Last time we saw how it is possible to understand the enigma of the long apparent time in creation without having to argue with those who use only science to reach a conclusion.
This time I would like to show that there is another dimension of time that we are all used to without realising it, and it is a further help in understanding the enigma of time. I refer to dreams.
Those who try to understand what goes on inside our brains during sleep have shown by their observations that we all dream every night, though we seldom recall any of this on waking. But during those periods of dream-sleep our eyes dart about extremely rapidly. Watching a person’s eyes when they are dreaming might remind us of watching a film on “fast forward”. Scientists have called this REM, short for Rapid Eye Movement Sleep.
Researchers have also shown that periods of REM sleep are often quite brief, but if a person is awakenedjust after it ceases, they might tell you that their dream lasted over an hour. This explains the Rapid Eye Movement. In sleep, and within the dream, we see events at a normal rate, but to those watching the sleeper, it seems like they are dreaming on “fast forward.”
Although we do not understand these things, for we have no way of dealing with them other than observing what happens, it must be clear that within dreams we are entering another time zone that doesn’t travel at the same rate as ours.
Here is another example of the collapse of time, similar to what happens during the miracle of creation. Each shows all semblance of age. Could it be that the Creator has given every human being a continuous demonstration of time collapse, to enable him to understand the nature of creation?
I believe this to be so. It is an example of how a gracious God gives us little helps along the way, to assist us in believing in Him, and allowing Him to enter our lives, giving us a taste of His existence, leading hopefully to our belief in Eternal Life through the Wine-maker.
(Science note. Most animals have been observed to experience REM sleep, especially cats and dogs. Birds, reptiles, and even fish seem to have cycles of sleep, though not always REM-type sleep. Could it be that we all need this other-dimensional sleep to exist? It has been found that rats prevented from sleeping always die after about two weeks. Sleep-deprived humans when allowed to sleep go through a “sleep binge” to make up for the deprivation. Therefore the Lord requires us to live in this other dimension during sleep. Something to think about.)