Problem: In Revelation 10:6 we read “that there should be time no longer.” In the hymn, When the Roll is
Called Up Yonder the lyrics are as follows: “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time
shall be no more.” Often we hear Bible teachers say that when we enter eternity there will be
no more time. Yet is this what the Bible says?
Solution: Certainly there will be a great difference between how we experience time here and now and
how we will experience time in eternity. In our earthly pilgrimage we are locked into time. We
were born at a certain time and our life will end at a certain time.1 Our lifespan is brief and
fleeting. “And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred
and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained
unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage” (Gen. 47:9).
In contrast, when we enter eternity, we will no longer be captive to time. We will not have to
think about our life some day ending in death. We will have passed into a realm where our life
will be never ending. We will no longer be limited by time constraints as we are in this life
where our time on earth is so short.
Yet, the question is, “Will there be time in eternity?” First, Revelation 10:6 needs to be
translated correctly: “…that there should be delay no longer.” See almost every translation other
than the KJV. It is true that the word “time” is used here (chronos), but the sense is that there
will be no more waiting because God will be proceeding with His judgment. The waiting period
will be over. His judgment will not be delayed. The time when this mystery of God will be
finished will be nigh (Rev. 10:7). The announcement in verse 7 corresponds to the question of
the martyrs in 6:10: “How long?” The answer to this question is that the delay will be no longer.
God will act!2 As M. R. Conrad has said, “When Revelation 10:6 says that “there should be time
no longer” (KJV), it means that “there would be no more delay” (NKJV). Time is up. The alarm
is now ringing. The final judgment is at hand, but time itself will go on.”
It is obvious that the Spirit of God did not intend this passage to mean that there would be no
more time. Indeed, the tribulation events described in that passage will be eventually followed
by the millennium, a kingdom that is carefully defined by time (“one thousand years” is
mentioned six times in Revelation 20)
So let’s come back to our original question, “Will there be time in eternity?” I’m not a scientist
and I know very little of Einstein’s theory of relativity and how that theory relates to time. So
I’ll keep things simple. There is a past, a present and a future. Time allows for a sequence of
events, one event following another event. Such a sequence would be impossible apart from
time. With this in mind, consider the following:
1) Will there be conversations in heaven (in eternity)? If so, does not this imply a time
sequence? One person speaks followed by another person who speaks. A question is
asked by one and answered by another. All these things happen one after the other,
which involves a time sequence. Conversations involve a past, present and future.
Something was said; something is being said; something has not been said yet but will be
said.
2) Will there be music in heaven? In every piece of music there is a time signature. One
note or chord comes before another note or chord. One measure follows another
measure. There is the beginning of a song and the end of a song. All these things imply
a time sequence. Music is impossible apart from time.
3) Does the Bible ever specifically teach that there will be no time in eternity? I’m not
aware of any such teaching. Instead of saying that there is no time in eternity, would it
not be better to say that there is endless time in eternity?
4) Most would agree that Ephesians 2:7 is speaking of the eternal ages. It speaks of “the
ages to come.” This implies one age after another age. The word “age” is a time word.
5) Consider Ephesians 3:21 translated directly from the Greek: “To Him be glory in the
assembly in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.” The KJV
has “throughout all ages, world without end.” Does not the term “ages” speak of time? If
the world or if the ages do not end, does not this mean that they will go on and on
forever? So again, instead of describing eternity as having no time, it is far better to
describe it as endless time or unending time.
6) In Revelation 22:2 we have a continued description of the new heavens and the new earth
(the eternal state). We are told in this verse about the “tree of life which bare twelve
manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month.” “Month” is a time word. Even
though months in eternity may not be the same as months on earth now (months now
reflect the lunar cycle), yet the term does suggest a sequence of time. God could be using
language that we can understand and relate to, but the fact remains that the implication is
that there is time in the eternal state. Henry M. Morris, a man of science and a man of the
Word, wrote of the absurdity of saying that there will be no more time in eternity: “The
space/time universe has been established forever, and there could be no ending of time as
such without the annihilation of space as well. As a matter of fact, time will still be
measured by months in the new earth (Rev. 22:2)” (The Revelation Record, p. 182).
7) In Revelation 20:10 we learn that those in the lake of fire “shall be tormented day and
night forever and ever.” These time words are used to help us understand that this
punishment will be unending. Robert Thomas writes, “This is a figure of speech based
on the experience of our earthly time frame….It portrays the unending nature of the
torment.”4 If someone were to ask, “How long do people spend in the lake of fire?” a
correct answer would be “forever.” “Forever” is a time indicator, as is the phrase “day
and night forever and ever.” So again, it seems at odds with the Word of God to say that
there is no time in eternity. It’s more accurate to say that there is unending time.
Conclusion:
I know of no Biblical basis for saying that there will be no time in eternity or in the eternal state.
Instead, there will be age after age, month after month, one event following another event, etc.
There will be endless time. It will last forever.
