Visible
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The term "visible" refers to that which can be seen or perceived by the human eye. In the context of the Bible, the concept of visibility often contrasts with the invisible, highlighting the distinction between the physical and the spiritual realms. The visible world is the creation that God has made, which is evident to human senses, while the invisible pertains to the spiritual truths and realities that require faith to comprehend.

Creation and the Visible World

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God brings the visible world into existence. Genesis 1:31 states, "And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." The visible creation reflects God's glory and power, as seen in Psalm 19:1 : "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." The visible universe serves as a testament to God's creative authority and is a means through which humanity can perceive His divine nature.

The Visible and the Invisible

Scripture often contrasts the visible with the invisible to emphasize the importance of faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This verse underscores the belief in the unseen realities of God's promises and the spiritual realm. The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in 2 Corinthians 4:18 : "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Jesus Christ: The Visible Image of the Invisible God

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is described as the visible manifestation of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15 declares, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Through Jesus, the divine nature and character of God are made visible to humanity. His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection provide a tangible expression of God's love and redemption plan.

The Transfiguration and the Visible Glory of Christ

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a significant event where His divine glory became visible to His disciples. Matthew 17:2 recounts, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This momentary revelation of Christ's glory served to strengthen the disciples' faith and provided a glimpse of His divine nature.

The Visible Church

The concept of the visible church refers to the community of believers who gather together in worship and fellowship. The visible church is the earthly representation of the body of Christ, where believers are called to live out their faith in tangible ways. Acts 2:42 describes the early church: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The visible church serves as a witness to the world of God's kingdom and His transformative power in the lives of believers.

Eschatological Visibility

In eschatological terms, the visible return of Christ is a central tenet of Christian hope. Revelation 1:7 proclaims, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him." This future event will mark the culmination of history, where the invisible realities of God's kingdom will become fully visible to all creation. The visible return of Christ will usher in the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His eternal reign.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Perceivable by the eye; capable of being seen; perceptible; in view; as, a visible star; the least spot is visible on white paper.

2. (a.) Noticeable; apparent; open; conspicuous.

Greek
3707. horatos -- visible
... horatos. 3708 . visible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: horatos Phonetic
Spelling: (hor-at-os') Short Definition: visible Definition: visible. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3707.htm - 6k

5319. phaneroo -- to make visible, make clear
... to make visible, make clear. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phaneroo Phonetic
Spelling: (fan-er-o'-o) Short Definition: I make clear, visible, or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5319.htm - 9k

5324. phantazo -- to make visible, to become visible
... to make visible, to become visible. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phantazo
Phonetic Spelling: (fan-tad'-zo) Short Definition: I cause to appear ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5324.htm - 6k

5318. phaneros -- visible, manifest
... visible, manifest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phaneros Phonetic
Spelling: (fan-er-os') Short Definition: apparent, clear, visible, manifest ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5318.htm - 6k

1717. emphanes -- manifest
... manifest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: emphanes Phonetic Spelling:
(em-fan-ace') Short Definition: manifest, visible Definition: manifest, visible ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1717.htm - 6k

1491. eidos -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: eidos Phonetic Spelling: (i'-dos)
Short Definition: visible form, shape, appearance, kind Definition: visible form ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1491.htm - 7k

5316. phaino -- to bring to light, to cause to appear
... Phonetic Spelling: (fah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I shine, appear, seem Definition:
(a) act: I shine, shed light, (b) pass: I shine, become visible, appear, (c ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5316.htm - 8k

1718. emphanizo -- to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare
... in person), to declare. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: emphanizo Phonetic
Spelling: (em-fan-id'-zo) Short Definition: I make visible, report against ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1718.htm - 7k

4976. schema -- figure, shape
... 4976 ("outward, visible form") is used of Jesus' earthly body (Phil 2:7,8). Christ
incarnated into a body, which was not an "exact match with typical humanity ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4976.htm - 7k

228. alethinos -- true.
... the suffix). See 225 (). 228 (" true") refers to what is true -- connecting
(visible) fact to its reality. 228 () then emphasizes ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/228.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew
2379. chazoth -- sight, visibility
... 2378, 2379. chazoth. 2380 . sight, visibility. Transliteration: chazoth
Phonetic Spelling: (khaz-oth') Short Definition: visible. ...
/hebrew/2379.htm - 6k

7200. raah -- to see
... Definition to see NASB Word Usage access (1), advisers* (2), appear (21), appeared
(43), appears (4), approve (2), became aware (1), became visible (1), become ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

7549. raqia -- an extended surface, expanse
... firmament. From raqa'; properly, an expanse, ie The firmament or (apparently) visible
arch of the sky -- firmament. see HEBREW raqa'. 7548, 7549. raqia. 7550 ...
/hebrew/7549.htm - 6k

8064. shamayim -- heaven, sky
... Dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused root meaning to be
lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in ...
/hebrew/8064.htm - 6k

Library

The Overturning which is visible on Every Hand.
... Chapter Six The Signs of the Redeemer's Return 5. The Overturning which is
visible on every hand. "I will overturn, overturn, overturn ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 the overturning which is.htm

The Evil of Sin visible in the Fall of Angels and Men.
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:24. The evil of sin visible
in the fall of angels and men. 1 When the great Builder ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 2 24 the evil of.htm

This visible World is Wonderfully to be Delighted In
... THE SECOND CENTURY 97 This visible World is wonderfully to be delighted in.
This visible World is wonderfully to be delighted in, and ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/97 this visible world is.htm

The visible World a Shadow of the Invisible.
... RELIGION OF NATURE. 182. " The Visible World a Shadow of the Invisible. 182.
LM6l. Heber. The Visible World a Shadow of the Invisible. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/182 the visible world.htm

Concerning the visible Creation.
... Book II. Chapter V."Concerning the visible creation. Our God Himself,
Whom we glorify as Three in One, created the heaven and ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter v concerning the visible creation.htm

The visible and the Invisible Heaven.
... Book II. Chapter LXVIII."The Visible and the Invisible Heaven. To this
Simon answered: "It seems to me to be better to believe ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lxviii the visible and the.htm

And that He Should Become visible Amongst us -- for the Son of God ...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 92 And that He should
become visible amongst us " for the Son of God became? ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 92 and that he.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR CHAPTER 11. IMPIETY OF ATTRIBUTING A VISIBLE
FORM TO GOD."THE SETTING UP OF IDOLS A DEFECTION FROM THE TRUE GOD. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The visible Heaven: Why Made.
... Book III. Chapter XXVII."The Visible Heaven: Why Made. But Simon, perceiving
that Peter was clearly assigning a reason from the ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxvii the visible heaven why.htm

The Evil of Sin visible in the Fall of Angels and Men.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 24 The evil of sin visible in the fall of angels and men.
LM The evil of sin visible in the fall of angels and men. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 24 the evil of.htm

Thesaurus
Visible (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Perceivable by the eye; capable of being seen; perceptible; in view;
as, a visible star; the least spot is visible on white paper. ...
/v/visible.htm - 9k

Cities (427 Occurrences)
... hand, it is maintained that the "kikkar of the Jordan" lay North of the Dead Sea
for the following reasons: (1) That is the region which is visible from the ...
/c/cities.htm - 91k

Ciccar
... hand, it is maintained that the "kikkar of the Jordan" lay North of the Dead Sea
for the following reasons: (1) That is the region which is visible from the ...
/c/ciccar.htm - 14k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... hand, it is maintained that the "kikkar of the Jordan" lay North of the Dead Sea
for the following reasons: (1) That is the region which is visible from the ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

Vapor (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) In a loose and popular sense, any visible diffused substance floating in
the atmosphere and impairing its transparency, as smoke, fog, etc. ...
/v/vapor.htm - 11k

Light (2869 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon
the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous. ...
/l/light.htm - 31k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... Serpent (3) Teraphim (4) Image of Jealousy (5) Chambers of Imagery (6) 'Ephod
LITERATURE 1. Definition: Images, as used here, are visible representations of ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Sacraments
... symbolic rites. Augustine's definition of a sacrament as "the visible form
of an invisible grace" so far limited its application. But ...
/s/sacraments.htm - 19k

Tekoa (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pitching of tents; fastening down, a town of Judah,
about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, and visible from the city. ...
/t/tekoa.htm - 15k

Nebo (13 Occurrences)
... Hermon nor Dan (Tell el-Qady) is visible from this point; nor can Zoar be seen;
and if the Mediterranean is the hinder sea, it also is invisible. ...
/n/nebo.htm - 17k

Resources
What is the difference between the visible and invisible church? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Shekinah glory? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus is the 'first-born' over Creation? | GotQuestions.org

Visible: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Visible (12 Occurrences)

Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(See NIV)

Acts 10:40
God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed,
(See NAS)

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 5:13
But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 5:14
Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
(See NIV)

Colossians 1:15
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 11:3
By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.
(WEB WEY NAS NIV)

Genesis 8:5
The waters receded continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.
(See NAS NIV)

Leviticus 14:35
then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying,'There seems to me to be some sort of plague in the house.'
(See NAS)

Daniel 4:11
become great hath the tree, yea, strong, and its height doth reach to the heavens, and its vision to the end of the whole land;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 4:20
The tree that thou hast seen, that hath become great and strong, and its height doth reach to the heavens, and its vision to all the land,
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Visible

Related Terms

Night-vision (2 Occurrences)

Trance (7 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Gabriel (5 Occurrences)

Pertains (14 Occurrences)

Chebar (8 Occurrences)

See (8256 Occurrences)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Concerns (20 Occurrences)

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Levitical (19 Occurrences)

Olives (30 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

U'lai (2 Occurrences)

Ulai (2 Occurrences)

Eyes (6285 Occurrences)

Divinations (10 Occurrences)

Seemed (89 Occurrences)

Cherubim (63 Occurrences)

Eye (145 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

Continued (148 Occurrences)

Belongeth (36 Occurrences)

Teaching (372 Occurrences)

Teacher (103 Occurrences)

Teach (172 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)

Joppa (14 Occurrences)

Meaning (41 Occurrences)

Quaking (6 Occurrences)

Untoward (1 Occurrence)

Unfolded (4 Occurrences)

Jehovah-shammah

Jaazaniah (5 Occurrences)

Jehovahshammah

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Gallery (2 Occurrences)

Gog (12 Occurrences)

Gehazi (14 Occurrences)

Water-door (1 Occurrence)

Foursquare (10 Occurrences)

Frequent (10 Occurrences)

Futility (19 Occurrences)

Falcon (2 Occurrences)

Fulfillment (19 Occurrences)

Far-off (14 Occurrences)

Thinking (58 Occurrences)

Retained (10 Occurrences)

Regain (12 Occurrences)

Resembled (18 Occurrences)

Ray (2 Occurrences)

Rumour (13 Occurrences)

Rumor (10 Occurrences)

El-bethel (1 Occurrence)

Evenings (15 Occurrences)

Elbethel (1 Occurrence)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)

Mornings (4 Occurrences)

Macedo'nia (20 Occurrences)

Manifestly (6 Occurrences)

Metal-workers (5 Occurrences)

Prophesieth (13 Occurrences)

Prophesies (17 Occurrences)

Beholding (45 Occurrences)

Besiege (17 Occurrences)

Blind (91 Occurrences)

Chalde'a (9 Occurrences)

Command (442 Occurrences)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Canal (6 Occurrences)

Visibility of Witness
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