Gravitational Lensing: Extent & Effects on Universe

[Lexus Dominus]

What is the extent of gravitational lensing? i mean, if every single star, black hole, galaxy ect is lensing light in all directions it would surely make the true nature/structure of the universe far different than is observable, right? we could be seeing the same object in two completely different places at different wavelengths at two completely different times in its history.. or would light from an object it just become too dim too quickly to make any significant difference?

could the 'edge of the universe' only be the "edge of the observeable universe" because of a critical mass between it and a point of reference i.e that mass is acting as a black hole.

I wish i knew more about this kind of stuff its amazing, its just not my field of study :(

 

[DaleSwanson]

I think the answer is just that there is simply so much empty space in between objects. When a photon leaves a distant star it will travel for billions of years and never come close to anything of significant mass until it reaches Earth.