Two sets of time are found in the N.T. that should be kept distinct, "from the

foundation of the world" and "before the foundation of the world". The latter is used

once only of the redeemed, namely of those called during the dispensation of the

Mystery. The verbal form of the word translated "foundation" is rendered "cast-down" in

II Cor. 4: 9 and Rev. 12: 10, and in the articles mentioned above, twenty-nine

occurrences of this same word used in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the O.T.) are

set out where the translation is consistently "throw down", "break down", "overthrow",

never create, build or plant. If each reference be read in its context, the references will be

found to be those of battle, of siege, of destruction, of judgment. We believe it is

impossible for any reader not to be impressed with the solidarity of its witness.

The first verse of Gen. 1:, tells us of the initial act of creation, which took place in the

dateless past.

The second verse of Gen. 1: tells us of an overthrow, a judgment that fell upon the

earth, the darkness only being dissipated at long last by the movement of the spirit of God

and the words of God "Let there be light".

These words compel us to turn to one utterance made by the apostle Paul, which will

show that he at least believed that Gen. 1: 1, 2 speaks of a state comparable to the fall

and conversion of man.

The context of this quotation speaks of Satan and his ways, and we shall have to

consider the teaching of Scripture with reference to the fall of the angels before we can

answer the question "why did judgment fall upon the earth?" as indicated in Gen. 1: 2.

At either end of the Sacred Volume a revelation is given for which no human witness

was or could be available, namely, in Genesis, Moses looks back before Adam to the

preparation of the present heaven and earth for man, and John, in the Revelation looks

forward to the future Day of the Lord and the ushering in of the New Heavens and New

Earth, for which, once again, no human witness was possible. The prophetic vision alone

could reveal either the past to Moses or the future to John. The past was made known to

Moses in a series of revelations occupying seven days, all of which except the seventh,

being divided into two parts, the evening and the morning were the first, second,

third day, etc. The future was made known to John by a series of revelations in the form

of seven visions, each being a pair, (1) something taking place in heaven, followed by

(2) something taking place on earth. These lead up to the New Creation of Rev. 21: 1.