From Everlasting to Everlasting

The phrase "from everlasting to everlasting" occurs seven times in the NIV, always in reference to God. No one and nothing else has always existed. No one and nothing else has inherent immortality, or the power to grant immortality to others.

We human beings tend to say our best creations will "last forever" or "be remembered forever." Frequently it's just another manifestation of the arrogance that wants to be like God. Intellectually, we know that even the most durable of mortal monuments will crumble with time; but there's a strong appeal to pride in the idea that "If I cannot achieve immortality of soul by my own efforts, I can at least ensure that my accomplishments will be remembered as long as the human race lasts!"

Along that line, the rulers of ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Mesoamerica had great stone structures built to honor their achievements. Today, many of these works are reduced to rubble, the rulers are no more than names, and the surviving structures are quick visits on tourists' itineraries. Percy Bysshe Shelley's 1817 poem, Ozymandias, points up the folly of attempting to build for eternity.

No human being can achieve immortality by exalting himself. We can only receive immortality by submitting ourselves to God--the One Who is "from everlasting to everlasting."

From everlasting
To everlasting
Our great God is Lord of all;
From everlasting
To everlasting
Mortal souls can on Him call,
For He is faithful
To hear the hurting
And to respond to them in love:
From everlasting
To everlasting
Our great Father reigns above.

From everlasting
To everlasting
The Creator shall be blessed:
To every creature
Within His caring
He alone gives peace and rest,
And to His glory,
To the Almighty,
We our worship song now raise:
From everlasting
To everlasting
He alone deserves all praise.