Answer: Tim,

Eternity with God is a state that inspires us all to speculate and dream – as it should. But the Bible offers little detail, and when it does speak of eternity, it often employs metaphors using our physical world (see the last chapters of Revelation, the new Jerusalem, etc.). We will enjoy God forever, as Paul says, "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived that God has prepared for those who love him….but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:9-10). Paul does not mean to imply that God has revealed all specifics and details, but God has at least given his children the desire, heart, and motivation to "see" that eternity with God is something to be anticipated and hoped for.

There is nothing wrong with speculating about time travel, etc. – when we are glorified and immortal. However, we must be careful that such speculations do not take on a life of their own and become dogma, for the Bible does not give us specifics. One author did an extensive study of beliefs about the afterlife, and he found that we all tend to project the things that we like to do, the personality type that we enjoy, etc. into heaven. For example, ambitious and "type A" Christians tend to think of eternity as being a "place" and "time" when they will be busy, productive, and won’t even have to sleep, but be able to work 24 hours a day. But such a view of eternity is not shared by everyone – there are those who would think that eternity must certainly include a few golf courses, afternoon naps, and time to walk and talk. We will all know someday – and it will be greater than anything any of us can imagine or anything we would devise.

Hope this helps, Tim.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht