There are many reasons to love this verse. But one in particular excites me: Because the original Greek phrase “eon of the eons” means endless time, it’s usually translated “forever and ever.” But since eon also means “world,” the phrase means endless worlds, as well–literally both at once.

There’s only one modern term that means both ages and worlds: space-time. It was invented when quantum physicists discovered that time and space were a single thing. In other words: Without space, there’s no time, and without time, there’s no space. The Big Bang theory says space-time had a beginning (so does the Bible). And before that? Many think a different space-time existed. And after this one? The Apostle Peter and the book of Revelation say there’ll be “a new heavens and a new earth.” Another Bang? Maybe. And what about the theory of multiverses? Past, present, future–they’re all the same to…