The Earth

The Bible presents the Earth as the creation of God, a central element in His divine plan. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational verse establishes the Earth as a deliberate act of creation by God, setting the stage for the unfolding of His purposes throughout Scripture.

The Earth is depicted as a place of beauty and abundance, designed to sustain life. In Genesis 1:31 , after completing His creation, "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." The Earth is portrayed as a reflection of God's glory and wisdom, with its intricate ecosystems and diverse landscapes.

The Earth is also the stage for God's covenantal relationships with humanity. In Genesis 9:13 , God establishes a covenant with Noah, saying, "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." This covenant underscores the enduring relationship between God, humanity, and the Earth.

Throughout the Bible, the Earth is subject to God's sovereign will. Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." This verse emphasizes God's ownership and authority over the Earth and its inhabitants.

Peoples

The Bible acknowledges the diversity of peoples and nations, recognizing them as part of God's creation. In Genesis 10, often referred to as the Table of Nations, the descendants of Noah's sons are listed, illustrating the spread of humanity across the Earth. This diversity is part of God's design, as seen in Acts 17:26 , "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands."

The relationship between God and the peoples of the Earth is a recurring theme. God calls Abraham in Genesis 12:3 , promising, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This promise foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, through whom salvation is offered to all peoples.

The Bible also addresses the moral and spiritual responsibilities of peoples. In Deuteronomy 32:8 , it is stated, "When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God." This verse highlights God's sovereign role in the establishment of nations and their accountability to Him.

The prophetic books often speak of the nations in relation to God's redemptive plan. Isaiah 2:2 envisions a future where "the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and all nations will stream to it." This prophecy points to a time when all peoples will recognize God's sovereignty and worship Him.

In the New Testament, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This directive underscores the universal scope of the Gospel and God's desire for all peoples to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 7:9 provides a vision of the culmination of God's plan for the peoples of the Earth: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." This scene reflects the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to bless all the families of the Earth through Abraham's seed.