Bible Question:

Does time exist within the nature of God? If so, why do you believe it? If not, why do you believe it?

Bible Answer:

This is a fascinating question. It is clear that we are governed by time. We are born into this world and eventually we die. The human race says that time is what happens between birth and death. We cannot go backward to an event we call birth, nor can we go forward to the event we call death. Can God go back and forth between events?

God has revealed a mysterious side of Himself to us when He tells us in scripture,

. . . Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. (NASB) Psalm 90:2

But Thou art the same, And Thy years will not come to an end. (NASB) Psalm 102:27

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. (NASB) Hebrews 13:8

These passages simply say that God will always exist and will never change. These passages give us clues which tell us that He is not subject to time. Scripture also reveals that He is from eternity past.

From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity. (NASB) Micah 5:2

He is the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14), having no beginning and no end. Exodus simply says that God is. He does not grow old. In the book of Revelation, we read,

And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever. (NASB) Revelation 4:9

That is the meaning of eternity. This is our personal Creator. Yet, we cannot understand Him. It is amazing that He knows what will happen before it occurs (1 Peter 1:20). I sometimes think that time is like a ruler in God’s hand. He can instantly know what will happen – not just because He determines so much of what will happen, but because He can instantly see “time” all at once.

Conclusion:

If God has no beginning or end, this implies He is not governed by time as we know it. He is outsiide of time. I believe that is why scripture says,

. . . that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (NASB) 2 Peter 3:8