The problem with time is we never seem to have enough. Time is unlike any other resource. It is totally non-renewable. We can't speed it up, can't slow it down and can't store it away. Despite countless scientific advancements, even the theory of relativity, time remains beyond control. We have so much to do, but we're rarely as efficient as we hope. Things go wrong, so we waste time correcting them. The real predicament is that time runs out. Time is an enemy. It is not a pleasant thought, but every passing day, is one day closer to death.
What a depressing outlook. When God set things up, did he make a mistake? A quick peek into the Bible gives us a straightforward answer. God finished his creative work and reported he "saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31 NIV'84). And "very good" in the Hebrew language effectively means "perfect". Nothing was lacking. Since the first words in the Bible read "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) we know the creation included time. The universe was created. The earth and its creatures were created. Mankind was created. Everything had a starting point. God created things and started the clock - in the beginning.
But shortly after creation, things went decidedly south. Before long, "the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed" (Genesis 2:8). The man had other ideas. He was not prepared to live God's way in this beautiful place. Because of this rebellion, "the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken" (Genesis 3:23). God declared "Cursed is the ground because of you; ... it will produce thorns and thistles for you" (Genesis 3:17, 18). And the curse changed everything. God said, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19). That is exactly what we experience. Because of the curse, nothing is easy. We get tired, we get sick and we grow old. Time eventually runs out!
Thankfully, that is not the whole story. God plans to restore his universe to its former glory. Because of his great love for us, he wants us there with him. He has already sent Jesus to start the rescue. Jesus lived and died and rose to life again, in full and final payment for mankind's rebellion. As a result, our original friendship with God can be restored. Take a moment to read about it in Romans chapter 5. Soon, in a remarkable way, God will use the thing we fear the most, death, to bring new life. Just as we pass away, this present heaven and earth has an expiry date. John saw in a vision there will be "a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Revelation 21:1). Just as there is an afterlife for us, a perfect new heaven and new earth will rise from the ashes too, but this time without the curse.
What implications are there for time? Will it affect things in heaven? Will we even do anything in heaven? The Bible says, "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). Now nothing says we cease to be God's workmanship or stop doing marvellous works when we reach heaven. But everything will be hugely different. For the first time, unhindered by the curse, we'll experience the pleasure of wholesome and rewarding accomplishment. Imagine the satisfaction of unrestrainedly completing all we seek to achieve. Teamwork will be a delight, unimpeded by glitches and poor communication. Individual responsibilities will freely benefit from our full and passionate attention. Perhaps we'll be able to deliver extravagantly like the master craftsmen and women of old.
Surely, welcome news like that is widely received and understood, right? Actually, many misunderstand the importance of time to God and his universe. A common quote is "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." (2 Peter 3:8). This does not indicate time to be irrelevant. Instead it reveals God's patience and decisiveness. He doesn't want anyone to perish, yet can still be trusted to deliver judgment day. It's not a description of what we can expect in the new earth. Not surprisingly there is someone with a vested interest in confusing the issue. Try as he might to ignore it, the devil is scheduled to be "thrown into the lake of burning sulfur ... for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10). He will leave no stone unturned to mislead us into believing eternity is a timeless wasteland. Because without time, just about everything we understand would be unbearable. For example, what if nothing had a beginning? Imagine never attending another party or concert because nothing ever started. Imagine never meeting a new friend. Or worse, what if nothing ever ended? Imagine a life playing a harp (pick your pleasure), forever. Time allows for fresh beginnings and change. Time itself is not the enemy.
Does the Bible mention time in heaven? A short search shows up many references. For example, John notes at one point "there was silence in heaven for about half an hour" (Revelation 8:1). Everything came to a stop, for a definable period, then recommenced. We also read that the martyrs "called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" ... and they were told to wait a little longer" (Revelation 6:10-11). Waiting would be meaningless without time. Waiting would be futile without a dependably orchestrated schedule of heavenly events. Not surprisingly we later read that the wait is over and "the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe" (Revelation 14:14). Everything in John's vision has an apparent sequence and orderliness. In fact, in heaven, even the tree of life bears "twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month" (Revelation 22:2). It is as regular as clockwork.
Time in heaven? A resounding yes. Enough time? Finally, an eternity! A sense of purpose will prevail. Rewarding, engaging activities will abound. The curse? Abolished, at last. We will, for the first time, shine in all that we set our hearts to. Nothing could be finer!
What a depressing outlook. When God set things up, did he make a mistake? A quick peek into the Bible gives us a straightforward answer. God finished his creative work and reported he "saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31 NIV'84). And "very good" in the Hebrew language effectively means "perfect". Nothing was lacking. Since the first words in the Bible read "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) we know the creation included time. The universe was created. The earth and its creatures were created. Mankind was created. Everything had a starting point. God created things and started the clock - in the beginning.
But shortly after creation, things went decidedly south. Before long, "the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed" (Genesis 2:8). The man had other ideas. He was not prepared to live God's way in this beautiful place. Because of this rebellion, "the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken" (Genesis 3:23). God declared "Cursed is the ground because of you; ... it will produce thorns and thistles for you" (Genesis 3:17, 18). And the curse changed everything. God said, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19). That is exactly what we experience. Because of the curse, nothing is easy. We get tired, we get sick and we grow old. Time eventually runs out!
Thankfully, that is not the whole story. God plans to restore his universe to its former glory. Because of his great love for us, he wants us there with him. He has already sent Jesus to start the rescue. Jesus lived and died and rose to life again, in full and final payment for mankind's rebellion. As a result, our original friendship with God can be restored. Take a moment to read about it in Romans chapter 5. Soon, in a remarkable way, God will use the thing we fear the most, death, to bring new life. Just as we pass away, this present heaven and earth has an expiry date. John saw in a vision there will be "a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Revelation 21:1). Just as there is an afterlife for us, a perfect new heaven and new earth will rise from the ashes too, but this time without the curse.
What implications are there for time? Will it affect things in heaven? Will we even do anything in heaven? The Bible says, "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). Now nothing says we cease to be God's workmanship or stop doing marvellous works when we reach heaven. But everything will be hugely different. For the first time, unhindered by the curse, we'll experience the pleasure of wholesome and rewarding accomplishment. Imagine the satisfaction of unrestrainedly completing all we seek to achieve. Teamwork will be a delight, unimpeded by glitches and poor communication. Individual responsibilities will freely benefit from our full and passionate attention. Perhaps we'll be able to deliver extravagantly like the master craftsmen and women of old.
Surely, welcome news like that is widely received and understood, right? Actually, many misunderstand the importance of time to God and his universe. A common quote is "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." (2 Peter 3:8). This does not indicate time to be irrelevant. Instead it reveals God's patience and decisiveness. He doesn't want anyone to perish, yet can still be trusted to deliver judgment day. It's not a description of what we can expect in the new earth. Not surprisingly there is someone with a vested interest in confusing the issue. Try as he might to ignore it, the devil is scheduled to be "thrown into the lake of burning sulfur ... for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10). He will leave no stone unturned to mislead us into believing eternity is a timeless wasteland. Because without time, just about everything we understand would be unbearable. For example, what if nothing had a beginning? Imagine never attending another party or concert because nothing ever started. Imagine never meeting a new friend. Or worse, what if nothing ever ended? Imagine a life playing a harp (pick your pleasure), forever. Time allows for fresh beginnings and change. Time itself is not the enemy.
Does the Bible mention time in heaven? A short search shows up many references. For example, John notes at one point "there was silence in heaven for about half an hour" (Revelation 8:1). Everything came to a stop, for a definable period, then recommenced. We also read that the martyrs "called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" ... and they were told to wait a little longer" (Revelation 6:10-11). Waiting would be meaningless without time. Waiting would be futile without a dependably orchestrated schedule of heavenly events. Not surprisingly we later read that the wait is over and "the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe" (Revelation 14:14). Everything in John's vision has an apparent sequence and orderliness. In fact, in heaven, even the tree of life bears "twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month" (Revelation 22:2). It is as regular as clockwork.
Time in heaven? A resounding yes. Enough time? Finally, an eternity! A sense of purpose will prevail. Rewarding, engaging activities will abound. The curse? Abolished, at last. We will, for the first time, shine in all that we set our hearts to. Nothing could be finer!
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Earth is so beautiful. Can't get excited about clouds? Explore the heaven you always longed for. See your future. No crystal ball required. This page could expand your horizons, forever.
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