The tower

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In a message dated 97-07-26 08:13:45 EDT, you write:

<< I was not implying that the dimension mentioned in Eph 3:19 negates,
 displaces 
 or replaces any other dimension (such as time).  I was trying to point out
 that 
 God has indicated that He is beyond our natural three spatial dimensions. 
 And 
 I do believe I used the term *spatial* dimensions.   >>


Eph 3:16-19
16	That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by *his Spirit* in the inner man;
17	That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that *ye*, being rooted and
grounded in love,
18	*May be able to comprehend* with all saints *what is the breadth, and
length, and depth, and height*;
19	And to know the love of Christ, which *passeth knowledge*, that ye might
be filled with all the fulness of God.
(KJV)

I couldn't agree more with you , Sister, that God is beyond natural
reasoning, and that, according to the above scripture, we can only understand
the magnitude of God through the Holy Ghost. But, I believe that this
scripture uses the natural (that we can easily comprehend) to bring us to a
better understanding of the spiritual (much like the parables of Jesus).

I believe, in this case, though, each dimension mentioned, has a spiritual
connotation, as well as a natural one. I think it would be somewhat
inconsistent for the Bible to list three natural (spatial) dimensions, with
"another" one that is not.

Yours is an excellent point that the "depth" refers to the profundidty of
God, but, why then, wouldn't breadth, length, and height, also carry some
spiritual connotation. To follow your excellent lead into the scripture using
Strong's definitions:


BREADTH
4114  platos-

breadth, 
suggesting *great extent*

HEIGHT
5311  hupsos (hoop'-sos);

from a derivative of 5228; elevation, i.e. (abstractly) altitude,
(specifically) the sky, or (figuratively) *dignity*: 

KJV-- be *exalted*, height, (on) high.

LENGTH
3372  mekos (may'-kos);

probably *akin to 3173*; length (literally or *figuratively*) length.

3173  megas (meg'-as);

[including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.;
compare also 3176, 3187]; big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide
application): 

KJV-- (+fear) *exceedingly, great* (-est), high, large, loud, *mighty*, +
(be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.

So, that the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ;can refer also to
the great extent, exceeding greatness or might, profundity, and dignity of
our great God:
(all the fulness of God, Eph 3:19).

Then, where did the 4th dimension come from?;...there is no fourth dimension
in this scripture (spatially speaking). Length and width are obvious, but
remember height and depth are the *same* dimension, only opposing
*directions*. Think of it like this: if your tower is built at ground level,
and has an elevator that goes both up and down, then, in going up, you would
describe height, going down would be depth; but, it is one and the *same
dimension* (in a 3-dimensional spatial orientation). 

So, we may leave our planar (singular level) of thinking, by reaching higher
heights (perhaps by building on teaching), or by going to deeper depths (by
digging below the surface to discover what riches are already there). I, like
you, prefer the latter.

Rom 11:33
33	O the *depth* of the *riches* both of the *wisdom* and *knowledge* of God!
how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways *past finding out*!
(KJV)

Pastor Joe