Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "beholders" is not explicitly used; however, the concept of witnessing or observing divine acts, visions, or the presence of God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. Beholders, in this context, can be understood as those who have been granted the privilege to see or experience the manifestations of God's power, glory, or revelation.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, several individuals and groups are depicted as beholders of God's glory and works. One of the most prominent examples is Moses, who beheld the glory of God on Mount Sinai.
Exodus 33:18-23 describes Moses' request to see God's glory, and God allows him to see His back, as no one can see His face and live. This encounter signifies the profound privilege and responsibility of being a beholder of divine revelation.
The prophets also serve as beholders, receiving visions and messages from God to convey to the people of Israel. Isaiah's vision of the Lord in the temple (
Isaiah 6:1-8) and Ezekiel's vision of the glory of God by the Kebar River (
Ezekiel 1:1-28) are notable examples. These visions often include symbolic imagery and serve as a means for God to communicate His will and purposes.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of beholding takes on a new dimension with the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The disciples and followers of Jesus are beholders of His life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection.
John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse highlights the unique privilege of those who witnessed the earthly ministry of Jesus.
The Transfiguration of Jesus is another significant event where select disciples—Peter, James, and John—behold the glorified Christ alongside Moses and Elijah (
Matthew 17:1-8,
Mark 9:2-8,
Luke 9:28-36). This event serves as a revelation of Jesus' divine nature and a foretaste of His future glory.
Spiritual BeholdingBeyond physical sight, the New Testament emphasizes spiritual beholding through faith. Believers are called to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (
Hebrews 12:2). This spiritual beholding involves perceiving and understanding the truths of the Gospel and the character of God through the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul speaks of beholding the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, being transformed into His image (
2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation process is a spiritual beholding that leads to sanctification and growth in Christlikeness.
Eschatological BeholdingThe ultimate fulfillment of beholding is eschatological, where believers will see God face to face in the new heavens and new earth.
Revelation 22:4 promises, "They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads." This future vision of God is the culmination of the believer's hope and the consummation of the relationship between God and His people.
In summary, while the term "beholders" is not directly used in Scripture, the concept is richly woven throughout the biblical narrative, highlighting the privilege and transformative power of witnessing God's glory and revelation.
Library
Of the Invisible God, who Has Often Made Himself visible, not as...
... Book X. Chapter 13."Of the Invisible God, Who Has Often Made Himself Visible,
Not as He Really Is, But as theBeholders Could Bear the Sight....
Whether Christ's Body is Truly There when Flesh or a Child Appears...
... Sometimes it happens on the part of thebeholders, whose eyes are so affected as
if they outwardly saw flesh, or blood, or a child, while no change takes place...
What is Meant by the Appellation "Angels?"
... that particular vision which manifests the Divine similitude depicted in itself
as in a shaping of the shapeless, from the elevation of thebeholders to the...
But, Says My Opponent, if He was not a God...
... opening in the earth, or some caverns and vaults, caused by huge masses being heaped
up irregularly, into which it hurried, evading the gaze of thebeholders?...
Ministry
... companions. Upon their countenances was a light that awed thebeholders. The
scribes drew back in fear, while the people welcomed Jesus....
The Tournament at Constantinople.
... not a spot of silk remained uncovered. Well he behaved himself, to the
admiration of allbeholders. Clad in blue steel, and called...
The Law and the Liberty of Presbyterian Worship.
... With this end in view, it is evident that its forms should be such as shall most
clearly and effectively set forth before the eyes ofbeholders, those truths...
Matt. xxvii. 62-64.
... Again thou hast told of the hurt and the ruin. "But I enjoy also," thou
sayest, "much honor from thebeholders." And what is this?...
1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... How pray with fervency, when thus attired? Shouldest thou weep, thy tears will be
the ridicule of thebeholders. She that weeps ought not to be wearing gold....
Matt. xxi. 33-44.
... to God's will of the things doing, but that the event was even highly acceptable,
and beyond expectation, and amazing every one of thebeholders (for indeed...
Thesaurus
Beholders (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Beholders (7 Occurrences). Job 20:7 As his own dung for
ever he doth perish, His
beholders say: 'Where 'is' he?' (YLT).
...Beholdest (6 Occurrences)
Beholder (7 Occurrences)
Nin'eveh (18 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:7 And it hath come to pass, Each of thybeholders fleeth from thee, And
hath said: 'Spoiled is Nineveh, Who doth bemoan for her?' Whence do I seek...
Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... Jehovah! (YLT). Psalms 27:11 Shew me, O Jehovah, Thy way, And lead me in
a path of uprightness, For the sake of mybeholders. (YLT)....
Ebal (8 Occurrences)
... In all the future, therefore, this mountain, towering aloft in the very heart of
the land, would remindbeholders far and near of their people's covenant with...
Dazzled (3 Occurrences)
... turned back, and hath health.' (YLT). Isaiah 32:3 And not dazzled are the
eyes ofbeholders, And the ears of hearers do attend. (YLT)....
Mesha (4 Occurrences)
... This fearful spectacle filled thebeholders with horror, and they retired from before
the besieged city, and recrossed the Jordan laden with spoil (2 Kings 3:25...
Stricken (32 Occurrences)
... God hath stricken against me. (YLT). Job 34:26 As wicked He hath stricken
them, In the place ofbeholders. (YLT). Psalms 73:5 They...
Herod (45 Occurrences)
... It was early in the day, and the sun's rays fell on the king, so that the eyes of
thebeholders were dazzled with the brightness which surrounded him....
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