The concept of God's eternality is one of the most profound and awe-inspiring attributes revealed in the Bible. The idea that God exists outside the boundaries of time and is not subject to its limitations is a cornerstone of Christian theology. This attribute of God underscores His majesty, sovereignty, and the infinite nature of His being. The Bible, through various books and passages, affirms this eternal nature of God in both the Old and New Testaments.
One of the clearest and most direct statements about God's eternal nature is found in the Book of Psalms. Psalm 90:2 declares, "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (NIV). This verse poetically conveys that God’s existence stretches infinitely in both directions—before the creation of the world and continuing forever.
In the Book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of God's eternal nature in several passages. Isaiah 40:28 states, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom" (NIV). Here, God's eternality is linked with His omnipotence and omniscience, emphasizing that His divine nature is beyond human comprehension.
The New Testament also affirms God's eternal nature. In the Book of Revelation, God declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8, NIV). This statement, repeated in Revelation 21:6 and 22:13, underscores that God is the beginning and the end, the one who encompasses all of time within Himself.
The Apostle Paul also touches on this theme in his letters. In 1 Timothy 1:17, Paul offers a doxology that praises God's eternal nature: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" (NIV). In this verse, Paul acknowledges not only God's eternality but also His immortality and invisibility, attributes that set God apart from His creation.
The eternality of God is further reflected in the very name He reveals to Moses in the burning bush. In Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you'" (NIV). The name "I AM" (Yahweh) conveys a sense of timeless existence. God is not "I was" or "I will be," but "I AM," indicating a constant, unchanging presence.
Moreover, the Book of Hebrews speaks of Jesus Christ, who is one with God, in terms that highlight His eternal nature. Hebrews 13:8 states, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (NIV). This verse affirms the unchanging and eternal nature of Christ, who is fully divine.
In addition to these direct statements, the Bible also implies God's eternality through His works and attributes. For example, God's role as Creator implies His existence before creation. Genesis 1:1 begins with the phrase, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (NIV). This opening verse of the Bible presupposes that God existed before the beginning of time as we know it.
The eternality of God is also a theme in Christian literature and theology. Augustine of Hippo, in his "Confessions," reflects on the nature of time and God's existence beyond it. He writes, "For You [God] are infinite and never change. In You today never comes to an end: and yet our ‘today’ does come to an end in You, because time, as well as everything else, exists in You" (Book XI, Chapter 31). Augustine's contemplations highlight the timeless nature of God, who encompasses all moments within His eternal "now."
Thomas Aquinas, in his "Summa Theologica," also addresses the eternality of God. He argues that God is eternal because He is unchanging and outside the realm of time, which is a measure of change. Aquinas writes, "Eternity is nothing else but God Himself" (Part I, Question 10, Article 2). This assertion underscores that God's very essence is eternal, distinct from the temporal nature of creation.
Understanding God's eternality has profound implications for our faith and life. It assures us that God's promises are reliable and His purposes unchanging. Malachi 3:6 states, "I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed" (NIV). Because God is eternal and unchanging, His covenant with His people remains steadfast and sure.
Furthermore, God's eternal nature provides comfort and hope, especially in times of uncertainty and change. Psalm 102:25-27 offers a poignant reflection: "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end" (NIV). This passage reassures us that while the world around us may change and decay, God remains constant and eternal.
In conclusion, the Bible unequivocally teaches that God is eternal. From the poetic declarations of the Psalms to the prophetic affirmations in Isaiah, from the apostolic writings in the New Testament to the profound theological reflections of Christian thinkers, the eternality of God is a central and cherished truth of the Christian faith. This doctrine not only reveals the majesty and mystery of God but also provides a foundation for our trust and hope in Him. As we contemplate God's eternal nature, we are invited to worship Him with awe and reverence, recognizing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come.
