GAP THEORY

GAP THEORY

Many defended and developed the so-called Gap Theory or restitution theory in which, following Thomas Chalmers and C. I. Scofield, they seeks to argue the six days of creation in Genesis 1 are a restoration of the earth after a primal civilization was ostensibly implicated in Satan's rebellion. This approach to the age of the earth issue was not uncommon among dispensationalists and can be seen very boldly in the widely disseminated books and charts of Clarence Larkin of Philadelphia (1850-1924) exactly what it is. Noted in the Scofield reference Bible (notes are not inspired). And in the same Bible was proven wrong by other relevant passages.

Exod. 20:10-11 “But the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.  "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” 

        This work was performed in six literal days as the Gen. 1 verses describe. Evening and morning is a phrase used in the context describing each of the creation days. This indicates a 24 hour cycle of the earth rotating on its axis in reference to a fixed astronomical light source (not necessarily the sun in every case).

All this was to be a sign between God and the sons of Israel to show them forever to set apart a literal day for the purpose of rest.

Exod. 31:13, 17  13 "But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, `You shall surely observe My Sabbath; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.   17 "It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed."  

        Sanctify-set apart a day (not a thousand years). The Sabbath was to be a set apart day. Set apart from labor for the purpose of rest.