Many Christians who embrace a young-earth perspective believe the world is roughly 6,000 years old, based on a literal reading of Genesis and the genealogies that follow. While this perspective differs from mainstream historical dating, Christians often compare the biblical timeline with the known development of world civilizations to see how world history unfolds from a faith-based viewpoint.
Below is a blended timeline showing biblical milestones alongside major historical events, giving readers a fuller picture of humanity’s story.
1. Creation of the World (Approx. 4000–4200 BC)
Genesis begins with God creating the universe in six literal days.
Humanity begins immediately with Adam and Eve.
Parallel World Timeline
Though secular history places early civilizations far later, young-earth thinkers hold that:
- Early farming and settlement began quickly after creation.
- Adam’s descendants developed tools, music, metalwork, and city-building (Genesis 4:17–22).
2. The Pre-Flood World (4000–2500 BC)
Human lifespans extend for centuries. Culture, cities, and technologies grow rapidly.
Parallel World Timeline
According to secular archaeology, this era includes:
- First major cities in Mesopotamia developing (c. 3500–3000 BC)
- Early Egyptian settlements forming (c. 3500–3200 BC)
Young-earth perspectives place these developments before the Flood instead.
3. The Global Flood of Noah (Approx. 2500 BC)
God judges the earth with a worldwide flood, reshaping the planet.
Parallel World Timeline
Mainstream history places these civilizations after the biblical Flood event:
- Sumerian Civilization – c. 3000–1940 BC
- Early Dynastic Egypt – c. 3100–2686 BC
Young-earth views instead interpret much of the archaeological record as post-Flood, occurring after humanity resettled the world.
4. The Tower of Babel & Spread of Nations (2300–2200 BC)
God confuses human language, causing global migration.
Parallel World Timeline
Civilizations forming after this dispersal include:
- Old Kingdom Egypt (Pyramid age) – c. 2600–2500 BC
- Akkadian Empire – c. 2334–2154 BC
- Indus Valley Civilization – c. 2600–1900 BC
- Early Chinese cultures (Longshan) – c. 2500–1900 BC
Young-earth models interpret these as descendants of those who scattered from Babel.
5. The Age of the Patriarchs (2000–1500 BC)
Biblically this includes:
- Abraham (c. 2000 BC)
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Joseph rising to power in Egypt
Parallel World Timeline
- Middle Kingdom Egypt – c. 2050–1710 BC
- Hammurabi’s Babylon – c. 1792–1750 BC
- Minoan Civilization – c. 2000–1450 BC
These civilizations provide cultural context surrounding the patriarchs.
6. Israel in Egypt, the Exodus, & Conquest (1500–1200 BC)
Many young-earth chronologies place the Exodus around 1446 BC.
Parallel World Timeline
- New Kingdom Egypt – c. 1550–1070 BC
- Shang Dynasty in China – c. 1600–1046 BC
- Hittite Empire – c. 1600–1178 BC
These civilizations align with the world powers during Israel’s rise.
7. Kingdom of Israel (1050–586 BC)
Key biblical events include:
- Saul, David, Solomon
- Construction of the First Temple (c. 966 BC)
- Division of the kingdom
- Babylonian exile
Parallel World Timeline
- Assyrian Empire – c. 900–612 BC
- Babylon conquers Jerusalem – 586 BC
- Persian Empire rises – c. 550 BC
- Classical Greece begins – c. 800–500 BC
Israel’s history intersects with these major world powers.
8. The Life of Jesus (c. 4–6 BC to AD 30–33)
Jesus enters history roughly 4,000 years after Creation in the young-earth view.
Parallel World Timeline
- Roman Empire dominates – beginning 27 BC
These conditions accelerate the spread of the gospel.
9. The Church Age (AD 30–Present)
Christianity expands around the world from the time of Christ to today.
Parallel World Timeline Highlights
- AD 476 – Fall of Western Rome
- AD 600–1400 – Middle Ages
- AD 1492 – Age of Exploration
- AD 1776–1900 – Emergence of modern nations
- AD 1948 – Modern Israel established
A young-earth perspective places all world history—from Creation to now—within a ~6,000-year timeline.
Final Thoughts
This combined young earth timeline with the modern world time helps readers see how biblical events and well-known world history fit together within a young-earth framework. For believers holding this view, it highlights Scripture as the primary historical guide while acknowledging the development of global civilizations.
