Genesiss 1—2—3 — The Creation Of Image and Likeness

The Outer Man VS The New Inner Man

 

April 10, 2016

Each time we read through the Genesis account of the creation we see new and significant things that influence our unfolding understanding of life and God’s purpose. Much of God’s purpose is revealed in the first three chapters of Genesis.

There seems to be no end of progressive understanding held within the written Word of God. Sometimes we will read a verse in Isaiah or Exodus, that will illuminate a verse in Genesis or in the New Testament. Of course, for the New Covenant person, the Living and Abiding Word of God will also illuminate the Written Word of God and extend or multiply our understanding! This generally occurs when we begin to re-read familiar scriptures like Gen. 1, 2 and 3. For example we all have read these scriptures many, many times.

Gen 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Many, many books have been written about these scriptures and most focus upon the plural words about God who is, according to scripture, One God. Still, there was a conference in Heaven. Our purpose in this study is to re-focus upon the Kingdom of God and upon His Eternal Purpose in creating man.

The conference in heaven was between the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit and is represented by the plural “OUR.” However, when it came to the actual work of creation it changes from plural to singular. There is probably a theological answer to this, of which I am not aware, but it struck me as being a curious thing. Why? That is because the plurality of God; Father, Eternal Word and Spirit, has both “OUR” Image and Likeness! That is what describes the Divine attributes of the first man. God’s purpose in creating ‘MAN” was to create MAN in God’s own Image and Likeness. Why? That is because God had planned to give “MAN” dominion over all the Earth and over everything upon on it EXCEPT over other men.

An "image" in scripture also refers to a statue that represents something but is not identical with it. It can be a form of something. Possibly a reflection of something. An outward dimension that can be seen. We see our image in a mirror!

"Likeness" is a similitude, a figure, a form, a pattern or something that resembles another. This Hebrew word is translated 8 times as likeness and 5 times as like, and 4 times as form. A word study is hardly conclusive to give a clear meaning of image and likeness. Therefore we may clarify the meaning by the New Covenant use of “Image and Likeness” of the New Testament.

Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;

1Cor 11:7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

1Cor 15:49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

2Cor 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2Cor 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Col 1:15 And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.

Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him

Eph 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

From this short study it is clear that man was created in the "image of God" but something happened to change and damage that image. Therefore, it is said that we are in a process of being changed back, once again, into the image of the one who created us. We have also been predestined to once again be conformed to the image of His Son.

In the natural realm we become aware of two images, one seen and the other unseen. One is earthly and the other is heavenly. One is of the first Adam and the other is of the last Adam. However, we also see that Christ is the Image of God, who is invisible.

Since the Word- Christ created all things and we are being renewed to the image of the One who created us, we must be transformed into the image of Christ. The Eternal Word of God, which was manifested in Jesus Christ, was assumed to be the only one of the Trinity that has image. It seems obvious that we should adjust our thinking to the Plurality of God who has both Image and Likeness! How do we know that? That is because man was originally created in “their” image and likeness. From this we can assume that the singular of God is referring to the Father, the Eternal Word of God, and the Holy Spirit! The Word of God– Christ, is now, also, the Eternal Son, Christ Jesus. In the New Covenant, Growing up into the Image of Christ, singular, is the ultimate goal.

However, both the Living and Abiding Word of God AND the Holy Spirit are released to indwell within the New Covenant Person.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.

Potentially, The Father, the Living and Abiding Word of God AND the Holy Spirit

is available to dwell in us. Surely, that would be BOTH Image and Likeness plus all the other characteristics that are, potentially, available to us including the “greater works.”

Man has an outward "image" as well as an inward "image". One is seen by man and the other is seen by God. Even though we lay aside this earthly image, we will still retain the heavenly image. Growth then is measured by how much we have been transformed into the image of the one who created us. Outward appearance will be reduced to dust but the inward appearance should be in the process of being transformed into His image from glory to glory.

2Cor 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Even with these verses, it is clear that nothing earthly can ever represent what or who God is or define His Image and Likeness. This has been the frustration of those who build idols to attempt duplicate God’s Image. Each one seems more ridiculous than the others. Why?

ISA 40:18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?

Nations were “creating idols and attempting to form some shape to represent the image of God!” Of course, we are forbidden from making idols from any earthly material to represent God simply because anything like a idol is impossible to represent the infinite and invisible God!

We will have the same difficulty trying to define what the Image or Likeness of God is by using words or graphics or examples. Any likeness that Man can devise cannot be compared to or represent the Infinite God who spoke and the worlds were formed. Ezekiel saw something that he thought was the appearance of God.

Ezekiel 1:26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, {was} a figure with the appearance of a man. 27 Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and {there was} a radiance around Him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so { was} the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such {was} the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw {it,} I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

Eze 2:1 Then He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!"

We think we know what it means for the Eternal Word of God to become flesh and take on the likeness of man but what does it mean for man to take on the likeness of the One who created us?

ROM 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God {did:} sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and { as an offering} for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

PHI 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, {and} being made in the likeness of men.

Even though Christ- The Eternal Word was manifested in the likeness of man, He was still the Son of God. Even though man has the outward appearance of flesh and bones, he still must put on the likeness of God. Since this likeness seems to be invisible and undefinable, what can man do to take on His likeness? This is far beyond the capacity man so it must require the provision and work of God. In the beginning God made man in His own image and likeness.

In and during the church age, it is still God who must restore man to His own image and likeness. Man can only submit to the transition but cannot control it. However, Image and Likeness is not in the outward man but in the New Creation Inner Man. We must be “born” into another realm to obtain image and likeness!.

1Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.

It by this “seed” which is the “semen of God” (that is the Living and Abiding Word of God) by which we are birthed into the realm of the New Creation which is both Image and Likeness!

Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

Eph 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the

old self which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

It appears that when Adam was created, he was created in the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ who was the fulfillment of he first man. Man (Adam and Eve) lost that image and now God's work is to restore man back to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Likeness is something else. If likeness has to do with a pattern, then God is using the pattern of Jesus Christ to form or make us into the same character, attitude, shape, form and being. If likeness is "form" then God must join us together into a body that represents the Corporate Christ Jesus.

God's work and God's purpose in Genesis 1 & 2 both reflect God's need and His desire to create a “man” as near like Himself as is possible for the created to be like the Creator. This limitation of man appears to be confined to Image and in Likeness!

While Image and Likeness, if that is literal, seems to the natural man to be both unlikely and maybe impossible! However, the Bible clearly reveals that we are, once again, by the New Covenant provision, to be recreated in His Image and Likeness. Since this transformation is confirmed to be Experientially TRUE, it also restores man to the original purpose of God which was to “rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

This commission appears to be far above any natural capacity of man. However, the Lord Jesus Christ used that authority to control the wind, the storm, the waves, the fish, the demons, and sickness. It appears He did that by the authority given to the first Adam and that He fulfilled that “dominion.” It was later that He confirmed that He was given ALL authority over both Heaven and Earth. From that high and acquired position He commanded us to GO into all the world!

Multitudes of men, women and missionaries, who were not yet Image and Likeness, obeyed the commandment and went into all the world but without the same authority or without the same results. Of course, some of us were among those who went and we wondered why we saw so few results.

The question today is this; Will our faith embrace the authority just given to the first man, who was both Image and Likeness, and should we claim that dominion to “rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. It appears that the Last Adam has restored that authority to the Church He is Building. Will we mimic the first Adam and the first Eve and be deceived, or will we, after Christ Jesus, fulfill our calling. If we are to do the “greater works” has that time now come upon us? It probably has, but this “ministry” is NOT given to the unconverted and unchanged or the natural and casual believer! How do we know that? Just look around at the visible church and see if the greater works are being done.

The first question we must ask is this; Has God really restored the World Wide Commission that was given to the first Adam and the first Eve to the church today? In my opinion, YES! But, what does that mean? “Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." This may seem incredible to most Christians.

However, it seems reasonable to modify that to say, YES, this IS restored to the Church He is Building. Why? The Gates of Hell will not prevail against THAT CHURCH. Since the gates of hell DID prevail against the first Adam and the first Eve but COULD NOT prevail against the Last Adam, the Gates of Hell MUST NOT prevail against the Last Eve, which is the Church He is Building! Each of us should be fully equipped, within the New Covenant so we do NOT have to permit the gates of Hell from deterring us from assuming that Authority provided us in Christ Jesus. I am guessing that the greater works WILL BE DONE by the Church He is Building.

Somewhere within that restored Authority given to the New Covenant Church, the greater works WILL BE DONE! How do we know that? That is because Jesus said His Church will kick in the Gates of Hell!

Each of us should be able to clearly answer these questions.

(1) Did Jesus stop the storm because He was the Son of God or because He was the Son of Man.

(2) Did He command the fish because He was the Son of God or because He was the Son of Man?

(3) Did He feed the 5000 because He was the Son of God or because He was the Son of Man?

(4) Did He heal the sick and cast out demons because He was the Son of God or because He was the Son of Man?

(5) Did Jesus forgive sins because He was the Son of God or because He was the Son of Man?

Mat 9:5 "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, and walk'?

Mat 9:6 "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--then He *said to the paralytic--"Rise, take up your bed, and go home."

(6) But brother, what about keeping the Sabbath Day?

Mat 12:8 "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." 9 And departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they questioned Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--in order that they might accuse Him.

(A) Mat 13:41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(B) Mat 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

(C) Mat 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and WILL THEN RECOMPENSE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. 28 "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

(D) Mat 17:22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; 23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved.

There are 84 scriptures speaking about the “Son of Man.” It is interesting to read all 84 because we see the New Covenant has restored so much authority to the Son of Man and He has extended that authority to the “sons of men,” and specifically to the “sons of men” who are also the “Sons of God” or what we call “CHRISTIAN” who are of the Last Adam.

The genealogies following the first Adam would have inherited Adam’s authority and, likewise, the genealogies of the Last Adam should also inherit His authority. Since Jesus was born as the Son of God because He was born from the “semen” of God, He has Eternal Status. However, He ministered as the “Son of Man.” Why? He must fulfill the authority and dominion given to the first Adam. He is also our example and forerunner. Since He ministered as the Son of Man, that means that, every born of God believer, who are the Son of Man, may feel confident to begin ministering.

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17 "And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

It seems obvious that today the “sons of man” should begin to exercise the authority given to first Adam which he squandered through unbelief.

Just understanding the first three chapters of the Bible helps us so much in identifying what God is restoring today and why He has chosen us to demonstrate His Authority over His Creation! The fact that He has chosen to exercise that dominion through the son of man is confirmed by Genesis 1 and 2 and confirmed again in Mark 16 and other verses!

This dominion is available today to all redeemed men that really BELIEVE, according to Mark 16! REMEMBER, God never gave us authority or dominion over each other and that was the fatal mistake of the Shepherding Movement and again in the Apostolic Movement and in many places today.

We should accept the dominion given to last Adam and flee from ALL appearance of dominion over each other. Remember, Satan, the serpent, is still busy today attempting to get “people” to exercise authority over other people and try to control them. The devil doesn’t even need to “put chips in our head or modify our DNA by spreading chemicals from planes” he has much more subtle ways that worked then and are still working today. They will probably still work in the future so “the New EVE” must be alert. The New Eve certainly has authority and dominion today but will she, also, be deceived and squander her birth right?