How Old Is The World?
Proverbs 8
KJV
29+ When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
I was recently asked the above question, a question I’ve never asked before simply because I felt it was irrelevant, unnecessary and had nothing to do with my salvation so I ignored it. I guess the same will be your response if you were in my shoes!
Then I came home and the question kept recurring so I sat down to think about it. Like you, I don’t know where to start looking for the answer. No one has ever asked or told me anything about this question before , we’ve all assumed and lived with the fact/assumption ; that the world was created, but we’ve never asked nor made the effort to find out WHEN!
We know WHO created it but we don’t know WHEN. The question is like asking “When did time begin?” Time began when Day and Night began! But when did DAY and NIGHT begin? We are not told.
In my efforts at finding this out, I thought the chronological (date) order of the books of the bible would be of great help. So, this was my first approach.
When did the various prophets speak? Take Isaiah for example, his prophecies concerning the Messiah took 700 years to be fulfilled in Christ (Isaiah 53!) Seven centuries. When did He ( Isaiah ) live?
When did the Egyptian dynasties, the pharaohs, rule? There are dates available. When was Abraham called out of Mesopotamia? These and many others have dates attached to their names and their journeys!
Then there is this dating system called the “ BC” and “ AD” , question is when did the BC began , ended and tailed into the AD ? We are living in 2026, 21 centuries after the Cross. Seven centuries since Isaiah spoke , add 7 centuries to 21 of ours will give 28 centuries . What about the BC, when did it begin ?
A book I read in my quest to find answers to the question stated that the world is 5,500 years old. Hmm, this would mean we live in a world which is very young. I went to consult Wikipedia and it appears he agree with this!
I read the history of early Christianity from AD 100 remember the last Apostle ( John) died around AD 90! Information from his contemporaries was published on Wikipedia which I read and studied. His life and death in Ephesus! How he was often carried to church, what he often repeated when asked to share a word.
My inquiries led me to many places and many records; unfortunately none of these efforts abd search gave me a definitive answer. Eventually, I came to agree with Moses.
Deuteronomy 29
KJV
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Yes! Mine was an exercise in futility a vexation of the mind and spirit! So, beloved know the limits of what can be known and unknown! Not every question needed to be answered. Paul cautioned against this ;
2 Timothy 2
KJV
23+ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Not only did they “ gender strifes” but also waste of time ! Though intellectually rewarding but salvation wise it’s baseless !
A thought /experience to share! A word/advice to the wise!