16. Verse 1. In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The most ancient times of all are called 'the beginning', and are throughout the Prophets referred to as 'days of antiquity' and also 'days of eternity'. 'The beginning' also embodies within it that first Period when a person is being regenerated, for at that time he is being born anew and receiving life. Regeneration itself is therefore called a new creation of man. Almost everywhere in the prophetical sections 'to create', 'to form', and 'to make' mean to regenerate, though each of these verbs has a different shade of meaning, as in Isaiah,

Every one who is called by My name - I have created him for My glory, I have formed him, I have also made him. Isaiah 43:7

This is why the Lord is called Redeemer, One who forms from the womb, Maker, and also Creator, as in the same prophet,

I am Jehovah, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. Isaiah 43:15.

In David,

A people to be created will praise Jah. Psalms 102:18.

In the same author,

You send forth Your Spirit; they are created; and You renewest the face ¹ of the ground. Psalms 104:30.

'Heaven' means the internal man, and 'earth' the external man prior to regeneration. This will be seen further on.

Footnotes:

Title: More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1:Textual Clues

Topic: The Word

Summary: Just as an expert can tell from our eyes or our skin what is going on with our internal organs, it is possible to tell from what is on the surface of Scripture that there is more that lies beneath.

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:3-7, 18-22; 9:8-27
Exodus 4:24-27
1 Samuel 17:49-51
2 Kings 11:1-2, 21; 12:1-2, 4, 6-7, 18; 13:1, 9-10, 12, 14, 25; 14:1, 8-9, 11, 13, 17, 23; 15:13, 19
Mark 5:1-8
Acts of the Apostles 20:38; 21:1, 5, 7-8, 18
Revelation 6:15-16; 5:8; 17:9-11
2 Corinthians 3:6, 14-16
Luke 24:27, 44-45