Topical Bible: God: Presence of

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The presence of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His omnipresence, holiness, and intimate relationship with His creation. From the earliest chapters of Genesis to the final visions in Revelation, the presence of God is depicted as both a source of comfort and awe, as well as a call to holiness and reverence.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the presence of God is often associated with specific locations and events. In the Garden of Eden, God walked with Adam and Eve, illustrating a direct and personal relationship with humanity (Genesis 3:8). After the Fall, the presence of God became more mediated, often associated with sacred spaces and objects.

Theophanies, or visible manifestations of God, are significant in the Old Testament. For example, God appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6) and later on Mount Sinai, where His presence was accompanied by thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud (Exodus 19:16-20). The Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle were central to Israel's worship, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. Exodus 25:8 states, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them."

The Temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon, became the focal point of God's presence. At its dedication, the glory of the Lord filled the Temple, signifying His acceptance and presence (1 Kings 8:10-11). However, the prophets warned that God's presence could depart due to Israel's unfaithfulness, as seen in Ezekiel's vision of the glory of the Lord leaving the Temple (Ezekiel 10:18-19).

New Testament

The New Testament reveals the presence of God in a new and profound way through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), embodying the presence of God in human form.

After Jesus' ascension, the presence of God is experienced through the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles at Pentecost, empowering them to spread the Gospel. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, stating, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The presence of God is also a source of comfort and strength for believers. Hebrews 13:5 assures, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." This promise underscores the enduring presence of God with His people, regardless of circumstances.

Eschatological Presence

The Bible culminates with the promise of God's eternal presence with His people. Revelation 21:3 proclaims, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'" This vision of the New Jerusalem represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell with humanity, free from sin and separation.

Throughout Scripture, the presence of God is both a profound mystery and a tangible reality, inviting believers into a deeper relationship with their Creator and Sustainer.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 16:13
And she called the name of the LORD that spoke to her, You God see me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that sees me?
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Genesis 28:16
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
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Exodus 20:24
An altar of earth you shall make to me, and shall sacrifice thereon your burnt offerings, and your peace offerings, your sheep, and your oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come to you, and I will bless you.
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Deuteronomy 4:34-36,39
Or has God assayed to go and take him a nation from the middle of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
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Joshua 2:11
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
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1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built?
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2 Chronicles 2:6
But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
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Psalm 139:3,5,7-10
You compass my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
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Isaiah 57:15
For thus said the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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Isaiah 66:1
Thus said the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that you build to me? and where is the place of my rest?
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Jeremiah 23:23,24
Am I a God at hand, said the LORD, and not a God afar off?
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Jeremiah 32:18,19
You show loving kindness to thousands, and recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
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Jonah 1:3,4
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
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Acts 7:48,49
However, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as said the prophet,
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Acts 17:24,27,28
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;
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1 Corinthians 12:6
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.
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Ephesians 1:23
Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
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Greek

2714. katenopion -- over against
... Zodhiates, ). 2714 ("in the presence of") refers to God -- the one who
always acts in conjunction (which is always ). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2714.htm - 7k

1799. enopios -- in sight of, before
... before the face of, in the presence of Definition: before the face of, in the presence
of, in the eyes of. 1799 -- literally, "in the eye (of God)," used for ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1799.htm - 7k

4639. skia -- shadow
... 4639 -- properly, the of a looming presence; (figuratively) a spiritual reality
(good or bad) relating to God's light or spiritual darkness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4639.htm - 6k

4134. pleres -- full
... adjective) -- ; used of being of the presence of the Lord (His provisions) which
is the definition of a life. See 4130 (). Being "" (4134 ) brings God's , (Ac 6 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4134.htm - 7k

2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... His persuasion (faith) in them which also empowers, manifests His presence etc.
See 2307 (). [Note the close connection between (4102 , "God's inbirthed ") and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2309.htm - 11k

Strong's Hebrew

6934. Qadmiel -- "God is the ancient one," a Levite name
... Kadmiel. From qedem and 'el; presence of God; Kadmiel, the name of three Israelites --
Kadmiel. see HEBREW qedem. see HEBREW 'el. 6933, 6934. Qadmiel. 6935 > ...
/hebrew/6934.htm - 6k

Library

Consciousness of God's Presence.
... CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD'S PRESENCE. Happy and blessed is the soul that is conscious
of God's sweet indwelling presence. Being conscious ...
/.../consciousness of gods presence.htm

Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence.
... SERMONS. SELF-SCRUTINY IN GOD'S PRESENCE. ISAIAH, i.11.""Come now, and
let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/self-scrutiny in gods presence.htm

God's Presence is Light in Darkness.
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:54. God's presence is
light in darkness. 1 My God, the spring of all my joys, The ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 2 54 gods presence is.htm

God's Presence is Light in Darkness.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 54 God's presence is light in darkness. CM God's presence
is light in darkness. My God, the spring of all my joys,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 54 gods presence is.htm

Prayer for God's Presence and Blessing.
... DEDICATIONS; ORDINATIONS; INSTALLATIONS. 705. " Prayer for God's Presence and Blessing.
705. HM Francis. Prayer for God's Presence and Blessing. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/705 prayer for gods.htm

December the Seventeenth God's Presence Our Defence
... DECEMBER The Seventeenth GOD'S PRESENCE OUR DEFENCE. EXODUS xv.11-18. ... The only thing
that makes the devil fear is the presence of God. Our money can do nothing. ...
/.../december the seventeenth gods presence.htm

Mear. CM God's Presence in Sanctuary.
... 40 Mear. CM God's Presence in Sanctuary. God's Presence in Sanctuary.
(111) Again our earthly cares we leave, And in thy courts ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/40 mear c m gods presence.htm

CMH Ware, Jr. For God's Presence.
... I. PUBLIC WORSHIP. 41. CMH Ware, Jr. For God's Presence. 1 Father in heaven,
to whom our hearts Would lift themselves in prayer, Drive ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/41 c m h ware.htm

LM Moore. God's Presence in Nature.
... II. GOD. 84. LM Moore. God's Presence in Nature. 1 Thou art, O God, the
life and light Of all this wondrous world we see; Its glow ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/84 l m moore gods.htm

MJ Taylor. Seeking God's Presence.
... I. PUBLIC WORSHIP. 9. 8 & 7s. MJ Taylor. Seeking God's Presence. 1 Far from
mortal cares retreating, Sordid hopes, and fond desires ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/9 8 & 7s m.htm