RE: Were the seven days of creation in Genesis seven twenty four hour periods? - Where do these notions originate?
After reading your post,what i came across is that you neither have knowledge of Bible nor about God.You are puzzled in ourselves ,God can create and destroyes universe within fraction of second,he (god) does not need seven day or 24 hour or perform any work.Whatever is written in Genisis 1 about creation is Correct.God with his will can create universe in seven day or in fraction of second is upto him.We don't have such mind to understand the way the god Do.
if we think whatever you are saying like "it's strictly literal interpretation of the scriptures about creation of nature"is correct then how can it can be possible that same interpretation will also lie in holy Quran.
For proof please see the following
Quran Sharif - Surat Al Furqan
Verse 25:59: - All'ji khalakassmaavaati val'arj va ma bainhuma fi sittati ayyaamin' summastwa alal'arshi arrh'maanu fs'al' bihi Khabiran' (Kabiran') |59|
Translation: The God, who is narrating Quran Sharif, is telling Prophet Muhammad that, He is the same God Kabir, who created the entire nature, whatever is between the Earth and Sky in six days, and on the seventh day, sat on the throne in His Eternal Place (Satlok), above. Ask a (Baakhabar – one who is fully acquainted with Him) Tattavdarshi Saint for the information about Him. To know about the real knowledge of that Supreme God and how one can attain Him, ask a Tattavdarshi Saint (Baakhabar); I do not know about him.