Time is an interesting subject. It is exact in some ways, and yet obscure in others. The first point of any discussion about time is to begin with the presupposition that time is. Similarly, the concept of time is usually broken down into three parts; the past, the present, and the future. Therefore, any time you reflect upon the idea of what time is, you must first realize that time itself is a moving target. I have mentioned this particular observation before in the book “A Conversaunt Existence.”

This time the discussion will take a new tact. It will not be used in establishing God’s existence. Rather the topic will be about what God is doing within it.

Wikipedia introduces us to a German Physicist named Rudolph Clausius. His writings, in the mid 1800’s, was dealing with the second law of thermodynamics when he coined the term Entropy. He summarized the concept of entropy in simple terms: “The energy of the universe is constant. The entropy of the universe tends to a maximum.” To make a long explanation/definition short, Entropy is a transformation that moves from order to disorder. From this starting point it can be said, “The increase of disorder or entropy is what distinguishes the past from the future, giving a direction to time.”¹

While this concept of entropy doesn’t specifically deal with the present it does include a suggestion of time moving. So, we can assume  ‘the present’ is the means for moving from past to future.

Christians infer different attributes to time. However, seeing time as linear is the same as within entropy, but the similarities diverge thereafter. The Bible, while speaking about Jesus Christ in (NASB) Colossians 1:15-17 says, “¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: ¹⁶ for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” 

So, while disorder may be increasing, the universe won’t come unglued, so to speak, until God says “Enough.” The time is coming when this world, full of wickedness and evil, will have run its course, as is recorded in Matthew 24: 9-14, “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. ¹⁰ And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. ¹² And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. ¹⁴ This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

This brings us to another factor that needs attention. It’s the idea of time having a specific length. Words like moment, instant, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade, and era all depict this aspect of a length of time. However, there is another word that cannot be categorized that way. This word registers a non-specific length of time. That word is ‘soon’. Soon isn’t quite like the words near or distant which can be associated with distance as well as with time. No, the word soon appears to have its own category.

The term soon signifies an indefinite amount of time. Therefore, it can mean any number of variations depending on the speakers, or for that matter, the listeners’ impression. In other words, the perception of ‘soon’ gets complicated.

Coincidently, the scriptures tell us as much. In II Peter3: 8 we read, “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.”  Right after that pronouncement we read in II Peter 3: 9 “  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

Prior to the statements in verses 8 and 9, one can see Peter indirectly pointing to this notion of entropy and disorder coming. In II Peter 3: 3-7 he states,”Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, ⁶ through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. ⁷ But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.”

Likewise in 1Thessalonians 5: 1-3 we read, “Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

Here, one cannot escape the conclusion that in this context the indefinite idea ‘soon’ is as good as the term ‘now’ as far as the world’s duration is concerned. God knows when to pull the plug. He knows the right time to establish the New Heavens and New Earth. So, what does that really mean for the people of the world?

The answer is all wrapped up and tied together in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Believers have been given a task. Share the good news of the gospel to all people and give instruction to them of the Truth and about everything the Bible has to offer. Present the non-believer with the real option of living for eternity in the presence of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The world is coming to the end of this age, soon. It might happen today. Regardless there is time enough to continue to evangelize, regardless of whether it is to one person or a huge audience. Whether you are planting the seeds or harvesting the crop for Christ, soon enough there won’t be enough time.

“Maranatha” – Revelation 22: 20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.