God's Presence in the Heavenly Realm and Its Implications
God's presence in the heavenly realm is a foundational concept in biblical theology, with "heaven" often signifying God's dwelling place and the sphere of divine activity [5, 9]. The Bible uses several Hebrew words to describe heaven, including shamayim, which refers to the "upper regions" or the "heaven and earth" as the whole universe [4, 7]. Jewish tradition, as noted in Easton's Bible Dictionary, conceived of three heavens: the firmament, the starry heavens, and "the heaven of heavens" or "the third heaven" [4]. This "third heaven" is referenced by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2 [4, 7].
The heavenly realm is consistently depicted as the location of God's throne and the seat of His sovereign rule [5, 9]. The Psalmist declares, "But our God is in the heavens... He hath done whatsoever he pleased" [9]. This emphasizes God's absolute authority and power, extending over all creation from His celestial abode [9]. The concept of God's presence in heaven also implies His holiness and transcendence, as Isaiah 57:15 describes Him as "high and lofty" and dwelling in the "holy place" [5].
The New Testament further develops the understanding of God's heavenly presence, particularly in relation to Christ's mediatorial work. Jesus is revealed from heaven with His angels [2], and He entered heaven as Mediator [5]. The book of Revelation describes "great voices in heaven" proclaiming that "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!" [3]. This highlights Christ's kingly office, where He is sovereign Head over His Church and all things for His Church [6].
The heavenly realm is not merely a distant dwelling place but a sphere where God actively intervenes in the world. From heaven, God answers His people's prayers and sends judgments [5]. The "face of God" or "presence of the Lord God" signifies His direct presence and favor, or sometimes His anger and severity [8].
The New Testament also introduces the concept of "heavenly places" (epouranios in Greek), particularly in Ephesians. Through the church, God's "manifold wisdom" is made known to "the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly places" [1]. This suggests a spiritual dimension where cosmic powers operate and where God's plan is unfolded through the church.
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:10 (YLT) — that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly <FI>places<Fi> , through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,”
- II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 1:7 (LITV) — and to give you, those being troubled, relief with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with angels of His power,”
- Revelation “The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!” -- Revelation 11:15”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Heaven — (1.) Definitions. The phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) The firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Gen. 2:19; 7:3, 23; Ps. 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (Lam. 4:19), etc. (b) The starry heavens (Deut. 17:3; Jer. 8:2; Matt. 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 115:16; 148:4; 2 Cor. 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) The usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heaven — Created by God -- Ge 1:1; Re 10:6. Everlasting -- Ps 89:29; 2Co 5:1. Immeasurable -- Jer 31:37. High -- Ps 103:11; Isa 57:15. Holy -- De 26:15; Ps 20:6; Isa 57:15. God's dwelling-place -- 1Ki 8:30; Mt 6:9. God's throne -- Isa 66:1; Ac 7:49. God Is the Lord of. -- Da 5:23; Mt 11:25. Reigns in. -- Ps 11:4; 135:6; Da 4:35. Fills. -- 1Ki 8:27; Jer 23:24. Answers his people from. -- 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:14; Ne 9:27; Ps 20:6. Sends his judgments from. -- Ge 19:24; 1Sa 2:10; Da 4:13,14; Ro 1:18. Christ As Mediator, entered into. -- Ac 3:21; Heb 6:20; 9:12,24. Is all-po”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Heaven — There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice. + Raki'a, Authorized Version, firmament. [[602]Firmament] + Shamayim . This is the word used in the expression "the heaven and the earth," or "the upper and lower regions." (Genesis 1:1) + Marom, used for heaven in (Psalms 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30). Properly speaking it means a mountain as in (Psalms 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23) + Shechakim, "expanses," with reference to the extent of heaven. (33:26; Job 35:5) St. Paul's expression "third heaven," (2 Corinthians 1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Face — Means simply presence, as when it is recorded that Adam and Eve hid themselves from the "face [R.V., presence'] of the Lord God" (Gen. 3:8; comp. Ex. 33:14, 15, where the same Hebrew word is rendered "presence"). The "light of God's countenance" is his favour (Ps. 44:3; Dan. 9:17). "Face" signifies also anger, justice, severity (Gen. 16:6, 8; Ex. 2:15; Ps. 68:1; Rev. 6:16). To "provoke God to his face" (Isa. 65:3) is to sin against him openly. The Jews prayed with their faces toward the temple and Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:38, 44, 48; Dan. 6:10). To "see God's face”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 115:3: But our God is in the heavens,.... His habitation is in the heavens, as the Targum; the Septuagint and Arabic versions add, "and in earth": he is in both, and fills both with his presence; and cannot be contained in either. He is the Maker and Possessor of heaven and earth; the one is his throne, and the other is his footstool: he dwells in the highest heaven, and overlooks all persons and things on earth, and overrules all; he is higher than the highest, and his kingdom ruleth over all. He hath done whatsoever he pleased; in creation, in providence, and in grace: ”