THE VOID

THE VOID

While theologians may debate the implications of Genesis 1:2, we can discern God’s heart by exploring the rhema in this verse. It holds the key to understanding the patterns and events of human life throughout history, even today. Some call it the gap theory, and there’ll always be a debate between those Christians who believe the earth is roughly 6,000 years old and those who believe it’s millions of years old. However, the rhema here is far more significant than the debate itself.

Logos and Rhema

Logos and Rhema are two Greek terms used in biblical studies to describe different aspects of God's Word.

· Logos refers to the written Word of God, such as the Scriptures, which are considered to be the inspired and authoritative revelation of God's truth. It encompasses the overall message and principles found in the Bible.

· Rhema, on the other hand, refers to the spoken Word of God—a specific and personal message that God communicates to individuals in a particular situation or moment.

While Logos provides a foundation of truth and guidance for all believers, Rhema brings a timely and specific application of that truth to individuals. Both Logos and Rhema are essential in understanding and applying God's Word in our lives.

Formless and Empty

The scripture is clear that God's works are perfect and without fault, yet the account of creation tells us that the earth was without form, void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
— Genesis 1:1-3 (NIV)

This passage paints a picture of humanity—reflecting the emptiness, death, and struggles we encounter in the world.

Everything God creates is perfect, but when it ceases to rely on Him for sustenance and life, it begins to wither, becoming formless, void, dark, and lifeless.

The Fall of Lucifer

A vivid example is Satan. The name Satan comes from the English translation of the Greek word “Σατανᾶς” (Satanas), derived from the Hebrew “שָׂטָן” (satan), meaning “adversary” or “accuser.” At its core, Satan refers to one who opposes or obstructs. However, he was not this way when God created him.

We can find the biblical accounts of his nature in the beginning: when he was with God in the heavens and was the most beautiful of all the angels, as he was created a cherub. The word Satan isn't his name—rather, it's a title of the position he took. His real name in the Bible is Lucifer.

14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,
and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
— Ezekiel 28:14-16 (NIVUK)

He was a specially gifted angel that was created by God and he walked in the most holy places of God—until he decided to exalt himself above God and desired to be worshiped in the place of God. This was where wickedness got into him, leading to his dismissal from the presence of the heavenly Father, the Almighty.

The Inner Void in Every Human

At the core of every person lies a longing—a void yearning for true fulfillment. Many try to fill it with perversions, indulgence, wealth, or fleeting pleasures, but these never satisfy.

This void—marked by chaos, darkness, and a perplexing fear or hunger for something deeper—grips hearts and minds, leaving people searching for answers they cannot find. This is precisely what Genesis 1:2 describes.

In essence, nothing God creates can thrive independently without His life flowing through it. This life is the source of joy, fulfillment, and the light every person seeks. Without it, we become formless, void, empty, and lost in darkness, grappling with the relentless feeling that “there must be more.” This emptiness overwhelms the heart of every person and all creation until they encounter this life—a life found in a person: Jesus Christ.

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’
9 Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?’
— John 14 (NIVUK)

Jesus in John chapter 14 tells us that He alone is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other way to truth except through Jesus, and there is no other life besides Him.

We can try to make up anything we want and have any philosophical thoughts we like, but the fact remains: there is no other way to God, and there is no other way to life than coming to and through Jesus Christ.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
— John 1 (NIVUK)

The Gap Between Creation and Life

The gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:3 reflects a profound truth: every person is born perfect in God’s sight, but between birth and receiving God’s life lies formlessness, void, emptiness, and darkness.

The only path to rest and fulfilment is to call on the Lord Jesus Christ.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

— Matthew 11:28 (NIVUK)

31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved...
— Joel 2 (NIVUK)

37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
— John 6:36-38 (NIVUK)

No Other Name

People may propose various religions, prophets, or philosophies claiming all paths lead to God, but none can alter the truth that salvation comes through no other name but Jesus. He warns that those promoting other ways are deceivers.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

— John 10:7-10 (NIVUK)

Verse 9 of John 10 tells us that all we need is in Jesus. When we accept Him into our lives, we receive the light to lead our daily lives. The phrase there, "go in and out" and find pasture depicts a life full of light and fulfillment with peace of mind. When we're no longer in darkness, but walking in light and knowing what is right and wrong.

11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
— Acts 4:11-13 (NIV)

Rejecting False Messages

You may have heard other doctrines or followed traditions before encountering the gospel—the message of Jesus’ cross. Perhaps your family has held different beliefs for generations. In John 10, Jesus calls messages not centered on Him false, spread by deceivers under Satan’s influence to steal, kill, and destroy. True life is found only through Jesus.

11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

— Acts 4:11-13 New International Version

Today is the Day of Salvation

Whether you’ve never heard of Jesus, rejected Him before, or are hearing His message anew, today is an opportunity.

The gospel of the cross answers the cry of every heart.

2 For he says, ‘In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIVUK)

The Answer to the Void

Our lives were not meant to be void or chaotic. Created in God’s image, we were designed to carry His life and reflect His nature.

Today, you can find peace by inviting Jesus into your life, asking Him to cleanse you of all unrighteousness, and committing to follow Him.

When you do, the Holy Spirit will dwell in you, securing your eternal life with Jesus in heaven.

4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
— Isaiah 53 (NIVUK)

The Way to Eternal Life

Here’s how the Bible guides us to salvation and a relationship with Jesus, securing eternal life:

9 If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
— Romans 10 (NIVUK)

Its been God's desire to rest upon His creation. But God doesn't rest upon waters; if He wanted to, He would not have hovered over the face of the waters. He does not rest upon wood or anything else but upon man. He always hovers around us, waiting for us to let Him into our lives so that H can live inside us. After the disciples received Jesus, He came inside their hearts and lives and they began a journey with the Lord. In Acts 2, He rests upon them like tongues of fire. He always stretches' His hands to us, waiting for us to invite Him in so that He can pour His Spirit upon us.

He hovered upon the waters in the beginning without a resting place. But after Jesus died and resurrected, He now rests upon those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. You can see the contrast between Genesis 1:2-3 and Act 2:2-3.

Whenever the life of Jesus come, it brings light.

2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

— Acts 2:2-3(NIVUK)

This experience of Acts 2:3 is for everyone on earth only if they'll turn to Jesus for salvation.

28 ‘And afterwards,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.

— Joel 2: 28 (NIVUK)

When God declared, "Let there be light" in Genesis 1:3, He was not merely initiating a physical phenomenon but was essentially proclaiming, "Let the earth receive My nature." Prior to this divine utterance, the earth was "formless and void," shrouded in darkness (Genesis 1:2), a state of chaos and uninhabitability. It was only after God had spoken His nature into the earth that it became a suitable dwelling place for man, animals, and plants. This act of creation through His Word reflects the power of God’s spoken will, as Psalm 33:6 affirms: "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host."

That same Word through which creation came into being is Jesus Christ. John 1:1-3 reveals this profound truth: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." Jesus is the Word spoken into creation to bring order, life, and habitability. Colossians 1:16-17 further supports this, stating, "For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." The earth’s transformation from a void to a habitable creation mirrors the redemptive work of Christ, who brings spiritual light and life to humanity.

It is this same Word that gives light to every person born into the world, as John 1:4-5 declares: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This light is not merely physical but spiritual, illuminating the hearts of all who receive Him (John 1:9). The connection between the light of creation and the light of Christ is further echoed in 2 Corinthians 4:6: "For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Just as the earth became habitable through the Word, so too does the human soul become a dwelling place for God’s Spirit through Christ, the living Word.

Moreover, this theme of light and life through Christ continues throughout Scripture. In John 8:12, Jesus Himself says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The Word that brought light to the formless earth is the same Word that brings eternal life to humanity, fulfilling the promise of Isaiah 9:2: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." Thus, the creative power of God’s Word in Genesis is inseparable from the redemptive power of Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who sustains all creation and offers light to all who believe.

A Prayer for Salvation

If you desire to make Jesus your Savior, have your sins forgiven, and receive eternal life, pray this prayer:

Father, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, I come to You.
I believe with my heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I confess that with my mouth.
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that He died for my sins and that You raised Him from the dead.
I ask that You wash me with His blood and make me new.
I ask that Your Holy Spirit will come and live in my heart and make me Yours forever.

I repent of my sins and turn away from them.
Henceforth, I declare that I am Yours forever and I no longer belong to the devil.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

— John 3:16 (NIV)