Genesis 1:6-8

From OpenWordBase

“...a firmament in the midst of the waters...divide[d] the waters from the waters. ...the firmament, ...divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament”

Ecology

Firmament, Water, Greenhouse ⁽⁵⁶⁾

In the study of Ecology, it is well known that the waters above the firmament and below the firmament are a cycle ever forming to sustain life on the planet. Today, the only waters above the waters that are below the firmament (the lakes, rivers, seas) are clouds. These clouds are in the firmament (or atmosphere; sky), but they are never above the firmament, which would mean the area between the sky and outer space. This indicates there was once water in this region. If the water created a barrier in this upper region, it would be reasonable to assume that this would have formed a greenhouse-type effect on the earth.

Science

Barrier, Firmament ⁽⁵⁷⁾

When the earth began, there was a barrier of water (Job 38:9) right above the atmosphere or the “heavens.” The heavens were the air in which the birds flew and still do. The term “firmament” actually means air with water above it. There are three heavens spoken of in the Scriptures: (1) the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc. (which is the one spoken of here in Genesis), (2) the abode of the stars, and (3) where God resides (the Apostle Paul spoke of this as the third heaven). This heaven was created within one 24-hour period.

This water barrier explains well where all the extra water came from that was needed to adequately flood the whole earth. This barrier also explains an atmosphere that could sustain oxygen enough for the large dinosaurs to breathe. Plant and animal life was larger than life during this time before the flood and atmospheric pressure and color was more conducive to life and growth. You can see conclusive evidences of this early earth at Dr. Baugh’s museum in Glen Rose, Texas.