Simply defined, God is absolutely free from the tyranny of time. In him there is no past or future, but one always and never-ending present. He is neither conditioned nor confined by time.
During one of his dialogues with the wicked Pharisees, the Son of God made reference to his attribute of eternality (John 8:56–57). Jesus did not say, “Before Abraham was, I was,” but, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).
We see things only as they occur, if we see them at all. Man may be pictured as peeking through a small knothole in a huge fence, watching the parade of life go by. He can only see that tiny section of the parade that passes immediately before his eyes. This section he calls the present. That part of the parade already gone by is the past, while the final part of the parade he calls the future. But the eternal God stands on top of the fence and sees easily the entire panorama. He views the beginning (the past to us), the middle (our present), and looks upon the coming parade (the future to us) (see Deut 33:27; Job 36:26; Ps 90:1–4; Isa 46:9–10; 2 Pet 3:8).
“Dear Lord, is it not true that a thousand years are in thy sight as but a day, and a million dollars as but one cent?” “Yes, my child,” the Lord answered. “Then, dear Lord, I would ask from thee but one thing, could you grant thy servant a mere penny?” With a smile the Lord responded, “Tomorrow my child, tomorrow!”
He has planned his activities before time existed, but then accomplishes them in time.
a. His (physical) birth (Gal 4:4).
b. His death (1 Pet 1:19–20; Rev 13:8).
c. His earthly reign (Acts 17:31).
a. Our salvation (Eph 1:4).
b. Our sanctification (Rom 8:29).
c. Our service (Eph 2:10).