One Day, One-Thousand Years
We should understand that time is not random, and there is a fractal pattern before us. We should recognize that as each day has a unique energy, so too does each millennium. As each day carries with it a distinct vantage point in how we live, so too does our current age.
For much of human history, a belief has prevailed that the universe is essentially eternal, possessing neither a beginning nor an end. However, ancient Jewish tradition held quite the opposite: the universe was not only created, but it would endure for 6,000 years. At the end of this period, a cosmic renewal would begin to unfold, reintegrating the natural world back into its supernatural origins.
6,000 Years
We see this idea hinted at in the very first verse of Genesis.
בראשית ברא אלהים את השמים ואת הארץ׃
When G_D began to create heaven and earth.
- Genesis 1:1
There are (6) [letter] Alephs in this first verse. As Hebrew letters also carry a numerical value, the Aleph, numerically represents the number 1. Thus representing the (6) days of creation that culminate in a day of rest on the 7th day.
Deeper still, the word for one-thousand is Eleph, spelled exactly the same as the letter Aleph. This gives us (6) thousand.
From this, tradition derives an idea that the Heavens and the earth (ie: space-time), will exist in this form for 6,000 years.
This formula is modeled in the weekly counting of days, where the 6 days of work culminate in the Shabbat. So too, the 6th millennium will also end in a great 1,000-year-long Shabbat - also known as the Messianic Era.
The root of this equation is found in Psalm 90:
“For in Your sight, a thousand years are like yesterday that has passed, like a watch of the night.” Psalm 90:4
Similar to Einstein's theory of Relativity, the Sages perceived that time on earth was somehow different from the upper worlds.
Shabbat
In the Zohar, the very word of Genesis 1:1, "Beresheit", is understood to be a composite of two Aramaic words: Bara-sheis, which means “He Created Six,”. This is another allusion to the six thousand years that will precede the Messianic era.
In the practical sense, this is one major reason why religious Jews maintain Shabbat - aside from it being repeatedly commanded - but that it foreshadows the timeline for redemption.
In essence, the 7-day week is a fractal of the entire arch of time. In the Bible, 7 is the number that represents the natural order of the upper and lower worlds. Hence, we see 7 seas, 7 continents, 7 classical planets, 7 Heavens, etc.
This idea can be seen in various places throughout the Tanakh, the New Testament, as well as other Rabbinic sources. In the Talmud, we see this explained further, (though we will not focus on this particular sub-division of time in this article):
“… And it says in the explanation of the equation between one day and one thousand years: “For a thousand years in Your eyes are but like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night” (Psalms 90:4). The school of Elijah [the Prophet] taught: Six thousand years is the duration of the world. Two thousand of the six thousand years are characterized by chaos; two thousand years are characterized by Torah, from the era of the Patriarchs until the end of the mishnaic period; and two thousand years are the period of the coming of the Messiah. - Sanhedrin 97a:12-14
In this, the Talmud is referencing the Midrash Eliyahu Rabbah (6), a composition of Galilean midrashic traditions. In this, the 'coming' of Messiah marks the beginning of the long process to bring the world into a preparatory state for redemption. We see this idea leveraged in the Wedding at Cana in the Gospel of John.
Messianic Era
Some may ask, "...but cannot Messiah can arrive at any time?".
While this is correct, this is dependent upon humankind. Should we fail to earn the merit to see Messiah earlier, then time will run its entire course¹. If things run the full course of time, it is believed to follow the schedule of 6,000 years. (We should note, the Sages, and many great Rabbis through time have predicted that we are within a few years of this window opening).
The choice is ours as to which timeline we choose.
If we act in accordance with G_D's commands, we can hasten redemption. Peter and the Apostles also carried over this teaching. We read;
“... But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”.
- 2 Peter 3:8
A few passages later:
"Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of G_D? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze! But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides.”
- 2 Peter 11-13
In the non-canonical text, Barnabas², we see this elaborated on further.
“Of the Sabbath He spoke, in the beginning of the creation; And G_D made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it. - Barnabas 15
Conclusion
In conclusion, a major takeaway for us is that time is not random, and there is a fractal pattern before us. We should recognize that as each day has a unique energy, so too does each month, season, year, and millennium.
Second, each day carries with it a distinct vantage point that influences how we live, and what challenges we may have to contend with on a global scale.
Third, we should remember that our actions, words, and thoughts matter deeply. If the course of the universe can be swayed by human consciousness, we need to exert every energy we can muster to that end, hastening and elevating every opportunity we receive.
Notes:
² (Though, not to be confused with Barnabas in the New Testament)
“Of the Sabbath He spoke, in the beginning of the creation; And G_D made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it. Give heed, children, what this means; He ended in six days. He meant this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for the day with Him signifies a thousand years; and this He himself bore me witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end. And He rested on the seventh day. this He meant; when His Son shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the stars, then shall he truly rest on the seventh day.” - Barnabas 15:3-5
