What is God's Eternity?

The concept of eternity stretches beyond the limits of human comprehension. We live our lives bound by time—counting days, marking years, and planning for the future. Yet, the Bible reveals a God who exists outside these constraints, a God who is eternal. The word eternal means "everlasting, having no beginning and no end." This attribute of God is not a mere abstract idea; it is a cornerstone of our faith, shaping how we understand His character, His promises, and our relationship with Him.

From an evangelical perspective, God’s eternity is a truth that invites us into worship, trust, and hope. In this blog post, we’ll explore this divine attribute through key Scriptures: Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 40:28, and Psalm 102:25-28. We’ll also consider related passages like Genesis 1:1, Exodus 3:14, John 8:58, John 1:1, and Romans 1:20. By diving into the original languages and reflecting on the English Standard Version (ESV) text, we’ll uncover the depth of God’s timeless nature and its significance for our lives.

Psalm 90:2: From Everlasting to Everlasting

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalm 90:2, ESV)

Psalm 90, a prayer attributed to Moses, begins with a profound declaration of God’s eternity. The phrase "from everlasting to everlasting" captures the essence of His timeless existence. In Hebrew, "everlasting" is ʿôlām (עוֹלָם), a word that can mean "a long time," "ancient times," or "eternity." Here, in the construction mēʿôlām wĕʿad ʿôlām ("from everlasting to everlasting"), it unmistakably points to an infinite span—God’s existence without beginning or end.

The verse sets this eternity against the backdrop of creation: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world." The Hebrew verb for "brought forth" (yālad, יָלַד) typically means "to give birth," suggesting the earth’s creation as a deliberate, personal act of God. Yet, before this act—before time as we know it began—God was. The phrase "you are God" uses ʾēl (אֵל), a title emphasizing His power and sovereignty. Unlike the created order, which has a starting point, God’s existence is unbounded.

For Moses, writing to a people wandering in the wilderness, this truth contrasted God’s eternal nature with human frailty (Psalm 90:5-6). For us today, it’s a reminder that our fleeting lives rest in the hands of an everlasting God. His eternity assures us that His plans and promises endure beyond our temporal struggles.

Isaiah 40:28: The Everlasting Creator

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable." (Isaiah 40:28, ESV)

In Isaiah 40, the prophet delivers a message of comfort to Israel in exile, pointing them to God’s eternal power. The title "the everlasting God" combines ʿôlām with ʾĕlōhîm (אֱלֹהִים), the common Hebrew name for God, often linked to His creative authority. Here, God’s eternity is tied to His role as "the Creator of the ends of the earth," a phrase that underscores His dominion over all creation.

What sets this verse apart is the emphasis on God’s inexhaustible nature. "He does not faint or grow weary" contrasts human limitations with divine endurance. The Hebrew yāʿăp̄ (יָעַף, "faint") and yigăʿ (יִגַּע, "grow weary") depict physical exhaustion—states we know all too well. But God, as the everlasting One, transcends such weakness. His "understanding is unsearchable" (ʾên ḥēqer, אֵין חֵקֶר), meaning it’s beyond measurement or comprehension, further highlighting His infinite nature.

For the exiles, this was a lifeline: their God was not like the temporary idols of Babylon but an eternal Creator with limitless strength. For us, it’s a source of encouragement. When we feel worn out, we can turn to the One who never tires, trusting His eternal wisdom to guide us.

Psalm 102:25-28: The Unchanging Eternal God

"Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end." (Psalm 102:25-28, ESV)

Psalm 102 is a cry of distress, yet it rises to a majestic affirmation of God’s eternity. The psalmist contrasts the temporary nature of creation with God’s enduring existence. "Of old" (lĕp̄ānîm, לְפָנִים) refers to ancient times, pointing to God’s pre-existence as He "laid the foundation of the earth" (yāsad, יָסַד, "established"). The heavens, though vast, are merely "the work of your hands," subject to His will.

The imagery shifts to decay: "They will perish" (ʾābad, אָבַד, "be destroyed") and "wear out like a garment" (bālâ, בָּלָה, "become worn"). Creation is transient, like clothing that frays over time. Yet God "will remain" (ʿāmad, עָמַד, "stand firm"), and "you are the same" (ʾattâ hûʾ, אַתָּה הוּא) declares His immutability—He does not change. The phrase "your years have no end" poetically affirms that His existence stretches infinitely forward.

This contrast highlights God’s sovereignty and stability. He can "change them like a robe," yet He remains constant. For believers, this is a rock to cling to: while the world shifts, God’s eternal nature ensures His faithfulness never wavers.

Additional Scriptures: A Broader View of God’s Eternity

The Bible weaves God’s eternity throughout its narrative. Here are five related passages that enrich our understanding:

Genesis 1:1: Before Time Began

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1, ESV)

The Bible opens with a simple yet profound statement. "In the beginning" (bĕrēʾšîṯ, בְּרֵאשִׁית) marks the start of time and creation, but God is already present. The verb "created" (bārāʾ, בָּרָא) is used exclusively of God’s creative acts, implying He existed before all things. His eternity precedes the universe itself.

Exodus 3:14: I AM WHO I AM

"God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to you.”’" (Exodus 3:14, ESV)

When Moses asks God’s name, He responds with ʾehyeh ʾăšer ʾehyeh (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה), "I AM WHO I AM." Rooted in hāyâ (הָיָה, "to be"), this name reveals God’s self-existence and timelessness. He is not defined by past or future but is eternally present, the source of all being.

John 8:58: Before Abraham Was, I AM

"Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’" (John 8:58, ESV)

Jesus’ bold claim uses the Greek egō eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι), "I am," echoing Exodus 3:14. By saying "before Abraham was, I am," He asserts not just pre-existence but eternal existence. The Jews’ reaction—attempting to stone Him (John 8:59)—shows they recognized this as a claim to deity, affirming His oneness with the eternal Father.

John 1:1: The Eternal Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1, ESV)

John identifies Jesus as "the Word" (logos, λόγος), present "in the beginning" (en archē, ἐν ἀρχῇ). The imperfect tense of "was" (ēn, ἦν) indicates continuous existence—Jesus has always been, sharing God’s eternal nature. This verse ties the Trinity to eternity, showing Father and Son as co-eternal.

Romans 1:20: Eternal Power in Creation

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." (Romans 1:20, ESV)

Paul declares that God’s "eternal power" (aidios autou dynamis, ἀΐδιος αὐτοῦ δύναμις) is evident in creation. Aídios (ἀΐδιος) means "everlasting," and nature testifies to this truth—sunrises, seasons, and stars all reflect a power that endures beyond time.

Living in Light of God’s Eternity

God’s eternity is a thread that runs through Scripture, revealing a God who has no beginning or end, who is self-existent, unchanging, and sovereign over all. From Psalm 90:2’s "from everlasting to everlasting" to Isaiah 40:28’s tireless Creator, to Psalm 102:25-28’s immutable One, we see a consistent picture: God is eternal, and we are not. Yet, this truth is not meant to distance us but to draw us closer.

For evangelical believers, God’s eternity has practical implications:

Trust: His unchanging nature means His promises—salvation, grace, eternal life—are secure. We can rely on Him when all else fails.

Hope: In a world of constant change, God’s eternity is our anchor. Our trials are temporary; His presence is forever.

Worship: The grandeur of His timelessness calls us to awe. He is worthy of our praise, not just for what He does but for who He is.

Eternal Life: Through Christ, we share in His eternity. As John 3:16 promises, faith in Him grants us life everlasting.

Consider this: when life feels uncertain, God’s eternity offers stability. When we face loss, His endless years promise reunion. When we doubt, His timeless faithfulness steadies us. As those created in His image, redeemed by His Son, we’re invited into a relationship that transcends time—a relationship that begins now and stretches into eternity.

So, let’s marvel at the Eternal God. Let’s trust Him with today and rest in the hope of forever. For He is "from everlasting to everlasting," and in Him, we find our eternal home.