While some dictionaries define eternity as infinite time or duration without beginning or end, I view eternity as a timeless state that lasts forever. While we have a finite beginning – we exist from the moment of conception – only God exists from eternity past. However, since we have an eternal soul, we like God will exist forever in the future. I love how the Bible refers to God’s existence before time began and after time ends when we read: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2).
Apologist, Dr. Ron Rhodes, adds an interesting insight on this topic when he says: “Eternity is a big concept. We read in the pages of Holy Writ that God has ‘set eternity in the hearts of men’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This inspiring verse led one commentator to reflect, ‘Though living in a world of time, man has intimations of eternity. Instinctively he thinks of ‘forever,’ and though he cannot understand the concept, he realizes that beyond this life there is the possibility of a shoreless ocean of time.’”1
While our finite minds can’t fully understand an infinite eternity, the Bible shares a few thoughts on this mysterious concept that transcends time.
First, while here on earth we have to endure pain, suffering, and death because of the fall of Adam, these negative things will vanish forever once we hit the celestial shores of heaven. Again, Ron Rhodes, shares: “The Bible begins with paradise lost, at which time pain, suffering, and death first entered the human race. The Bible ends with paradise regained, at which time pain, suffering, and death will be a thing of the past.”2
Second, because as Christians our eternal standing with God is secure, we can meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come. Life now is full of challenges and perils but when we pass from this life to our eternal state we can be certain to be greeted with indescribable peace, joy and bliss!
And third, since our souls will exist for eternity it is imperative that we secure our eternal destiny now since at physical death our eternal destination cannot be changed. If Christ is our Savior we can rest assured that we will become eternal citizens of heaven, but if we haven’t made our peace with Jesus, then we will be banished forever to the realm of hell. So, you see what we believe about Jesus is the only decision we will ever make in this life that has eternal implications.
Just how long is eternity? Well, eternity takes over when time, as we know it, ends!
1 Ron Rhodes Quotes (Author of The End Times in Chronological Order) (goodreads.com)
2 Ron Rhodes Quotes (Author of The End Times in Chronological Order) (goodreads.com)