This relation of events to the time occupied, namely this relation of occupation, is a fundamental relation of nature to time.
Thus the theory requires that we are aware of two fundamental relations, the time-ordering relation between instants, and the time-occupation relation between instants of time and states of nature which happen at those instants.
There are two considerations which lend powerful support to the reigning theory of absolute time.

In the first place time extends beyond nature.
Our thoughts are in time.

Accordingly it seems impossible to derive time merely from relations between elements of nature.

For in that case temporal relations could not relate thoughts.

Thus, to use a metaphor, time would apparently have deeper roots in reality than has nature.