Lecture on the Omnipresence of God

Key Concepts

• Incomprehensibility of God: God is beyond our full comprehension. The finite (humans) cannot fully grasp the infinite (God).

  • John Calvin: "The finite cannot contain or grasp the infinite."
  • Richard Sibbes: "How shall finite comprehend the infinite? We shall apprehend Him, but not comprehend Him."

• Knowing God: It's possible to know God and have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, but we cannot fully comprehend His essence. We should grow in the grace and knowledge of God.

Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence

• Omniscience: God is all-knowing.
• Omnipresence: God is all-present.
• Omnipotence: God is all-powerful.

Omnipresence of God

• Everywhere Present: Psalm 139:7-10

  • God is present in every place, fully and all at once.
  • God's presence fills all spatial dimensions as He has no limitations.

• Heights of Heaven (Transcendence):

  • Psalm 123:1: "To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens."
  • Psalm 97:9: "For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth."
  • Isaiah 6:1: "I saw the Lord seated on His throne, lofty and exalted."
  • God is described as being high above all creation, seated on a high and holy throne.
  • Revelation 4:1: John's vision of a throne standing in heaven.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:2: "God is in heaven."

• Near on the Earth (Immanence):

  • Deuteronomy 4:39: "He is God in heaven above and on the earth below."
  • Isaiah 57:15: On God's dual residence:
    • High and holy place.
    • With the contrite and lowly in spirit.
  • Great Commission: "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age."
  • Hebrews 13:5: "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."
  • God is with us in every adversity, trial, and storm of life, and never closer to us than when we need Him most.
  • Jeremiah 23:23-24: God fills the heavens and the earth, He is near and far.
  • Ephesians 4:6: God is "over all, through all, and in all."

• Presence in Hell:

  • God is present even in Hell, executing His wrath.
  • Revelation 14:10: God's wrath is executed in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9: Eternal destruction away from the presence (eye, countenance) of the Lord.

Applications and Reflections

• Comforting: God's omnipresence is a source of comfort in every adversity.
• Convicting: There is no escape from God's presence; we cannot run from our troubles or God's dealing with our situations.
• Comparison with the Devil: Only God is omnipresent; the devil is not. The devil's presence is limited and often represented through his minions (demonic spirits).

Final Thoughts

• Reflect on the comforting and convicting nature of God's omnipresence.
• Rejoice in the knowledge that only God is omnipresent, not the devil.
• Be encouraged by the ever-present nature of God in every aspect of life and creation.