What happened yesterday, or years ago, is considered by many to be responsible for present lack, sickness, and physical or mental pains. The thought of what may happen tomorrow makes men fearful, ill, and unhappy. The so-called past and future often seem to steal away the treasures and opportunities of the present. Mary Baker Eddy defines "time" in part as, "Mortal measurements; limits, in which are summed up all human acts, thoughts, beliefs, opinions, knowledge" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 595).
In the study and application of Christian Science we learn how to meet and master, step by step, the limits and false beliefs which accompany the acceptance of time as a contributing or controlling influence in one's life. The Christian Scientist may not have progressed sufficiently in spiritual understanding to eliminate the belief of time from his experience. But he can at least learn to make it his servant instead of his master.
Ultimately everyone will reach the point referred to by the Revelator, when he heard an angel say (Rev. 10:6), "There should be time no longer." The angelic messenger made this statement as he held in his hand a little open book. He had one foot on the earth and the other upon the sea. Mrs. Eddy implies that the little book in the hand of the angel represents the revelation of Christian Science. And the earth and the sea present, in this instance, mortal mind, or error, and its so-called material universe with all of its sinful manifestations.
