Topical Bible: The Earth: The World in General

◄ The Earth: The World in General ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of "The Earth" in the Bible encompasses both the physical planet created by God and the broader notion of the world as a realm of human existence and divine interaction. The Earth is depicted as a significant part of God's creation, reflecting His power, wisdom, and purpose.

Creation and Ownership

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God is described as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational verse establishes God's sovereignty over the Earth, affirming that it belongs to Him. Psalm 24:1 echoes this truth: "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein."

The Earth as a Witness to God's Glory

The Earth is portrayed as a testament to God's glory and handiwork. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." The natural world, in its beauty and complexity, serves as a reflection of God's majesty and creative power. Romans 1:20 further emphasizes that God's invisible qualities are evident in creation: "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

The Earth and Humanity

The Earth is also the stage for human history and interaction with God. In Genesis 1:28 , God commands humanity to "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate establishes humanity's role as stewards of the Earth, responsible for its care and management.

The Earth and Sin

The Bible acknowledges the impact of sin on the Earth. After the fall of man, the ground is cursed because of Adam's disobedience (Genesis 3:17-19). This curse introduces toil and hardship into humanity's relationship with the Earth. Romans 8:20-22 describes creation as being subjected to frustration and groaning, awaiting liberation from its bondage to decay.

The Earth in Eschatology

In eschatological terms, the Earth is destined for renewal. The prophetic vision in Isaiah 65:17 speaks of a new heavens and a new earth: "For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." Revelation 21:1 echoes this promise, describing the ultimate restoration of creation: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."

The Earth and God's Kingdom

The Earth is also the realm where God's kingdom is to be established. The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:10 , includes the petition, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This reflects the biblical hope for God's righteous rule to be fully realized on Earth, aligning it with His divine will.

In summary, the Earth in the Bible is a multifaceted concept, encompassing creation, human stewardship, the consequences of sin, and the hope of future renewal. It serves as a canvas for God's interaction with humanity and a stage for His redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book v. --General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's Heresies.
... S. Thelwall.] Book V."General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's ... The spoiled flesh to earth;
wholly to fill. The world [1638] on one day equally with corpses. ...
/.../book v general reply to sundry.htm

The General Deliverance
... as by one man sin entered into the world, and death ... passed upon all" the inhabitants
of the earth; and remain ... A general view of this is given us in the twenty ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 60 the general deliverance.htm

The General Spread of the Gospel
... has reserved in his own power:" But in general, it seems ... lands, and their voice to
the ends of the earth!". ... are very many heathen nations in the world that have ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 63 the general spread.htm

Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... of the noble warriors of France, General Petain, issued ... all the toiling peoples of
earth have suffered ... of justice and sentenced; otherwise the world will have ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/ii peace on earth through.htm

Of the Divine Providence in General.
... knowledge of the art of making the world for his ... supernatural, and that the latter
again is general, or special ... us, and we feed them; the earth sends vapours to ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii of the divine.htm

Scriptural Christianity
... Lord had declared to his first disciples, "Ye are the salt of the earth," "the light
of the world;" at the same time that he gave that general command, "Let ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 4 scriptural christianity.htm

Unity of the Faith of the Church Throughout the Whole World.
... things in earth, and things under the earth, and that ... and the same throughout the
whole world, so also ... parables, and accommodate them to the general scheme of ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x unity of the faith.htm

The Fundamentals of the Christian Religion
... by the light of nature that if there be a true religion on earth, the course of ... nature
of man in particular and of the whole course of the world in general. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section viii the fundamentals of.htm

On Friendship with the World
... is in the saints that are upon earth, and in ... for what reasons is the friendship of
the world so absolutely ... For two general reasons: First, because it is a sin ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

John Chapter xii. 27-36
... saying, "Now shall the prince of this world be cast ... how shall He be lifted up from
the earth, that is ... life" (vitam), which expresses rather the general idea of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lii john chapter xii.htm