Topical Bible: God: Fills Heaven and Earth

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of God filling heaven and earth is a profound theological assertion that underscores His omnipresence, sovereignty, and immanence. This theme is woven throughout the biblical narrative, affirming that God is not confined to any particular location but is present throughout the entirety of creation.

Biblical Foundation

The declaration that God fills heaven and earth is explicitly stated in Jeremiah 23:24 : "Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD." This rhetorical question emphasizes God's omnipresence, suggesting that no part of creation is beyond His reach or knowledge.

Omnipresence

God's omnipresence is a central attribute of His nature. Psalm 139:7-10 beautifully articulates this truth: "Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast." These verses illustrate that God's presence is inescapable and all-encompassing, providing comfort and assurance to believers.

Sovereignty

The idea that God fills heaven and earth also speaks to His sovereignty over all creation. As the Creator, God is not limited by the physical universe; rather, He transcends it while simultaneously permeating it. Isaiah 66:1 declares, "This is what the LORD says: 'Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, or where will My place of repose be?'" This imagery portrays God's majestic rule over the cosmos, emphasizing that He is not confined to temples or human constructs.

Immanence

While God is transcendent, He is also immanent, meaning He is actively involved in His creation. Acts 17:27-28 states, "God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’" This passage highlights that God's presence is not distant or detached but intimately connected to the lives of His creatures.

Theological Implications

The belief that God fills heaven and earth has significant theological implications for worship, prayer, and daily living. It assures believers that God is always accessible, regardless of physical location or circumstance. This understanding fosters a sense of reverence and awe, as well as a deep sense of comfort and security, knowing that God is always near.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching that God fills heaven and earth is a testament to His infinite nature and His intimate involvement with His creation. It calls believers to recognize His majesty, trust in His ever-present help, and live in the awareness of His constant presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 23:24
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? said the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches
... It fills man's poverty with God's riches ... Prayer is seeing God. ... to prayer, so filled
with its rich spices, so ardent by its holy flame, that all Heaven and earth ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ii prayerfills mans poverty with.htm

God Accordingly, in his Kindness, Condescends to Mankind, not in ...
... 4120] And it is absurd, when He who fills heaven and earth, and who said, "Do I
not fill heaven and earth? ... I believe Him when He says, "I am a God nigh at ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xii god accordingly in.htm

On the Omnipresence of God
... us witness, Jovis omnia plena: "All things are full of God." Yea, and ... the great Creator),
even that space cannot exclude Him who fills the heaven and the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 111 on the omnipresence.htm

False views of the Nature of Evil: viz. , that Evil is Something ...
... or what room will there be for the God whom they suppose, if the one true
God fills all things in the compass of heaven and earth? ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 6 false views of.htm

St. Barnabas' Day. We Preach unto You that Ye Should Turn from ...
... Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave
us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons ... Ever fills Thy heart, my God,. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/st barnabas day we preach.htm

Psalm LXXXII.
... into hell, Thou art there also." [3833] Hence it is rightly said, that God stands
in the congregation of men invisibly, as He fills heaven and earth, which He ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxii.htm

Whether God is Everywhere?
... On the contrary, It is written, "I fill heaven and earth." (Jer.23 ... Again, things
placed are in place, inasmuch as they fill place; and God fills every place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is everywhere.htm

The Holy Spirit is not a Creature, Seeing that He is Infinite...
... 895] If, then, it is the Lord Who fills heaven and earth ... was more than all; yet,
as the Lord fills all things ... Holy Spirit they spoke the word of God with boldness ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii the holy spirit.htm

Whether the Matter of Christ's Body Should have Been Taken from a ...
... But it ill becomes God, Who fills heaven and earth, as is written
Jer.23:24, to be shut up within the narrow limits of the womb. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the matter of christs.htm

November 23. "It is High Time to Awake Out of Sleep" (Rom. xiii. ...
Days of Heaven Upon Earth. <. ... against the wind. In like manner
we hold the rudder, God fills the sails. It is not ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /november 23 it is high.htm