This morning as I worked through my MasterWork study, there were more questions than answers. In fact there were multiple paragraphs in the study that were just that completely, questions only. This is of course not unusual when it comes to learning that which God has for us. Questions should be a part of learning as it drives to find answers. So, how will God dwell with each of us at the same time when there will be millions of us?
Omnipresent: present in all places at all times – Merriam-Webster Online
Well, let me start with the omnipresence of God. As you can see in the definition from Merriam-Webster Online, it means being everywhere always. God is the only one who is. Yes, there may be groups that are said to be (security teams, CCTV cameras, etc.) but only God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are able to truly be everywhere always. This is a characteristic that is singular to God.
But, what about Jesus when He was here on earth, how was He everywhere always. Well, in the physical sense, He was not. It is true that the physical body of Jesus was able only to be in one place at any one time. But spiritually He was everywhere always and that is demonstrated by His knowing of the death of Lazarus without being told.
“11After saying these things, he said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.’ 12The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.’ 13Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, 15and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’” – John 11:11-15 (ESV)
In this account, prior to these verses, we see that Jesus was days away from Lazarus, and yet He knew that His friend had died. But, I know what you are thinking, knowing and being there are two different things, and you would be right.
In the New Heaven and New Earth and New Jerusalem, Jesus will have the form of man and yet will be able to be with each of us physically. His deity trumps Him physical form and He is able to be in more than one place at a time. On this present earth, His manhood trumped his deity for our sake. Jesus was bound by His human form. When we see Him again, He will not be bound at all.
Again we come to all the question, how will He do it? And that is best answered with scripture and through the understanding that He is bigger, better, and way more than we can imagine.
“20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” – Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
As much as we know about God, there is (x) times more that we do not. And that is where all those questions come. The questions should be there. We should be asking. We should investigate for our own. We should look to find the truth and that is done through the daily, weekly, and continual study of the Word of God as it is the TRUTH.
We will see the face of God. He will dwell among us. We will experience Him personally at whenever we need Him. He will be with us all, everywhere, always.
What are your thoughts on how He will dwell with each of us? Are you asking questions to get the answers? What if you were to start with the omnipresence of God and move forward from there?