2. The Eternality of God


2. The Eternality of God


So by now you may have given up on this study ever starting with Genesis, or even John 1:1, as both passages that start with "In the beginning..."

But "In the beginning..." means at the beginning, as in the commencement of Creation / the beginning of Time.

What we have been discussing is before the beginning.
Before Creation. Before Time.

Eternity does not have a beginning.

There are three phases in God's redemptive plan: Eternity Past. Time. Eternity Future.

Physicists usually define Time by its measurement. And most physicists agree that time had a beginning. Indeed, according to the prevailing cosmological model, time itself began as part of the entire universe.

So Time began at the beginning of the universe (measurement by "evening and morning, the first day" Gen 1:3), and it will end with the passing away of this world (Revelation 21:1), and the creation of the new world which will not have a sun, and thus no measurement (Revelation 22:5).

So what existed before Time? What existed in eternity past?

The Father Isaiah 57:15 and Psalm 93:2

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place." (ESV)

"Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity." (NIV)
"Your throne, O LORD, has been firm from the beginning, and you existed before time began." (Good News Translation)

The Son Colossians 1:17a and Micah 5:2b

"He is before all things." (ESV)
"He existed before anything else." (NLT)

"...[One] whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity." (Berean Bible)
"...[One] whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (King James Version)
"...His origin is from antiquity, from eternity." (Holman)

You are probably more familiar with the first half of Micah 5:2, quoted by Matthew about Jesus' birth, and slapped onto millions of Christmas cards each year: "But [from] you, O Bethlehem, shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity."

Why didn't Matthew quote the whole verse? I have no idea (though of course the Bible wasn't broken into verses in those days, but still...). That verse is certainly the end all of the idea that Jesus' existence began in a stable (or in Nazareth within his mother's womb).

The Spirit Hebrews 9:14

"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

For those of you who write in your Bible, these are some great verses to highlight or make notes for in the margins.

Swordcraft Tip: In the color you designated for Eternity, highlight Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 93:2, Colossians 1:17a, Micah 5:2b, and Hebrews 9:14.

Image Copyright © JC Lamont

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