The Previous Section: In Scripture, The Sun/Stars are Smaller than Earth
Recall Isaiah 40:22, where up and down, above and below are defined in scripture.
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;”
Isaiah 40:22 ESV
In Matthew 4:8, we see that Jesus is taken to a high place and shown ALL the Kingdoms of earth as Satan tries to tempt Him. This is not possible on a sphere, but is easily understood looking down on the circle of earth.
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.”
Matthew 4:8 ESV
While the vision may be figurative, it is still demonstrating a common Biblical understanding of how the earth is laid out. In Daniel 4:10-11, we see a tall Tree in the middle of earth which is seen by all inhabitants as they look up. Such a concept, while figurative, is not in keeping with a sphere, but fits nicely with a plane of earth, having a universally defined up and down.
“The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.”
Daniel 4:10-11 ESV
Finally, when Christ comes from above, all the world will see Him.
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.”
Revelation 1:7 ESV
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