By Carl & Carolyn Kirk
The word eternal is generally defined as lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning. We are told in the Bible that the Father and Son are one throughout eternity? Does God have a beginning? Does He have an end? Can we rest in Him eternally?
The idea of eternity runs like a lofty mountain range through the Bible. Everywhere you turn, you find it. In fact, all our treasured biblical doctrines and truths would collapse without the reality of an everlasting God. The eternity of God refers to His existence backward throughout time and beyond, further than we can imagine, and forward into the future, as far as we can imagine and beyond. (David Jeremiah)
Does God have a beginning? Genesis 1 tells us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” God’s beginning cannot be dated by any man.
Does God have an end? Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
God has no beginning or end. On this, we can rest. He will not be here today and gone tomorrow. To all who receive Him, He can be our eternal refuge. John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Also, words from Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you.” Therefore, we can rest in Him as our eternal Savior.
The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. The writer of Hebrews further reminds us, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest.” (Parts of Hebrews 4:1-11).
God gives us everything we need to live victoriously as we rely on His precious promises. As believers, we have the WORD and the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We can truly rest on His precious promises.
Readers!! Be encouraged! All you have turned to God with a sincere heart of repentance and trust can find eternal rest in God. Jesus reminded us in John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Passage Guide: Acts 19 & Psalm 5