Bible Trivia - 7/23/2008

Question: Which book says that 1000 years is as one day in the eyes of the Lord?

Answer: II Peter. (II Peter 3:8)

Comments: II Peter famously claims "with the Lord one day is like a thousand years." Many have seen this as an allusion to Psalm 90:4. Milton S. Terry (1840-1914) explains, "The language is a poetical citation from Psalm 90:4, and is adduced to show that the lapse of time does not invalidate the promises of God." (Biblical Hermeneutices: A Treatise on the Interpretation of the Old and New Testaments, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974, 406.)

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. (II Peter 3:8, NASB)

Many have utilized passages such as Psalm 90:4 and II Peter 3:8 as an indication that the days in Genesis' creation accounts are actually longer periods of time such as geological ages.

Chris Tomlin's "Better is One Day" (based upon Psalm 84) perhaps takes on new meaning when he sings, "Better is one day in Your courts/Than thousands elsewhere". Presumably, no conversion ratio was intended...