Glossary
Presence
One of the most wonderful and central truths of Scripture is that God desires to manifest his presence on the earth and to dwell among people. God is of course omnipresent (everywhere at all times) but there are times when, places where and people among whom he can make his presence felt in a tangible and awesome way. God first walked with Adam in the garden and since the rebellion of man God has sought to restore this intimate communion. It is this intent to dwell among people that is behind the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple - places where God would come down in all his glory and meet with his people. His presence with people came fully in the person of Christ and now it is the church, a temple made with living stones, among whom God dwells by his Spirit, that he desires to make his presence felt. The Church should be marked out above all things by the presence of God. One day there is going to be a new heaven and a new earth where God will dwell among people, his presence continually with them - this is the ultimate fulfilment of all his covenant promises.