Sayings

The idiom “in the twinkling of an eye!” clearly means something happens in an instance and originates from Paul’s letter 1 Corinthians 15:52  “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

In a moment, In an atom; that is, an indivisible point of time. In the twinkling of an eye; as soon as we can wink; which expressions show that this mighty resurrection work is to be done by the almighty power of God, as he does all his works, He calls, and it is done. The resurrection of all the dead, from the foundation of the world to that time, and the change of all the living then upon earth, shall be the work of a single moment.

This creative instance of God is clearly seen in Psalm 33:9 “Earth-creatures, bow before God; world-dwellers—down on your knees! Here’s why: he spoke and there it was, in place the moment he said so.” And on the cross by that one statement. “It is finished!” The crowds watch Jesus breathe his last. They watch his body slump lifeless on the cross. It is finished. The circus of the day, the spectacle of Jesus being paraded through the streets and disgraced, the whole ugly thing—finished.

But Jesus’ word, “Tetelestai” is so much more than a simple “finished.” It is cosmic, a word vast, unbound by time, and with universal meaning. This final utterance hearkens back to the beginning, to that first sentence, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The final punctuation on a sentence spoken in an instance and in love, is spoken across space, time, through ages, prophets, patriarchs, matriarchs, sages, and in these last days, spoken to us by a son: Jesus.”

In that moment all eternity is held in love of God  “who gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.”

Thank You dear Lord, that we can say with assurance, “It is finished…” Death has lost its sting. We praise You for making all things new. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.