Chapter 3 of Creation Revisited

 Darkness Over The Abyss

 The statement, “and darkness was on the face of the deep/abyss” (verse 2), at the very commencement of Elohim’s Word, may seem somewhat strange, especially as it precedes the declaration “…and the Spirit of Elohim hovered over the face of the waters". “Darkness” is not just ‘any ole’ term defining mere absence of light. This Darkness has a “face,” an expression, a powerful spiritual nature and presence, which needs to be exposed for what it is - “Evil.”  The Hebrew word for darkness is choshech, dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness, night, obscurity.

 What we had already ascertained about the spiritual realm called “waters/heavens,” is that it was present at the beginning [pre-creation] along with this condition of “Darkness.”  Where did the Darkness come from?  What was its origin? Isaiah 45:7 informs us:  “I am YHVH, and there is no other.  The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity [literally, “evil”]; I am YHVH who does all these.” 

Even though darkness can be generally defined as ‘the absence of light,’ in spiritual terms, it is not merely a given condition; it also possesses its own nature and houses spiritual entities that inhabit its realm. At this stage of the creation account, this darkness is (only) facing the abyss, “tehom.”  Because of the indication of dimensions, such as height, depth, length, and breadth in the spirit realm, the abyss is perceived as a bottomless pit.  When YHVH’s purposes come to completion, the abyss will be the ultimate destiny of the realm of the demonic forces (ref. Revelation 20:1-3).  Luke 8:31 provides an example of the function of the abyss, when a legion of demons pleaded with Yeshua not to cast them into this place.

 It seems that before “Beresheet” (that is, prior to proceeding on the third day with the material world), much activity was taking place in the unseen spirit realm, with its principalities and powers, messengers, angels, and thrones of ethereal realities. Elohim, being sovereign over all His works, was making preparations for the creation, the natural and the spiritual, the unseen worlds and kingdoms. We know, from our own experience, that supernatural influences are actively involved in the affairs of humanity. 

 It was then that a prominent angelic being rebelled against the Most High Elohim. According to Luke 10:18, Yeshua “saw Satan/Lucifer falling like lightning from Heaven.” This entity was cast into a realm of darkness to face the abyss. Elohim granted Lucifer and a host of rebellious angels a disposition and character that included the potential to contradict His own.

 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer son of the morning!... For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Elohim; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:12-14).  Lucifer’s name in Hebrew is “Hillel Ben Shachar,” meaning “morning star, son of the dawn.” It is interesting that the Hebrew word for dawn is “shachar,” which shares its three-letter root with “black” (“shachor”). 

 Why would Elohim create this kind of spiritual entity and allow it to exist, having a propensity for a negative and destructive nature and authority?  Elohim had a purpose for it, as evidenced throughout the scriptural narrative.  Elohim needed a domain of darkness and an adversary (devil) in the outworking of His plans to “bring many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). ^“For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope” (Romans 8:20).  What or who is that hope? In the previous verse, we find the answer: “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of Elohim” (Romans 8:19).  

 “Evil” is a spiritual kingdom, with spiritual principalities and powers that have been allotted a place and a time under Elohim’s sovereignty.  As mentioned, its nature and hence its activities are completely contrary to YHVH’s Kingdom of Light. (More clarity on this dark realm may be gained by and through the exposition of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The seed and fruit of this tree can only produce death. This will be discussed later on in the chronology of the creation account.)

 In Job 41, YHVH describes a spiritual creature, almost equal to Himself. This comparison is intended to create reverence/fear toward Him, as well as respect for this creature that He brought forth to represent the image of Satan. Again, the Father needed an opposite force with a nature antagonistic to His (pure love needs the unloving), in order to reveal His nature and glory through His only begotten Son, and the many “whom He foreknew, predestined, and conformed to the image of His Son… these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30, see also Revelation 17:14b). These are the sons that Elohim has been calling out of that Darkness into the Light of His Beloved Son (ref. 1 Peter 2:9).