"I don't understand the need for a battle timer"

#PokemonGO: Is there a reason for the 99 second battle timer? If you are only permitted 6 Pokemon to battle a gym at the time, what purpose does having the timer serve? Other than creating a 'race-against-the-clock' for ONE SINGLE POKEMON, there is no reason for a timer.Also, minor gripe: Lately as I battle gyms, I'll be taking down a Blissey and the game will have a network error - Blissey won't attack and I'll keep doing damage, the timer will keep running, but once the game stops lagging, Blissey's HP is reset to what it was before the lag. If this is the case, shouldn't the timer also be reset back to it's pre-lag state? It's a waste of time, potions, and patience. via /r/TheSilphRoad http://ift.tt/2rpPMz4