The term "upwards" in the Bible often signifies movement or direction towards a higher place, both physically and spiritually. It is used to describe physical ascension, spiritual elevation, and the pursuit of divine things. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the believer's journey towards God and heavenly things.

Physical Ascension

In a literal sense, "upwards" is used to describe physical movement to a higher location. For example, in the construction of the Tower of Babel, the people aimed to build a tower "with its top in the heavens" (Genesis 11:4), symbolizing their desire to reach upwards towards the divine realm. Similarly, the ascent of Mount Sinai by Moses to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:3) is a physical journey upwards, representing a movement towards God's presence.

Spiritual Elevation

Spiritually, "upwards" signifies the elevation of the heart and mind towards God. The Psalms frequently express this upward movement in worship and prayer. Psalm 121:1-2 states, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." This lifting of the eyes is a metaphor for seeking divine assistance and focusing on God's sovereignty.

The New Testament continues this theme, encouraging believers to set their minds on things above. Colossians 3:1-2 exhorts, "Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This passage emphasizes the believer's call to focus upwards, aligning their thoughts and actions with heavenly priorities.

Pursuit of Divine Things

The upward call of God is a central theme in the Christian life, representing the pursuit of holiness and the ultimate goal of eternal life with God. Philippians 3:13-14 captures this pursuit: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." The apostle Paul describes his life as a race, pressing upwards towards the heavenly prize.

Symbolism of Upwards Movement

The upward movement is also symbolic of resurrection and ascension. Jesus' resurrection and subsequent ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9-11) are the ultimate expressions of upward movement, signifying victory over death and the promise of eternal life. Believers are called to follow in this pattern, looking forward to their own resurrection and ascension to be with Christ.

In summary, "upwards" in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, symbolizing the believer's journey towards God, the pursuit of holiness, and the hope of eternal life. It is a call to elevate one's thoughts, actions, and aspirations towards the divine, reflecting a life oriented towards God's kingdom.1. (adv.) In a direction from lower to higher; toward a higher place; in a course toward the source or origin; -- opposed to downward; as, to tend or roll upward.

2. (adv.) In the upper parts; above.

3. (adv.) Yet more; indefinitely more; above; over.

303. ana -- as a preposition denotes upwards, up, as a prefix ...
... as a preposition denotes upwards, up, as a prefix denotes up, again, back. Part
of Speech: Preposition Transliteration: ana Phonetic Spelling: (an-ah') Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/303.htm - 6k

310. anaboao -- to cry out
... to cry out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaboao Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ab-o-ah'-o) Short Definition: I shout upwards, cry out, raise my voice ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/310.htm - 7k

4605. maal -- above, upwards
... 4604, 4605. maal. 4606 . above, upwards. Transliteration: maal Phonetic
Spelling: (mah'al) Short Definition: upward. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4605.htm - 6k

Looking Upwards in a Storm.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 19 Looking upwards in a storm. William Cowper 8,8,8,8.
Looking upwards in a storm. God of my life, to thee I call,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 19 looking upwards in.htm

That a Man Shall not Take Ensample at the Bodily Ascension of ...
... BEGINNETH THE NINE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER That a man shall not take ensample at the
bodily ascension of Christ, for to strain his imagination upwards bodily in ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and 4.htm

That a Man Shall not Take Ensample of Saint Martin and of Saint ...
... THE EIGHT AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER That a man shall not take ensample of Saint Martin
and of Saint Stephen, for to strain his imagination bodily upwards in the ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the eight and 4.htm

The Roman Empire at the Time of the Birth of Christ. Upwards of a ...
... CHAPTER I. THE ROMAN EMPIRE AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Upwards of
a quarter of a century before the Birth of Christ. CHAPTER ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the roman empire.htm

That the High and the Next Way to Heaven is Run by Desires, and ...
... For thee thinkest that thou hast very evidence that heaven is upwards; for Christ
ascended the air bodily upwards, and sent the Holy Ghost as He promised ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the sixtieth chapter.htm

Why the Holy Spirit was Only "Borne Over" the Waters.
... Fire tends upwards, a stone downwards. ... By Thy Gift we are inflamed, and
are borne upwards; we wax hot inwardly, and go forwards. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix why the holy spirit.htm

More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory.
... any one say that atoms of a fiery quality, being joined together, formed a body,
and because the quality of fire does not tend downwards, but upwards, that the ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xix more difficulties of the.htm

Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. "
... in the first place, simultaneously with the earliest deposition of the Seed by the
non-existent one, immediately burst forth [822] and went upwards and hurried ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter x origin of the world.htm

Whether the Soul Understands all Things through Innate Species?
... principle of an action, as it is to that action: for instance, if upward motion
is from lightness, then that which only potentially moves upwards must needs be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the soul understands all.htm

Whether the Notion of a State Denotes a Condition of Freedom or ...
... Objection 3: Further, the word "state" seems to indicate height of a kind;
because to stand is to be raised upwards. Now one man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the notion of a.htm

Upwards (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Upwards (18 Occurrences). ... Genesis 7:20 fifteen cubits upwards
have the waters become mighty, and the mountains are covered; (YLT). ...
/u/upwards.htm - 12k

Upward (74 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Alt. of Upwards. 2. (a.) Directed toward
a higher place; as, with upward eye; with upward course. ...
/u/upward.htm - 32k

Ur (5 Occurrences)

/u/ur.htm - 15k

Ox (197 Occurrences)
... than the peaceful husbandman. The one I saw was of the `oak of Bashan,'
and measured upwards of ten feet in length. At one end was ...
/o/ox.htm - 43k

Lapwing (2 Occurrences)
... It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards,
downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. ...
/l/lapwing.htm - 8k

Timnath-serah (2 Occurrences)
... chamber beyond. A great number of lamp-niches cover the walls of the porch,
upwards of two hundred, arranged in vertical rows. A ...
/t/timnath-serah.htm - 10k

Trellis (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Trellis (1 Occurrence). Psalms 74:5 It seemed as
when men wield upwards axes in a thicket of trees. (See RSV). ...
/t/trellis.htm - 6k

Timnathserah (2 Occurrences)
... chamber beyond. A great number of lamp-niches cover the walls of the porch,
upwards of two hundred, arranged in vertical rows. A ...
/t/timnathserah.htm - 10k

Target (14 Occurrences)
... to the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, throughout Judah and
Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and upwards, and found ...
/t/target.htm - 11k

River (189 Occurrences)
... In less than two hours a dry desert wady upwards of 300 yards broad was turned into
a foaming torrent from 8 to 10 feet deep, roaring and tearing down and ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

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