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We often say that “God is everywhere.” Or that He is “omnipresent,” which means that He is present throughout the universe. “
Image © Janet Hyun from GoodSalt.com
‘Am I a God near at hand, . . . and not a God afar off? . . . Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ ” (Jer. 23:23-24, NKJV). David understood, too, that nobody can flee from God (Psalm 139). Indeed, as Paul argues, God is close to everyone, at least in a spiritual sense (Acts 17:27-28).
Complementing God’s attribute of omnipresence is His eternal existence. God has neither beginning nor end (Ps. 90:2). He has always been and will always be (Jude 1:25).
Read 1 Kings 8:49 and Psalm 102:19. What do they teach us about the place where God dwells? How are we to understand what this means? Can we understand it?
The Scriptures are full of statements about God’s residence being in heaven (1 Kings 8:30, 43, 49). Does this mean that God is more present in heaven than He is anywhere else? God obviously dwells in heaven in a special way, in His glorious presence and pure holiness. The greatest manifestation of God’s presence exists in heaven.
There is a difference, however, between God’s “general presence” and His “special presence.” God is generally present everywhere; yet, He chooses to reveal Himself in a special way in heaven and, as we will see, in the heavenly sanctuary.
Of course, we have to admit that we are limited in our understanding of His physical nature. He is spirit (John 4:24) and as such cannot be contained in any structure or dimension (1 Kings 8:27). Even so, the Bible presents heaven (John 14:1–3) and the heavenly sanctuary as real places (Heb. 8:2) where God can be seen (Acts 7:55-56; Rev. 4:2-3). We have to believe that even heaven and the heavenly sanctuary are places where God condescends to meet His creation.
There are many things that are difficult for us to imagine or understand, such as the dwelling place of God. Yet, the Bible says that this dwelling place is real. How can we learn to trust in all that the Bible teaches us, no matter how hard it is sometimes to understand? Why is it important for us to learn to trust even when we don’t understand?
22 comment(s) for this post:
eulade [surname?]:
28 Sep 2013 [Moderator's note: Please use your full name.] I see a contradiction how some verses of the bible can confirm that God dwells in heavenly sanctuary and on the other hand, He is omnipresent Please help us to clarify it.Esther Siguelnitzky:
28 Sep 2013 I think that the place where our God dwells is in heaven, but He is in every place as well trough His Holy Spirit and His nature also talks to us about His power and domain wherever we are. His special place of redemption work takes place in the Heavenly Sanctuary that is a physical place as The Bible mention in Exodus and in Hebrew book.Miyanda [surname?]:
29 Sep 2013 [Moderators note: Please remember to use your full name.] God is everywhere in spirit.......................... He dwells in the heavenly sanctuary. Bt His presence is everywhere.Gaylene Martin:
29 Sep 2013 In Revelation 4:2-3, describing The One who sat on the throne, is that implying that God doesn't have a bodily form or could the brightness shining from Him be the appearance of these precious stones?Rob Nunnaley:
29 Sep 2013 It is easy for us to believe that God is in heaven because that is want we have been taught since childhood. Even non-Christians generally believe in a God in heaven. As we study the scriptures it becomes evident that He is in heaven, but He is also able and willing to dwell in us if we are willing to accept Him through faith. Just as we study to educate ourselves and earn degrees in school, we can learn of God through the study of His word. The more we read the more we learn. The more we learn the stronger our belief in Him becomes. If we don't know Him well, then we are invited to read, study, learn and by faith we may know Him more.Frank Caraveo:
29 Sep 2013 It is good to know that even in heaven and the sanctuary in heaven God pursues a relationship with us. All that he does up in heaven is done with us in God's mind, and for our good. Praise be to God.Adriene Harris:
29 Sep 2013 We as humans have a home we dwell in but are not confined to it . God is not tied to His dwelling place in heaven. We leave our home for work, church,to visit friends and family in other states and countries.God does the same. Some companies claim they are global, our God is universal.
eulade [surname?]:
Esther Siguelnitzky:
Miyanda [surname?]:
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