In 1609, the illustrious Italian scientist Galileo Galilei introduced the telescope to astronomy, becoming the first to observe the moon’s craters. He also uncovered sunspots, Jupiter’s four large moons, and Saturn’s rings. His telescope employed a sequence of glass lenses for object magnification, allowing up to 30 times enlargement but with a restricted field of view. Galileo could observe no more than a quarter of the moon’s surface without repositioning his telescope. Since then, significant advancements have been made. It is also noteworthy that society does not always immediately accept new knowledge.
Galileo faced life-long house arrest for publicising what was deemed as heretical teachings. Had he lived in the first century, he might have faced execution. His writings were banned, and it took over 300 years for the Church to recognize the validity of his views and clear him of heresy. Over time, society’s resistance to new knowledge has diminished since the days of Galileo, as the emergence of truth is inevitable. Although darkness may initially withstand light, it cannot do so indefinitely. The reluctance to accept new ideas remains a fascinating aspect of human nature.
The past 150 years have witnessed more technological advancements than the preceding 2,000 years, with the advent of digital electronics being a significant turning point. The invention of the transistor in 1947 and the integrated microchip in 1956 have led to extraordinary developments in computing power, wireless technologies, the internet, artificial intelligence, and beyond. Digital data storage overtook paper in cost-effectiveness in 1996. By 2018, the global creation, capture, copying, and consumption of data reached 33 zettabytes (ZB), expanded to 59ZB by 2020, and is projected to hit 175ZB by 2025.
The rise of Information Technology has greatly accelerated the pace of knowledge advancement, surpassing any previous era. The circumstances of Jesus’ crucifixion are less surprising when considering the limited knowledge of that period. If Jesus were to arrive in our times, it’s conceivable that He might be treated differently than He was in the past. Many of his teachings that initially confounded people are now more comprehensible to contemporary minds. Let us now explore the significance of the first day of the week in the context of the creation narrative.
It should be understood that the term “knowledge” is a spiritual term, whose antiype is the light. Ignorance is another spiritual term whose antitype is darkness. Confusion arises when knowledge and ignorance are intermingled. Order prevails when the two are separated. In Genesis, separating the two is intended to bring order, depicted as taking place on the first day. The next five days project the physical creation, followed by the Sabbath Rest, which is also Spiritual.
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good, and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:3-5 NKJV).
To the average person, light is understood as that which is enabled by the sun. Without the sun, there would be no light in the physical universe. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that physical entities act as forerunners to spiritual truths. Thus, in this context, light symbolizes knowledge, as opposed to ignorance, represented in darkness. The state of confusion mentioned in verse 2 symbolizes the blend of knowledge and ignorance. Knowledge and ignorance, are dichotomies that ought to be distinctly separated if order is to prevail.
The prevailing interpretation of the seven-day creation week is that the first day is spiritual, representing the division between knowledge and ignorance. The following six days are devoted to creating the physical universe, leading up to the seventh day, representing a day of rest. This seven-day cycle encapsulates significant insights into God’s actions. Verses 6 to 25 describe the completion of the physical world’s reformation. This culminated in the distinctive creation of humanity in the likeness of God, succeeded by the Sabbath Rest, after which the narrative recounts the formation of Adam.
When Adam and Eve consumed the forbidden fruit, they entered a state of turmoil, embodying both good and evil. A close examination of human behaviour reveals the distinct presence of good and evil. What is good is often misconstrued as evil, and vice versa. A person who strives for complete goodness may not find acceptance in this world, as they might be regarded as odd. To be accepted, one must often agree with the prevailing views of this world.
The interchange of goodness for evil and vice versa signifies the disorder preceding the first day of the week as described. Verse 2 indicates that the earth was in a state of turmoil. The Earth’s state of emptiness and formlessness symbolizes the prophetic depiction of disordered humanity before the re-establishment of order. The initial arrival of Jesus, proclaiming the gospel, aims to ready humanity for the forthcoming Kingdom of God.
The expression of love towards one another is currently considered the most important aspect of humanity. In Christian doctrine, it is believed that God’s intention was not to judge the world after Jesus’ arrival. Although given to the Israelites, the Law is spiritual, so it cannot apply to physical humans under current conditions. The six thousand years allotted for humanity to chart its own course are deemed sufficient. Those called during the Christian era are not expected to condemn certain behaviours. Their mission was to announce the good news of the imminent Kingdom of God. The forthcoming millennium is expected to bring forth a new civilization, revitalizing the current one.
Sabbath observers recognize that the day following the Lord’s Sabbath is considered the first day of the week. On the Sabbath Day, no human activities are allowed. It is recorded that Jesus’ resurrection occurred after the weekly Sabbath, symbolizing the eventual resurrection of humanity at the end of the millennial Sabbath Day. This event heralds a new beginning, where humans are brought to a condition of discerning good from evil. Consequently, the true essence of the condition of being created in God’s image is anticipated to manifest.
The chaos preceding the first day of creation foreshadows the initial confusion inherent in humanity’s state. This necessitates humanity’s effort to discern the vast divide between knowledge and ignorance. A systematic sequence precedes the weekly cycle, before the advent of chaos instigated by Satan, which is subsequently replaced by order, preceding the physical transformation of the universe. This predicts humanity’s eventual rise, surviving six millennia of upheaval before the seventh millennial day of repose. Subsequently, the eternal First Day breaks, marking the moment when the righteous are distinguished from the unrighteous, mirroring the separation of light from darkness, and signalling the onset of eternity.
The day after the millennial Sabbath is known as the Day of Judgment, as detailed in Revelation 20:11-15. This period is also portrayed in Matthew 25:32-34, where the Lord distinguishes the sheep from the goats. That activity is mirrored on the first day of creation, separating the light from darkness. Here, light symbolizes knowledge for goodness, while darkness signifies ignorance for evil. These narratives are structured in parabolic language, designed to illuminate the plan for God’s people.
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4 NKJV).
The text describes a stage where humanity will be transformed, distinctly separating good from evil, rather than blending them. This occurs after all necessary processes are complete. Contrary to the efforts of some zealous preachers trying to convert humanity to Christianity, the actual mandate for Christians was never about converting people. Instead, Christians are tasked with spreading the gospel, initiated by Jesus, about the impending Kingdom of God, as demonstrated by Jesus. Only those who repent, without proselytization, would be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15 NKJV).
The above Scripture states that Jesus’ message was the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The gospel had not been preached in Synagogues before Jesus. The first person to preach about it was John the Baptist, from whom Jesus took over, after his imprisonment. “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2 NKJV). The primary audience for Jesus’ gospel was the Israelites of Jewish descent. They held fast to prophecies of a long-awaited Messiah, whom they expected would bring clarity to the redemption of humanity.
The reason for their blindness was the rejection of Jesus’ identity, whose stature and background did not align with what they deemed worthy of honour. After the resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples to make disciples of those who would heed the gospel. As directed, they were to disseminate the teachings only to those who welcomed them. These teachings were often met with resistance by the worldly. Their sole mandate was to impart nothing but the teachings commanded by Jesus.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV).
Beginning with the twelve disciples, Jesus aimed to collaborate with a select few who would rule alongside Him in the millennium. These individuals will occupy various governmental roles during the millennial era. Essentially, the Church’s mission is to cultivate people who will embrace the duties delegated by Christ. They comprehend their Father’s work, just as their brother, Jesus, grasped the nature of His Father’s work. Though unrecognized by the secular world, they are the children of God.
Satan will not be present during Christ’s millennial reign. During this period, God’s government, under Christ, is foretold to restore the Kingdom of David. Essentially, Jesus will rule over Earth, ensuring all aligns with God’s will. It will be when humanity will have the chance to learn about God, resulting in worldwide peace.
However, at the end of that millennium, Satan will be released from his prison to reintroduce what he knows best. While some people decry the wrongs in this world, others prefer to maintain the status quo. God does not intend to include those who show no interest in His Kingdom. Every human who has ever lived will face the process of judgment. Unknown to many who identify as Christians, the process of judgment is already being conducted.
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).
Christians will not face the Judgment depicted in Matthew 25:32ff and Revelation 20:11-15 on Judgment Day. They are reviewed similarly to how those who will rebel after the millennium. They will have sealed their reserved fate for the lake of fire. For those who have received God’s grace yet are drawn to Satan’s schemes, their fate is sealed.
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV).
God’s grace cannot be taken for granted. The most dangerous thing can be one, committed by Christians, assuming that they are better than those yet to receive God’s grace. This is why Jesus advised counting the costs before following him. The unbelievers are; at least, better because they stand another chance to review their conduct. Christians are judged based on their conduct after receiving the Holy Spirit.
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:4-6 NKJV).
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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