Gravity waves are defined as disturbances in the curvature of spacetime that are generated by accelerated masses that propagate as waves outward from their source at the speed of light. We have known about gravitational waves for more than 100 years, from since a scientist Albert Einstein first theorized the concept about gravity and space. Some sources for gravitational waves are when a star explodes (supernova), when two stars orbit one another, and when two black holes orbit one another or merge. In 2015, scientists first detected gravitational waves using the LIGO (LAser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory). This was observed when two black holes crashed into one another, we had discussed this topic in a previous Science and Spirituality article.
Today’s article [1] describes how gravitational waves were detected by satellites orbiting the earth through an atmospheric disturbance, off the coast of Australia. The atmospheric disturbance show air and clouds rippling over the ocean. Rows of curved white lines are seen to emerge resembling ripples when a stone falls into water (disturbed water). The white cloud bands are reportedly the clouds forming the crests of atmospheric gravity waves. What is taking place is a simple case of fluid dynamics, were cold and warm air are mixing. The cold air is denser than the warmer air over Australia. The mixing of the less dense and more dense air leads to a loss in equilibrium in that atmospheric region. The atmosphere is agitated, and the ripples that are formed are related to gravity effect upon the mixing in the atmosphere. These atmospheric gravity waves take shape due to the push-pull effects of gravity on the buoyancy of the air with the different densities. When the air is perturbed, gravity pulls the air down and the air’s buoyancy pushes it back upwards. Moisture and water condensation creates the white vapor outlines along the crests of the oscillating air waves. The white vapor then functions as a means to visibly observe gravity atmospheric effects and Japan’s geostationary weather satellite Himawari-8 captured the images. The mathematics involving gravity waves describe gravity waves as traveling at the speed of light. In this instance, the waves that are being seen in the image are not traveling at the speed of light. The point is that these waves are being observed due to gravity effect on the fluid dynamic mixing in the atmosphere, so the idea of “gravity waves” being detected in the atmosphere is more correctly said to be gravity having an effect upon the atmospheric mixing and this is observable. We are observing the Earth’s gravity effect on the atmosphere and not literally observing “gravity waves” as it is defined on an astronomical event (definition given above) like we had discussed previously.
References
- Mesmerizing images show invisible gravity waves rippling over Australia, accessed Nov. 1, 2019, https://www.livescience.com/gravity-waves-atmosphere.html
The Spiritual insights that we receive from this observation is about being able to see the influence of something that is invisible. When we consider the Scriptures, God cannot be seen by the human eye but yet His creative power is known and clearly seen by the things that He has made. A few Scriptures that describe this are given according to the following references:
Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.
1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 11:27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
1 John 4:12
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Based upon these Scriptures, Paul wrote that the invisible can be seen from the creation (Romans 1:20), and this is what we are observing in gravity effect upon the atmosphere; gravity something that is invisible and can be felt, is observable in the atmospheric events that are taking place. Just because gravity cannot be seen directly, it does not mean that gravity does not exist. The same can be said of God, who cannot be seen, this does not mean that He does not exist. The creation, illustrates the tremendous power of God. The Torah opens in the first sentence stating בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלהִים “In the beginning Elohim (God) created.” The first thing that God did was to create, and we read in the Torah the Hebrew word “Elohim” (אֱלהִים) is written in the grammatical plural form (i.e., אֱלהִים, derived from the singular form אֵל, God). God is written in Hebrew in the plural form, not because there is more than one Creator, note the verb bara (בָּרָא) is written in the singular form, meaning “He created.” The Torah states that “God is one” (יְהוָה אֶחָד), using the word “one” (echad, אֶחָד, Devarim / Deuteronomy 6:4). The way the word Elohim is written describes something more than a numerical identity (i.e. the three persons descriptions in Christianity) but instead describes a unity in plurality, a “transcendency” in oneness that points to the mystery of the Name YHVH and is a kabbalistic concept describing the unity of the Godhead (אֵין סוֹף, i.e the sefirot) as Paul wrote in Romans 1:20. The plural name Elohim is a plurality of respect which denotes in one Person all the powers and influences by which the universe was first created and now is governed and sustained. Just as the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 45:18 “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.‘” (KJV) David wrote in Tehillim / Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the sky above proclaims the work of his hands. (NASB, ב הַשָּׁמַיִם מְסַפְּרִים כְּבוֹד-אֵל וּמַעֲשֵֹה יָדָיו מַגִּיד הָרָקִיעַ:) The way the text is written is interesting, here david describes the creation as the glory of God saying, הַשָּׁמַיִם מְסַפְּרִים כְּבוֹד-אֵל “the heavens recounting (מְסַפְּרִים ) the glory of God.” The word mesaperim (מְסַפְּרִים) is derived from the root sefer, the same root for the word soferim. In the earliest Jewish traditions, there were scholars who were known as the soferim (the counters) who would count every letter and word in the Torah (and the Tanach) and they would ensure that the Torah scrolls were accurate down to the jot and tittle, all of the spellings, unusual wording constructions, everything was duplicated exactly according to their scribal techniques. By this we can be assured with confidence the highest accuracy the Scriptures we have today has been received directly from heaven, inspired by our Father in heaven. This word mesaperim (מְסַפְּרִים) in the Psalms describes the detailing of the universe, all of creation, from the creation of stars, supernovas, collision of blackholes, all of these cosmic events recounts the glory of God. David also wrote that the heavenly expanse (מַגִּיד הָרָקִיעַ) is also the work of God’s hand. The word maggid (מַגִּיד) from Hebrew lexicon means an itinerant Jewish preacher, meaning that one is skilled as a narrator of Torah, a preacher of scholarly midrash on the meaning of the Scriptures. This description of the expanse being a seasoned scholar of Torah, as the work of God’s hand is significant, suggesting that the expanse of the universe plainly reveals the glory of God in a very Jewish fashion (Midrashically). The complexity of the physical universe, as we are trying to understand and describe by mathematical means, is the very work of God’s hands in His power and His glory. This is why Paul wrote in Romans 1 that we are without excuse, though man suppresses the truth about creation in support of evolution, Paul wrote that God’s power is on display in the sky far above us for all to see at any given time, just as he wrote, “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.“ (Romans 1:18-20)
This report of atmospheric gravitational waves, are able to observe these atmospheric phenomenon, we know the effects of gravity, we also are aware of its power, these are the invisible attributes that we have a partial understanding of, however, there remains questions on the exact nature of gravity, its origins, and how it is formed. These concepts of knowing and yet not knowing is a phenomenon that may directly be applied to God. The authors of Hebrews wrote in Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV) We have the Scriptures, we understand the message of the Gospel, we understand what is written in the Torah, the prophets, and what the NT has to say concerning Yeshua the Messiah. There is a very rational, intuitive, and empirical method to see the universe as evidence to believe in a Creator God. This perceiving, understanding, and knowing, but yet not seeing is the substance of faith, to believe in the unseen. Just as Yeshua told Thomas saying, John 20:29 … “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (NASB) Both the Torah of Moses and the New Testament attest that Yeshua is Elohim (אֱלהִים), the Creator and sustainer of all that we know. We find testimony from john which states בְּרֵאשִׁית הָיָה הַדָּבָר וְהַדָּבָר הָיָה אֶת־הָאֱלהִים וְהוּא הַדָּבָר הָיָה אֱלהִים׃ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.“ (John 1:1 and 1:14 וְהַדָּבָר לָבַשׁ בָּשָׂר וַיִּשְׁכֹּן בְּתוֹכֵנוּ וְאֶת־כְּבוֹדוֹ רָאִינוּ כִּכְבוֹד בֵּן יָחִיד לְאָבִיו מָלֵא חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת׃ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. KJV). The Author of Hebrews writes, Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (NASB, ג וְהוּא זֹהַר כְּבוֹדוֹ וְצֶלֶם פָּנָיו וְנֹשֵׂא־כֹל בְּכֹחַ דְּבָרוֹ וְאַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר טִהֵר אֹתָנוּ בְּנַפְשׁוֹ מֵחַטֹּאתֵינוּ יָשַׁב מִימִין אֲשֶׁר לוֹ הַגְּדֻלָּה בַּמָּרוֹם׃) Paul wrote to the Colossians saying, 1:16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (BRB, טז כי בו נברא כל אשר בשמים ואשר בארץ כל הנראה וכל אשר איננו נראה הן כסאות וממשלות הן שררות ורשיות הכל נברא על ידי ולמענהו׃ יז והוא לפני הכל והכל קים בו׃) The “Word become flesh” (וְהַדָּבָר לָבַשׁ בָּשָׂר, John 1:14) in Hebrew literally saying “the word was clothed (לָבַשׁ) with flesh,” is the “image of the invisible God” and the “radiance of the glory of God” (see Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3). The interpretation is all of creation is being upheld by the Word of His power, by the Word of God. Yeshua is the source of all live in the universe, כָּל־הַמַּעֲשִׂים נִהְיוּ עַל־יָדוֹ “All things were made by Him” (John 1:3). The Divine Word and Voice of God cannot be separated from God any more than the Spirit of God can be separated. As the Creator and Master of the Universe, Yeshua is both King and Judge, and therefore our lives center upon him. This is what is being taught in the NT, and why having faith in him is an absolute necessity. Men and women and children have gone to their deaths because of their faith in Yeshua. This is a significant thing, not something to be overlooked. There are many today however who would throw the baby out with the bathwater when they begin learning about Judaism, the Rabbis, the Talmud, and the teachings contained within the body of the rabbinic literature. The difficulty lies within the inability to reconcile what has been taught with what one is learning for the first time. The underlying assumptions that go into a teaching that is passed off as an all pervasive truth. I discuss this topic at length in last week’s article located here. (Check it out!) The reality is the inability to step back, to dissociate oneself from the what is being taught in order to objectively study and examine what is being taught. While studying Judaism, it is important to understand the reasoning of the rabbis are coming from another set of assumptions. These assumptions must be understood, or what occurs is a conflict in interpretations, disillusionment, and then mental insanity, that is an unsoundness of mind occurs that is derived from the inability to reason. I see this occurring over and over again online in the social media outlets. Much of the rabbinic literature is very valuable for learning, for example in the context of what we have just seen from John 1, the rabbis speak of the Word of Wisdom preexisting creation, and of the name of the Messiah also preexisting creation, mercy, the Tabernacle, grace, all of these things preexisting creation. This is very similar to how Paul wrote and of what John spoke of in the NT. Ultimately we are living in a great spiritual war, the war for truth. The very first words recorded of the serpent in the garden was to question God’s truth asking “Did God really say…?” (Bereshit / Genesis 3:1) In the end there will be found two types of people, the children of light, and the children of darkness, those who love the truth, and those who love the opposite of truth (a lie). This is why we are called to be the children of the light, to walk in the light, which is the biblical language that describes walking in righteousness. We are called to be an “am kadosh,” a holy people, separate from the world. We must stand for truth and Yeshua said that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). The evil one wants to kill, steal, and destroy. He wants us to believe in a lie, and he will do so by doxing the soul by raising dark suspicion within the soul causing one to walk in mistrust. This may happen if one does not have a solid foundation in the knowledge of the Scriptures and believing the Word of God! This is why it is so important to study God’s word daily, to know and understand that Yeshua said, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37). We are called to embrace Yeshua, and not turn from or deny him. Daniel describes the one who will come saying, “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; His throne was ablaze with fire and its wheels were all aflame. A river of fire was streaming forth and proceeding from his presence; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened…” (Daniel 7:8-9). This is a powerful image of God, and we want to be one of those who are able to stand in his presence to serve him! This brings us back to the Spiritual insights that we receive from this observation of gravity effect on the atmosphere, seeing the influence of something that is invisible. The spiritual war we are in consists also of the fallen ones, evil spirits that are at work in this world to deceive many. This is why we must be very careful in what we read, what we believe in and receive as truth, because the evil one will argue on behalf of the flesh to make one believe in something because it feels good to the flesh which influences the soul. The Scriptures were given as a witness, and a testimony, so that we will know before whom we stand, the God of the universe, and His Messiah Yeshua. The descriptions of Yeshua in the Tanach and the Apostolic Writings may at times be difficult to understand. This is where faith enters into the equation, some things we must take by faith, just like these descriptions of who Yeshua is as the Messiah of God! The rabbinic literature will not contain a direct statement that Yeshua is God, or even of a requirement to believe in the Messiah in order to be saved and enter into the Olam Haba (World to come, Heaven). Most of what we find are hints (remez) to who the Messiah is, something of which the NT speaks openly about. Based upon these Scriptures, Paul wrote that the invisible can be seen from the creation, and this is what we are observing in gravity effect upon the atmosphere, gravity something that is invisible and can be felt, is observable in the atmospheric events that are taking place. Similarly, we can see how Yeshua works in our lives, giving us strength and life, and the Spirit of God empowering us to overcome sin. These things, for those who believe, are indisputable proof of who Yeshua is as the Messiah of God, the Savior of our souls! We need courage and boldness that comes from God to overcome those in this world who would stand against this truth! We need confidence just as David was confident who killed and beheaded the giant in the Name of the Living God. Ask the Lord God of Israel to empower you to serve Him. Scripture says salvation is “of the LORD,” and know that this is the battle of our faith. Zechariah wrote saying, “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). In all things we need the Lord’s help to overcome sin, to be bold in our faith, and to speak of the great mercy the Creator God has given us to forgive us of our sins! What a wonderful and powerful God we serve!
