I have often said, "if it makes sense, it is most likely correct."
Ethelbert William Bullinger, that indefatigable dispensational theologian and voluminous writer, was born on December 15, 1837, and lived until June 6, 1913. This is what he wrote about Gen Verse 1&2
Verse 1
"THE WORLD THAT THEN WAS" (
2 Peter 3:5,
2 Peter 3:6). See Structure shown in Genesis Book comments. Creation in eternity past, to which all Fossils and "Remains" belong.
God. Hebrew.
Elohim, plural. First occurrence connects it with creation, and denotes, by usage, the Creator in relation to His creatures. See App-4. The Hebrew accent
Athnach places the emphasis, and gives pause, on "God" as being Himself the great worker, separating the Worker from His work.
created (singular) Occurs 6 times in this Introduction. Other acts 46 times. See App-5. Perfection implied.
Deuteronomy 32:4.
2 Samuel 22:31.
Job 38:7. Psalm 111;
Psalms 147:3-5.
Proverbs 3:19.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-14. [Even the Greek
Cosmos = ornament.
Exodus 33:4-6.
Isaiah 49:18.
Jeremiah 4:30.
Ezekiel 7:20.
1 Peter 3:3.]
the heaven and the earth. With Hebrew Particle
"eth before each, emphasizing the article "the", and thus distinguishing both from
Genesis 2:1. "Heavens" in Hebrew, always in plural. See note on
Deuteronomy 4:26.
Verse 2
And. Note the Figure of speech
Polysyndeton (App-6), by which, in the 34 verses of this Introduction, each one of 102 separate acts are emphasized; and the important word "God" in
Genesis 1:1 is carried like a lamp through the whole of this Introduction (
Genesis 1:1,
Genesis 2:3).
the earth. Figure of speech
Anadiplosis. See App-6.
was =
became. See
Genesis 2:7;
Genesis 4:3;
Genesis 9:15;
Genesis 19:26.
Exodus 32:1.
Deuteronomy 27:9.
2 Samuel 7:24, &c. Also rendered
came to pass Genesis 4:14;
Genesis 22:1;
Genesis 23:1;
Genesis 27:1.
Joshua 4:1;
Joshua 5:1.
1 Kings 13:32.
Isaiah 14:24, &c. Also rendered
be (in the sense of
become) Genesis 1:3, &c, and where the verb "to be" is not in italic type. Hence,
Exodus 3:1, kept =
became keeper, quit =
become men, &c. See App-7.
without form =
waste. Hebrew.
tohu va bohu. Figure of speech
Paronomasia. App-6. Not created
tohu (
Isaiah 45:18), but became
tohu (
Genesis 1:2.
2 Peter 3:5,
2 Peter 3:6). " An enemy hath done this" (
Matthew 13:25,
Matthew 13:28,
Matthew 13:39. Compare
1 Corinthians 14:33.) See App-8.
was. This is in italic type, because no verb "to be" in Hebrew. (App-7). In like manner man became a ruin (Genesis 3;
Psalms 14:1-3;
Psalms 51:5;
Psalms 53:1-3.
Ecclesiastes 7:20.
Romans 7:18).
face. Figure of speech
Pleonasm. App-6.
the Spirit of God moved (see App-9) = The beginning of "the heavens and earth which are now" (
2 Peter 3:7). It is even so in the New Creation. The Spirit moves (
John 3:3-8.
Romans 8:5,
Romans 8:9,
Romans 8:14.
Galatians 1:4,
Galatians 1:29.
2 Corinthians 5:17,
2 Corinthians 5:18).
deep; waters =
Job 38:29-30
This makes sense, and for that reason it is true. If one takes note of all the reference scriptures that absolutely point out that it is true, you can't come to any other conclusion. The bible is full of knowledge for God's people and knowledge is what we should seek.