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Objection 1: It seems that it does not belong to God alone to be
eternal. For it is written that "those who instruct many to
justice," shall be "as stars unto perpetual eternities" (Dan.
12:3). Now if God alone were eternal, there could not be many
eternities. Therefore God alone is not the only eternal.
Objection 2: Further, it is written "Depart, ye cursed into
eternal fire" (Mt. 25:41). Therefore God is not the only
eternal.
Objection 3: Further, every necessary thing is eternal. But there
are many necessary things; as, for instance, all principles of
demonstration and all demonstrative propositions. Therefore God is
not the only eternal.
On the contrary, Jerome says (Ep. ad Damasum. xv) that "God
is the only one who has no beginning." Now whatever has a beginning,
is not eternal. Therefore God is the only one eternal.
I answer that, Eternity truly and properly so called is in God
alone, because eternity follows on immutability; as appears from the
first article. But God alone is altogether immutable, as was shown
above (Question 9, Article 1). Accordingly, however, as some
receive immutability from Him, they share in His eternity. Thus
some receive immutability from God in the way of never ceasing to
exist; in that sense it is said of the earth, "it standeth for ever"
(Eccles. 1:4). Again, some things are called eternal in
Scripture because of the length of their duration, although they are
in nature corruptible; thus (Ps. 75:5) the hills are called
"eternal" and we read "of the fruits of the eternal hills." (Dt.
33:15). Some again, share more fully than others in the nature
of eternity, inasmuch as they possess unchangeableness either in being
or further still in operation; like the angels, and the blessed, who
enjoy the Word, because "as regards that vision of the Word, no
changing thoughts exist in the Saints," as Augustine says (De
Trin. xv). Hence those who see God are said to have eternal life;
according to that text, "This is eternal life, that they may know
Thee the only true God," etc. (Jn. 17:3).
Reply to Objection 1: There are said to be many eternities,
accordingly as many share in eternity, by the contemplation of God.
Reply to Objection 2: The fire of hell is called eternal, only
because it never ends. Still, there is change in the pains of the
lost, according to the words "To extreme heat they will pass from
snowy waters" (Job 24:19). Hence in hell true eternity does
not exist, but rather time; according to the text of the Psalm
"Their time will be for ever" (Ps. 80:16).
Reply to Objection 3: Necessary means a certain mode of truth; and
truth, according to the Philosopher (Metaph. vi), is in the
mind. Therefore in this sense the true and necessary are eternal,
because they are in the eternal mind, which is the divine intellect
alone; hence it does not follow that anything beside God is eternal.
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