The Sun

The sun holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, serving as a symbol of God's creation, power, and provision. In Genesis 1:16, the sun is described as the "greater light" created by God to govern the day: "God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars." This passage underscores the sun's role in the divine order of creation.

Throughout Scripture, the sun is often used metaphorically to describe God's glory and righteousness. In Psalm 19:4-6, the sun is depicted as a bridegroom and a champion, illustrating its strength and the joy it brings: "In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course, it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth."

The sun also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the constancy of His promises. In Ecclesiastes 1:5, the sun's daily rising and setting are used to illustrate the cyclical nature of life: "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises." This regularity reflects the reliability of God's covenant with His creation.

In the New Testament, the sun is used in eschatological contexts, symbolizing the coming of the Lord and the end times. In Matthew 24:29, Jesus speaks of cosmic disturbances preceding His return: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’"

The Air

The air, while not as frequently mentioned as the sun, plays a crucial role in the biblical understanding of life and the spiritual realm. In Genesis 2:7, the breath of life given to Adam signifies the life-giving power of God: "Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This breath, or spirit, is often associated with the air, symbolizing the invisible yet vital presence of God.

The air is also depicted as the domain of spiritual forces. In Ephesians 2:2, Paul refers to the "prince of the power of the air," indicating the influence of spiritual adversaries: "in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience." This passage highlights the spiritual battle that takes place in the unseen realms.

Furthermore, the air is a medium through which God's voice and presence are experienced. In 1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah encounters God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper, suggesting the subtlety and intimacy of God's communication: "After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice."

In Revelation 16:17, the seventh angel pours out his bowl into the air, signifying the completion of God's wrath and the finality of His judgment: "Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, 'It is done!'" This act demonstrates the air's role in the unfolding of divine events and the consummation of God's plan.