I’m exploring Genesis to learn GOD’s point of view. I’m looking now at Time: When did Time start? Could there be a day without a night… Three days before the sun and moon were created GOD created days one, two and three. But how could the beginning of Time be before the separation of Day from Night?
And what is Time to GOD? Is it significant?
Today I’m drawing attention to the day that GOD brought forth the sun, moon and stars… It is the forth day. Is this the beginning of Time? Or did each day mark Time and hence was the beginning of Time at the marking of the first day?
Genesis 1:14-19
“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”
Seasons, days, and years are marked during the forth day.
Is seems the creation of sun and moon coincided with the rotation of the earth, provoking the change in seasons. Did rotation begin at the marking of the first day then or not until the end of the forth?
When Time began
Why — or is it How — could GOD consider the conclusion of a day without the sun and moon being created first? Why did He wait until the forth day before creating sun and moon?
Perhaps GOD considers activity the marking of a day. Since He is light, a day didn’t require to be surrounded by a night in order to mark a day. It was GOD’s choice to end a day at the close of a particular activity. And yet, along the way, He decided to set markers, light sources: the sun and the mood, which would define day and night. I wonder, was this designed in anticipation of mankind and their needs?
Take nothing for granted
I’m asking these questions because I seek to take nothing for granted. GOD made the stars, He was before the beginning, He has always been and will always be. And yet, I discover GOD: His nature, His character, His creation, little by little, thought by thought. I learn and grow according to the depth of my search and when I discover more of GOD, I am thrilled and grateful.
“And GOD saw that it was good”
Isn’t that superb!
What is Time to GOD?
This morning I’ve been reading Ezekiel 36. In this chapter GOD promises He will again restore Israel
“….Because they say to you, ‘You devour men and bereave your nation of children,’ therefore you shall no more bereave your nation anymore,” says the LORD GOD. “Nor will I let you hear the taunts of the nations anymore…..” (Ezekiel 36:13-15)
I focus on the word “anymore”, which occurs several times in the chapter. In the context, this can mean, ‘not to be repeated’ or it can mean ‘permanently’. Taking the second meaning, it is Time-related in that GOD is saying no more will this occur ‘until the end of Time’.
But we know that the cycle of Israel’s rejection / acceptance is exactly that, cyclical. Anti-Semitism rises and falls with the ages. This passage may be referring only to what follows for Israel after the End of the Age… When Jesus has returned for the second time and is reigning and ruling on the earth.
But I take another view: for GOD, Time is insignificant. He is outside of Time. For Him, permanence is the ultimate. Time is, in one sense, irrelevant, because while something is in existence, it is always in existence. And so, “never again” doesn’t necessarily mean “not anymore” but rather for GOD the ultimate is “never again” and “not anymore”.
We see time as finite. GOD sees Time as infinite. If we lived our lives according to His thinking, we’d never need to panic about lateness… or perhaps we’d never get anything accomplished (LOL).
Summary
Looking at Time from GOD’s perspective is food for thought.
The most important concept to grasp is that generally speaking, GOD doesn’t view things the same way that we do. And as we grow more into His likeness through Jesus, we can capture His way of thinking and live more in harmony with Him, through the power and presence of Holy Spirit in our lives.
GOD’s Story
Here at Preparing the Bride, I’m telling GOD’S STORY. Presumptuous?! Not when simply looking at scripture, because scripture is the unfolding of God’s story to those who read it.
Larus Press with the blog stream Preparing the Bride is all about enabling us to be ready for Jesus’ return, preparing also for all He has in store for us in the meantime.
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective. In this case, Time is marked by GOD and so He was before Time was. If Time ever comes to an end, GOD will continue after. This I find comforting and encouraging…. The maker of Heaven and Earth created them for His delight, as an expression of Himself and of His creativity.
GOD saw that it was good. Hallelujah!
