1. Introduction
Time is not eternal; it is a divine creation. The Bible opens not merely with the making of matter but also of time itself—the ordered sequence by which the physical universe operates. Before creation, only God existed: eternal, unchanging, and self-existent.
2. Time as a Created Dimension
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.”
— Genesis 1:14 (KJV)
Here, time is defined by motion and light. The sun and moon were created to mark cycles—days, months, seasons, and years. Thus, time is a servant of creation, not a master of God.
The Hebrew word moʿadim (מועדים), translated “seasons”, means “appointed times”, showing that time was designed for divine appointments and order (cf. Leviticus 23:4).
3. God’s Eternity before Time
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
— Psalm 90:2 (KJV)
This verse reveals a key truth: God is not bound by time. He existed before it began and will remain after it ceases. Augustine (1991) argued that time itself began with creation—there was no “before” creation because “before” implies temporal sequence (Confessions, XI).
4. The Purpose of Time
Time enables:
- Growth and change, reflecting God’s dynamic creativity.
- Testing and redemption, providing space for free will and salvation history.
- Fulfilment of divine plan, as God works through history toward His eternal kingdom.
In this view, time is God’s framework for revelation—His eternal purposes expressed through temporal progression (Ephesians 1:10).
5. Conclusion
Time is not infinite; it is a temporary structure within creation. It began at God’s command and will one day end when His purposes are fulfilled. The same divine Word who said, “Let there be light,” will one day declare, “It is finished” (Revelation 21:6), bringing time itself to completion.
References
- Augustine (1991) Confessions, trans. H. Chadwick. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Aquinas, T. (2006) Summa Theologiae, Vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Bauckham, R. (1993) The Theology of the Book of Revelation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Holy Bible (King James Version), Genesis 1:14; Psalm 90:2; Ephesians 1:10; Revelation 21:6.