A Brief Introduction to the Dimensions of Time In the Bible

By Ken Kapreilian

Newly revised for 2021. This book explores the different dimensions of time that are used in the Bible. When we understand that God created the universe and time is a by-product of that creation event, then we can begin to understand that our perspective and perception of time is different than God’s. The reason is that since we measure time on earth by using external reference points (such as the orbit of the earth around the sun and the rotating of the earth on its axis), this paradigm measures time in a linear perspective.Those linear reference points did not exist until God created them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781794851078

Book preview

ISBN:978-1-79485-107-8

Introduction

Consider the following analogy when trying to correlate time on earth to time with the dimensions of time in the Bible. We know that there are different time zones¹ depending on where you are on the Earth. So therefore, the answer to the question,

"Do you know what time it is?"

Depends on where you are measuring time from. It's the same clock but the actual time can be different. If you're measuring the time of day in California it is different hour of the day than if you're measuring the time of day in New York. Now this previous analogy will be helpful to you regarding the different dimensions of time in the Bible.

Chapter 1 – Understanding the Different Dimensions of Time in the Bible

"For a thousand years in your sight  are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night."

(Psalm 90:4)

First of all, we have to try to understand the Christian Bible not as sixty-six individual books, not with a clear division between the Old Testament and New Testament, but as continuous stream- of-consciousness. The stream-of-consciousness is the inspiration from God which has been written down by the authors. The stream-of-consciousness is also the way to understand the dialogue of prayer by the person and with the intercession of the Holy Spirit, thus enabling the response by God in His own way and in His timing. Sure we may see a period of time elapse here on earth between when we pray for something and when we receive an answer, but that's only because of our limitations and understanding time as linear. The limiting aspect of time is a human constraint and not one that has any bearing on God. Thus we come to understand that our perspective and