THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT- Is God Omnipresent?

MANY people believe that God is omnipresent, meaning that he is literally everywhere and in everything. Wise King Solomon made this request to Jehovah in prayer:  "May you yourself hear from the heavens, your established place of dwelling."  (1 Kings 8:30, 39) According to the Bible, then, Jehovah God has a place of dwelling. Solomon referred to that place as "the heavens."  But what does that mean? 

The Bible sometimes uses the words "heaven" and "heavens" to refer to the physical realm surrounding the earth. (Genesis 2:1, 4) However, since God created all things, his dwelling place must have existed before he formed the material universe. Hence, God must exist in a realm  that is not bound by material things. Therefore, when the Bible  speaks of heaven as a dwelling place of Jehovah God, it is referring not to a location in the sky or in outer space, but to a spirit realm. 

A Stunning Vision

The Bible provides us with a captivating glimpse of Jehovah's dwelling place through a vision that was given to the apostle John. In that vision, John saw an opened door in the heavens and then heard a voice say to him:  "Come on up here." -Revelation 4:1. 

Next, John was presented with a stunning vision of Jehovah God himself. In part, this is what he saw:  "A throne was in its position in heaven . . . The one seated is, in appearance  like a jasper stone and a precious red-colored stone, and round about the throne there is a rainbow like an emerald in appearance. .  .  .Out of the throne there are proceeding lightnings and voices and thunders . . .And before the throne there is, as it were a glassy sea like crystal." -Revelation 4:2-6.

Here is a vivid description of Jehovah's resplendent beauty and incomparable magnificence. And notice the environment that surrounds  Jehovah's throne.  The rainbow suggests serenity and peace.  The lightnings, voices, and thunders emphasize God's power.  The glassy sea draws attention to the clean standing  of all those in God's presence. 

Although the imagery presented her is symbolic, it tells us much about God's dwelling place. Jehovah maintains perfect order in heaven.  His dwelling  place is not in  chaos. 

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT -Is God Omnipresent - 
In All Places at All Times? 

From the Awake! magazine, 2011