Mrl1970 and Arcturus, this is a great discussion
Arcturus, it is a great enigma
And mrl1970, your comments on Ecc 3:15 are equally enigmatic.
Time is a measure of "state" but it is not the "state" and neither can it be. The life of man revolves around the measurement of time.
Gen 1:14
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, Psa 104:19
The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. Act 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. The Kingdom of God, even God himself is Eternal and as such are "Eternal states," beyond measurement, without beginning of days or end of life.
Man, however, is compelled to measure; even the "Big-Bang" theory is self-destructive, because what was "before" the big-bang?
Paul, fully realized that the measurement of time is flawed and wrote to the Galatians regarding the matter.
Gal 4:1
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.Gal 4:2
He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.Gal 4:3
So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. (analyzing, measuring, predicting, etc)Gal 4:4
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,Gal 4:5
to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.Gal 4:6
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”Gal 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, [not under law] but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.Gal 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.Gal 4:9
But now that you know God–or rather are known by God–how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?Gal 4:10
You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! What Paul has said is that the Galatians, who were once slaves to the law and followed the laws of observing special days, were once again returning to those practices as if by doing so, they could somehow further their salvation.
Paul was a little exasperated:
Gal 4:11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
This instruction has great merit even today.
However, to your point mrl1970, is it God doing it in reverse or is it Man?
The carnal man in all his wisdom, strength and self assurance set's force on an epic journey called life, every single day. He searchs, but does not find; he acheives, but is never satisfied; he prays: "God, what am I doing wrong?" but never "sees" his answer.
It is man who must "stop" (by the grace of God) and turn from the path he is on and begin the begin.
Pro 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Rom 5:2
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Faith will soon cause man to realize that all his "eforrts are in vein" ref: Ecc 6:12
There is NO reason for man to worry about where his next meal will come from, or his clothes or for that matter anything to do with his future.
Mat 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?Mat 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Mat 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?Mat 6:28
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Mat 6:29
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.Mat 6:30
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?Mat 6:31
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’Mat 6:32
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.Mat 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Mat 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I believe that the instruction given in vs 34 is a stumbling block for MANY! The confusion stems from the total conflict between the words: worry and faith.
Mark 11:23-24
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. True faith in God (not empty words) truly relinquish any concerns of reguarding the worrisome words of "But! What if..."
Time, in thise sense becomes irrelevant.
Thanks for a great study,
Yours in Christ,
Darren