Topical Encyclopedia
Immortality of GodThe concept of God's immortality is a fundamental attribute that underscores His eternal nature and existence. Unlike created beings, God is not subject to death or decay. His immortality is intrinsic, meaning it is an essential aspect of His divine nature. Scripture affirms this attribute in several passages, emphasizing that God is the "Alpha and Omega," the beginning and the end, who exists beyond the confines of time and mortality.
In
1 Timothy 6:16, the apostle Paul writes, "He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." This verse highlights that God alone possesses immortality inherently, distinguishing Him from all other beings who derive their existence from Him.
Psalm 90:2 declares, "Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God." This passage reflects the eternal nature of God, affirming that His existence is not bound by time or the physical universe. God's immortality assures believers of His unchanging nature and the eternal security of His promises.
Invisibility of GodThe invisibility of God is another profound attribute that speaks to His transcendent and spiritual nature. God, being spirit, is not visible to the human eye. This invisibility is not a limitation but rather a testament to His divine essence, which surpasses human comprehension and physical perception.
John 1:18 states, "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known." This verse underscores the invisibility of God while also pointing to the revelation of God through Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:15 further elaborates on this by describing Christ as "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Through Christ, the nature and character of the invisible God are made manifest to humanity. The invisibility of God serves to remind believers of His holiness and the necessity of faith, as expressed in
Hebrews 11:27, where Moses is commended for persevering "as though seeing Him who is invisible."
The invisibility of God also emphasizes His omnipresence and the fact that He is not confined to any physical form or location. As Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman in
John 4:24, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." This spiritual nature of God calls for a relationship with Him that transcends physical sight and is rooted in faith and spiritual understanding.
In summary, the immortality and invisibility of God are attributes that highlight His eternal, unchanging, and transcendent nature. These characteristics invite believers to trust in His everlasting promises and to seek a deeper, faith-based relationship with Him through the revelation of Jesus Christ.