Time and Eternity

What is the difference between time and eternity? Apostle John was summoned to the heaven and saw the throne of God in heaven (Revelation 4:1-11). He was immediately caught into eternity. Eternity does not start when Christians cease this life on earth. Rather, it is right here invisibly. It could be promptly visible if God pulls up the curtain of time. On the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus Christ instantly entered into eternity before the eyes of three disciples, Peter, John, and James. There were Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus (Matthew 17:1-3).

After the resurrection, the Risen Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples for forty days, once to over five hundred brothers at once (1 Corinthians 15:6). He entered into eternity and broke into time whenever ministry was necessary, but only to the believers. Imagine how much the Jews had intently searched the Risen Jesus. When the disciples gathered together, securely and firmly having locked the door in fear, Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst. It was not that He came into the room from somewhere but rather that He was there all along among them and just visibly manifested Himself (Matthew 28:20).

Eternity is not the continuation of time and space. In eternity, there is no past or future, but only now. When man’s life is ceased, he will enter into eternity in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). But each according to his deeds will be changed either eternal glory or eternal death. The believers will instantaneously see Christ coming with the multitude of angels and the trumpet call of God (Matthew 24:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16). The lawless rebels will enter eternity for eternal separation and isolation from God (2 Peter 2:17, Jude 1:13).

Apostle John says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NIV) Jesus Christ is eternal life (John 3:15-16, John 3:36). Anyone who believes in Him has that life, eternal life now and forever. For anyone who has received Jesus as Lord also received the Spirit, Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27, Romans 8:10).

So, we are in eternity and time now. We are in Jesus Christ, with Him, for Him, by Him. A hymn pertinently reflects that the believers have eternal life now and forevermore.

“Eternal life, begun below,

Now fills my heart and soul.

I’ll sing His praise forevermore

Who has redeemed my soul.

’Tis true, O yes, ’tis true,

God’s wonderful promise is true;

For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,

And I know God’s promise is true.”