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Earth
A Special Place
BY JOHN D. MORRIS, PH.D.*
Secularists like to consider earth as just one of many millions
of planets, occupying an obscure place in an insignificant galaxy in a sea of
nothingness.
Conversely, the Bible teaches that earth is very special to the
Creator, performing a crucial role in the universe today, and prepared for an
unending role in the cosmic saga.
This
is the location God chose to situate His image in man, after He had created and
constructed it and him in wisdom.
This
is where God sent His only begotten Son, to live a perfect life and die a
sufficient sacrifice once man had rejected Him.
This
is where God is grooming His bride -- the Church -- for eternal life with Him
and where He will reign forever from the New Jerusalem.
It
is also special in a temporal sense, well designed for man's habitation.
God
created it in an orderly fashion, with each step necessary for the life and
well-being of man.
On
Day One He created space, time, and water, the raw materials from which He
created all else.
Water
was essential for life, with all the right properties.
Then
He created light, the ongoing source of warmth, energy, and food.
The
unfinished planet was rotating under the light, with a speed of rotation and
tilt to the axis calibrated so that each side of the planet received just the
right amount.
Day
Two saw the atmosphere created, with the precise amount of oxygen and carbon
dioxide for animals and plants.
On
Day Three God called the oceans together, and then formed the continents,
complete with topsoil supporting plant growth, all necessary for the
nourishment of animals and man.
The
astral bodies were created on Day Four -- the sun as a permanent source of
necessary light, and the moon, stars, and planets as necessary adjuncts and
protectors of earth.
The
sun, we now know, is near the center of the entire universe, just as earth is
at the center of His attention.
At
just the right distance, the sun provides energy and warmth in precise amounts.
If
the sun were any closer, we would burn in unlivable heat; any farther, and we
would be locked in ice.
The
moon's gravity causes the tides to continually circulate and freshen the
oceans, without which life would not flourish as it does.
The
larger planets guard earth from incoming solar bodies. The heavenly bodies were
also given for timekeeping and regulation of life.
Day
Five saw the oceans filled with abundant life, with much creativity and
variety, all enjoying harmony with the environment and each other, and each
performing necessary functions which contributed to the well-being of the
whole.
The
skies were alive with flying creatures, beautiful in plumage and song.
On
Day Six God continued to display His creativity with land animals of all sorts
and sizes, capable of marvelous things, and each one bringing glory to its
Creator.
All
were necessary and existed in amazing balance.
And
then God recreated His very image in man, and placed him as steward over all
creation, to shepherd it, embellish it, and use it wisely.
Perfect
equilibrium lasted until man chose to reject God's loving care for him,
incurring His judgment and placing in motion God's gracious plan of redemption,
for man and his entire dominion.
In
eternity, He intends to recreate earth and the heavens, restoring the wonderful
conditions it originally enjoyed, forever displaying His special care for it
and us.
Give
thanks to the Creator now and forevermore.
* Dr. Morris is the president of the Institute for
Creation Research.
Cite this article: Morris, J. 2007. Earth: A Special
Place. Acts & Facts. 36 (11): 13.
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