The concept of Invisible world in Christianity
The term "Invisible world" in Christianity refers to the realm of the spiritual or unseen, encompassing concepts like the afterlife and divine presence beyond physical perception. It includes spiritual realities accessed through faith, emphasizing a future existence beyond the material world. This realm is further described as containing forces and beings controlled by God that cannot be perceived with human senses. Various interpretations, including those from Gnosticism and Early Christianity, reflect a belief in deeper spiritual truths and existences beyond what is visible.
In Dutch: Onzichtbare wereld; In Finnish: Näkymätön maailma; In Spanish: Mundo invisible; In German: Unsichtbare Welt; In Malay: Dunia yang tidak kelihatan; In Swedish: Osynlig värld; In French: Monde invisible
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Invisible world'
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) The realm of existence that cannot be perceived through physical senses, encompassing spiritual or non-physical realities.[1] (2) This term refers to the realm of the spiritual or the unseen, often including concepts like the afterlife, the divine, or the realm of consciousness beyond the physical senses.[2] (3) Represents the spiritual realities and truths that cannot be seen with physical eyes but are perceived through faith.[3] (4) The spiritual realm that encompasses the actions and presence of Christ and divine beings beyond the physical sight of humanity.[4] (5) A conceptual realm that is not seen but is believed to exist; it implies a future state of existence beyond the physical world.[5]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) A necromancer pretended to evoke the dead and bring secrets from the invisible world, showing an attempt to communicate with the deceased to gain knowledge.[6]
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This is the realm beyond the physical, and the text mentions the author's view of this world, including Paradise and Hades, and how they relate to each other.[7] (2) Some people defend the existence of intellectual and bodiless forms descending from the invisible world, maintaining that there is a true essence, suggesting a belief in something beyond the physical.[8] (3) A realm that contains the visible world within itself, implying a deeper, possibly spiritual existence beyond what is seen.[9]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) The realm beyond human perception, including spiritual beings and forces under God's control.[10] (2) The spiritual realm that cannot be seen or fully comprehended, which is offered as an ultimate goal by the doctrine.[11]
Gnostic concept of 'Invisible world'
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) Refers to realms or forces that are not directly perceptible to humans, often associated with magic or the supernatural.[12]