Eternity! Have you ever tried to understand what it is? Tried to 'grasp' what it encompasses? Most likely yes. But in reality, it is beyond our finite minds to actually understand the infinite. Everything in our lives revolves around the concept, and measurement of ‘time’. Lets begin by looking at the Word of God: 2 Peter 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day”. To begin with, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years” is fairly straightforward. He is referring to our existence, in the measure of our time, to demonstrate how eternal He is. Then, “A thousand years like a day” seems to be in contradiction with the first part. So what is He saying? He is eternal without measurement!
Lets take a step back and define ‘time’. Our measurement of ‘time’ is directly related to the earths orbit around our sun and the earth’s rotation on its axis. That is, years, seasons, days, minutes, seconds, etc. Time is the indefinite continued progress of existence and events past, present, and future regarded as a whole. It is ‘finite’. It is how we categorize and compartmentalize all that we see and understand. To create ‘order’ and the ‘understanding’ of our existence. With this understanding how can we then define, and grasp the concept of ‘eternity’, which has no measurement? There is only one way… by and through His Holy Sprit. 1 Corinthians 2:10 tells us: “These are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit teaches all things, even the deep things of God”.
So, this is how we grasp and understand the concept of eternity, and all the other ‘deep’ things of God. It is on a spiritual level that transcends human intellect. “Eternity” is beyond a measurement of time…it is a state of continual existence without restraints. A state of ‘being’. Still moving forward, without restraint, with a direction and purpose absent of human measurement. Time, and its measurement, is irrelevant! And yet, these words are inadequate to define and understand ‘eternity’. It goes beyond what is possible to define in human language. This is where the Lord teaches and reveals His truths on a spiritual level. And the Lord has declared that He will reveal these truths to all that seek them of Him. Have you ever had an understanding of His Word, but were unable to put it into words? That is the Holy Spirit bearing witness to our spirit, His truths.
Through out my life I have wrestled with understanding eternity. I was brought to the point of frustration, and even fear because this understanding completely eluded me. But not the ‘fear’ that is contrary to God! The type of fear that leads us to the realization as to the mysteries of God that we cannot understand. The type of fear that tells us of our inability to understand God’s majesty, sovereignty, power and glory. Our God holds together all creation. From the smallest unit of measurement, to the largest, through His continual purposeful and conscious awareness of ALL things. Without all would cease to exist. Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things; and in Him all things hold together." ESV.
To some, this topic may be fully understood. To others, beyond understanding. And such is the nature of God Himself. I sought of God the answer to this in relation to His promise in Jeremiah 33:3. And this promise is to everyone that seeks these truths of Him. And they can be very personal between our Creator and ourselves. As most of you, I have family and dear friends that are now in the ‘eternal’ presence of God. And this understanding helps me to understand the reality of it in a human capacity, as well as spiritual, and there is peace in this. I lost a very dear brother here and this has helped me to understand that his passing wasn't the end...but the beginning. The beginning of a life that is tangible with direction, purpose, and joy in eternity, with the One that loves him the most. And the one thing that I am now certain of is that LOVE transcends time and is 'eternal'. With all this in mind, the decisions we make today will affect our place in 'eternity'. We need to understand that the length of our human lives cannot be measured or compared to 'eternity'. The Lord reminds us of this in James 4:14: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and the vanishes." And again in Psalm 39:5: "You have made my days a mere handbreath; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure". We are all already existing eternally from the day we were created. Yes, our bodies will die but to be resurrected later. But our spirit within our bodies knows no end! Our spirit will continue eternally. But where it exists in eternity will be the result of the decisions we all make today. This makes 'today' the most important day of our lives.
This is just a brief synopsis of this topic. I encourage you to present yourselves before our God with any and all questions you may have. He promised to teach us these things…and so He will. May God bless each and every one of you as you pursue His truths in Jesus Christ.
I DEDICATE THIS HUMBLE WRITING TO MY (OUR) BROTHER DON.
Don fought the good fight. He finished the race and claimed his reward. He is in eternal paradise awaiting us all to join him. A man of God whose great, unshakable faith, was an example to us all. Don heard these Word's that we all long to hear: Matthew 25:23. His Master said to him. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master!" Until we meet again. I love you brother.
Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)
