Understanding the Significance of Time in God's Eternal Plan

Understanding the Significance of Time in God's Eternal Plan

The passage from Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end," emphasizes the intricate process of God's work across the expanse of time—from the beginning to the end. Many people, however, live unaware of this divine timeline and view time only within the confines of their brief earthly existence, from birth to death. They labour under the sun, often to no avail, chasing pursuits that ultimately result in vanity. The vast majority return to dust with no understanding of God's purpose and how He works through time. This ignorance leads them to spend their lives seeking meaning through temporary pleasures, material possessions, indulgences, or useless philosophies, rather than aligning with God's eternal will.

A wise individual, by contrast, is someone who understands the true significance of time and chooses to live in accordance with God's purpose, not setting their will against His. Romans 8:28 speaks to this, stating, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Take note that God’s timeline and intent extends beyond the fleeting details of our life, and in truth, encompasses all things—past, present, and future—working towards God's ultimate purpose. From before the foundation of the world to the death of Christ on Calvary, God has been shaping His plan for the good of those who love Him.

Paul further affirms this in Ephesians 1:11, where he writes that believers are predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will. Through time, God orchestrates all things toward a unified purpose in Jesus Christ, bringing all of history into alignment with His divine plan. Having this understanding emphasises the importance of how we should spend our time. It encourages us to live wisely, using the time we have in alignment with God's will.

Understanding scripture

Besides drawing attention to how we spend our time, there is another benefit to understanding the true significance of biblical time, as it helps to interpret scriptures pertaining to time more accurately. Many people misunderstand scripture because they fail to grasp the significance of time within it. God's division of time into distinct periods reflects His purposeful work throughout history, making it necessary to rightly divide the Bible and interpret it within its context. For example, attempts to observe Old Testament laws and holy days prove that those who subject themselves to this fail to recognize the shift from one dispensation to another, brought about by the cross, the calling of Paul, and a brand-new doctrine of grace. Galatians explains that these decrees and traditions were merely a schoolmaster, rudiments to guide humanity to faith. Once that faith is established, believers are no longer subject to such ordinances.

Furthermore, the Bible highlights specific time periods, such as the era of the law and prophets, which culminated with John the Baptist, and the subsequent era ushered in by Christ in his earthly ministry, and then through Paul to the Gentiles. These divisions illustrate how God works through distinct "times" to achieve His purposes. Understanding and accepting these divisions enable believers to correctly discern God's work across the entirety of time, from beginning to end.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the significance of time, we see that God's eternal plan transcends our brief earthly existence. The fleeting pursuits of this world pale in comparison to the eternal purpose God has been unfolding since the beginning. As believers, we are called to live wisely, aligning our lives with His will and recognizing the importance of understanding Scripture within its divine timeline. By rightly dividing the Word of truth and seeing God’s plan from beginning to end, we can live in alignment with His will, investing our time wisely in what truly matters.

Inspired by a teaching of Paul Lucas