We recognize the four dimensions of space and time in which we exist. They are the length, width and depth of any physical object and the “clock” that keeps on ticking. Are there more dimensions out there? Perhaps we’ve had some inkling or thought that came out of nowhere – from dreams, déjà vu, etc. Where does hypnosis take someone’s mind – to another dimension outside of (greater than) time and space? What does the possibility of “time travel” imply about the dimension of time? How can invisible time be thought of as a dimension in the same way as the three dimensions we can see? Lots of questions. Where can we get some insights?
Space-Time
“Outside of time” is an interesting expression. I’ve used it frequently in describing the origin of our universe. You might be a “big banger”, have another physical (natural) model for origins or have a supernatural model of origins issuing from a Biblical worldview. In any case, it seems logical that either something greater than (outside of), dimensionally speaking, space-time had to gather and set off the “stuff” (space) that went (time) bang or had some other, physical means of initiation, or a supernatural entity had some other origins strategy.
We cannot, by any conventional means, touch or measure the higher (than four) dimensions. We can, however, do some thought experiments. Let’s put this origins force for the universe into a higher dimension, which could then encompass (exist outside of) the four dimensions of space-time, just as the three dimensions of space may exist solely inside of time. Does time penetrate space and vice versa – or is time “just there?”
Does time travel require one to exist in two different spaces at the same time, two different times to exist in the same space, or something else? Hmmm. Cosmologists and particle physicists use higher dimensional objects (branes) in their models for trying to understand and connect the force fields (quantum, electromagnetic and gravitational) that hold our physical universe together. They propose that some stretching, wrapping and folding of the fabric of space-time may be the means to generate shortcuts (wormholes, etc.) thru space and time.
Heaven
If “outside of time” is a brain teaser , what must heaven be – a fascinating place? We get a clue to the possible higher dimensionalities (“outside of time”) of heaven, when good vs evil is being addressed in the Bible, “…the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Multiple realms, i.e., dimensions, could imply a separation of forces in the heavens. An examination of those forces, good and evil, reasonably leads to more than just two additional dimensions, when considered in the light of additional Scripture. Since evil forces (Satan and his demons) have been given power to affect the earth and its inhabitants, they could logically be assigned to a fifth dimension, which encompasses and penetrates our existence in space and time. C.S. Lewis paints a surreal picture of this drama in The Screwtape Letters.
The heavenly forces of good could then exist in a sixth dimension separate from the evil forces. Moreover, it seems reasonable that the Biblical heavenly forces of good, i.e., God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), God the Holy Spirit, the archangel Gabriel, the archangel Michael and their legions of angels might not all be of equivalent rank. Let’s put the angels in the sixth dimension and the Trinity in a still higher dimension. Why? First, because the angels are “lower” than Jesus. Secondly, one could speculate that only one way “travel” would be possible between the higher (greater than space-time) dimensions, i.e., a supernatural entity could not move into dimensions higher than its home dimension.
Supernatural Forces
This type of limited inter-dimensional travel would preserve a peaceful home for the supernatural forces of good. The angels and demons could dwell in the same dimensional order, say 5a and 5b, as they are battling each other both in heaven and on earth, but I think that that makes for a more chaotic heavenly realm. Hypnosis may open a portal in one’s soul and spirit into the dimension of evil forces. Metaphysically, hypnosis, prayer and judgement (after physical death) could involve “travel” by humans to heaven from earth. That humans created by God, in His image, might travel, dimensionally, via different rules than supernatural beings, is clearly within His prerogative.
The Trinity could occupy the seventh dimension, but God the Father is likely in a higher dimension than either His Son or the Holy Spirit, based on many reports in John’s Gospel, including the words of Jesus, Himself: “…for the Father is greater than I.” So, if we end up with Father God in the eighth dimension and Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the seventh dimension, I believe we have a reasonable delineation of a functional, multidimensional structure for both the heavens and the earth, at least from within the framework of a Biblical worldview. No one this side of heaven knows reality in this arena, but I hope your mind has been stimulated. Wherever you land, dimensionally speaking, think about how your worldview is helping you (or not) interpret the past, act in the present and prepare for the future.
