Continuing on yesterday's quest to better understand the terms "firmament" and "heaven" as used in Genesis, I have found several scriptures that might help us in this regard (there are over 400 scriptures pertaining to heaven or the firmament). Beginning in the first chapter of Ezekiel:
"Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God…"
"…and also out of the midst I saw four living creatures…and the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creatures was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above."
"And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other…"
"…and there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads…."
"…and above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it…"
The first verse listed here, defines for us that visions of God (and God Himself upon the throne) dwell in the heavens. The next three verses speak of the firmament being "above" the creatures Ezekiel is being shown in these visions. The second and last verses give us an idea of the colors involved in the firmament: 1) the terrible crystal, and 2) the sapphire stone (which actually describes the throne, not necessarily the firmament itself).
If you live out away from the lights of the city as I do, a clear night sky could be described as a "terrible crystal": the sky is solid black but sparkling with the millions of stars we can see with our own eyes, a sort of black crystal. But if that darkness were lit by the light of God on His throne, it might turn a deep blue as our pictures of outer space appear to be the deepest blue when a source of light is nearby. The light that is God Himself would turn the throne into that deep but brilliant sapphire blue.
Perhaps the thing to remember here is that the firmament is defined as an expanse; and very outer space (those depths of space still unexplored by mankind) is certainly such an expanse. The firmament is also considered a foundation or a supporting base. God calls the firmament heaven, but that firmament also supports or is the foundation of the higher heaven, where God Himself dwells, and that firmament is itself heaven as well; just as the foundation of the building is not considered a separate thing from the building, but is called a part of the building itself.
Deuteronomy 10:14 says: "Behold the heavens and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God…"
Perhaps a more important thing to remember is that God created the "firmament" and then gave it a name: "And God said let there be a firmament…and God called the firmament heaven." (Genesis 1:6-8) Yet, God Himself is not created; He did not have a beginning, as all created things have a beginning. HE IS THE BEGINNING; AND HE IS THE END. HE IS THEREFORE INFINITE.
And, because of the many scripture references about heaven, we ascribe to God a dwelling place that was created by Him – a place we call heaven because He called it heaven; a place we call His dwelling place because His Word tells us that is where He dwells. If God has chosen to inhabit heaven or the highest heaven above the heavens, He has chosen to do so, just as He once chose to dwell in a tabernacle (a tent) in the wilderness with His chosen people, the Israelites. But as King Solomon, given the gift of wisdom, so correctly states during his dedication of the majestic temple he built by God's direction to be a dwelling place for God:
"But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?" (2 Chronicles 6:18)
Solomon knew that God was bigger than heaven and earth and all that lies beyond it; and that God is GOD, ultimate and absolute divinity [beyond His own creation for He was not part of creation but THE CREATOR of all creation.]
My conclusion, therefore, is that we must always remember that when we are speaking about God, we must not get bogged down for too long a time pondering things which must, by virtue of His divine nature, remain for the moment beyond our comprehension. We must, instead, receive from the Holy Spirit that light that He gives us to illuminate the scripture, giving thanks for it, and continue on seeking more of God in other areas of scripture; being careful always not to try to force-fit the supernatural things of God into this physical realm where we ourselves reside for the moment.
2 comments:
Not wishing to leave anyone with the impression that God dwells only in heaven, and also not wishing to concur with the false notion (called pantheism) that says God dwells "in" everything so that all has some form of divinity in it leading many to worship the creation rather than the Creator (a practice which the bible condemns by the way), I would like to remind us all of the scriptures that speak of Emmanuelle (God with us) being the person of Jesus Christ, dwelling among man; and the kingdom of heaven being present on earth from the advent or arrival of Jesus Christ here on earth; and of the Lord saying that "where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them"...meaning God is in our midst. Scripture is full of truths relating to the presence of God dwelling not only alonside man, but also, through the Holy Spirit of God, residing within born-again man, "born not of the flesh but of the spirit of God." (See John 3 to read about being born-again.) He is not confined to Heaven, which as Solomon says, cannot begin to contain Him.
Thank you for including me on your list of family and friends. I look forward to following and commenting on this blog as you share the word of God us all.
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