Does The Earth Move or Rotate?

What does the Bible say?

Nowhere in the Scriptures it is spoken of the earth as movable, except when the Lord says that he will exercise his power and shake it with his might, under extraordinary circumstances. On the contrary, the Scriptures expressly assert that it is stationary. Furthermore, the sun is not spoken of as standing still as well, unless under special circumstances. The only time when it is said to have stood still is when God interposed and did a special miracle to stay it in its course. The circular motion of the sun above the earth is practically demonstrable.

“Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.” 1 Chr. 16:30.

“Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved…” Ps. 96:10.

“… the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.” Ps. 93:1.

“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it…” Isa. 45:18.

“Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.” Ps. 104:5.

Yet modern astronomy insists that the sun only appears to move and this visible appearance is due to the motion of the earth. The (so-called) scientists of today claim that when the Bible says that “the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens”, it was the earth that stood still and not the sun. This is a dangerous notion, as it places the Bible into disrepute and gives way to popular opinions and theories instead of the sure word of God.

Where does this bold denial of the authority of the Scriptures come from?

A theory that is totally false in its basis and lamentably unreasonable in its details claims that the earth is a globe and moves upon its axis and in many more directions and that these motions account for certain phenomena without any need for the sun to move.

Does the sun move?

This theory claims that the sun is a fixed body and only appears to move! Such thinking is fearfully dangerous (at best) to faith in the Bible and to any aspirations mankind may have. A few texts from the Holy Bible will be sufficient to demonstrate the above statements:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork… In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Psalm 19:1-6.

“The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.” Eccl. 1:5.

“Let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.” Judges 5:31.

A few questions

Now let us honestly consider a few questions regarding the biblical testimony:

1. When Joshua spoke in the name of the Lord and commanded the sun and moon to stand still, did he mean the earth? Reference text: Joshua 10:12, 13.

2. In verse 13 it says: “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.” Is the biblical account true? Or was it the earth that stood still?

3. When speaking of the heavens and their magnificent craftsmanship, the Psalmist says: “In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.” Ps. 19:1-6.

The (so-called) science teaches that it is the earth that moves and not the sun. If it was so, why didn’t the Psalmist point to the earth as revealing God’s glory, instead of pointing to the heavens? Does the passage say that he put in the heavens a tabernacle for the earth? Is it the earth who goes forth from one end of heaven and circuits unto the ends of it? Or the sun, as we read in our KJV Bibles?

Does God compare His tabernacle which He has set for the sun (the firmament) to something that is flying through (the so-called) space faster than a canon ball and at the same time moving at the speed of 448,000 miles per hour? Or should we understand that when he says “the earth”, he means the sun?

In conclusion, we can only say – with the evidence of God’s Word to back up our statement – that (1) the earth is set on a firm foundation, and (2) the heaven (firmament) is placed above it. We may also mention here the bounds of the earth.

The boundaries of the Earth

According to the Bible, there are bounds of ice that cover the edges of the deep (the waters) below the heavens. In Job 38 we read the words of God himself when he calls Job from the storm:

“The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.” Job 38:30.

There is a limit to the earth where it meets the firm heaven (firmament), and this limit can be defined, or measured:

“Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.” Job 38:18.

There is no spot on this earth in the north (or center of the earth) where night and day end. But the infallible Word of God says that those confines (or bounds) are upon the face of the waters.

“He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.” Job 26:10.

In all our studies, let us be careful not to insult our Maker by accepting false propositions and not searching the Word of God for ourselves, lest we “be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39).

Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Holy Scriptures say:

“Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.” Jer. 3:35-37.

Significance for our time

We may truly infer from the Word of God Himself, declaring his mighty works and wisdom, that if man who is only a creature, formed of the dust, can search out the works of the Infinite One, then he would no longer need his Maker and would be independent of Him Who created him.

Let us not be as Heaven-daring as the Antediluvians who denied the Word of God and perished but let us seek the Lord while He may be found and let us believe his word and live.

“The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son.

Now we “see through a glass, darkly.” 1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and his dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face

to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in his presence, and gaze upon the glory of his countenance.” SP, vol. 4, p. 491.