"Before" means "in front". It's clearer in German, where "vor" is the exact same word. See also use of "before" to mean "in front of" physically. edit: also w

"Before" means "in front". It's clearer in German, where "vor" is the exact same word. See also use of "before" to mean "in front of" physically. edit: also works if you consider being onboard a ship. The forward parts of the ship pass a given point "before" the "after" parts of the ship.