The concept of eternity has been with humanity throughout history. Science takes the position that the existence of our universe requires a cause, and that history either assigns that cause to a Creator or to something called randomness. “Random” refers to a lack of pattern or predictability in a set of elements or events. When something is described as random, it means that its occurrence or outcome cannot be precisely determined or predicted. Instead, each possibility has an equal chance of happening, and the selection or sequence appears arbitrary. Yet, even with limited observation, we see design, precision, and complexity that are beyond human understanding. Design implies the existence of an intelligent designer (a Creator). The number of stars in the universe, for example, is estimated to be around 100 billion to 200 billion galaxies, and each galaxy can contain millions to billions of stars. In exponential notation, 1 x 10^11 to 2 x 10^11 stars. These are values that the human mind cannot understand or even fully define. Yet, humanity scoffs at the notion of God and creation.
To believe in Random Creation, you would have to believe: Nothing produced everything, non-life produced life, randomness produced precision, and chaos produced order!
If we can accept that our universe is eternal (having always been there), then it would be within the limits of human intellect to accept that our world, the earth, has only been here for a short time, approximately 4.54 billion years. It sounds like the earth is old, but the concept of “time” can only come from within our world. The earth is a flash of light in the eternal universe, where time has no meaning. The issue then is whether we believe that God exists, and whether God existed before our earth’s creation and will exist after our earth’s demise. The challenge humanity is having is that it is riding on a train and attempting to measure its speed and destination without even a window to look out of. To build our understanding, we need to search for clues. What if the Creator of our world, God, left us clues and inspired humanity to write them down? Oh yes, He did; it is called the Bible.
(Psalm 90:2)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
(John 17:24) – “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
(Revelation 22:13) – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
These are but a few verses that emphasize God’s eternal nature, reminding us of His incarnate image as Jesus, speaking about His existence before the creation of the world, living in our world, and His promise of a world yet to come. And if we can, for a moment, humble ourselves, we might also learn that humans were created in the image of God Himself.
(Genesis 1:26-27): “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
The implication is that humans share certain characteristics with our Creator, such as rationality, morality, and the capacity for relationships, setting us apart from the rest of creation. As we seek to know the roots of our creation, God’s very words point us to the existence of moral values and duties. God becomes more than just a creator; He establishes the very moral law that sustains life itself.
Our world contends that because of the existence of evil and suffering, the idea of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God cannot be both all-powerful and perfect. Skeptics often argue that there is no “empirical evidence” for the existence of God. They suggest that beliefs in God are based on faith rather than concrete facts and that the burden of proof lies with those making the positive claim. Therefore, God cannot exist. Here we go again: how quickly humanity forgets that it was created with “free will.” We are not slaves, entrapped on planet Earth. We are the product of a loving Creator who left us to choose life—to choose Him! Salvation is based on faith, faith coming from outside our world. It is a faith that comes from a simple cross, giving us the hope and joy that we too will exist after our world is no more.
“Eternity is not the hereafter. This is it. If you don’t get it here, you won’t get it anywhere.” ~ Joseph Campbell
Eternity, including its presence in the present moment, is the timeless nature of certain experiences and the interconnectedness of the past, present, and future. Eternity comes with moral and ethical teachings that establish that the behavior on our earth has consequences not only in the present life but also in an eternal context. The human soul has been created to have a relationship with God!
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” ~ Michaelangelo
Michelangelo believed that the sculptor’s task was not so much to impose a form upon the stone but to reveal the figure that is already inherent within the raw material. It is a profound sense of artistry, as if the sculptor’s role is to liberate the potential beauty and form hidden within the substance being worked on. This is but one of the concepts of eternity that often inspire artistic and cultural expressions, including literature, music, art, and architecture. It continues to influence human creativity and the expression of beauty. While Michaelangelo’s famous works are now chipped and stained, they are still recognized as some of the most beautiful art ever created. It is no different for God. Before the existence of the earth, He perceived a form of life, a mirror of His character, to embellish our planet. Not unlike the sculptor, God loves His creation, even with all our chips and stains. Eternity sits as God’s promise for faith and trust in His Truth. You don’t have to understand eternity to enjoy it. You just need a relationship with your sculptor!
Contemplations
- Where do you place your hope?
- Ideas to Explore: In Science? In knowledge? In wealth? freedom and free will? In a personal relationship with your Creator?
- Why is humanity obsessed with “time?”
- Ideas to Explore: It seems so finite. We cannot understand eternity. There seems to be so little of it.
- If artificial intelligence (AI) is constrained by this world’s knowledge, how is it that it can advance beyond this world?
- Ideas to Explore: Humanity has the knowledge to destroy itself. So why is everyone so worried about A.I.? It seems to be just an amplification of human knowledge and character.
- What does it mean to have a relationship with our Creator?
- Ideas to Explore: An Appreciation of the Gift of Life. Reverence. Humility. What attributes would you assign?
- What happens to the existence of humanity when God’s rationality, morality, and relationships are ignored?
- Ideas to Explore: Is hell an eternal separation from God? Is heaven an eternal existence without sin? Is this world everything there is? Is your eternal existence based on “random” acts of worldly science?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations