Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4900 Time  »  4903 time

A creation of God which marks the duration of life and which is measured by changes in the created order. The flow of time is directed by God who appoints particular “times” within his unfolding purposes. Because human life is brief, time should be used properly, making the most of every opportunity.

Time as a creation of God

Time began at creation

Genesis 1:5 See also 1 Corinthians 2:7

Time is marked by change in the created order

Genesis 1:14 The main divisions of time were based upon the phases of the sun and moon. See also Psalm 104:19; Jeremiah 33:20

The timelessness of God

Psalm 90:2 See also Genesis 1:1; Psalm 93:2; Proverbs 8:22-26; Habakkuk 1:12; John 1:1-2

God's perception of time

2 Peter 3:8 See also Psalm 90:4

Measurement of time

Divisions of time

Genesis 1:8 A day was marked by the regular cycle of evening and morning; Numbers 28:14 Months were determined by the regular phases of the moon; 1 Kings 4:7 The year consisted of twelve lunar months; John 11:9 An hour was one twelfth of the period of daylight.

Indefinite periods of time

1 Samuel 1:22; Jeremiah 32:14; Luke 20:9; Acts 14:28; Acts 18:23

Recurring times and seasons

God's seasonal provision

Deuteronomy 11:14 See also Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 28:12; Psalm 145:15-16; Jeremiah 5:24; Acts 14:17

Appointed times for festivals

Leviticus 23:4 See also Exodus 13:10; Exodus 23:15 pp Exodus 34:18; Numbers 9:2-3

A right time for every activity

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 See also Ecclesiastes 3:11; Ecclesiastes 8:6; Jeremiah 8:7

Times of human life in God's hands

Psalm 31:15; Psalm 139:16 See also Job 14:5; Daniel 2:21; Acts 17:26

Appointed times within God's unfolding purpose

The time of fulfilment of promise

The time of Isaac's birth:

Genesis 21:2; Romans 9:9 Luke 1:20 the time of John the Baptist's birth; Acts 7:17 the time of Israel's possession of the land

The time of Israel's deliverance

Psalm 102:13 See also Habakkuk 2:3; Habakkuk 3:16

The time of Jesus Christ's coming

Galatians 4:2-4 See also Mark 1:15; Luke 19:44; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 1:3

The time of Jesus Christ's death

John 12:23 See also Matthew 26:18; John 2:4; John 8:20; John 13:1; Romans 5:6; 1 Peter 1:11

The time of Jesus Christ's return

1 Corinthians 4:5 See also Matthew 24:36; Ephesians 1:10; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Timothy 6:15

The time of God's judgment

Psalm 75:2; Ezekiel 7:7-8; Ezekiel 24:14; Zephaniah 2:2; Matthew 8:29; Revelation 11:18

The appointed time of the end

Daniel 8:19; Daniel 11:27,29; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6-7

The time between Jesus Christ's first and second coming

The time of salvation

2 Corinthians 6:2 The time of salvation lies between the two comings of Jesus Christ. See also Isaiah 49:8; Hebrews 11:13

The end times

Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 2:18

Proper use of time

Recognising the brevity of human life

Psalm 90:12 See also Psalm 39:4-6; Proverbs 27:1; James 4:14

Seeking God

Isaiah 55:6 See also Psalm 32:6; Psalm 69:13; Psalm 95:7-8; Ecclesiastes 12:1,6-7

Looking to eternal realities

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 See also Psalm 10:6; Isaiah 56:12; Luke 12:16-21; Romans 13:11-12; James 5:7-9

Making the most of opportunities

Colossians 4:5 See also Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 5:16

See also

1115  God, purpose of
4016  life, human
4921  day
4945  history
4948  hour
4951  month
4978  year
5046  opportunities
5385  leisure
8438  giving time
9120  eternity
9155  millennium