The Bible describes our world as having three spatial dimensions – length, width, and height – and time as a fourth dimension. However, some passages hint at the possibility of additional dimensions beyond our normal human perception. This article will explore biblical references to higher dimensions and their implications for understanding reality from a spiritual perspective.
The Physical World
According to modern physics, we live in a universe with three spatial dimensions and one dimension of time. The first three dimensions (length, width, and height) allow objects to take up space, while the fourth dimension (time) enables the concept of change as events occur sequentially. This aligns with everyday human experience – we are able to move freely in three-dimensional space, while time flows linearly forward.
The Bible generally describes the physical world in similar terms. For example, when giving instructions for building the tabernacle, God specifies its precise three-dimensional dimensions:
“The length of the tabernacle shall be twenty cubits, and the breadth ten cubits, and the height five cubits.” (Exodus 26:16)
Likewise, biblical authors speak of past, present, and future events occurring within the linear flow of time. Scripture affirms our daily experience of living in a world with three spatial dimensions and the fourth dimension of time.
Space, Time, and Spirit
Although the Bible acknowledges the physical dimensions of our universe, it also hints at realities beyond our normal perceptions. For example, when describing God’s omnipresence, Solomon writes:
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)
This passage is affirming that God transcends the ordinary three-dimensional space we inhabit. As an infinite, spiritual being, God is not confined to any physical location. Other spiritual beings like angels are also described as transcending space in this way, such as when an angel suddenly appears standing before a person.
The Bible teaches that in addition to the physical world available to our senses, there is a spiritual realm that is not limited by our normal perception of space. God, angels, and the human spirit are able to operate in this higher dimensional plane.
Perceiving Higher Dimensions
If higher dimensions beyond space and time exist, why are we not able to perceive them? Scripture suggests that humanity lost spiritual perception when Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3). Their rebellion against God separated them from full relationship with him and marred their ability to experience dimensions beyond the physical world.
However, there are examples in the Bible where people occasionally glimpse realities beyond normal space and time. The prophet Elisha prays for his servant to see the spiritual armies protecting them, and the servant’s eyes are opened to perceive the higher dimensional realm where angels operate (2 Kings 6:15-17). The book of Revelation describes bizarre, surreal visions of heaven, illustrating that the future eternal state may have additional dimensions unknown to us now.
Through the redeeming work of Christ, believers can be restored to spiritual perception: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14). As we grow in relationship with God, our perception of higher dimensions can increase as well.
Biblical References to Higher Dimensions
Let’s survey some key biblical passages that point to the existence of additional dimensions beyond the four we can perceive. These verses suggest that reality has greater depth than we ordinarily experience.
1. Heaven
Heaven is described in Scripture as God’s dwelling place, a realm that transcends ordinary space and time. The fact that God can choose to manifest his presence in our earthly dimensions shows that heaven operates according to higher dimensional principles:
“who also made the world and everything in it, this Lord of heaven and earth…” (Acts 17:24)
“The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man…” (Psalms 33:13)
Heaven is a spiritual realm that interacts with the physical universe but is not ultimately defined by earthly dimensions of space and time.
2. Visions of God’s Throne
Heavenly throne room scenes described in the Bible have a surreal, higher dimensional quality. For example, Ezekiel 1 depicts four angelic beings, each with four faces and four wings, moving in four directions simultaneously. The throne itself has blazing wheels within wheels rotating every direction. This reality defies ordinary spatial dimensions.
Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4 describe similar otherworldly throne rooms. The images are symbolic pointers to a higher dimensional reality our finite minds struggle to comprehend.
3. Angelic Appearances
As supernatural beings, angels are not limited to our three-dimensional existence. They are often described appearing, disappearing, or moving in ways that transcend normal space and time. For example:
“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell…and the chains fell off his hands.” (Acts 12:7)
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.” (Luke 2:13)
Angels transition in and out of our physical dimension, suggesting they inhabit a higher dimensional realm.
4. Apocalyptic Literature
The apocalyptic sections of the Bible (Daniel, Revelation) depict events where the boundaries between physical and spiritual realms appear to break down. Bizarre beasts, cosmic disasters, and surreal throne room visions characterize this literary genre. While containing symbolic imagery, these passages hint at higher dimensional realities beyond normal space-time.
5. Miracles
Miracles described in the Bible demonstrate power over creation and the standard laws of nature. Examples include Jesus walking on water (defying gravity), calming a storm (manipulating weather), feeding thousands miraculously (creating mass), and turning water into wine (transforming matter).
Such miracles give glimpses of realities beyond our normal four-dimensional existence. The spiritual realm that God inhabits enables manipulation of creation in ways that seem to transcend space and time.
6. Dreams and Visions
Dreams and visions throughout the Bible reveal how human consciousness can experience realities not accessible through normal sense perception. For example, Jacob’s ladder, Ezekiel’s wheels, Daniel’s beasts, and John’s apocalyptic horsemen all convey spiritual truths through surreal dream imagery.
These passage point to dimensions of reality where nonlinear events can be perceived by the human mind, but seem supernatural from our earthly perspective.
7. Near-Death Experiences
Though not directly described in Scripture, modern near-death experiences also reveal glimpses of higher dimensional realms. People brought back from clinical death frequently report sensations of moving through a tunnel toward a bright light, seeing angels and departed loved ones, and sensing overwhelmingly loving presence of God.
While subjective, these reports point to higher planes of existence that become perceptible when no longer constrained by earthly space-time.
Theoretical Models of Higher Dimensions
Is it possible to conceive of how additional dimensions beyond our normal three-dimensional reality could operate? Mathematics and physics provide some theoretical models that may help expand our imagination for understanding higher planes described in Scripture.
1. Flatland
A classic thought experiment called Flatland illustrates how beings limited to only two dimensions would perceive interactions with higher dimensional objects they cannot comprehend. For example, a sphere moving through Flatland would first appear as a point, become a circle growing larger and smaller, then shrink back to a point before disappearing. The third dimension of height provides explanation, but exceeds Flatland’s perceptual limits.
This helps explain why higher dimensional objects described in the Bible like angels, God’s throne, and miracles seem surreal to our 3D-constrained minds. We can only understand slives or fragments of their higher dimensional existence.
2. String theory
In physics, string theory proposes that fundamental subatomic particles are actually vibrating strings rather than point-like particles. These strings require at least 10 dimensions for the mathematics to work – meaning the basic quantum nature of reality may involve more dimensions than our normal human perception can access.
Could this provide a physical mechanism for how spiritual beings and God’s throne room could exist in higher dimensional planes? String theory offers an interesting parallel for conceptualizing higher dimensions referenced in the Bible.
3. Hyperspace
Hyperspace is the concept of a higher dimensional space that coexists with our normal 3D world. In mathematical terms, it refers to space with four or more dimensions. In physics, theories with additional dimensions can help describe reality at both the cosmological and quantum scales.
This provides another mathematical framework for grasping how higher dimensions could contain realities currently imperceptible to our earthly viewpoint. Angels, God’s throne room, and other spiritual entities may simply exist in forms of hyperspace.
4. Many-Worlds Interpretation
In quantum physics, the many-worlds interpretation proposes that reality consists of a quantum multiverse of parallel worlds that branch off each time a subatomic particle collapses its probability wave via observation. Each world within the multiverse would represent a unique dimensional context.
Could this provide a potential parallel for understanding biblical passages that seem to describe supernatural realms that intersect with familiar reality in unexpected ways?
Implications of Higher Dimensions in Scripture
Accepting the biblical testimony of higher dimensions beyond our normal perception leads to important implications for how we understand God, the world, and ourselves.
1. An omnipresent, omnipotent God is real and active.
Higher dimensions allow for the existence of an infinite God who transcends space and time yet engages within our physical world. Usually hidden from view, actions from higher dimensions occasionally pierce into our reality.
2. Not all truth can be perceived from a limited physical viewpoint.
Our three-dimensional perspective is inadequate for grasping the full depth of reality. We must humbly acknowledge our limitations and avoid restricting truth claims only to what is physically observable.
3. Spiritual perception provides glimpses of deeper reality.
As we develop our spiritual senses, we can receive insight into higher aspects of reality beyond the physical plane. Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and inspired imagination can help expand our vision.
4. The universe has deeper cosmic meaning.
A higher dimensional infrastructure to creation implies that all things in our plane of existence have spiritual correlations beyond what is visible. Matter, energy, and events carry deeper significance.
5. Our earthly lives influence eternal destiny.
Choices we make within space-time constraints carry moral and relational weight that ripples into eternity. Our actions shape our capacities to participate in realities of higher dimensions after death.
6. Angels and demons are active in unseen realms around us.
Spiritual beings operate in higher dimensions even while influencing physical events. Angelic and demonic actions are part of an unseen struggle surrounding us at all times.
7. Near-death experiences provide glimpses of the afterlife.
Though subjective, NDE accounts often align with biblical descriptions of heaven. They provide potential experiential glimpses of existence beyond the boundary of earthly death.
Conclusion
The Bible suggests reality has more dimensions than we can perceive from our limited three-dimensional viewpoint. Passages and visions throughout Scripture hint at higher planes inhabited by God’s throne room, angels, and the eternal state. Additional dimensions help explain how God can be omnipresent, and provide depth of cosmic meaning to existence.
While higher dimensions exceed our empirical observation, mathematics and physics provide models for conceptualizing spaces with more than three dimensions. As we grow spiritually, we can learn to perceive reality through higher dimensional eyes of faith. One day believers will know fully, even as we are fully known in eternity (1 Corinthians 13:12).
