What is God’s holiness?

Michael Reeves  |  Features  |  everyday theology
Date posted:  14 Aug 2026
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What is God’s holiness?

Clouds above the Tower of David in Jerusalem (photo: iStock)

This is what it looks like to be in God’s presence: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke” (Isa.6v1-4).

In the presence of the Lord, everything trembles. The foundations of the thresholds shake; the pillars of heaven are overcome by the tremendousness of His glory. The very seraphim cover their faces to shield themselves from the overwhelming sight of God’s unveiled majesty.

But what is this holiness that causes such trembling, burning worship?

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