The very first verse in Genesis reads “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. The usual interpretation of that verse starts by noting that there was no word for ‘universe’ in ancient Hebrew and therefore the phrase ‘heavens and earth’ were used to mean ‘universe’. Of course there are many ways to indicate the concept of ‘universe’ in most languages and I assume that’s also true in Hebrew. Simply saying ‘every thing’ or ‘all’ among many other choices could have been sufficient.
Supposing there are choices of wording, then why did Moses choose to use the ‘heavens and the earth’ phrase? I suspect the phrase was intentionally used to indicate not just ‘universe’ but that it was created in two parts – one for spiritual beings and one for physical beings. Might I also suggest that the phrase contains their order of creation – heavens first then earth. Why that particular order? According to Job 38:7 the spiritual beings were already in existence when the earth was created. Those beings would have had a place to be and that place would have been what is called ‘the heavens’.
We usually characterize heaven as the place where God is and where His followers will eventually be. Yet we know God is capable of being wherever He chooses. He has even been observed to be on earth from time to time. But where was He before He created heaven and earth? We may not have an understandable answer to that question. But wherever that was His aspect of omnipresence would have allowed Him to be there and in heaven and earth and everywhere else simultaneously.
Who then lives in heaven? God, of course. The spirit beings (elohim – ‘the strong ones’) that God created live there. Disembodied human spirits live there too (at least those that choose to follow God live there – the others, well… they don’t).
Is it important for us humans to know there are two created places? It is – because the two places represent the two possibilities in our ultimate destiny. Ultimately, the two possible destinations are called “The New Jerusalem” and “The Lake of Fire”. “The New Jerusalem” is where God will be and the other place… well, just read Revelation 20 & 21.
Where do you want to be – the “New Jerusalem” or the “Lake of Fire”? Those are the only two choices – there are no others.
Each of us is a unique spiritual being. We are born individually, die individually and stand before God every moment of our lives as an individual. No matter how large a group we are in, our relationship with God is one on one. Therefore our worship and each of our styles of worship must be accordingly unique. That concept is developed and expanded in the book “Worshiping Alone” available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Booklocker. If you haven’t read it, please consider doing so.
Copyright © 2024 Sam Dronebarger | All rights reserved
God Everyday 