Do you wonder if there is time in eternity?
Have you thought about what it will be like if there isn’t any time? Or if there is, what that will mean?
It’s kind of fun to think about heaven and eternity and try to imagine what it will be like.
And one such thing we can ponder is what happens to time once our life here is over?
So, let’s get pondering.
Table of Contents
Is There Time in Eternity?
The Bible doesn’t clearly say one way or the other, but there are clues that there will be time in eternity. And yet, some say the Bible has to speak in terms of time so that humans can comprehend it. As much as it would be great to know with certainty, we can’t be sure since the Bible doesn’t tell us. However, we can still look at some clues.
Eternity Includes Both Heaven and Hell
The Bible tells us that some will go to everlasting life and others to everlasting punishment and disgrace.
Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
Daniel 12:2
And they [unrighteous] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.
Matthew 25:46
And anyone whose name was not written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15
As far as time, though, I assume what is true of heaven is also true of hell. But I’m not sure.
John has a vision of heaven in the book of Revelation. And that is where we mainly get our clues as to whether time exists (or not) in eternity.
So, we will focus more on what the Bible says about time in heaven.
Some say using time-related language doesn’t mean there will be time in heaven and use Scriptures to show why they think there won’t be any time in eternity.
Others think you wouldn’t have to use some of the words written to describe what happens in heaven for us to understand what it means. Therefore, time is likely to exist.
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Does Time Exist After Death?
Arguments Against Time
Growing up, I was taught there would be no time in heaven. I don’t remember any explanation, and I just accepted it as fact.
So, where does this idea come from?
It comes from the Bible:
And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is the light.
Revelation 21:23
And there will be no night there–no need for lamps or sun–for the Lord God will shine on them…
Revelation 22:5
If we have no more day or night, which is a way to measure time, we also won’t need time.
Additionally, God does not live in time. To Him, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day (2 Peter 3:8).
And based on the above verses, we know we will dwell with God.
He not only is the light and the reason we won’t need day or night, but He is also eternal and outside of time. Since God doesn’t live in time, doesn’t it make sense that we won’t either?
I used to sing a song by the Statler Brothers called When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. The first line says. “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time will be no more.”
I think the idea that there will be no time in heaven is a popular one. But lately, I’ve been hearing more Christians arguing for the existence of time in eternity.
Objections
- Just because there is no night and day doesn’t mean all time passes away. Night and day are simply a measurement of time, not the whole definition.
- God is eternal, but He has demonstrated over and over that He can enter into time. He can also choose to live in time for eternity.
Arguments For Time
The book of Revelation lets us peek into things happening in heaven, the dwelling place of God.
Some of the things that occur indicate time.
For example, In Revelation 8:1, Jesus breaks the seventh seal, and there is silence in heaven for about half an hour.
John says in Revelation 6:9-10, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?’ “
“Half an hour” and “how long” or both time-related terms.
Additionally, Revelation 22:1-5 describes the New Jerusalem. Verse 2 says, “On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month,” and verse 5, “They shall reign forever and ever.”
Both “every month” and “forever and ever” are time-related phrases.
Objections
- Since John lived in time when he witnessed and wrote about what he saw, it makes sense that he would use time-related language.
- Similarly, John wouldn’t have been able to explain his vision without using time-related terms. In other words, his readers wouldn’t have gotten an accurate picture of what he saw.
The New Jerusalem
In Revelation 21:1-3, John sees a new heaven and new earth coming down out of heaven (v.1-2).
And then he hears a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Look! God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them (v.3).
So, will the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven have time or not?
And will the eternal God, who chooses to make His new home with us in the New Jerusalem, live in time for eternity? Or will we be living forever absent of time?
We cannot be sure.
But what we can know is eternity will be so much more than we can imagine.
Will there Be time in Heaven?
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there isn’t a definitive answer to the question, “Is there time in eternity?”
But it is fun to think about and see what the Bible says.
Personally, I want there to be time.
But I’m sure I will have no problem adjusting if there isn’t.
So, in that sense, the answer doesn’t really matter.
How about you?
Do you think there will be time or no time in eternity?
What are your reasons?