Part 1: The Firmament – Making Space Travel Impossible? You decide.

From the beginning of time, the Bible has provided insight into the wonders of God’s creation. One of the most fascinating elements described in Scripture is the firmament—a concept often debated but deeply rooted in biblical truth.

The Firmament in Genesis

The firmament is first introduced in the King James Bible in Genesis 1:6-8:
“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”

This passage reveals that the firmament was created by God to serve as a division between waters above and waters below. But what exactly is this firmament, and what does it mean for us today?

The Meaning of the Firmament

The Hebrew word for firmament, “raqia”, refers to an expanse or a stretched-out structure. In biblical cosmology, this firmament is described as a boundary separating different realms of God’s creation. Throughout Scripture, the firmament is often linked to the heavens, the skies, and even the dwelling place of God.

Scriptural References to the Firmament

The firmament is not only mentioned in Genesis but also in other passages of the Bible:

• Psalms 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
• Ezekiel 1:25-26 – Describes a firmament above the heads of angelic beings, where the throne of God is positioned.
• Daniel 12:3 – “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

These references indicate that the firmament is more than just the sky—it is a testament to God’s majesty and order.

Scientific and Spiritual Interpretations

Many have attempted to reconcile the biblical firmament with modern science. Some believe the firmament represents Earth’s atmosphere, while others suggest it refers to a divine structure beyond human understanding. Regardless of interpretation, the firmament points us to one truth: God is the Creator, and His handiwork is evident in the heavens.

A Call to Faith

The firmament reminds us of God’s sovereignty and the divine order He established. As Psalm 150:1 proclaims, “Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.” The heavens above should inspire us to trust in the Lord, who upholds all things by His word.

Whether viewed as a physical reality or a spiritual truth, the firmament declares the glory of God. Let us, therefore, lift our eyes to the heavens and remember the greatness of our Creator.

Can the Firmament be penetrated?

The question of whether the firmament can be penetrated depends on how one interprets its meaning in the Bible. Here are two main perspectives:

Biblical Perspective (KJV Interpretation)

• In Genesis 1:6-8, the firmament is described as dividing the waters above from the waters below, and God calls it “Heaven.”
• Ezekiel 1:26 describes a firmament above which sits the throne of God, suggesting a separation between the earthly and heavenly realms.
• Some interpret the firmament as a solid dome, which would imply it is impenetrable unless God Himself opens it (as in Genesis 7:11, where the “windows of heaven” were opened during the flood).

Scientific Perspective

• Modern science does not support the idea of a solid firmament. Instead, the “claimed” space exploration has shown that humans have traveled beyond Earth’s atmosphere, reaching the Moon and sending probes deep into the solar system.
• If the firmament is interpreted as the sky or atmosphere, then humanity has “penetrated” it through space travel.

Spiritual Perspective

• Some believers view the firmament as a metaphor for the boundary between the physical and spiritual realms. If so, only God can grant access beyond it.
• In Revelation 4:1, John sees a door open in heaven, which may symbolize divine access through the firmament.

So, is there any evidence to support that the firmament is impenetrable? Here are some examples often cited to support this idea:

1. Operation Fishbowl (1962) – Part of the U.S. military’s high-altitude nuclear tests, these experiments involved detonating nuclear bombs in the upper atmosphere. Some believe this was an attempt to test the limits of the firmament.
2. The Van Allen Radiation Belts – Discovered by Dr. James Van Allen, these intense radiation zones surrounding Earth are said to pose a major obstacle to human space travel. Some argue that prolonged exposure would make deep-space missions, including moon landings, impossible.
3. NASA’s Statements on Space Travel Limitations – NASA engineers and astronauts have, on occasion, mentioned difficulties in passing beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For example, Orion spacecraft engineer Kelly Smith once stated that NASA is still working on the technology needed to pass through the Van Allen Belts safely. Some take this as evidence that no one has truly gone beyond LEO.
4. The “Glass Ceiling” Phenomenon – Some theorists argue that meteors often appear to shatter or explode before reaching lower altitudes, suggesting they are hitting a barrier rather than burning up due to atmospheric friction.
5. The Challenger and Columbia Disasters – These tragic space shuttle accidents are sometimes cited as evidence that human attempts to leave Earth’s atmosphere face insurmountable barriers.
6. Biblical Passages – Verses such as Job 37:18 (“Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror?”) and Amos 9:6 (“It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth: he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name.”) are often referenced to suggest the sky is a solid structure.

So… are the sun and the moon inside the firmament? Let’s first start with the scientific data of what is proclaimed.

The average distance from Earth to the Sun is about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers).

The average distance from Earth to the Moon is about 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers).

Now, let’s review this scripture:

• Genesis 1:14-17 (KJV):

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

I would like for you to interpret this scripture on your own. Is it saying that the sun and the moon are in the firmament of “Heaven?” Or, is it saying that these lights are in the Earth’s firmament? The answer to this question is significant.

It is my personal belief that the firmament is a solid structure or dome, again, “separating the waters above from the waters below.” God can certainly do the unimaginable, but it makes sense to me that a solid structure would be how the waters are held back.

That being said, let’s look at that scripture one more time.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

Can you see that this gives possibility to the moon and the sun being in the “Heavens” which is beyond the firmament dome of Earth? How do you interpret this scripture?

If they are indeed outside of the firmament dome, (sun and the moon as well as other planets), it would be impossible for man to break through and visit them through space exploration. Oh, that’s an interesting claim, isn’t it? Well, if what I have just said sparks a bit of curiosity, be sure to follow up with me in my next post as we jump into the facts of our astronauts landing on the moon. Real, or Real Deception?

I’ll see you soon.