Ontology guides theology

What we believe about "eternity" affects what we believe about theology and ET and UR.

It is a fairly modern idea that time is like a film strip, and we exist simultaneously past present and future. This is patent nonsense. There is 220 pounds of me; no more no less. I exist now.

This idea has also permeated our idea of eternity; some thinking it is merely a timeline that goes on forever in both directions.

But we still sing a hymn: "When the trumpet of the Lord will sound, and time will be no more..." Eternity is timeless. Time is just an artifact of decay. Timelessness doesn't mean that there is no sequencing, and/or no movement. We find it hard to imagine. A good ontology resolves apparent contradictions.

Scripture says when Christ returns, he comes a s thief in the night, yet when he returns, all men will see him.

These are merely views of the same event: one view from within time looking out, one from eternity.

In time we all die at different times. He comes as a thief in the night. But from the perspective of timeless eternity, we all arrive simultaneously. They saw Steven die, but he saw all the heavenly host in eternity with Christ coming to get him. He might have even seen you and me.

Which generation will not pass away? Every one that reads it, if we get raptured at the time of our death.

This throws a monkey wrench in what we think of eternity, and eternal this and that.

Have you ever had a momentary memory that elicited a physical response? Perhaps you winced, or even gnashed your teeth. What would that be like if there was no time? It wouldn't necessarily be without end, since here are sequences in eternity, but it could last a moment, or seem like forever.

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.