The fifth of God’s Absolute Attributes is omnipresence. The term omni means all. God’s omnipresence means that God is all-present or present everywhere at once.
Space and time limit created objects; therefore, an object can only occupy one space at a given time. However, because God is eternal (not bound by time), self-sufficient (not bound by limitation), and Creator (not bound by space), He can be present to the entirety of creation and its various parts.
A. H. Strong states, “God, in the totality of his essence, without diffusion or expansion, multiplication or division, penetrates and fills the universe in all its parts.”(1) To be clear, omnipresence does not mean that God is in everything. The false idea that God is in everything is pantheism. Pantheism binds God to the universe. However, God is transcendent; He is not subject to the universe. As well, omniscience does not mean that God cannot limit Himself.
God omnipresence is a source of comfort to the believer. Because God is present everywhere at once, He is always available to help.
As well, His omnipresence is a warning to the sinner. No sinner can escape God or His wrath.
ENDNOTES:
Augustus Hopkins Strong, Systematic Theology (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1907), 279.
- If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. - Psalm 139:8
Space and time limit created objects; therefore, an object can only occupy one space at a given time. However, because God is eternal (not bound by time), self-sufficient (not bound by limitation), and Creator (not bound by space), He can be present to the entirety of creation and its various parts.
A. H. Strong states, “God, in the totality of his essence, without diffusion or expansion, multiplication or division, penetrates and fills the universe in all its parts.”(1) To be clear, omnipresence does not mean that God is in everything. The false idea that God is in everything is pantheism. Pantheism binds God to the universe. However, God is transcendent; He is not subject to the universe. As well, omniscience does not mean that God cannot limit Himself.
God omnipresence is a source of comfort to the believer. Because God is present everywhere at once, He is always available to help.
- For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? - Deuteronomy 4:7
- God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1
As well, His omnipresence is a warning to the sinner. No sinner can escape God or His wrath.
- Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You are a God who sees; for she said, Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him? - Genesis 16:13
- And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. - Hebrews 4:13
ENDNOTES:
Augustus Hopkins Strong, Systematic Theology (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1907), 279.
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