[PapaNew]

I'll share what I personally think. I think somewhere before Gen 1:2, Lucifer fell and "all hell broke loose" literally. Since Lucifer was apparently in charge of God's created realm, the universe, Lucifer and his realm became dark. IMO, that is why the universe is dark and why "the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Gen 1:2).

IMO, what follows is God beginning to redeem His physical universe. The story of redemption is always a greater story than the story of creation. In this case, creation as we know it was also the beginning of God's redeeming His fallen, physical universe. Pretty cool, huh? All of the above is just my personal opinion.

However, later, we all know what happened. God redeemed something much more valuable than His physical universe: His prized creation, man, redeemed by the blood of His precious Son, Jesus. This redemptive work of Christ for man was much greater than the original creation and redemption of a fallen universe. The subject of the age of the earth and creation is interesting, but doesn't compare to the majesty and eternal value of redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ.

[.45 Long Colt]

“The subject of the age of the earth and creation is interesting, but doesn’t compare to the majesty and eternal value of redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Amen!