Terrestrial
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The term "terrestrial" is derived from the Latin word "terra," meaning "earth." In a biblical context, it refers to things pertaining to the earth or earthly existence, as opposed to the celestial or heavenly realm. The concept of terrestrial is often contrasted with the spiritual or heavenly, highlighting the distinction between the physical world and the divine.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 15:40 : "There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is of one degree, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is of another." This verse from the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians draws a distinction between the heavenly and earthly (terrestrial) bodies. Paul uses this analogy to explain the resurrection of the dead, emphasizing that just as there are different kinds of bodies, there will be a transformation from the earthly to the heavenly in the resurrection.

2. Genesis 1:10 : "God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." In the creation narrative, the earth is established as the terrestrial realm, a distinct part of God's creation. The earth is where humanity is placed to live and exercise dominion, as seen in Genesis 1:28.

3. Ecclesiastes 3:20 : "All go to one place: All come from dust, and all return to dust." This verse reflects on the terrestrial nature of human life, emphasizing the temporary and earthly aspect of human existence. It serves as a reminder of the mortality and physicality of life on earth.

Theological Implications:

The concept of the terrestrial is significant in understanding the biblical worldview of creation, humanity, and the ultimate destiny of believers. The earth is seen as a temporary dwelling place, where humans live out their lives in anticipation of a future transformation. The terrestrial realm is marked by physicality, mortality, and the limitations of human existence.

In Christian theology, the terrestrial is often viewed in light of the fall of man, which introduced sin and death into the world (Genesis 3). This earthly existence is characterized by toil, suffering, and the need for redemption. However, the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ offers hope for a future beyond the terrestrial, where believers will experience eternal life in the presence of God.

Contrast with the Celestial:

The terrestrial is frequently contrasted with the celestial, or heavenly, in Scripture. While the terrestrial is associated with the physical and temporal, the celestial is linked to the spiritual and eternal. This dichotomy is evident in passages like 2 Corinthians 5:1 : "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." Here, the Apostle Paul contrasts the temporary, earthly body with the eternal, heavenly dwelling promised to believers.

Practical Application:

Understanding the concept of the terrestrial encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective. While life on earth is important and filled with purpose, it is not the ultimate destination. Christians are called to steward the earth responsibly, recognizing it as God's creation, while also setting their hearts on things above (Colossians 3:2). This dual focus allows believers to navigate the challenges of earthly life with hope and assurance of the heavenly promises to come.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the earth; existing on the earth; earthly; as, terrestrial animals.

2. (a.) Representing, or consisting of, the earth; as, a terrestrial globe.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to the world, or to the present state; sublunary; mundane.

4. (a.) Consisting of land, in distinction from water; belonging to, or inhabiting, the land or ground, in distinction from trees, water, or the like; as, terrestrial serpents.

5. (a.) Adapted for the observation of objects on land and on the earth; as, a terrestrial telescope, in distinction from an astronomical telescope.

6. (n.) An inhabitant of the earth.

Greek
1919. epigeios -- of the earth
... earthly, in earth, terrestrial. From epi and ge; worldly (physically or morally) --
earthly, in earth, terrestrial. see GREEK epi. see GREEK ge. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1919.htm - 7k
Library

That the Knowledge of Terrestrial and Celestial Things Does not ...
... Book V. Chapter IV."That the Knowledge of Terrestrial and Celestial Things
Does Not Give Happiness, But the Knowledge of God Only. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv that the knowledge of.htm

The Creation of Terrestrial Animals.
... Homily IX. The creation of terrestrial animals. ... [1698] Let the earth produce a living
creature.". Cattle are terrestrial and bent towards the earth. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ix the creation of.htm

Against those who Affirm that Earthly Bodies Cannot be Made ...
... These same philosophers further contend that terrestrial bodies cannot be eternal
though they make no doubt that the whole earth, which is itself the central ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 against those who affirm.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... Thus divine language appears to indicate that, in aquatic animals, the carnal life
originates their psychic movements, whilst in terrestrial animals, gifted ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Definitions, Genera, and Species.
... For, after dividing "the animal" into mortal and immortal, then into terrestrial
and aquatic; and the terrestrial again into those who fly and those who walk ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi definitions genera and species.htm

Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
... 13. Man's intelligence extends both to things terrestrial and celestial. The power
of the intellect in regard to the knowledge of things terrestrial. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 man now deprived.htm

Of the Catholic Church, the Remission of Sins, and the ...
... is one flesh of cattle, another of birds, another of fishes, another of creeping
things: there are also both celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies." [1648 ...
/.../a treatise on faith and the creed /chapter 10 of the catholic church.htm

1 Cor. xv. 35, 36
... Ver.40. "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory
of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.". Ver.41. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xli 1 cor xv.htm

How Far Christians Ought to be from Boasting, if they have done ...
... Be from Boasting, If They Have Done Anything for the Love of the Eternal Country,
When the Romans Did Such Great Things for Human Glory and a Terrestrial City. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 how far christians ought.htm

Satan Considering the Saints
... 1:8. HOW VERY UNCERTAIN are all terrestrial things! How ... his pain. Let us
see in this the mutability of all terrestrial things. He ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm

Thesaurus
Terrestrial (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the earth; existing on the
earth; earthly; as, terrestrial animals. 2. (a.) Representing ...
/t/terrestrial.htm - 7k

Celestial (3 Occurrences)
... se-les'-chal (epouranios, "above the sky," "heavenly"): Peculiar to Paul's majestic
argument on the resurrection: celestial verses terrestrial bodies (1 ...
/c/celestial.htm - 8k

Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... urth'-li (epigeios, "existing upon the earth," "terrestrial," from epi, "upon" and
ge, "earth"; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) terrenus): Of or ...
/e/earthly.htm - 22k

Differs (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but
the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. (WEB). ...
/d/differs.htm - 7k

Splendor (87 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial
bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. ...
/s/splendor.htm - 29k

Bodies (144 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial
bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. ...
/b/bodies.htm - 37k

Kind (290 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but
the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. (See NIV). ...
/k/kind.htm - 35k

Gravity (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The tendency of a mass of matter toward a center of attraction; esp., the
tendency of a body toward the center of the earth; terrestrial gravitation. ...
/g/gravity.htm - 9k

Terrain (1 Occurrence)

/t/terrain.htm - 6k

Earthy (3 Occurrences)
... earthy matter. 2. (a.) of or pertaining to the earth or to, this world; earthly;
terrestrial; carnal. 3. (a.) Gross; low; unrefined. 4 ...
/e/earthy.htm - 7k

Resources
What is Mormonism? What do Mormons believe? | GotQuestions.org

What was the firmament in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Terrestrial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Terrestrial (1 Occurrence)

1 Corinthians 15:40
There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Subtopics

Terrestrial

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Flavius

Terrain
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