Onisim Moisa 20.02.18

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God dwells with His people. This is not a minor theme hidden somewhere in Scripture. It is one of the great threads running through the entire Bible—from the Garden of Eden to the new creation.

God created us for fellowship with Him. Sin damaged that fellowship, but it did not change God’s ultimate purpose. Throughout Scripture, God continues to reveal His desire to be with His people.

We see His presence in Eden, the Tabernacle, and the Temple. Then God comes to us in Jesus Christ. After Jesus ascends to the Father, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within believers. Finally, the Bible ends with God’s people living eternally in His presence.

This truth changes the way we understand the Christian life.

We were not created merely to work for God. We were created to know Him, worship Him, and live in fellowship with Him.

A “Mount Everest” View of the Bible

Years ago, one of my seminary professors asked me an unusual question:

“Do you have a Mount Everest Scripture?”

I immediately understood the picture.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level. Imagine standing at the top and looking across the surrounding landscape. Nothing stands higher to obstruct your view.

A “Mount Everest Scripture,” therefore, would be a passage that gives us a panoramic view of the Bible—a verse from which we can see something of the bigger picture of God’s plan.

Several passages immediately came to my mind.

Genesis 1:1.

John 3:16.

Psalm 32:8, one of my favorite verses.

All are powerful passages. However, my professor suggested another:

Revelation 21:3.

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

Think about those words.

The Bible begins with humanity in the presence of God and ends with redeemed humanity eternally in the presence of God.

Between Genesis and Revelation, we discover the incredible story of how God makes that possible.

1. God Created Humanity to Live in His Presence

The story begins in Genesis.

God said:

“Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.” — Genesis 1:26

Then Scripture tells us:

“God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” — Genesis 1:27

Human beings occupy a unique place in God’s creation because we were created in His image.

Genesis also presents a beautiful picture of humanity living in God’s presence.

God created humanity on the sixth day. Then came the seventh day—the Sabbath.

Think about that for a moment.

Adam’s first full day of existence was not primarily a day of productivity.

It was a day of rest in God’s creation.

This teaches us something important about our relationship with God.

I have heard many Christians say, “God created us to work for Him.”

There is truth in that statement. God certainly gives us work to do. Genesis 2:15 tells us that Adam was given responsibility for the garden.

But work was never intended to replace fellowship with God.

The biblical order is:

Fellowship, then work.

We worship and walk with God, and our service flows from that relationship.

This remains important for Christians today.

We can become so busy serving God that we neglect being with God.

We can preach, lead, volunteer, give, organize, and minister while slowly allowing our personal fellowship with God to become weak.

But God never intended ministry to replace intimacy with Him.

2. God Dwells With His People in the Tabernacle

Sin entered the world and shattered humanity’s relationship with God.

Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden.

Yet God’s desire to dwell with His people did not disappear.

God called Abraham and established His covenant with him. His descendants eventually became the nation of Israel.

After God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle.

Why?

God gives the answer in Exodus 25:8:

“Have them make a Sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.”

That statement is remarkable.

The God who created heaven and earth desired to dwell among His people.

The Tabernacle was therefore more than a religious building.

It represented God’s presence among Israel.

Despite their weaknesses, failures, complaints, and sins, God continued moving His redemptive plan forward.

His desire to dwell with His people remained.

3. God Made His Presence Known in the Temple

Later, after Israel entered the Promised Land, David desired to build a permanent house for God.

God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple.

When the Temple was completed, Solomon declared:

“I have surely built You a magnificent House, a place for Your dwelling forever.” — 1 Kings 8:13

Psalm 132:14 similarly says:

“This is My resting place forever. Here I dwell, for I have desired it.”

Again we encounter the same biblical theme:

God dwells with His people.

However, the Temple was not the end of the story.

Something far greater was coming.

God would not merely reveal His presence through a building.

God Himself would come to us.

4. God Came to Dwell Among Us in Jesus

The prophet Isaiah spoke about Immanuel—God with us.

Matthew identifies this promise with Jesus Christ:

“They shall call His name Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” — Matthew 1:23

Then John gives us one of the most important statements in the New Testament:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” — John 1:14

This is the extraordinary truth of the incarnation.

God came near.

Jesus Christ is not simply another religious teacher showing humanity how to find God.

In Christ, God came to us.

The God who revealed His presence in the Tabernacle now dwelt among humanity in Jesus Christ.

The God who revealed His glory to Israel came in flesh and lived among us.

Immanuel.

God with us.

The biblical story of God’s presence had reached an entirely new stage.

But it was still not finished.

5. God Dwells in Believers Through the Holy Spirit

Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead.

Later, He ascended to the Father.

Imagine how His disciples must have felt.

They had walked with Jesus, eaten with Him, listened to Him, watched Him perform miracles, and experienced His presence.

Now He was leaving.

Yet Jesus promised:

“I will not leave you as orphans.” — John 14:18

He promised the Holy Spirit.

Then, in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost.

Something remarkable happened.

God’s presence would no longer be associated primarily with a physical Tabernacle or Temple.

God would dwell within His people.

Paul writes:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” — 1 Corinthians 6:19

Consider what that means for your life today.

If you belong to Jesus Christ, you are not abandoned.

You are not spiritually orphaned.

God has given you His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit teaches, convicts, strengthens, comforts, guides, and empowers God’s people to bear witness to Jesus Christ.

God’s desire to dwell with His people continues.

6. God Will Dwell With His People Forever

Now we return to our “Mount Everest Scripture.”

Revelation 21 brings the biblical story to its glorious conclusion.

Sin has been judged. Death is defeated. Satan is judged. God’s people are redeemed.

Then John hears the declaration:

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” — Revelation 21:3

Do you see the whole picture?

Genesis: humanity lives in God’s presence.

Tabernacle: God dwells among Israel.

Temple: God’s presence is manifested among His people.

Jesus: God comes to dwell among us.

Pentecost: God dwells within believers through the Holy Spirit.

New creation: God’s redeemed people dwell with Him forever.

The Bible is telling one magnificent story.

God dwells with His people.

And one day nothing will ever separate God’s people from His presence again.

Revelation continues:

“He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:4

Then God declares:

“Behold, I am making all things new!” — Revelation 21:5

That is our hope.

What Does It Mean That God Dwells With Us Today?

This beautiful biblical truth should change the way we live now.

First, prioritize fellowship with God over religious activity.

Remember the order:

Fellowship, then work.

Do not become so busy doing things for God that you stop spending time with God.

Second, live consciously in God’s presence.

Prayer is not an attempt to persuade a distant God to come near. For the believer, prayer is responding to the God who has already drawn near through Christ and given us His Spirit.

Third, remember God’s presence when life becomes difficult.

There may be seasons when God feels distant.

Your emotions may tell you that you are alone.

But your feelings do not determine God’s faithfulness.

Return to His promises.

Jesus said He would not leave His disciples as orphans.

Finally, live with eternity in view.

Your suffering is not the final chapter.

Your tears are not the final chapter.

Death is not the final chapter.

Revelation 21 is coming.

God will make all things new.

Fellowship With God Comes Before Work for God

Perhaps you are busy serving God right now.

You lead.

You preach.

You volunteer.

You care for others.

You work hard for the Kingdom.

Those things can be good. But never allow your work for God to replace your fellowship with God.

Go back to the order established from the beginning:

Fellowship, then work.

Spend time with Him.

Open His Word.

Pray.

Worship.

Listen.

Walk in dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

Your greatest calling is not merely to accomplish something for God.

It is to know Him.

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells us where history is heading.

The God who created us for His presence is redeeming a people who will live with Him forever.

God dwells with His people.

And one day, we will enjoy His presence without sin, suffering, separation, or death—forever.

Take Your Next Step

If you want to deepen your relationship with God, explore more resources on Spiritual Growth and Christian Prayer on Onisim.net.

And if you are walking through a difficult season and would like someone to pray for you, you can send a prayer request.

Onisim Moisa

I am a blogger, writer, pastor, Director of Zion Romania Bible School, husband to Olguta, a father and, most importantly, a child of God. I also completed my studies at the King’s University where I earned a B.A. in Theology with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies. I love Israel and I love the ‘Jewishness’ of the Bible.