“The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6).
Effects of the Flood
Martin Luther comments on Genesis 2:11. He notes the complete differences in the sources and courses of the rivers of the Pre-Flood world and the rivers of the Post-Flood world. He explains these differences as the dramatic effects of the Flood which overwhelms the whole earth in the Days of Noah:
“The awful Deluge however destroyed all things. By which also, as it is written, ‘All the fountains of the great deep were broken up’ (Gen vii. 11). Who can doubt therefore, that the fountains of...rivers were also broken up, and confounded? As therefore, since the Flood, mountains exist where fields and fruitful plains before flourished: so there can be no doubt, that fountains and sources of rivers are now found, where none existed before, and where the state of nature had been quite the contrary. For the whole face of nature was changed by that mighty convulsion. Nor do I entertain the least doubt, that all those wonders of nature which are from time to time discovered, are the effects and relics of that same awful visitation, the Deluge. For in the metallic mines which are now explored, are frequently found large logs of wood, hardened into stone; and in masses of stone themselves, are perceived various forms of fishes and other animals. With the same confidence I also believe, that the Mediterranean Sea, before the Deluge, was not within the land. My persuasion is, that the position which it now occupies was formed by the effects of the terrible Flood. So also the space now occupied by the Red Sea was, without doubt, before, a fruitful field...In like manner, those other large Bays, the Gulf of Persia, the Gulf of Arabia, & etc. as they now exist, are relic effects of the Deluge.”
Martin Luther, A Commentary on the First Five Chapters of the Book of Genesis, trans. Henry Cole (Edinburgh, UK: T&T Clark, AD 1858), 135.
Thus, Martin Luther, as a faithful pastor and sound theologian, wisely explains Genesis. And he proves himself a capable Young Earth Creationist, as well as a Flood Geologist, who excels the wisdom of the “scientists,” falsely so-called today (1 Timothy 6:20).
Therefore, avoid the danger of Epicureanism, aka Deism: Evolutionary Epicureanism or Deism; Old Earth Epicureanism or Deism; Even Young Earth Epicureanism or Deism (Romans 1:1-32; 2 Peter 3:1-18). Do not attempt to explain away the Omnipotent Miraculous Wonders of JeHoVaH the Holy Trinity recorded in Scripture Without the Traditions of Men, Scripture Alone. Be a Young Earth Creationist, not an Epicurean Deist!
From where do the waters of the Flood come? Well, if Jesus Christ, by His Omnipotent Miraculous Power as very God, can multiply bread and fish to feed thousands, He can multiply waters to Flood the earth (Matthew 14:13-21). JeHoVaH the Holy Trinity sends the Flood: Waters from above the Earth and Seas; Waters from under the surface of the Earth and Seas (Genesis 6-7). JeHoVaH the Holy Trinity also ends the Flood: Again, doing Omnipotent Miraculous Wonder upon Omnipotent Miraculous Wonder (Genesis 8).
How do the New Mountain Ranges form? How do they compress? How do they uplift? What is impossible with the creature is possible with the Almighty Triune Creator (Luke 18:27). Thus, JeHoVaH the Holy Trinity Miraculously forms the New Mountain Ranges by Omnipotent Wonder (Genesis 8). How do the New Continents form? How do they get where they are? What is impossible with the creature is possible with the Almighty Triune Creator (Luke 18:27). Thus, God Miraculously forms the New Continents by Omnipotent Wonder (Genesis 8). How do the New Ocean Basins form? How do they sink? How does the Sea Floor come to be how it is? What is impossible with the creature is possible with the Almighty Triune Creator (Luke 18:27). Thus, JeHoVaH the Holy Trinity Miraculously forms the New Ocean Basins by Omnipotent Wonder (Genesis 8). As a result, the Waters of the Flood drain off of the Earth into the Seas (Genesis 8).
How do Noah and the Ark survive the Flood? What is impossible with Noah is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Thus, God Miraculously Protects Noah and the Ark. How does Noah build the Ark? How does he care for all the animals? What is impossible for Noah is possible for God (Luke 18:27). Thus, God also Miraculously Provides for Noah and the Ark. How does Noah believe the Gospel by Faith Without Works, Faith Alone? How does he have the New Birth? What is impossible for Noah is possible for God (Luke 18:27; John 3:1-16). Thus, God Miraculously causes Noah to experience the New Birth as the Holy Spirit gives Noah faith.
And as in the Beginning of the World, after the 150 Days of the Flood, God again forms the Earth, even the Dry Land, out of the Waters: By Almighty Miraculous Power, beyond Providence (Genesis 1:9-10; Genesis 8:1-17). God again fills the Earth with Vegetation: Preparing plants for the Creatures (Genesis 1:11; Genesis 8:1-17). So, put away your slide rules. Keep your calculators in your pockets. Throw out your “science” textbooks, written by Ph.D. “scientists,” falsely so-called (1 Timothy 6:3). Repent of all Epicurean Deism that forbids the Miraculous (2 Peter 3:1-18). And stand in Awe of JeHoVaH the Holy Trinity (Psalm 4:4)! And believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, One Person in Two Natures: Even the Son of God, very God, eternally begotten of the Father, and very Man, conceived by the Holy Spirit of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary (John 1:1-14; Galatians 4:4). Have full assurance in Him as your only Savior, JeHoVaH in the flesh as your only Righteousness: That the Active and Passive Righteousness inherent to Him Alone is credited, imputed, and reckoned to you by Grace Alone, with all your sins forgiven you, to God’s Glory Alone, as written in Scripture Without the Traditions of Men, Scripture Alone (Romans 3:21-5:21).
For the Deluge comes and goes not by any natural means, that can be measured or explained by man’s puny and pathetic attempts at “science” (Genesis 7-8). Thus, the Holy Spirit, through Peter, tells us: “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6).
Accordingly, consider the fossils formed during the Flood. Each fossil reminds us of the Omnipotent Miraculous Judgment of God in the Days of Noah. And each fossil warns us of the Omnipotent Miraculous Judgment of God to come in the future on the Last Day of this present creation:
“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:7).
What does this mean for us? We need to be ready for the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:1-18). We need to be prepared for Him to return as very Man from Heavenly Paradise: Bodily, in body and soul; Locally, to the Mount of Olives; Visibly, before the eyes of men; Temporally, on the Last Day; Publicly, not privately; Gloriously, with the Clouds. How? We need to be perfectly righteous before God (Romans 1:18-3:20). How? Not by our own inherent righteousness according to the deeds of the law (Romans 1:18-3:20). “For by the law is the knowledge,” not “of” our salvation, but our “sin” (Romans 1:18-3:20). Yet, “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). And “man is justified by faith without works of law:” Faith Alone (Romans 3:28). Amen!