Out of This World!
Psalms 24:1 says The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
Since it says the world, does this mean there could be other worlds and with human beings or people on it.
I always try to look at the motivation of a question when I am asked. Sometimes there are subtle implications in the question, and I want to try to address all of them. So I broke this down into a few sub-questions:
Are there other planets with life?
Are there other beings (ie. aliens) that we are not aware of?
If there are other beings (ie. aliens) what kind of domain/control does God have over them?
Lets deal with
“Are there other planets with life on them?”
In Genesis God gives an account of creation. Genesis 1:1 says,
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
First I want to note the distinction of Earth. God specifically mentioned earth. He did not say God created the heavens and an earth or God created the heavens and earths. So it appears that Earth is special and unique. Also in Genesis 2:1 it reads
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.
This is saying that God had finished his work. It seems to me that God does not mention any other worlds that have the uniqueness of Earth. I think what makes Earth unique is life, not necessarily the capacity to sustain life. Genesis gives an account of God bringing life into existence and does not indicate that he put life anywhere else except on earth.
That leads me to the next question,
“Are there other beings (ie. aliens) that we are not aware of?”
Again, Genesis does not give any indication of this. The Bible does talk about other beings though. These beings are called angels. Angels are a created being just like mankind was a created being. Angels were never human and humans will never be angels. The book of Revelation talks a lot about angels. Here are a few
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
(Revelation 5:2)
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
(Revelation 7:11)
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.
(Revelation 8:3)
Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
(Revelation 8:6)
So clearly there are other beings besides humans called angels. In fact, the Bible says sometimes they are in our midst and we are not aware of it.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
(Hebrews 13:2)
Therefore, we may not be aware of angels’ immediate presence, but after reading this you are now aware of their existence. I think we can agree though that angels do not fall into the category of aliens or UFOs.
Finally, we come to the last questions,
“If there are other beings (ie. aliens) what kind of domain/control does God have over them?”
I want to look back at the verse mentioned in the question, Psalms 24:1. It seems that the implication of the question may be this. That Psalms 24:1 talks about earth and the world and that everything on it is God’s but since an “alien” isn’t on or from the earth/world that it isn’t God’s and would be out of God’s reach. I think this would be an incorrect conclusion to this verse’s meaning. Lets suppose for a moment that there are aliens. Who created them? Colossians 1:16 says,
For by him all things were created, 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.
So, if aliens or other beings exists, God created them. The verse says heaven which encompasses three things:
heaven as in the sky
heaven as in the stars or space
heaven as in the place where God dwells
The verse also says earth which covers everyone and everything on earth. And just in case we have the notion that heaven and earth doesn’t cover something, the verse says ALL THINGS. In fact, the verse goes further and says that everything was created for him. Since God is the creator he has dominion over his creations, and since everything but God was created, then everything must submit to God. The Bible gives a good illustration of this in Isaiah 45:9
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
‘How clumsy can you be?’
All creations are like clay and God is the potter. Everything and everyone must submit to him. Also everyone must meet God’s standard. Any person who has sinned does not meet this standard. In fact, Romans 3:23 says,
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
So everyone has sinned, but there is hope though. John 3:16 says,
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
If you would like to know more about how to receive the free gift of salvation, check out my “What must I do to be saved?” section or message one of our friendly counselors in our CHAT section.
Angels also must meet this perfect standard. The angels who sinned, Satin and his demons, are destined for an eternal Hell. The angels who have not sinned will eternally glorify God. If aliens exist, they too would have to meet this perfect standard.
Okay, lets summarize!
The Bible appears to talk about Earth as distinct and unique place and doesn’t elude to life in other places.
The Bible does not mention other beings except angels, which are not “aliens”
Even if there were “aliens”, the Bible says that God created everything and therefore has rule and power over everything.
Did I answer this question fully or is there some aspect or question you still have? Ask your clarifying questions at my SUBMIT section.
