The term "universe" refers to the totality of all created things, encompassing the heavens, the earth, and all that is within them. In the biblical context, the universe is understood as the handiwork of God, who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. The Bible begins with the declaration of God's creative act: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This foundational statement sets the stage for the biblical narrative, affirming that the universe is not a product of random chance but of divine intention and purpose.

Creation and Order

The creation account in Genesis 1 describes a structured and orderly process by which God brought the universe into existence. Over six days, God spoke various elements of the universe into being, culminating in the creation of humanity. The repeated phrase "And God said" underscores the power and authority of God's word in the creative process. The universe is depicted as a well-ordered system, with the sun, moon, and stars governing time and seasons (Genesis 1:14-18).

God's Sovereignty and Sustenance

Scripture consistently affirms God's sovereignty over the universe. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" . This verse highlights the universe as a testament to God's majesty and power. Furthermore, the New Testament reinforces the idea of God's ongoing sustenance of the universe. Colossians 1:16-17 states, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" .

Humanity's Place in the Universe

The Bible places humanity in a unique position within the universe. Created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), humans are given dominion over the earth and its creatures (Genesis 1:28). This stewardship role implies responsibility and care for the created order. Psalm 8:3-6 reflects on humanity's place in the universe, marveling at God's mindfulness of human beings despite the vastness of creation: "When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?" .

Eschatological Perspective

The Bible also provides an eschatological perspective on the universe, indicating that it is subject to change and renewal. Romans 8:19-21 speaks of creation's longing for liberation from its "bondage to decay" , pointing to a future transformation. Revelation 21:1 describes a "new heaven and a new earth," signifying the ultimate renewal of the universe in accordance with God's redemptive plan .

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of the universe emphasizes its creation by God, its order and purpose, and humanity's role within it. It is a testament to God's glory and a stage for His redemptive work, ultimately pointing to a future renewal in accordance with His divine plan.(n.) All created things viewed as constituting one system or whole; the whole body of things, or of phenomena; the mundus of the Latins; the world; creation.2889. kosmos -- order, the world
... order, the world. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kosmos Phonetic
Spelling: (kos'-mos) Short Definition: the world, universe Definition: the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2889.htm - 7k

3841. pantokrator -- almighty
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pantokrator Phonetic Spelling:
(pan-tok-rat'-ore) Short Definition: ruler of the universe Definition: ruler of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3841.htm - 7k

2222. zoe -- life
... 2222 -- (physical and spiritual). life (2222 ), throughout the universe,
is -- ie it always (only) comes from and is sustained by . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2222.htm - 7k

The Hope of the Universe.
... THE HOPE OF THE UNIVERSE. ... Believe it is not by a little only that the heart of the
universe is tenderer, more loving, more just and fair, than yours or mine. ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/the hope of the universe.htm

The System of the Moral Universe not Purposely Involved in ...
... Section III. The system of the moral universe not purposely involved in
obscurity to teach us a lesson of humility. But the assertion ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/section iii the system of.htm

Phial the First. On the Earth, the Universe Connected with the ...
... AN EXPOSITION Of the Phials, according to the Rule of these Hypotheses. Phial
the First. On the Earth, the Universe connected with the Beast. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/phial the first on the.htm

Whether the Universe is Governed by the Power of one God or of ...
... Chap. III."Whether the universe is governed by the power of one god or of many. ... For
what need is there of many to sustain the government of the universe? ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii whether the universe is.htm

Against Plato, on the Cause of the Universe.
... Part II."Dogmatical and Historical. Against Plato, on the Cause of the Universe.
[1579] 1. And this is the passage regarding demons. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/against plato on the cause.htm

Boehme's Universe
... CHAPTER X BOEHME'S UNIVERSE. "If thou wilt be a philosopher or naturalist
and search into God's being in Nature and discern how it ...
/.../chapter x boehmes universe.htm

Whether the Universe of Creatures Always Existed?
... OF THE BEGINNING OF THE DURATION OF CREATURES (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the universe
of creatures always existed? ... Therefore the universe did not begin to exist. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the universe of creatures.htm

The Universe is the Product of Mind.
... Homily VI. Chapter XXV."The Universe is the Product of Mind. "Thus we are
shut up to the supposition that there is an unbegotten ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxv the universe is the.htm

Of the Beauty of the Universe, which Becomes, by God's Ordinance ...
... Book XI. Chapter 18."Of the Beauty of the Universe, Which Becomes, by God's
Ordinance, More Brilliant by the Opposition of Contraries. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 18 of the beauty of.htm

Monoimus; Man the Universe, According to Monoimus; his System of ...
... Book VIII. Chapter V."Mono??mus; Man the Universe, According to Mono??mus;
His System of the Monad. Mono??mus [928] the Arabian ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter v monoimus man the universe.htm

Universe (19 Occurrences)
... world; creation. Multi-Version Concordance Universe (19 Occurrences). Acts
7:50 Did not My hand form this universe.' (WEY). Acts 17 ...
/u/universe.htm - 12k

Creation (35 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act of creating or causing to exist.
Specifically, the act of bringing the universe or this world into existence. ...
/c/creation.htm - 34k

Stoics (1 Occurrence)
... 300. He taught his disciples that a man's happiness consisted in bringing
himself into harmony with the course of the universe. ...
/s/stoics.htm - 15k

Universal (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the universe; extending to, including, or affecting,
the whole number, quantity, or space; unlimited; general; all-reaching; all ...
/u/universal.htm - 9k

Creator (19 Occurrences)
... kre-a'-ter (ktistes, 1 Peter 4:19): The distinctive characteristic of Deity, as
the Creator, is that He is the Cause of the existent universe-Cause of its being ...
/c/creator.htm - 15k

Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... negative form of the non-temporal, or immeasurable time, but positively, as the
mode of the timeless self-existence of the Absolute Ground of the universe. ...
/e/eternity.htm - 24k

Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... the world. The original constituents of the universe, of which no account
could be given, were atoms, the void, and motion. By a ...
/e/epicureans.htm - 20k

Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... It is used in most of the senses of 'adhamah, but less as "soil" and more as "the
earth" as a part of the universe; frequently with shamayim, "heavens," as in ...
/e/earth.htm - 26k

Cosmological
... 6. Genesis 1 and Science LITERATURE 1. Terms and General Meaning: The Hebrews had
no proper word for "world" in its wide sense of "universe." The nearest ...
/c/cosmological.htm - 33k

Heavens (548 Occurrences)
... 6. The End Correspondent to the Beginning 7. The Cosmical Heavens: Hebrews
12:26-29 8. Palingenesis: Matthew 19:28 9. A Purified Universe 1. Eschatological ...
/h/heavens.htm - 49k

Is the universe eternal? | GotQuestions.org

Is the universe expanding? | GotQuestions.org

Did God use the "Big Bang" to create the universe? | GotQuestions.org

Universe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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