ETERNITY – ON THE EDGE OF TIME
Have you ever wondered what eternity is like? What is eternity anyway? To most of us, eternity is a never-ending experience in real life; a continuation of what joyful experiences every man presently has. Most people associate eternal life with a life after death. The fact that we talk about it in terms of the past, present and the future only indicates our finite and limited perspective.
What is the biblical idea of eternity? The first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapter 1:1 says, “In the beginning, GOD…” Before there was anything, before there were angels or man or any other creature or any creation, there was only GOD. GOD was in the great expanse everywhere. The angels sing GOD was, GOD is and always will be! GOD is the great Sovereign who created time and all the laws of time. All of creation is bound by time and none may transgress it except if willed by the One who created it. The Mighty GOD and everlasting FATHER will rule forever with fairness and justice (Isaiah 9:6b-7). Our great GOD inhabits eternity and His rule is characterized by fairness and justice. In GOD’s presence, there is security, stability, equitability, holiness, love, joy and peace. Eternity is GOD, for everything flows from Him. Eternity is knowing and loving GOD. For now, we only know a little but when we enter eternity, we will really know as we are known by GOD. GOD is the source of all good and useful knowledge; knowledge that reaps good results. Even now, the secret wisdom from GOD is reserve only for those who seek Him earnestly and walk with Him daily. We can gather our thoughts but it is the LORD who gives the right answer (Prov 16:1).
Without GOD, there is no eternity. So, a people without GOD is without hope.
For now, there is a time for every activity under the sun. There is a saying, “everything is timing.” You may have the resources to invest but if you don’t have the wisdom to discern the right timing and the right opportunity, you will not expand and multiply your resources. There may be a good business opportunity, but if you don’t have discernment to “see” the right time to invest in the market, you might end up losing your money. To know the right time is very tricky because as humans, we don’t control the variables even in one circumstance. We don’t see beyond “now” although we can surmise and presume based on historical data but the assurance of success only belongs to GOD. The problem with historical data is that it is past and the past does not necessarily repeat itself. There is always a new twist hanging in the balance. Our world has become more complicated. Information is available in an instant through cyberspace but whether man has grown in wisdom is a big question mark. The recent world financial crisis is still growing and no man has brought forward any viable solution. All proposals are uncertain and many of them are a rehash of failed courses of actions of previous recessions. Our leaders are hoping against hope that this time it may work. Man is a slave of time. Man is in a rat race.
How can man get out of the rat race? There is wisdom in the words of the Teacher of Proverbs: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:5,6). It is so presumptuous for man to think that he is the captain of his soul and the master of his destiny. If man can’t control one iota of circumstance, how can he control his destiny? However, man has one God-given ability that does determine his destiny – the freedom of choice. All of man’s life is a product of his choice whether good or bad.
Therefore, choose your eternal destiny!
