And God said, “Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after its kind: and God saw that it was good.
“And God blessed them, saying Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.”
Genesis 1:20-23
THE FIFTH DAY
According to Biblical record, the water and sea animals were created on the fifth day. They did not evolve from a tree or a cesspool or any other thing. God made them, each one; he spoke them into being. This image of God is very important to remember. The winged creatures and sea creatures were created the fifth day to fill the sky and the waters already created on the second day. Again, nothing was created out of turn.
At the end of Day 5, thousands of creatures flew above the earth and thousands of creatures filled the seas.
THE FIFTH THOUSAND YEAR
The miraculous birth of Christ, the Son of God, Messiah, the visible image of the invisible God of creation, had such a major effect on the world that calendars marked his birth as the starting point for the next, or fifth 1,000-year period of Biblical history. Years prior to Christ’s birth are labeled BC (Before Christ); years after Christ’s Birth are labeled AD (Anno Domini – In the Year of our Lord).
Day 5 versus the 5th 1,000-Year Period
This next 1,000-year period was a dark, unsettled time in many ways. Even though cities existed, nights slipped into a darkness we would have trouble comprehending, particularly on moonless nights. Homes were pitch black at night except for minuscule pools of dim candlelight. Evil has a tendency to thrive in the dark. And thrive, it did.
Jesus’ ministry, message and miracles brought hope to God’s people, but conflict to unbelieving, self-intuitive protectors of an outside influence on the powerful elite inner circle. His message mentored thousands of confused, hopeless people with true love, peace and healing. His life on earth was brief, but poignant and unforgettable. He commissioned his people, his friends, to share his teachings and do the things he taught them to do with love, grace and peace to the end of the age.
It is important to note that at the beginning of the 5th 1,000-year period, on the day of Pentecost something earth-shattering and explosive happened.
“…I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:1-5.
Jesus set his disciples on a soul-saving mission in his absence.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem, God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Acts 2:1-12.
The Pentecost Connection: At the first Old Testament Pentecost, God gave us his law. At the first New Testament Pentecost, God gave us a gift – the wind of his Holy Spirit. Catch the wind while you can! “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6
The Day 5 – Fifth 1,000-Year Connection
On Day 5, thousands of all types of fish and birds were created and told to multiply.
During the 5th 1,000-year period, God commissioned his followers to become fishers of men throughout the world, riding on the wings of his Holy Spirit… until all the world knows. Be fruitful and multiply!
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47
REFERENCES
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.’” Matthew 28:18-20
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and he is the governor among the nations.” Psalm 22:27-28
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14