Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "reality" encompasses the nature of existence as created and sustained by God, the ultimate truth revealed through Scripture, and the spiritual realm that transcends human perception. The Bible presents reality as both physical and spiritual, with God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.
Creation and the Nature of RealityThe Bible begins with the assertion of God's creation of the universe, establishing the foundation of reality: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (
Genesis 1:1). This verse underscores the belief that all of reality originates from God, who is eternal and unchanging. The physical world, as described in the creation account, is a manifestation of God's power and wisdom.
The Psalms further affirm God's role in sustaining reality: "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein" (
Psalm 24:1). This verse highlights the belief that everything within creation belongs to God and is under His sovereign control.
Spiritual RealityBeyond the physical realm, the Bible emphasizes the existence of a spiritual reality. The Apostle Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (
Ephesians 6:12). This passage reveals the presence of spiritual forces and the ongoing battle between good and evil, which is a significant aspect of biblical reality.
The spiritual realm is also where believers find their true identity and purpose. Paul reminds the Colossians, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (
Colossians 3:2), encouraging Christians to focus on the eternal and spiritual aspects of reality rather than the temporary and material.
Truth and RealityThe Bible presents truth as an integral part of reality, with Jesus Christ as the embodiment of truth. Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (
John 14:6). This statement affirms that ultimate reality is found in a relationship with Christ, who reveals the truth about God and humanity.
The Scriptures themselves are considered a source of truth, providing guidance and insight into the nature of reality. The psalmist writes, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (
Psalm 119:105), illustrating the belief that God's Word illuminates the path of life and reveals the true nature of reality.
Eternal RealityThe Bible teaches that reality extends beyond the temporal world into eternity. Jesus speaks of eternal life as the ultimate reality for believers: "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" (
John 17:3). Eternal life is not merely an unending existence but a quality of life characterized by a relationship with God.
The book of Revelation provides a glimpse into the eternal reality that awaits believers, describing a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with His people: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" (
Revelation 21:4). This vision of the future underscores the hope of a restored reality where God's presence is fully realized.
In summary, the Bible presents reality as a complex interplay of the physical and spiritual, grounded in the truth of God's Word and culminating in the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state or quality of being real; actual being or existence of anything, in distinction from mere appearance; fact.
2. (n.) That which is real; an actual existence; that which is not imagination, fiction, or pretense; that which has objective existence, and is not merely an idea.
3. (n.) Loyalty; devotion.
4. (n.) See 2d Realty, 2.
Greek
5287. hupostasis -- a support, substance, steadiness, hence...... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hupostasis Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-os'-tas-is) Short Definition: assurance, substance,
reality Definition: (lit
...5422. phrenapatao -- to deceive the mind
... Cognate: 5422 (from 5424 , "inner-outlook behavior" and 538 , "deceive by distorting")
-- properly, to act from a (warped sense ofreality) which "redefines...
228. alethinos -- true.
... See 225 (). 228 (" true") refers to what is true -- connecting (visible)
fact to itsreality. 228 () then emphasizes of what is...
4833. summorphoo -- conform to, fashion self according to.
... 4833 -- (from 4862 , "together " and 3444 ; " embodying essence") -- properly, sharing
the same form from embodying the same inner (essential)reality; to be...
4422. ptoeo -- to terrify
... behavior. 4422 ("terrified") means to be provoked by fears, causing someone
to become "psychologically detached fromreality.". [4422...
166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... having a particular and") -- properly, "" ("like-an-"), ie an "age-" (the quality
describing a particular age); (figuratively) the unique (reality) at work in...
3474. moros -- dull, stupid, foolish
... insipid), flat ("without an edge"); (figuratively) "mentally inert"; dull in
understanding; nonsensical ("moronic"), lacking a grip onreality (acting as...
5481. charakter -- a tool for engraving
... Finally it stood for a stamp or impress used on a coin or seal (see , 368). In
each case, the stamp conveyed thereality behind the image.]....
5252. huperphroneo -- to be overly proud, to have high thoughts
... perspective regulating behavior") -- properly, think , exceeding (appropriate) limits;
(figuratively) to act , lacking humility and a true sense ofreality ()....
3339. metamorphoo -- to transform
... transfigure. 3339 (from 3326 , " being " and 3445 , "changing in keeping with
innerreality") -- properly, transformed being ; . [3339...
Strong's Hebrew
7189. qoshet -- truth... truth Or qosht {kosht}; from an unused root meaning to balance; equity (as evenly
weighed), ie
Reality -- truth. 7188, 7189. qoshet. 7189a . Strong's Numbers
Library
TheReality of Prayer
TheReality of Prayer. <. TheReality of Prayer Edward M. Bounds. Table of
Contents. Title Page. I. PRAYER--A PRIVILEGE, PRINCELY, SACRED. II....
Dream andReality
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END DREAM ANDREALITY. 'The gods are come down
to us in the likeness of men.' "Acts 14:11. This was the...
Three Pictures of oneReality
... THREE PICTURES OF ONEREALITY. 'As birds flying, so... Destroying Angel. II.
We note thereality meant by these pictures. They mean...
TheReality of the Resurrection
... CHAPTER XXIII. TheReality of the Resurrection. 84. Now, with respect
to the resurrection of the body"and by this I do not mean...
It Makes Him Sensible of theReality of Happiness: it Feeds Him...
... THE SECOND CENTURY 98 It makes him sensible of thereality of Happiness:
it feeds him with contentment. It makes him sensible of...
Scheme of Necessity Denies theReality of Moral Distinctions.
... Chapter III. Scheme Of Necessity Denies TheReality Of Moral Distinctions.... Section
I. The views of Spinoza in relation to thereality of moral distinctions....
Truth andReality Pertain to Christians Alone the Heathen...
... Book I. Chapter XX."Truth andReality Pertain to Christians Alone The Heathen
Counselled to Examine and Embrace It. How long therefore...
TheReality of the Resurrection Proved by Facts: -1 the victory...
... Thereality of the resurrection proved by facts: (1) the victory over death described
above: (2) the Wonders of Grace are the work of One Living, of One who is...
Religion --AReality
... Religion"aReality. A Sermon (No.457). Delivered... real! When the great hammer
of the law broke our hearts in pieces, it was a sternreality....
TheReality of Christ's Passion.
... Chapter X."Thereality of Christ's passion.... But as for me, I do not place my
hopes in one who died for me in appearance, but inreality....
Thesaurus
Reality (13 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) See 2d Realty, 2. Multi-Version Concordance
Reality (13 Occurrences). John
8:36 if then the son may make you free, in
reality ye shall be free. (YLT).
...Truth (380 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or being true; as: -- (a) Conformity to fact orreality;
exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be....
Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... The conception of eternity, as without beginning or ending, leaves us with
but a negation badly in need of filling out withreality....
Verity (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Truthfulness; accuracy; consonance of a statement with fact; truth;reality.
2. (n.) That which is true; a true assertion or tenet; a truth; areality....
Atheism
... In this sense it does not mean a denial of the existence of a Divine Being, but
the denial of the existence orreality of the god of a particular nation....
Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... Inreality, however, the eternity of God is not simply His filling of ever-flowing
"ages," but rather that aspect of His being in which He is above time; for...
Anthropomorphism
... God's likeness to man, in respect of the attributes and elements essential to personal
spirit, must be presupposed as a fundamentalreality of the universe....
Trinity
... is found? And would everything that is in God be found in this representation
if His necessaryreality were not found in it? If...
Comparative
... 2. God: Mahayana Buddhism proclaims an immanent but not transcendent being
(Dharma-kaya), who is "the ultimatereality that underlies all particular phenomena...
Type (12 Occurrences)
... One is "shadow" (skia, Hebrews 10:1), "For the law having a shadow of the good things
to come"-as if the substance orreality that was still future cast its...
Resources
What is absolute reality? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is reality therapy, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is simulation theory? Is all of reality actually a simulation? | GotQuestions.orgReality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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