Week 1 FB Post

01/01/18 Post:

1. Eternity

Two aspects of eternity are: (1) spiritual, (2) physical. We will start with Ryrie’s Scripture. He uses Psalm 90:2 as his focal scripture. From it he uses the phrase “from everlasting to everlasting,” He also references Genesis 21:33. In Genesis verse 33 he states: “where El Olam, the Everlasting God, comes from an original form which means ‘the God of eternity.’” (See also Psalm 41:13; Deuteronomy: 33:27)

At least two thoughts surface here. First are we to understand that “from everlasting to everlasting,” means that God has no beginning and no end? He hints at this in his heading of ‘meaning.’ Is this only a spiritual concept?

Secondly, God’s name “El Olam” originated from an early Hebrew word form meaning “the God of Eternity.” It seems sensible to equate the phrase “from everlasting to everlasting,” to be reasonably the same meaning as eternity. If this is true, can there be a physical aspect to eternity? If so, as believers, how are we to understand this concept? Know that your questions, ideas, or thoughts are appreciated.

Response to Marilee’s comment on 01/01/18:

When we become believers, we are saved for all eternity. Our soul is held by God (Jesus, The Father, and the Holy Spirit). Our physical bodies and our mind are still in this world, our soul is our spiritual anchor to Eternity and Heaven, but for a short time, our physical bodies are tied to this imperfect physical world.  (Some suggested verses to read: John 14:20, 21; John 17:24; Romans 7:19, maybe 15, and 16)

John 14: 20, 21 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Also 7:15, 16)

01/02/18 post:

A couple more scriptures come to mind about Eternity: One is 1 Tim 6:15, 16; Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

Also Deuteronomy 31:27 which talks about the Eternal God. Also read Psalm 41:13 which talks about God being “Everlasting to Everlasting.” Being with God is very comforting to think it will have no end!

01/03/18 Post:

Another couple of thoughts from Ryrie on Eternity: “God’s eternity and self-existence are interrelated concepts… If God exists endlessly, then He never came into existence nor was He ever caused to come into existence. He is endlessly self-existent.” These thoughts from Ryrie are very difficult for us as human beings to fully comprehend.

First, we are bound by time and space. We see the hands on the clock ticking relentlessly forward through time. We cannot stop the hands from moving nor can we move them faster. We are conscious of time and its dogged advance in everything we do. For us to think in terms of existence without time is difficult. Yet, God’s Word tells us that as believers, we will be with Him in Heaven for Eternity. As Paul said in Romans, we see through a glass darkly. Eternity for us here and now is a fuzzy idea that we do not fully comprehend.

Second, God is in eternity. He is not bound or limited by time, nor does He see things on a linear time line. He sees all of time from beginning to end all at once. Because we are finite and time moves for us only in one direction, it is hard for us to wrap our minds around how God sees things. This difference creates a challenge for us as believers, much less for those who do not believe. But it is this difference that urges us to constantly be in prayer so we can hear and be directed by our God in what we need to do. He sees what is ahead when we cannot. As believers, we should be excited to know that when we go to be with Him, we will see phenomenally exciting things that we could not see before! Maranatha!

Marilee McElfresh I am so glad God is eternal and sees and knows all things all the time. John 16:33. His peace is indescribable!

Rhonda Parker McElfresh I’m overwhelmed that He thought I was worth dying for. As for never ceasing and has always been, I was rereading The Littlest Angel a few weeks ago. God was THEN as He is now and always will be. It IS a comfort.

01/04/18 Post:

Point 4 (under Ryrie’s comments about eternity) he mentions that as believers, we are comforted by the thought that our God is forever. He says that “a comforting ramification of God’s eternity is the confidence that God has never, nor will He ever cease to exist; …” Many things will cease! However, we can rest assured that God is and always will be there for us. This is a fact that should undergird all of our thinking as believers. On the other hand, unbelievers do not have this kind of assurance except that God’s judgment will always be there to remind them of their rebellion and unbelief. Even though we as believers may fall short of what we should be, God’s mercy and grace are always there to fill in the gaps and give us confidence of what is in store for us in eternity. This should be a great comfort to us as believers. Rest assured that God is always there for you forever!

01/05/18 Post:

There are many things that God does and can do from His position in eternity. Do you agree or disagree with the following quote:

“God from His store house of infinite resources has spoken “light” into existence within the physical universe of time and space. The “Shekinah”30 glory of God exists and is part of the character of God in eternity.” (SpiritQuest 2: Interface with Creation, pg33)

Marilee McElfresh Even though I am a born again believer, I am still living in this physical place called earth. I am also living spiritually inside of my physical body. My physical location here on earth and my physical body will someday change to only spiritual living in heaven. I think physical eternity exists on earth, but only spiritual eternity forever in heaven.

Sqbooks.com When we become believers, we are saved for all eternity. Our soul is held by God (Jesus, The Father, and the Holy Spirit). Our physical bodies and our mind are still in this world, our soul is our spiritual anchor to Eternity and Heaven, but for a short time, our physical bodies are tied to this imperfect physical world. (Some suggested verses to read: John 14:20, 21; John 17:24; Romans 7:19, maybe 15, and 16).

Marilee McElfresh I agree God is THE light in the universe. Without this light, it would be so dense and dark it would drive human beings crazy because they would be so isolated.

Marilee McElfresh Just thought of this scripture Ps. 27:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Anybody think of another “light” scripture?

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