Creation of the earth and man #19 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #3 Beholding image and likeness of the invisible God

In the previous episodes we saw how the Elohim God created human being in God His image. Those created in the image of the Adonai have the same ruach or spirit as the other living beings of the universe, man possessing the same life capabilities as animals. But man has vanity, mortality and has to bear the consequences of his going in against his Divine Sovereign Maker. Though been modelled after a divine type, or pattern, man differs from other creatures, being in form and capacity made like to the angels, though in nature inferior to them. 

Man living in a world full of living beings, though still able to be alone in the multitude, though there is always wanting somebody to hear or answer your call.

In Jesus, then, raised from the dead incorruptible, and clothed with brightness as when he was transfigured upon the Holy Mount, {a Matthew 17:2.} we behold the image and likeness of the invisible God. When we contemplate him by faith, as we shall hereafter by sight, we see ‘A Mirror‘ from which the glory of Jehovah is reflected in intellectual, moral, and physical grandeur. He that would know God, must behold Him in Christ. If he be acquainted with Him as He is portrayed in the prophets and apostles, he will understand the character of God, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; Who chargeth His angels with folly, and before Whom the heavens are not clean. Jesus was the true light shining in the darkness of Judea, whose inhabitants “comprehended it not”. Through him, God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shone into the hearts of as many as received him; to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; that so they might receive power to become the sons of God, believing on his name. {b  2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6; John 1:5, 12.}

How consoling and cheering is it, then, amid all the evils of the present state*, that God hath found a ransom, who is willing and able to deliver us from the power of the grave; and not only so, but that “at the manifestation of the sons of God” {c  Romans 8:17–25.}, when he shall appear in power and great glory, “we shall be like him; because we shall see him as he is”. {d  1 John 3:2.} Then will the saints be “changed into the same image from glory”, now only a matter of hope, “into glory”, as seen and actually possessed, “even as the Lord” himself was changed, when he became “the spirit giving life”, or “a quickening spirit”.

– Thomas, D. J.; Elpis Israel: an exposition of the Kingdom of God (electronic ed., pp. 40–41). Birmingham, UK: The Christadelphian.

*

Notes and quotes:

a: Matthew 17:2 (ESV): ² And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

b1: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

b2: 2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

b3: John 1:5 (ESV): ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

* Present time or the time of the System of things

c: Romans 8:17–25 (ESV): ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

d: 1 John 3:2 (ESV): ² Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

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Preceding:

Creation of the earth and man #17 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #1 In the image and after the likeness

Creation of the earth and man #18 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #2 Assimilation of character

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Additional reading:

1. Creator and Blogger God 1 Emptiness and mouvement
2. Written to recognise the Promissed One
3. Best intimate relation to look for
4. We are redeemed; we are “bought with a price”
5. The Right One to follow and to worship
6. Serve him without fear
7. Darkness, light, burning fire, Truth and people in it
8. God’s Light
9. Light within
10. Ember and light the ransomed of Jehovah
11. Two states of existence before God
12. Wondering

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