The Quickening: Is Time Accelerating? Many have noted that time seems to be accelerating. The hours, days, seasons, and years appear to fly by faster
than ever before. An hour no longer feels like 60 minutes (unless you’re waiting in line!). One week seems to run into the next. It’s as if we’re watching
the blur of a speeding train pass by. Science and Scripture The pace of life has certainly increased, but is time speeding up? Recently, scientists have been
shocked to discover that their measurements indicate the expansion of the universe is actually increasing. Rather than slowing down, as their Big Bang theory
postulates, astronomers have been stunned to learn that the expansion of the universe appears to be accelerating. 1 CNN reports “Scientists are scratching their
heads over a finding that indicates the universe, rather than slowing down, is being expanded by a mysterious force at an accelerating rate.” 2 God’s Word states simply:
“(God) alone spreads out the heavens…” (Job 9:8). Therefore this “mysterious force” is no mystery to a Bible believer. It is God Himself who stretches out the heavens
at the pace He sees fit. However, it is interesting that secular scientists have determined that the universe – which is comprised of time, space, matter, and energy – is
expanding at an increasing rate. Would this affect the dimension we call time? We on earth do not understand time well enough to draw any conclusions; however,
the Creator certainly knows the answer. If an acceleration of time is occurring, is it anticipated in the Bible? When describing the Great Tribulation period,
Jesus stated: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22). Jesus said
that if He did not cut those days short, man would destroy all flesh. 3 Of course, the context of Matthew 24:22 refers to Jesus coming back to earth to rescue
His people from the intense trials which will come upon the earth during the Tribulation. Yet, as is often true of other Bible prophecies, could this perceived
speeding of time foreshadow that which will be fully realized during the Great Tribulation?
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