their bodies, spirits of the wicked.  The spirits of the Nephilim oppress, afflict, destroy, do battle and make destruction upon the earth. When the Nephilim were destroyed their spirits went forth from their bodies.

The angels who were defiled with women stand at the end of heaven and earth but their spirits will assume many different forms and will defile mankind and lead them astray into sacrificing to demons as gods.

Evil, wicked, unclean, demonic spirits do exist in this world and are passing themselves off as extraterrestrial lifeforms channeling enlightenment to anyone who will tune in. These are the 'Nephilim' of today.  Not necessarily the physical giants of old testament days but definitely beings of renown who many consider 'heroes', expecting ET to save us from ourselves.  Nephilim were genetically modified beings and as it was in the days of Noah we can see it in today's world.

To the best of my own investigation these photographs of skeletons are legit.  The Nephilim were buried in the ground during The Flood that covered the entire earth, even the highest mountain tops, and that was about 4,000 years ago.