Topical Bible: Heaven: Physical Heavens, Creation of

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The concept of the "heavens" in the Bible often refers to the physical sky and the celestial bodies within it, as well as the spiritual realm. The creation of the physical heavens is a foundational aspect of the biblical account of creation, as described in the Book of Genesis.

Genesis Account

The creation of the physical heavens is detailed in the opening chapter of Genesis. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This verse introduces the heavens as part of the initial act of creation by God, indicating their origin as a divine work.

On the second day of creation, God further organizes the heavens. Genesis 1:6-8 describes this process: "And God said, 'Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.' So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day." Here, the "expanse" or "firmament" is established, which is identified as the sky, forming a division between the waters above and below.

The fourth day of creation sees the further adornment of the heavens with celestial bodies. Genesis 1:14-19 records, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years. And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day." This passage highlights the creation of the sun, moon, and stars, which serve both practical and symbolic purposes.

Theological Significance

The creation of the physical heavens is not merely a description of the natural world but also carries theological significance. The heavens declare the glory of God, as expressed in Psalm 19:1 : "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." The vastness and beauty of the heavens are seen as a testament to God's power and majesty.

Furthermore, the order and regularity of the celestial bodies reflect God's sovereignty and the divine order He established. The sun, moon, and stars serve as markers for time and seasons, underscoring the structured nature of God's creation.

New Testament Reflections

The New Testament also reflects on the creation of the heavens, affirming their divine origin. In Colossians 1:16 , the apostle Paul writes, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him." This passage emphasizes that the heavens, along with all creation, were made through and for Christ, highlighting His preeminence and role in creation.

Conclusion

The creation of the physical heavens is a central theme in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's creative power and the orderliness of His creation. The heavens serve as a constant reminder of God's glory and His sovereign rule over the universe.

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Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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Genesis 2:1
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
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1 Chronicles 16:26
For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
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2 Chronicles 2:12
Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
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Nehemiah 9:6
You, even you, are LORD alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and you preserve them all; and the host of heaven worships you.
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Job 9:8
Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.
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Psalm 8:3
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
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Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.
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Psalm 33:6,9
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
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Psalm 148:4-6
Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters that be above the heavens.
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Proverbs 8:27
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass on the face of the depth:
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Isaiah 37:16
O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwell between the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: you have made heaven and earth.
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Isaiah 40:22
It is he that sits on the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:
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Isaiah 42:5
Thus said God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
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Isaiah 45:12,18
I have made the earth, and created man on it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
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Jeremiah 10:12
He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
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Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, you have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you:
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Jeremiah 51:15
He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and has stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
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Acts 4:24
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, you are God, which have made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
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Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities to the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
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Hebrews 1:10
And, You, Lord, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hands:
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Revelation 10:6
And swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
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Revelation 14:7
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
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Library

What the Stable Creation Teaches
... Sun, moon and stars, heaven, earth and sea"'ye are ... convulsions, shocks and shatterings
in the heavens, and a time comes, as even physical science predicts ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/what the stable creation teaches.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth (Preached at the Chapel ...
... accurate words"that the Lord Christ was shaking the heavens and the ... I shake not the
earth only, but also heaven.' Not merely the physical world, and ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon vi the shaking of.htm

The vision of Creation
... It swept the heavens and earth clear of the crowd of ... Physical science has not spoken
the final word when it has ... In the beginning God created the heaven and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the vision of creation.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... which is also called the heaven of heavens') and the earth (which refers to the
whole physical entity, under ... had said before"God made the heaven and the ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
... there be none but holy ones in both heaven and earth ... to his promise, we look for
new heavens and a ... or death; bodies delivered from all physical and spiritual ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity redemption.htm

'Have Ye Not? Hast Thou Not?'
... of hosts,' that all things in the physical universe are ... and unwearied strength of
the calm heavens and the ... The contrast of heaven and earth is for the prophet ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/have ye not hast thou.htm

Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue.
... This is the physical Decalogue of the earth. ... Wherefore Solomon also says, that before
heaven, and earth ... which seven glorifies eight, and "the heavens declare to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi gnostic exposition of the.htm

On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ...
... RV Oh that Thou wouldest rend the heavens, that Thou wouldest ... of the universe, and
the revolution of the heaven, and the ... 3; Ansted, Physical Geography, p. 210. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ix on the words.htm

Man's Place in the World.
... "In the day that Jehovah made earth and heaven, no plant ... religion and morals, the
other with the physical world? ... sea and over the birds of the heavens and over ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study i mans place in.htm

The Work of Christ.
... He was taken into the heavens, where the physical eye could ... What a triumphant entrance
into the heavens it must ... Through the second heaven He passed, where the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/ii the work of christ.htm