Phrase (A) "The earth was without form and an empty waste" the account now turns from the universe to the earth.

First the universe, which included the heavens, then the angels, then the earth. The Hebrew word translated earth is erets which means dry ground. Remember now, we are still in Genesis 1:2

Do you know that God is perfect? Jesus said, "You are to be perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect." Moses said of God, "His work is perfect." Solomon said, "He made everything beautiful in it's time." Matthew 5:48 Deuteronomy 32:4 Eccl. 3:11

The word perfect is defined as, without spot or blemish, mature, complete, not deficient, faultless, blameless in morals or behavior and pure. Do you think a perfect God, could or would make something void and without form? I don't. Something, must have happened that changed God's perfect work into something that was void and without form.

Isaiah 45:18 "For thus says the LORD who created the heavens; God himself who formed the earth and made it; who has established it, Who created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is no other."

When the earth was created, it was not a worthless waste, it was erets (dry ground) formed to be inhabited. Formed to be inhabited? By whom? Who is God speaking of? We are still in Genesis 1:2. At this time we have eternity, the universe, which includes at least three heavens, the angels and the perfect earth. And we still have questions such as, where did Satan come from? Who was it that inhabited the erets (the dry ground) and what about the fossils and dinosaurs?

There are various theories concerning the time between verses 1 and 2. Theory is not fact. It is an educated guess. A theory is the result of looking at all the information available and concluding with a positive maybe.

Some have the opinions: That verse 1 is an all inclusive statement of creation. That verse 2 begins a brief explanation of the stages of that creation. They believe that each of the "days were a geological age of development, with vast expanses of time between them. This is known as the progressive theory. Many well respected Bible teacher think there may be Billions of years between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:7. This agrees with the scientific research that has established an atomic dating system, a method that tells us how rapidly certain atoms decay. This method dates the earth and indicates it is millions of years old. Those who stoutly maintain that Genesis chapter one, is the creation week and the earth is only 6000 plus years old do so thinking they are defending the Bible, when in fact they are creating more problems for believers. Others, (I am one of them) think that verse 2 refers to the results of the fall of Satan. That the fall caused tremendous geological changes. They believe that the word "was" translated from the Hebrew hayah should have been translated "became."". This is known as the Gap Theory. This theory makes the understanding of the Bible much easier, I personally believe it to be correct. I do wish to emphasize that what you believe concerning these theories does not affect your eternal salvation. There is only one requirement for entering the kingdom of God, His name is Jesus.

The scriptures that give the information that lead to the gap theory are many, we will cover Ezekiel and Isaiah.

Ezekiel 28. In this chapter two personages are in view. First the prince of Tyre, in verses 1-10. Second the King of Tyre, in verses 11-19. The prince of Tyre seems to refer primarily to a man called Ethbaal II, and verses 1-10 were fulfilled in the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar, which lasted thirteen years.  B. C. 598-585.

The King of Tyre, verses 11-19, refer in part to a worldly monarch and in part to a supernatural personage. In the study of God’s word scholars give us some guide lines. One of these guide lines is known as the law of double reference. (Example: When Jesus said to Peter, Satan get thee behind me.) Many Conservative and devout Bible students believe that the King of Tyre represents Satan. That verses 11-19 describe Satan's original character, position, and fall. Notice the following points:

Ezekiel 28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus said the Lord GOD; You sealed up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

This couldn't be talking about a man, for no man could measure up to this statement. It had to be Lucifer who was full of wisdom, perfect in beauty, and "sealed up the sum." Lucifer was the crown of created perfection.

Ezekiel 28:13 You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was Your covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that you were created.

He was in Eden, the Garden of God. The precious stones were of the kind that were on the breast plate of the high priest. Exodus 28:15; 39:8 So, he was a priest. A priest is an intermediate between others and God. They stand before the congregation and receive their offerings. They are to pass them on to God. The tabrets and pipes indicate a musical talent that was built into him. This talent has not departed from him. He still lures many with music.

Note: Sardis is a red colored stone possibly a ruby. Jasper a green transparent color maybe peridot. Beryl is thought to be a blue-green color perhaps turquoise. Carbuncle is thought to be Garnet.

Ezekiel 28:14 You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

He was anointed, refers to his position as a prophet. A prophet is a spokesperson for God. The cherub that covered. Refers to outspreading wings in Exodus 25:20, 37:9 and indicates a presence in the Holy of Holies. He was set in his exalted position by God Himself.

He was in the holy mountain of God. Mountain usually refers to God's system of government. Lucifer had a high position in God's government. He was a chief (arch) angel. He walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Exodus 24:10

Ezekiel 28:15 You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you.

The Bible tells us of 3 arch angels. These 3 angels were each in charge of one third of the other angels. The arch angels all stood in the presence of God. Lucifer was apparently in charge of worship. Gabriel is in charge of messages. Michael is the guardian of Israel and leads the war department. Revelation 12:7 Luke 1:19 and many others.

Isaiah 14:13-14 For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

His throne reveals that he was a king. Notice all of the "I wills" in Isaiah 14:13. Also note that God had a few "I wills" of His own.

Ezekiel 28:16 By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

His heart was lifted up and his wisdom was corrupted because of his brightness. The multitude of the merchandise is the praise, honor, and glory. The merchandise was to have passed through Lucifer's hands and on to God. Lucifer desired worship for himself. In all the universe there is only one thing that God reserves for Himself, it is worship.

He was cast forth from the mountain of God.

Ezekiel 28:17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you.

Note: notice that he was beautiful, no mention of horns, red suit and pitchfork.

Ezekiel 28:18 You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of you, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold you.

Sanctuaries are places of worship, another sign of Lucifer's priesthood. He was degraded in position and debased in character. From the high position of Prophet, Priest, King, he fell to the level of a thief and killer. John 10:10. Since we are the present Kings, Prophets and Priests, Romans 5:17 and Rev. 5:10, this indicates that Satan can no longer lord it over us. He has been exposed before us. We see him as he really is. Defeated by Jesus.

1. The earth was made waste and empty. Genesis 1:2, Jeremiah 4:23-27 amp., 2Peter 3:5-6 but in the flood of Noah, the earth was not made waste and empty. Genesis 8:11,12,22and Genesis 6:18-22.

2. The earth was made totally dark, there was no light, no day and night. Genesis 1:2, Jeremiah 4:23-28 amp., Genesis 1:2-5. But in the flood of Noah, the earth was not totally dark, there was light from heaven and there was day and night. Genesis 8:1-22

3. All vegetation was destroyed. Genesis 1:2, Genesis 2:5-6 but in the flood of Noah the vegetation was not destroyed for the dove returned with an olive branch. Genesis 8:11

4. There was no continued abating of the water of the earth, they were taken off in one day. Genesis 1: 6-12. But in the flood of Noah, the waters evaporated, the process took one year and ten days. Genesis 8:1-14

5. All fish destroyed then recreated after the flood. Genesis 1:20-23. But in the flood of Noah none were created after the flood. Genesis 8.

6. No fowls, animals or man left alive, it became necessary to create new life on earth. 2Peter 3:5-6, Genesis 1:1-2, Isaiah 45:18. But in the flood of Noah, fowls, animals, and eight humans were preserved in the ark. Genesis 6:18, 8:22 and 9:1-16.

Note: Jeremiah was given a past revelation in order to warn Israel that their sins could not continue without destruction coming upon them.

There was a time previous to Genesis 1:2 which can not be dated. A time when there was a perfect world inhabited by a pre Adamic race (Rev 12:12 - 13:16, Dan 4:35 and Col 1:15-18) ruled by angels. Lucifer, one of the chief angels, was the most beautiful of all of God's creatures. He was created perfect and was established by God, to rule and reign over the perfect earth.

There had to be a social system on the earth in order for Lucifer to reign as ruler. Since it is the pattern (established in scripture) for God to provide for all needs; that system would have included plants, animals, birds, fish and other creatures. One of Lucifer's duties was to lead worship and praise on the earth (sometimes called commerce or traffic). This worship was to flow through him to God, for it was to God as creator, that it belonged. One day a flaw began to develop in Lucifer, the honor which belonged to God began to stick to his fingers. He desired to exalt himself and his throne, above God and His throne. Sin was found in him.

Lucifer ruled, for God, for an unknown amount of time before he and one third of the angels rebelled and invaded heaven to dethrone God. There was war in heaven, Satan and his cohorts were defeated and they were cast out. This caused a catastrophe which destroyed the atmospheric heaven around the earth. Waters were released, the water destroyed all of the inhabitants, the animals, the plants, the birds, the fish. EVERYTHING. The earth became void and without form. Satan’s kingdom on earth was destroyed by the fierce anger of God. When Satan and his cohorts were cast out of heaven, they hit hard. The Earth was turned upside down, causing many of the present formations of the Earth. This is the time geologists refer to as the time of great dying, when all the great animals died. It is to this age and prior that the fossils and the bones of the dinosaurs belong. The prophet Isaiah records it this way, "How you are fallen from heaven, howl in the morning, you have fallen to the ground." The dinosaurs and vegetation turned into fossil fuel. Our wonderful God took this terrible disaster and turned it into something good. Much later man would find these fuels and use them for energy and warmth. The flood, covered by darkness, stayed on the Earth for an unknown time. Lucifer found the earth was no longer habitable, so he and his fallen angels set up their headquarters in the second heaven. The king of the earth had now become the prince of the air, and the dispensation of angels came to a close. Isaiah 14:12-14, Isaiah 45:18, Jeremiah 4:23, Ezekiel 28:11-17, Revelation 12:7-9, Luke 10:18. Then, God, in six days restored the Earth to an habitable state. Adam was made to carry out God's original plan for the Earth.

Many may ask why did God create Satan? God did not create Satan, Satan created Satan. Lucifer was created a beautiful, holy and powerful angel with free will. He abused his privileges and became evil.

God had established him as ruler over the inhabitants of this planet. His job description was Director of Praise and Worship (The stones of the priesthood covered him.) Through the hands of the Priest, praise, honor and glory are to pass on to God. Lucifer desired to keep them. The same problem is still around. This is the reason for making sure that the leaders of the church are not novices.

1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

A teacher of the word receives blessing from God to feed the people of God. When people are blessed, they give thanks and praise to God. Unfortunately they often give it to and through the minister. The temptation, of the minister, is to think that it is from himself that he speaks.

God foretold that Satan would become the enemy of man. The reason became clear in the garden. Satan discovered that God intended to put man in the place of honor that he once enjoyed. Man was to become the prophet, priest and king of the earth. Romans 5:17 and Revelation 5:10

Lucifer, now called Satan or devil, and his spirit rebels caused man to fall. They regained (a long term lease) dominion of the Earth through Adam's submission. They have been in control of the world system (kosmos) since that time.

The name Satan means "the resister or adversary." Devil means "the accuser and slanderer." Lucifer, now called Satan, still desires the praise and worship due God. When Jesus began His ministry on earth Satan began to tempt Him.

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Satan offered to trade his kingdoms in exchange for worship from Jesus. At this time the kingdoms of the world legally belonged to Satan because Adam had given them to him in the garden. When the second coming of Jesus occurs, the rebellion will be put to rest. In the Millennium there will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.  Revelation 19:11-22:5 and 
1 Corinthians 15:24-28

The Bible declares God is love and that He is just and merciful. It also tells us He is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient. That means He is everywhere, all powerful and all knowing (omni is a Latin prefix that means all).

I certainly agree with all of the above, but wish to add, God is not a quitter. He is a winner. Winners do not quit, they keep at it until they win; so now, beginning with Genesis 1:2 we see the determined purpose of God. Restoring the atmosphere, restoring the earth, seas, and all that dwell there in. Restoring the earth. Instead of creation week, it is re-creation week. A garden was prepared, into it was placed a man and a woman. They were given dominion and crowned with glory and honor. An agreement was established which was called the Edenic covenant, the dispensation of innocence had begun.

The whole story in as few words as is possible is this: God created the heavens and the inhabitants of heaven. Then the Earth. All this was done in the beginning or in the dateless past. He caused the Earth to be inhabited and gave Lucifer control of the Earth kingdom. Lucifer failed.

PHRASE (B) "and darkness was upon the face of the very deep" Genesis 1:2

Shutting off the light of the sun would have caused precipitation of all moisture to the earth. Without the heat of the Sun, all the waters of earth would have been frozen. Geologists tell us there are traces of glaciers across the whole surface of the earth. In the center of equatorial Africa, there are marks of a ice cap.

Phrase (C) "And the Spirit of God moved..." Genesis 1:2

The word moved has the meaning of brooding, like a hen broods over her nest until the chicks are born. The Holy Spirit brooded over the earth until the ice began to melt. The earth had no form until the energizing, life giving power of the Spirit "moved over the face of the waters." From the beginning, the Holy Spirit is seen as the divine channel of life.

The brooding of the Holy Spirit over the face of the waters typifies the incarnation of Jesus. Luke 1:35 (the power of the most high shall over shadow thee.) It also typifies the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men. He convicts of sin, and leads to Jesus. When we say yes Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit over shadows us and the Holy thing that is born in us shall be called the Son of God.