– For the Semites, the earth was flat. Above it was the archway that contained the upper waters; below, the nether waters (the sea, rivers, and springs) and sheol , or the abode of the dead:
Gen 1:1–2 :4 : In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void.
1Sm 2,8 : For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s. Upon them he established the world.
1Ch 16:30 : Before him the whole earth trembles and does not falter, because he upholds it.
Job 38,1-18 : Who is this that obscures Providence with meaningless speeches?
Ps 18,2-3 : The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of his hands.
Ps 23:1 : The earth is the Lord’s and all that it contains, the earth’s orbit and all who dwell in it.
Ps 49,12 : If I was hungry, I didn’t need to tell you, because mine is the earth and all that it contains.
Ps 92,1 : The Lord is king and has clothed himself with majesty. The earth, which he firmly established, will not be shaken.
Ps 103 : Bless the Lord, O my soul! Lord, my God, you are immensely great!
Jr 10,12 : He alone created the earth by his power and consolidated the world by his wisdom.
Jo 1,10 : He was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world did not recognize him.
Acts 14:15 : We preach […] that you may turn from meaningless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth and sea.
Acts 17:24 : The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.
Rom 1:20 : Since the creation of the world, the invisible perfections of God […] have become visible.
Heb 1:2 : He spoke to us lately by his Son, who appointed him the universal heir, through whom he created all things.
– God had reckoned him good:
Gen 1:31 : God looked at all his work and saw that it was very good. Evening came and then morning.
Jn 3:16 : Indeed, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.
Jo 8,12 : I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Jn 1,9.14.22 : [The Word] was the true light which, coming into the world, illuminates every man.
Romans 14:14 , 20 : I am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is impure in itself.
1Tm 4,3 : They forbid marriage, as well as the use of food that God created to be taken with thanksgiving.
– And made it his abode:
Ps 101 :20: Because the Lord looked down from the height of his sanctuary, from heaven he looked down on the earth.
Ps 103,3 : Above the waters you fixed your abode. Of clouds you make your car, you ride on the wings of the wind.
Is 66 : 1: This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool”.
– Seeing him, however, subjected by the devil:
Jo 12,31 : Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Jn 14:30 : I will no longer speak much with you, because the prince of this world is coming; but he has nothing on me.
Jo 16,11 : He will convince him about the judgment, which consists in that the prince of this world is already judged and condemned.
1Jn 5:19 : We know that we belong to God, and that the whole world lies under the evil one.
– God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save you from your wickedness:
Jn 1,9.14.18 : [The Word] was the true light which, coming into the world, illuminates every man.
Jn 3,16-17 : God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish.
Jo 16,33 : In the world you will have afflictions. Courage! I have conquered the world.
– Jesus did not come to condemn you, but to save you:
Jn 1:29 : The next day, John saw Jesus coming towards him and said: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”.
Jn 3,16-17 : God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish.
Jn 4:42 : We ourselves have heard and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.
Jn 6:33 : For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
Jn 12:46 : I came as light into the world; so everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness.
– But not everyone wanted to receive it:
Jo 1,11-13 : He came to what was his, but his own did not receive him.
Jn 7,7 : The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I testify against it that its works are evil.
Jo 12,31 : Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Jn 14:30 : I will no longer speak much with you, because the prince of this world is coming; but he has nothing on me.
Jn 15,18-19 : If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.
Jn 17,15-16.25 : I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you preserve them from the evil one.
Rom 12:2 : Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your spirit.
1Cor 5,9-11 : In my letter I wrote to you not to be familiar with the sexually immoral.
1Cor 11:32 : But being judged by the Lord, he chastises us so that we are not condemned with the world.
– A distinction is therefore made between the spiritual and the material world:
Mt 18,7 : Woe to the world because of scandals! They are inevitable, but woe to the man who causes them!
Jo 12,31 : Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Jn 16:8 : And when he comes, he will convince the world about sin, righteousness and judgment.
Jo 17,9-14 : I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those you have given me, because they are yours.
1Cor 1:20 : Where is the arguer of this world? Has not God declared the wisdom of this world foolishness?
1Cor 2,12 : Now, we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God.
1Cor 11:32 : But being judged by the Lord, he chastises us so that we are not condemned with the world.
Eph 2,2 : What you did in the past following the way of life of this world.
Heb 11:7: By faith he condemned the world and became the heir of justification through faith.
Jas 1:27 : Visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep yourself pure from the corruption of this world.
Jas 4,4 : Adulterers, do you not know that the love of the world is abhorred by God?
1Jn 2,15-16 : Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
