We are all very much aware of time, and we use the word constantly in our speech, for we live and move in a world characterized by time. However, if we begin to talk about it and define it, we may find it difficult to do so. Although a good definition of time can be rather tricky and elusive, Webster’s dictionary defines time as “the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues.” This definition is reasonable, but many would feel that it falls short of encompassing every aspect of time. Over the centuries many scientists and philosophers have debated the meaning of time, and it is not our purpose to go into their thoughts in detail. However, we would point out that different cultures often have very diverging ideas about time and its meaning. For example, the Western world usually looks at time in a linear fashion, but in the East it is more frequently looked at as cyclic or circular. This is especially true where Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism are dominant. The Western mind wants to get things done, while the Eastern mind looks more at the quality of the interaction, rather than the quantity. Other cultures seem to be halfway between these two, perhaps emphasizing multitasking, rather than focusing on doing one thing at a time. In addition, man sometimes makes a fool of himself when he considers time. Some years ago, Dr. George Wald of Harvard University wrote an article on “The Origin of Life” (which was actually published in the Scientific American) arguing for the spontaneous generation of life. Here is his explanation:
“However improbable we regard this event [the accidental origin of life], or any of the steps which it involves, given enough time it will almost certainly happen. ... Time is in fact the hero of the plot. ... Given so much time, the impossible becomes possible, the possible becomes probable, and the probable virtually certain. One has only to wait; time itself performs the miracles.”
We scarcely need to comment on the ridiculous lack of logic in such reasoning, and we are reminded of Romans 1:2222Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:22): “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” When man gives up God, it is not unusual for him to lose even his common sense. As another has aptly commented, “We speak of common sense, but man forgets that it is God that gave it to him, and God that maintains it for him.” When man dismisses God as being irrelevant in his modern world, God may allow him to see the abysmal end of his course, in the loss of his reason.
The Scriptural View of Time
When we turn to the Word of God, we find clear and definite revelation concerning time, how it came to be, and how long it will last. The Scriptures clearly support a linear view of time, although they recognize that events as they appear in this world are sometimes cyclic. We read in Ecclesiastes 3:1515That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. (Ecclesiastes 3:15) (JND), “That which is, was long ago, and that which is to be, hath already been; and God bringeth back again that which is past.” But we must remember that Ecclesiastes presents a view of the world as it is “under the sun”; that is, it brings before us a world looked at through the eyes of the natural man, and thus the seeming futility and nihilism of all that this world has to offer. Without the revelation of God’s Word, the world does indeed seem to be cyclic, and the same events seem to occur over and over again.
The End of Time
But the world will not always be this way, nor will time exist indefinitely. The Lord Jesus Himself could speak of the “last day” (John 12:4848He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)), while Paul could speak of the time when the Lord Jesus will give up the kingdom to God the Father, using the words, “Then cometh the end” (1 Cor. 15:2424Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)). Both of these are a clear reference to the end of what we call time. Time may be represented as a historical era, commencing with the present creation, and concluding with the final judgments at the end of the millennium, at which point the present world order will have been terminated (see 2 Peter 3:10-1310But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:10‑13)). God created time as a parenthesis in eternity, during which He is using this world as the theater in which to honor and glorify His beloved Son, as well as to bring believers into blessing. Another has expressed it well: “All time was a kind of parenthesis in eternity, in which all that was eternally in the mind and character of God, wrought out on the earth in time, should be brought out in its glorious results and display — His glory and its accomplishment in the Son in the future eternity.” When this present world, and time as well, have served their purpose, they will be dispensed with, and eternity will once again ensue.
The Past Eternity
Prior to the creation of this world, we cannot speak of time, but must rather use the term, “the past eternity.” We cannot speak of time unless there is that by which we can measure it, for without any measurement, the concept of time is meaningless. Thus God created day and night (Gen. 1:55And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Genesis 1:5)), and later created the sun and moon, saying, “Let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Gen. 1:1414And 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: (Genesis 1:14)). Time had begun, at least in this present creation, and man was able to measure it, for God had given him the means to do so. Finally, man was created, and he was given both privileges and responsibilities in a world bounded by time.
While man lives in a world of time and has a mind bounded by time, it is clear from Scripture that he was made for eternity. It is recorded that “God ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:77And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)). Unlike all the rest of the animal kingdom, man has a spirit — a God-conscious part to his being—and will exist forever. While sin has brought in death, man longs for immortality, and his art, literature and music all cry out for the eternal paradise that he lost when he sinned. This is evidenced by Ecclesiastes 3:1111He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) (JND): “He hath made everything beautiful in its time; also He hath set the world [the infinite, or the eternal] in their heart.” Man’s heart, bounded by time, cannot be permanently satisfied by anything in this world, for he was created for eternity, in “the image and likeness of God.”
The Things That Are Eternal
Living in a time-scene, man cannot be satisfied with what is available in time, but nor can his mind understand and encompass eternity. No, only God lives and moves in eternity, and man’s mind, while understanding the concept of eternity, cannot encompass it, although he longs for it.
Only the grace of God can bring us into that which is eternal, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. With a new life in Christ and indwelt by the Spirit of God, we can live in view of eternity, not merely for time, although still bounded by time as long as we are in this world. Truly, “the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:1818While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)). God would have us to look upon the “unseen things” — the things that are eternal.
W. J. Prost