The Real Age of the Earth, God's Perfect Completion, Dinosaurs, and the Expectation of Christ's Return

Good morning, everyone! I’m so glad to see all of you here today. Today, I want to talk about something that often stirs up both curiosity and confusion: the age of the Earth. Is it billions of years old like scientists tell us, or is it much younger, as some believe based on the Bible? What if I told you both views could be reconciled? What if God, in His infinite wisdom, could create the world in such a way that it looks like it's been here for millions of years, even though it's not?

We'll dive into this, and along the way, we’ll also discuss God’s perfect number of completion, the imminent return of Christ, and even explore the fascinating idea of dinosaurs—maybe even dragons—mentioned in the Bible. It’s all connected, and I hope by the end of this sermon, you’ll see how the pieces come together.

God Can Give the Appearance of Age

Let’s start with Genesis, the very first book of the Bible. The Bible tells us that God created the world in six days and on the seventh day, He rested. But let’s pause and think about what we know about God. He is eternal. He’s not limited by time like we are. In 2 Peter 3:8, it says, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” This means God can create something fully formed, complete, and mature in an instant—just like He did with Adam and Eve. They were created as full-grown adults, not babies.

Now, if God can make humans fully formed, what’s to say He couldn’t make the Earth appear older than it really is? God can give the appearance of age without needing time to pass. Think about it: When He created trees, they had rings in their trunks, just as mature trees would. If He made the Earth in six days, He could have created everything with the appearance of age—just as Adam and Eve were fully grown from the start.

So, even though the Earth is between 6,000 to 7,000 years old, it could look like it’s been here for millions of years. That’s the power of our Creator. The appearance of age doesn’t require the passage of time, because time is at His command.

The Earth Is Almost 7,000 Years Old

Now, let’s take a closer look at the age of the Earth. While we can’t pinpoint the exact number of years, many biblical scholars suggest the Earth is about 6,000 to 7,000 years old. Based on the genealogies in the Bible, the Earth was likely created around 6,000 years ago. That’s a significant number!

And here's something even more interesting: We're also approaching the 7,000-year mark since the birth of Jesus Christ. Think about that for a moment—it's almost been 2,000 years since Jesus walked the Earth. If you add that to the 6,000 years before His birth, we’re right on the verge of the Earth’s 7,000th year! That number, seven, is God's number of completion, and it’s no coincidence that we are nearing the completion of this era.

This brings us to the reality that God’s plan is unfolding according to His perfect timing, and the world is heading toward the final chapter in the story He’s been writing from the beginning.

7: God's Number of Completion

Speaking of the number seven, let’s talk about why it’s so significant. In the Bible, the number seven represents completion, perfection, and rest. God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested—not because He was tired, but to show us that His work was complete. Every day, He looked at His creation and said, “It is good.” But when He rested on the seventh day, He was signaling that His work was finished, whole, and perfect.

Throughout the Bible, we see the number seven in many forms. There are seven days in a week, seven colors in a rainbow, seven seals in Revelation. This number indicates God's work is always moving toward completion. When we look at the Earth and our history, it’s almost like we’re living in the final days of God's work in the world. With the Earth being nearly 7,000 years old, we’re approaching the final stage of this cycle.

The Reset of Time: BC and AD

Now, I want to talk about something that is very significant to our understanding of time—how time was reset when Jesus Christ was born. Before Jesus came, the world operated on what we call “Before Christ” (BC). But the birth of Jesus Christ changed everything. When He came into the world, He marked the beginning of a new era in history: Anno Domini (AD), meaning “in the year of our Lord.”

The birth of Jesus wasn’t just the beginning of a new year on a calendar; it was the start of a new chapter in the history of the world. When Jesus was born, time itself was reset. It’s almost as if God was saying, "Now, with the arrival of My Son, I am beginning the fulfillment of My plan for the salvation of the world." Jesus' birth marked the point where God’s perfect plan began to unfold in a way that would ultimately lead to the redemption of humanity.

We are now living in the period that follows His birth, which is nearly 2,000 years later. In a way, God’s plan is now reaching the 6,000-year mark of the world’s existence, and we are almost at the completion of this cycle. The next big event on God's calendar? The return of Jesus Christ.

Expect Christ’s Return at Any Moment

Speaking of Jesus’ return—let’s talk about that! The Bible is clear that no one knows the exact time of Christ’s return, but we are to be prepared and watchful. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says,

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” 

However, He does tell us to be ready, to expect His return at any time. And why? Because, just as with the number seven, God’s plan is drawing to a close.

We are living in the final days of this age, and as we near the 7,000-year mark of the Earth’s existence, we must remember that Christ could return at any moment. Just as God completed His work in six days and rested on the seventh, He will complete His work in the world when Christ returns, bringing full restoration and peace.

Dinosaurs in the Bible: Could They Be Dragons?

Now, let’s tackle something that often confuses people—dinosaurs. Where do they fit in the Bible? While the word “dinosaur” isn’t used in Scripture, there are references to creatures that could be what we think of as dinosaurs. In the book of Job, there’s a creature called “Behemoth” in Job 40:15-24, described as having a tail like a cedar tree. That sounds pretty massive, right? Some people believe this could be a description of a dinosaur, or even a dragon!

The Bible also mentions dragons in passages like Isaiah and Psalms, and these descriptions resemble creatures that we might call dinosaurs today. Could it be that these creatures roamed the Earth during the early years of creation? It’s possible! Perhaps God created mighty creatures, such as dragons, to live in harmony with humanity at some point before they went extinct.

Conclusion: A Time of Expectation

As we look at the age of the Earth, the number seven, and the reset of time at Christ's birth, we can see that everything points to a divine timeline. God has a plan, and it is unfolding perfectly. We are nearing the completion of this cycle, and the return of Jesus Christ is just around the corner. Are we ready for His return?

As the Earth nears 7,000 years old and nearly 2,000 years have passed since Christ’s birth, let’s live in anticipation of His return. God is moving toward the final days of this age, and our task is to be prepared, to live expectantly, and to spread the message of Christ’s love to a world that desperately needs it.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonderful world You created, and for the plan of salvation that You set in motion through the birth of Jesus Christ. We know that Your timing is perfect, and that we are living in the final stages of Your work on Earth. Help us to be ready for Christ’s return at any moment, and to live with the urgency and expectation that He could come back today. Thank You for Your love, Your grace, and Your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.