When Time & Eternity Meet

 

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity [ad – perpetuity, continuity], whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.                     Isaiah 57:15

The God of the Bible, Elohim, Yahweh, etc., dwells in eternity, in the high and holy place as God of the universe and all creation. Eternity is an essential attribute of God and speaks to His existence as having no beginning and no end. Eternity speaks of His absolute independent existence. Revelation 1:4 says, John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come.

The above verse in Isaiah refers to His eternal dwelling, yet He comes in time and space to the one who has a contrite and humble spirit. Although He is spirit and exists outside of time and space, He becomes intimately involved in the lives of those of a contrite and humble spirit. According to Moses in Psalm 90:2, Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. The reference is to the birth of the earth and the world as an event that occurred between everlasting (past) and everlasting (future).

In the Beginning 

In the beginning [of time and creation], God [Elohim – strong, mighty one] created the heavens and the earth.                        Genesis 1:1

In the beginning [arche - from eternity past] was the Word [logos – Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.                John 1:1-2

What was from the beginning [arche], what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life.  1 John 1:1

The Scriptures are filled with references to time and eternity. The above verses from Genesis and the Apostle John identify the creation of the world, the universe, and all it contains in relationship to time (Genesis 1:1) and eternity past (John 1:1-2, 1 John 1:1). John's references both address God in the form of the Son who physically visited creation and time to fulfill the work of the Father in providing the opportunity for mankind to experience eternity (eternal life). God has been making Himself available to be known from the Garden of Eden until the heavens and earth are replaced with better ones. Paul says in Colossians 1:17 that Jesus is before all things, and in Him all things hold together [sunistemi – join parts into a whole]. Jesus is the central force in keeping creation on a path consistent with the Father’s plan.

Many ancient pagans believed that God was so lofty that He did not condescend to notice human affairs. This was the view of the Epicureans, and the belief widely prevailed in the Oriental world that God had entrusted the management of people's affairs to inferior beings he had created. This was the basis of the Gnostic philosophy. According to this, God reposed far in the distant heavens, and was regardless of the affairs and plans of mortals, and personally unconcerned in the government of this lower world. Scripture tells us just the opposite. 

Humility and a Healthy Fear

“For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble [aniy – afflicted] and contrite [nakeh – crippled] of spirit, and who trembles [harod – a healthy fear] at My word.          Isaiah 66:2 

"Blessed are the poor [beggar] in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."     Matthew 5:3

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled [nasab – appointed, taken a stand] in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants. If Your law [torah – instruction] had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction [misery]. I will never forget Your precepts, [piqqud – instructions] for by them You have revived me. I am Yours, save me, for I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies [edah – testifying to a fact]. I have seen a limit to all perfection [tiklah – without fault]; Your commandment [miswah – edict issued by a king] is exceedingly broad.                    Psalm 119:89-96

Humility is a central characteristic of the one who has found success in his relationship with God. The clearest evidence of this attribute is the believer’s attitude toward the Word of God. Since the Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit, they represent the mind and thoughts of God; the believer respects God's thoughts as if he heard them directly from God. His Word is the voice of God speaking from heaven and eternity, alluding to His faithfulness, which continues throughout all generations. It means that the believer can rely on the Scriptures in any circumstance, to carry him through any difficulty; they revive him back to God's life. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).

An Opportune Time

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time [et – opportune time] for every event [hepes - delight] under heaven —  A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?                      Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

I have seen the task which God [Elohim - mighty one] has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. He has made everything appropriate [beautiful, ordained] in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor — it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it, and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.              Ecclesiastes 3:10-15

In Romans 1:20, Paul declares that God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. The plan of God for each individual is evident to each one to bring each to fear and reverence of the Lord. It is the same message Paul was delivering to the Greeks on Mars Hill in Acts 17:26-27, and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. The seasons of life bring changes that open the door for God to reveal new things through the opportunities they afford.

Solomon recognizes that Elohim uses time to showcase His work within the details of life. He governs and orders all things according to the counsel of his will; some things are done immediately by Him, others by instruments, and some are only permitted; some He does Himself, and some He wills to be done by others. In all, there is a beauty and harmony, and all are ordered, disposed, and overruled, to answer the wisest and greatest purposes.

Man is limited by time, but he is related to eternity in his innermost nature. That which is temporal provides him no support; it carries him on like a rushing stream and encourages him to lay hold of eternity. It is not enough for man to know that everything that happens has its divinely- ordained time. There is an instinct peculiar to his nature impelling him to pass beyond this fragmentary knowledge and to comprehend eternity. Still, his effort is in vain; that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning, even to the end. His connection to eternity is through Elohim’s opportune time, where he finds meaning to life in his willingness to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor — it is the gift of God.

The Nearness of God

But as for me, the nearness [qirbah – closeness, proximity] of God is my good [tob – useful and profitable]; I have made the Lord God my refuge [mahseh – place of safety and protection], that I may tell of all Your works.                   Psalm 73:28

The Lord is near [close] to the brokenhearted and saves [delivers] those who are crushed in                     spirit.                               Psalm 34:18 

The Lord is near to all who call [qara – summon] upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

          Psalm 145:18

You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth. Of old I have known from Your testimonies that You have founded them forever.                          Psalm 119:151-152

James encourages believers to, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). The above verses from the Psalms give the believer a picture of what it looks like to experience the closeness of God, a manifestation of his presence, providing a sense of security and care. In 1 Peter 5:7, casting [epirripto – casting upon with confidence] all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. When the believer places such confidence in the Lord's protection and care, he is motivated to honor God's commandments; he regularly summons God's provisions for every situation he faces. 

Like a Weaned Child

King David saw this place of care likened to a weaned child, as he writes in Psalm 131:1-2, O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. Surely, I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me. David saw that a humble heart and an acknowledgement of the importance of avoiding the natural tendency to solve challenges personally, instead of deferring to God's care and provisions in each situation, particularly in things too difficult for me. A weaned child has survived the fragile stage of infancy and can now eat solid food rather than be breastfed by his or her mother. He is still dependent on his mother for provisions of life and security. Consider the following illustration:

A story is told about a 92-year-old woman as she entered the nursing home where she would spend the rest of her life. After waiting patiently in the lobby, she was told that her room was ready. An attendant escorted the lady to her room, and as she slowly edged her walker toward the elevator, he described the room to her. “I love it!” she exclaimed with the enthusiasm of a child who had just received the most wonderful birthday gift. “But Mrs. Jones, you haven’t even seen it yet!” the man replied. “That has nothing to do with it,” she said.

The elderly woman continued: “Joy is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged . . . it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day.”

This woman saw that her attitude toward God as a weaned child meant that she could receive God's care without concern, and that attitude was the source of her joy. As Psalm 85:7-9 testifies, Show us Your lovingkindness, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation [deliverance] is near to those who fear [reverence] Him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Strength in Weakness

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this, I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power [dunamis – God’s ability] is perfected [teleioo – made complete] in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.             2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The Apostle Paul faced many great challenges and difficulties throughout his public ministry as the Apostle to the Gentiles. In 2 Corinthians 11:21-30, he speaks of severe beatings, often in danger of death, receiving thirty-nine lashes on multiple occasions, stoned, shipwrecked, and consistently facing deadly opposition throughout the thirty years serving Jesus. In verse 30, If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.

In the above passage, Paul has been given a divine revelation and then a thorn in the flesh, to keep me from exalting myself. He asked God to remove the thorn three times, but God had a deeper lesson that Paul needed to learn, for himself and for all those who read the Scriptures (that’s us!). The lesson is that God’s ability is made complete in my weakness. He would never have understood the lesson apart from the trials he faced, in identification with Christ’s suffering (Philippians 3:10). As a result, he could say, I am well content with weaknesses, etc. because he came to appreciate that when I am weak, then I am strong.  The ordained plan of God is the chessboard He uses to get us to see our lives from His perspective: it's not about our ability, but about our willingness to let God's ability become our strength. It only happens by faith, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:18:

while 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