A reoccurring theme we encounter time and time again at our seminars is the idea that the days of creation are long periods of time … a thousand years each. The reasoning used by individuals that tell us this is almost always based on 2 Peter 3:8. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Is this verse speaking of the days of Creation being “as a thousand years”? The preceding verse (2 Peter 3:7) puts it in context – “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” In context, verse 8 is referring to the end times, NOT to the Creation account! Verse 9 follows up to reveal God’s great patience concerning the end times. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Think about this … if a day is a thousand years, at Creation and at the end times, as some believe, then would not all days mentioned in the Word also be a thousand years to a day? Consider – (Luke 4:2) “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.” Can this verse be interpreted as, ‘Being forty thousand years tempted of the devil. And in those thousands of years he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. ‘?
Consider also – Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days and then arose. History shows that this event took place about 2000 years ago. However, if you change 3 days into 3,000 years (staying faithful to interpreting “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years”), then we still have about a thousand years to wait for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior from the tomb! Hmmm … I think I will stick to believing a day as a 24 hour period, using the parameters God gave us by defining the word with “evening and morning”.
Lanny Johnson
