Time and God

Science today has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that time is relative to where we are located in the universe, and this relativity of time is based on the relative velocities of bodies in space. G.P.S. satellites periodically need their clocks reset because of this relative nature of time. But how does this recently established knowledge (within the last 100 years) line up with what the bible says about time? The bible says God created everything in six days. Science says it took billions of years. Can these two viewpoints ever be reconciled? I believe they can.

I believe the bible has already reconciled these two view points, but human understanding of this truth, revealed in God’s word, has lagged behind for several reasons. One of the major reasons has to do with the non essential nature of this truth. Knowing the truth about what the bible says about time is way down the line in importance, when considered from an eternal perspective. It pales in comparison with the importance of understanding salvation, the anointing of the Holy Spirit and deliverance. Therefore, the bible does not have a lot to say about time. But what it does have to say is profound. The relativity of time is now recognized by most scientists as an accepted fact, but the bible has already stated aspects of this truth, from God’s perspective thousands of years ago.   

The first prerequisite for understanding how the creation could have happened in six days can be gained by understanding the meaning of the 4^th verse of the ninetieth Psalm, which addresses the relativity of time from God’s viewpoint.

The ninetieth Psalm says a thousand years in the sight of God is like yesterday when it is past, and at the same time a thousand years is like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4) Yesterday, when it has past, does not exist. A watch in the night is a few hours. Yet the scripture plainly says “In God’s sight” a thousand years can be the same as these two very different time spans. Put plainly, the author is saying “God, who exists outside of time, can view the relativity of time throughout his created universe. This ancient wording is in agreement with what man has known for less than a hundred years.

God can also have time be whatever relative expanse he wants it to be, because he created time and set its relative states, as he pleased. God, however, exists outside the parameters of time. This is one of the reasons Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am". At first glance, this sentence seems to be grammatically incorrect, until it becomes clear, that Jesus is really saying, "I exist outside of time". God is spirit. (John 4:24) Time is not spiritual. It is a characteristic of the material universe, which has no affect on nature of God. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8) Although God does not have a material nature and exists outside of time, time is still in his sight. He is able to see, or be aware, of the relative passing of time anywhere in the universe. Once again, he is the one who structured these variations before time existed.

The main point, made here in the fourth verse, was made to give the reader more insight into the nature of God. The reference to time is incidental. Never the less, it does give a brief, but clear description of time. Here, as elsewhere, in the bible, truths are written, to communicate with the new heart of man, placed in him by Christ, and not his carnal intellect. What should be note worthy to an objective reader, however, is how accurately the writer describes God’s relationship with time and how accurately the observations of man measure up to these statements in the bible, concerning the relativity of time. Because of the relative nature of time, the first day of creation, mentioned in the first chapter of Genesis could have been anything. In one part of the universe it could have been billions of years, or it could have been a watch in the night. The first day of the genesis did not have to be absolutely equal in length to the second day, and the second day did not have to be equal in length to the third day, and so on. We know this is true because man now knows, beyond a reasonable doubt, that time is relative throughout the material universe, just as the bible said in verse 4 of the 90th Psalm thousands of years ago.

There is something else that makes the 90^th Psalm even more interesting. It was written by Mosses, who many bible scholars also believe wrote the book of Genesis.

Wayne Wade
8-31-11