So, let us examine the text of Genesis 1. In verse one we find that God created the heavens and the earth. This is actually logical chronologically. The universe creates the framework upon which the rest of creation rests. God created the universe within which earth is located.
From a scientific viewpoint, we know that the universe is made up of mass and energy. Mass changes into energy and energy changes into mass. For example, if you burn coal, coal (mass) is converted into fire and heat (energy).
Science defines three laws of thermodynamics that explains this process. The first law of thermodynamics, simply stated, says heat always passes to cold. This passing of hot to cold performs work. For example, a steam engine uses the burning of coal to heat water to power the engine. Heat transfers to the cold water via the first law of thermodynamics until the cold water begins to boil. The boiling water creates steam. The steam produces work by moving pistons.
The second law of thermodynamics, simply stated, says that a closed system left alone will degrade into a state of maximum entropy. Maximum entropy is a state of equal temperature that can no longer produce work. It is a state of least order and maximum disorder. In other words, hot will flow to cold until it reaches one constant temperature. Once the system is one constant temperature, heat no longer passes and the system can no longer perform work. The system is dead unless an external source provides heat.
If we consider our universe to be a closed system, the universe is moving toward temperature equilibrium and maximum entropy. Once it reaches a constant temperature, the universe will be dead. God is the external source that powers the Universe. However, our universe is in a constant state of decay. The universe one day will become dead. Thus, in the Book of Revelation, Jesus reveals there will be a new heaven and a new earth at the end of time. This new heaven and new earth will no longer be subject to decay as is our present universe.
The third law of thermodynamics basically says that a closed system at absolute zero (i.e., 0 degrees Kelvin, -273.15 degrees Celsius, or -459.67 degree Fahrenheit) has minimum entropy (i.e., the highest structure and order). At absolute zero, a closed system is poised to produce the maximum work as it is heated. So, as a system approaches absolute zero, the entropy of the system also approaches zero. Its order is at a maximum order with the most potential for work..
Put simply, if ice at absolute zero is heated, the ice will heat and begin to melt. As the temperature of the ice increases, energy and work are released. This will continue until the system reaches an equilibrium of temperature at which point the closed system can no longer produce work. Thus, the system is then in maximum entropy. It is in a state of maximum disorder. The system is dead.
I have stated the above to show the consistency of Genesis 1:1-2: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (NKJV).
Water is essential for life and we are told at the very start that God filled the earth with water that was then separated into an atmosphere and the oceans of water.
In my opinion, God created the universe in a state of minimum entropy and at absolute zero. God had not yet released energy to heat the universe. God had not yet formed the earth and filled it with life. The earth was covered in darkness (i.e., darkness was on the face of the deep). In other words, there was no release of energy and there was total darkness. However, the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Through the Holy Spirit, God released the energy stored within the mass of the universe.
Which then brings us to Genesis 1:3-5: 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day (NKJV)
Assuming the universe to be a closed system, it would take something from an external dimension to start the process of unlocking the energy to create light. God released this energy through the Holy Spirit. This set in motion the gradual degradation of the universe and its production of work as expressed by the laws of thermodynamics. On day one of creation, God created the universe and set in motion the laws of thermodynamics resulting in the conversion of mass into energy and energy into mass.
The law of the conservation of energy explains that mass and energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but passes from one state to another. The movement of mass and energy from minimum entropy toward maximum entropy creates the life of the Universe. Thus, the second law of thermodynamics properly states that a closed system left alone will move to equilibrium of temperature within the system. This will result in maximum entropy (randomness and disorderliness) and death of the system. This is why Book of Revelation states , there will be a new heaven and a new earth This new heaven and earth will be eternal and not subject to decay.
I would like to pause at this moment to make two additional observations about the first five verses of Genesis 1. First, water is essential for life and we are told at the very start that God made the heavens and the earth. we are also told the earth was filled with water. This water was then separated into an atmosphere and the oceans of water.
Second, concerning the phrase “so the evening and the morning were the first day” we need to know that in Hebrew thought, a day goes from sunset to sunset. This would explain why it says “evening and morning” (i.e., night and day). Many young creation theorists conclude that this is a literal 24-hour period. This is certainly possible since with God all things are possible. However, I do not believe the context dictates this. In Genesis 1, it is not until day 4 that God creates the sun and moon to bring light to the earth and to govern the seasons. In my opinion, a true 24-hour time frame of creation does not really begin until day 4. Until that time, it is God that is providing the light and energy for creation in the universe and on earth.
In summary of day one of creation, God created the heavens and the earth in total darkness. He then energized the universe by creating or unlocking light and energy. Many argue that when God created light and divided the night from the day on day one this included our sun and moon, and thus, started the 24-hour clock. I disagree with this argument. The light on the earth and the 24-hour clock does not start until day four of creation. Day one says God created light. It does not say he created the sun and the moon at that time to light the earth. When God said, “Let there be Light,” He lit the fuse to set into process the release of energy through chemical reactions that convert matter into energy and energy into matter. This ultimately sustains life on earth.
Keep in mind that all of the matter and energy of the universe as evidenced by the billions of galaxies and trillions of stars came out of God as He spoke it into existence. God created the Universe. This shows just how powerful God is. Remember, the Israelites refused to come up the mountain as instructed by God because they feared the lightning and thunders that were coming from God’s presence on the mountain. Also, remember that Abraham was not allowed to see God’s face while he requested to see God’s glory, but could only observe the afterglow of God’s presence. In other words, it brings to mind what would happen to us if we physically visited our Sun. The word vaporized comes to mind. God is all powerful. God created the Universe.