The Incommunicable Attributes of God- Eternal

Consider This...

Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind

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Volume I July 2011 Issue 29

God is Eternal

            I have heard it said that the term eternal refers to the past without end, the future without ceasing, or to God’s present experience of all time. We are told throughout Scripture that God is eternal or everlasting. Genesis 21:33 says, “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.” Later, in Deuteronomy, God himself says, “For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live forever” (32:40, KJV). Not only do we have these two wonderful proclamations of God’s eternality early in Scripture, but there are many more examples throughout these same books. 

            Both of the words chosen in the previous passages, “everlasting” as well as “forever,” come from the same Hebrew root word, “Olam,” which means “perpetual or without end.” These words show the wonderful truth that our God has ultimate authority over time, that He is unaffected by time, and that he exists completely outside the confines of time. He is perpetually God. He always was God, He always is God, He will always be God. What a wonderful truth that the God who has promised to keep those of us that are His children forever in Heaven has already demonstrated that he is an eternal God himself. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (KJV).

            Isaiah 46:10 says, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (KJV). Not only is God the authority over time, but he is able to proclaim what will happen within the confines of time from outside of the confines of time! The word used here for “ancient” is the Hebrew word “Qedem” (keh’-dem). This is another word for eternity past.  According to this verse, God is able to declare what is coming not only in the present time and eternity future, but he is able to do it from eternity past! What a mighty God we serve!

            How then are our lives affected by the knowledge that God is eternal? Knowing God is eternal is instrumental in increasing our ability to trust Him. Psalm 102:25-27 says, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: BUT thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end” (KJV).

            Hebrews 1:10-12 reiterates this verse when it reminds us that all the things we can put our trust in, such as money, power, position, ability, and the promises of man, shall all perish. However, the author and finisher of our faith will endure.  He will be the same God tomorrow that he was yesterday. The things that he demanded yesterday, for believers, are still demanded today. The commission he gave yesterday is still valid today. The Salvation we receive today will last for all eternity. Our God is unchanging and he is unending. 

            1Timothy 1:17 says, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. A-men” (KJV).

Jonathan Halk