Two dimensional time and God's Glory

According to basic physics, time is a linear dimension whose passage is directed by the second law of thermodynamics. Entropy always increases. Metric time is defined by standards such as  the time that elapses during 9,192,631,770 cycles of the radiation produced by the transition between two levels of the cesium-133 atom. The special and general theories of relativity allow for time dilation under the influence of extreme velocity or exceptionally strong gravitation. In all of these cases, time is still a single dimension of existence. Modern physics (string theory) attempts to use 10 or 11 dimensions to describe modern physics’ understanding of the interaction of space-time with various dimensions, but the additional dimensions are ‘compact’, meaning their extent is subfemtoscopic. But the phenomena of all of these modern physics theories describe are only accessible by extremely sophisticated scientific instruments, well outside the experience of daily life.

It is not uncommon for us to reference both ideas and experiences which are tangible in which time does not flow uniformly. “Time stood still” refers to experiences that are so focused and intense that the passage of outside events and time seem to be put on pause, yet seem to elapse for the individual uttering these words. (see, for example, Joshua 10:13) Time travel is the stuff of science fiction, but Bible prophecy indicates that select individuals were enabled to see events of the future. In near death experiences, some will say that their life flashed before their eyes. We might say that all of these experiences are mental, or perhaps spiritual, but my point is that tying time to a physical phenomenon such as the frequency of radiation from an atom may not be the only means to perceive time. 

The concept here is that from a human perspective of  body, soul, and spirit, space an time may have one (or more) additional dimension(s). Not just compact dimensions, but unlimited in extent. When we read in the Bible of eternity, a new heaven and a new earth, how can this be reconciled with the “heat death of the universe”? Perhaps when time seems to stand still, we are traveling (briefly) in that other time dimension, which is orthogonal to the one we normally live in. Where is heaven anyway? Above us in physical space, we have mapped out the atmosphere and the nearer parts of outer space to varying degrees -  heaven has not been found in this solar system. Perhaps it is on some distant planet circling another star that astronomers are slowly detecting?

Jesus indicated that heaven is at hand. This suggests to me that it is in a dimension or dimensions that are perpendicular (both in space and time) to ours. Not far away in those dimensions, but inaccessible in our current state most of the time. Perhaps our physical bodies are tied to the dimensions of space and time we experience, and when they die our soul and spirit are freed to travel in those additional dimensions, where spiritual realities are manifest. 

Turning now to a seemingly unrelated topic, what is glory? We have human understanding of it being fame and good report of heroic actions for good causes. But there are Biblical descriptions of God’s glory that indicate it is visible, transcendent, and terrifying. (Exodus 33:18-23, 40:35, Numbers 16:42-49, 1 Kings 8:10-11, 2 Chronicles  5:15, Isaiah 6:1-5) What is God’s glory? I believe it is the result of the combination of His eternal love and perfect holiness, manifested in the eternal dimensions, but only occasionally seen on earth. Jesus’ hidden qualities were thus manifested on the Mount of Transfiguration. (Luke 9:29-36) When Ezekiel and John saw the throne of God in heaven, this glory was visible. (Ezekiel 1:26-28,  Revelation 1:13-17)

How do love and holiness become visible (apart from the actions they produce)? This is pure speculation on my part, but perhaps they are so intrinsically tied to the dimensions of eternity that they yield emanations, in a vague way similar to the way gravity warps space and time as described by the general theory of relativity. Maybe it is like Cherenkov radiation manifesting light as bright as the sun when the nature and character of the Son of God are unveiled in our space-time continuum. 

The final challenge is this. Jesus invites us to become like Him, to receive His nature and character of agape love and unblemished holiness. [Achieving this is a separate topic.] But perhaps  this means when we arrive at that state of eternal identification with Him, we will share His glory, just as Moses and Elijah did when Jesus spoke with them just before His passion. (Luke 9:31) This goes beyond merely receiving God’s approval, as C. S. Lewis described in his essay on the Weight of Glory. God’s glory goes beyond His approval, to Him causing us to actually receive and live out His nature and character. Let us humbly engage on responding to this challenge.