Does time still exist if a clock has no hands?

This message came while I was reading Psalm 56. I realized that what David was saying so many years ago… still applies to my life today. 

Psalm 56 says, “Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. My adversaries pursue me all day long;  in their pride many are attacking me. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?  All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life. Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;  in your anger, God, bring the nations down. Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

After reading this psalm I sent a message to a number of friends saying “it was just over two years ago that our lives were turned upside down. We felt attacked on every side by everyone and at times we were even felt attacked by our friends and families. Let us take time to acknowledge what God has done for us in these days.” 

It’s important to understand that God’s word is timeless and it is as relevant today as it was the day it was first penned by its writers. Because the Word is relevant, we should allow the Word to permeate and change our lives. 

God’s Word is Relevant

Relevant is defined as “ having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand.”

Many have said that the Word of God is “outdated” and has no value in this modern age…I beg to differ.  While we have cellphones, cars, planes and HD television, etc, these items of convenience cannot determine relevance. Yet we do have major similarities with these “days of old”. The commonalities include, but are not limited to:

1. There are families and single people.
2. Husbands are concerned about providing for their families.
3. Wives wonder if they will have enough in the home.
4. Mothers and fathers are concerned about the children.
5. Grandparents spoil grandchildren.
6. People still cook, do laundry and take out the trash.
7. There is a government that taxes the people.
8. There are births and deaths everyday.
9. All need to hear the message of Jesus and salvation that comes through Him.

God’s Word is relevant in all areas of life. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]…” (Amplified Version)

God is timeless 

• Genesis 1:1 says, “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ 
• Revelation 1:8 says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
• Exodus 3:14 says, “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.” 

God is timeless. God has revealed His presence to man and has proven that He has existed before time began.  God is the timeless creator of the “heavens and the earth” and all that they contain . 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].”(Rev. 1:8 Amplified Bible)

“For the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts says this, ‘I am the First and I am the Last; And there is no God besides Me. (Isaiah 44:6 Amplified Bible)

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place [our refuge, our sanctuary, our stability] in all generations. Before the mountains were born Or before You had given birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are [the eternal] God. (Psalms 90:1-2 Amplified Bible)

God is timeless.  He has told us so. 

Jesus is timeless

The Apostle John was in exile on the isle of Patmos when he received the Revelation vision. Prior to his exile, those who were persecuting the church tried to put him to death by boiling him in oil. While this is not among the biblical records, it was recorded by Tertullian who documented the following:

“How happy is its church, on which apostles poured forth all their doctrine along with their blood! where Peter endures a passion like his Lord’s! where Paul wins his crown in a death like John’s where the Apostle John was first plunged, unhurt, into boiling oil, and thence remitted to his island-exile! See what she has learned, what taught, what fellowship has had with even (our) churches in Africa!” (Prescription against Heretics, Chapter 36)

Now we can better understand when Jesus answered Peter saying “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:22)

Revelation 1:17-18 says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.  I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Jesus knew the events that were coming in John’s life and that John would be the receiver of the Revelation of Jesus.

Like the Father, Jesus reveals that He is the “First and the Last”. We know that it is Jesus speaking because he revealed to John that “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!”  Jesus is timeless. He has told us so. 

“I Am” Is Timeless

Moses was given the task of taking the message of deliverance to Israel. Moses asked who am I to say sent me? Exodus 3:14 says, “God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.”

John 8:58-59 says “Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am.” So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus concealed Himself and left the temple.”

The reaction of the religious leaders supports what we already know…  God the Father and Jesus the son are the “I Am”. The I Am was “before Abraham…” the “I Am” is timeless. 

The Word Is Timeless

The Word of God is central to the thought of God and Jesus being timeless. 

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” (Amplified Bible). 

John is writing about the Logos, the Word of God being present at the beginning before all things. He further shows the Logos was with God, meaning the Logos and God the Father were working together. Lastly, God reveals through John’s letter that the Word/Logos was God. 

  John 1:14 says, “And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).”(Amplified Bible)

God now reveals through John’s letter that Jesus who is the Word of God (Logos) came into this world and lived among man so that man would witness the glory of God. 

Isaiah 9:6 says “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

John describes Jesus as he saw Him in the final revelation: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (Rev 19:11-16)

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Conclusions

The Word has revealed the following:

1. God’s word is relevant, especially today when many believe otherwise.
2. God is the beginning and end therefore God is timeless.
3. Jesus is the “First and the Last” therefore He is timeless. 
4. God the father and Jesus are both declared to be the “I Am” and timeless.
5. God the Father and Jesus are the Word of God (logos) therefore the Word is timeless.
6. God’s Word (Logos) is living and active.  

Deuteronomy 4:2 says, “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”

We must come to an understanding that God, the creator of all things, Jesus and the Word of God (Logos) are one, living and timeless. We cannot go through this walk of faith picking and choosing what we like or want to follow. We must understand that while we may not believe a portion or all of what the Word says, IT IS STILL TRUE AND RELEVANT. We cannot “cherry-pick” God’s word.

 This must be said and is paramount, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) Because the Word is living and timeless we must handle it correctly. All teaching must be able to stand the test of the Word of God…there is no other guide or benchmark of higher authority. 

1 Tim 6:3-5 says, “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,  he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”

Titus tells us that leaders (elders) are to be “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:9)

In this day, with all its influences, there have risen various extremes in the christian world.  One extreme purports “God doesn’t do____________ anymore”, while another extreme assures the “_____________ is how God moves today”.  This is why it is imperative that we accurately handle God’s timeless Word. All we teach and believe must be consistent and supported by scripture.

It is easier to believe “God doesn’t do that anymore ” or “this is the New way of God”.. because it reduces our need to exercise Godly faith, Godly judgment and learning to how God speaks to us.