TIMES AND SEASONS

THOUSANDS OF YEARSTIME DILATION

AND THE MESSAGE OF HABAKKUK

One Day = 1,000 Years!

• II Peter 3:8–9 with the Lord 1 day as 1,000 yrs• Ps 90:4 1,000 years like a watch in the night•What is the meaning? Read the context!•Contrast man’s frailty & God’s eternal greatness•What about Eze 4:6 – “I have assigned one day for each year.”?

Nothing to do with Genesis!

• “Day” in Genesis 1 defined by context•Day in Hebrew = yôm יום•Compare reason given in Ex 20:8-11• If yôm used with number or time of day, always = 24 hour day

Use of “Day” outside Genesis 1

• “Day” with Number : • 410 times

• “Evening” & “Morning” without “Day” : • 38 times

• “Evening” or “Morning” with “Day” : • 23 times

• “Night” with “Day” • 52 times

Time Dilation ~ how long is 1,000 years?• I Jn 1:5 God is light

• T = t x √1-• If c = 186,282.4 and t = 1 day•When v = 99.99999999963% of c• Then T = 365,242.19 days = 1,000 years!•But cf. Isa 55:8-9

The Message of Habakkuk

• From Fear to Faith• Problem of unanswered prayer•What was God’s response? (1:5 & 2:3)•God’s answers not always when or how we want•How did Paul interpret this? (Acts 13:41)

Consider Joseph

Famous Delays in Answered Prayer• Abraham: Gen 12:1-4 – promise made – Abraham 75;• Gen 15:1-6 – the promise confirmed;• Gen 16:3 & 16 – 10 years later getting impatient? (86)• Gen 17:1 –13 more years - still no son of promise: (99)• Gen 17:17-19 –promise reiterated, son named.• Gen 21:5 – promise fulfilled - Abraham 100 & Sarah 90 i.e. 25 years after the promise was given! • David – anointed king in I Sam 16; cf. II Sam 5:4

Why so many delays?

• God has other purposes to fulfil• Gen 15:16 “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete”• Dan 10:12-14 “the prince of the kingdom of Persia …”• Character development …

A Paradox• Lk 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge•How quick is quickly? Note last sentence of v.8• Is the focus really on return of Jesus?•Cf. Psalms: 15 times “how long?”• If God delays answers, He has a good reason

God never is before His time …Say not, my soul, “From whenceCan God relieve my care?”Remember that OmnipotenceHas servants everywhere.

His help is always sure,His methods seldom guessed;Delay will make our pleasure pure;Surprise will give it zest.

His wisdom is sublime,His heart profoundly kind;God never is before His time,And never is behind.

Have you assumed a loadWhich none will bear with thee?And are you bearing it for God,And shall He fail to see? - J. J. Lynch