The Image and Likeness of God

On the sixth day, God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." What does the image and likeness of God look like? Did that image and likeness of God pass from Adam to all his descendants? Are we today in the image and likeness of God?

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Adam was created in this image and likeness but he sinned prior to procreating a son. Genesis 5:1 says, "In the day when God created man [Adam], He made him in the likeness of God." But, "When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth" (Genesis 5:3).

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Seth was not in the image and likeness of God but instead was in the image of his fallen father Adam. Each one of us was born into the same sinful image and likeness. The Psalmist wrote; "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5).

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The only way for man to be remade into the image and likeness of God is through Jesus. This all takes place on the inside. The Psalmist understood this and wrote; "Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom... Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:6, 10).

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This is exactly what the New Testament teaches, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). How does God do this? By His Spirit! Ezekiel foresaw that when Messiah would come we could receive His Spirit. Then the Lord declared; "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances" (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

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Today you can begin your journey to being remade into the image and likeness of God through Christ, "being transformed into the same image [of Christ] from Glory to Glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Contradictory statements in the Bible that turn out to be true

I got a post on my facebook from a friend who had been out evangelizing and had run into someone who said, "The Bible is full of contradictions." My question was, "Could I have a list of them please?" My experience is that when you find an apparent contradiction that it usually turns out not to be.

This week my personal study has included literary and rhetorical writing devices. And as I studied one that popped out was the literary device of the paradox. A paradox is two contradictory statement that cancel one another but at the same time are both true. The most famous paradox in literature is found in the book 'A tale of two cities'. The opening line of the book reads, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." These two contradictory statements do not cause us to take the book and chuck it in the trash. This is still required reading at schools all over this country. In fact, with these two apparently contradictory statements the author begins to write about how both are true.

Let me give you a couple of examples of paradox in holy scripture; In John 5:31 Jesus says, "If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true." Then three chapters later, in John 8:14, Jesus says, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true." These two statements at first glance are apparent contradictions. But I say to you further study will reveal that they are paradoxical statements instead.

The first statement, "If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true" is a true statement, the Torah teaches that, "Everything shall be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses" (Deuteronomy 19:15). According to the Torah if a person bears witness alone, their testimony is not true. However, Jesus later says, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true; for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from, or where I am going."

The reason Jesus can bear witness of Himself is because He is God, the second person of the Godhead, and God can bear witness of Himself. So in fact, both statements are true and instead of contradiction we have a paradox. And just like the book 'A tale of two cities' we are not going to through out the book because of a paradoxical statement, we should read and study it further.

Here is another one in the next two verse in chapter 8, Jesus says, "You people judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true" (John 8:15-16). Now if this is not paradoxical enough look at John 9:39, Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world." Then three chapters later Jesus says, "I did not come to judge the world" (John 12:47)

Again both statements are true! Maybe I can explain scripture with it. Jesus said earlier in John 3:17-19, "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil."

Jesus both came into the world to judge the world, being that those who do not recieve the light are judged because they love darkness, and at the same time Jesus didn't come into the world to judge the world but instead to save the world. Both statements are true and both statements are tough to wrap your mind around, that why they are paradoxical.

Next time I will write about another apparent contradiction in the Bible which in fact turns out not to be one and just further goes to prove the perfection of God's Word. A paradox is just two contradictory statements that cancel each other out but in fact turn out to be true.

The enemy has been defeated, Genesis 3:15 fulfilled!

The companion constellations of Leo spell the end for that serpent the devil. This dragon whose tail sweeps through a third of the heavens, as in Revelation 12:4. This serpent that deceived Eve and was prophesied over by God Himself, "your seed shall bruise His heel, but her seed shall bruise your head." (Genesis 3:15)

This serpent will see his end by the foot of the Lion. Hydra means he who is abhorred. The brightest star Al Phard means separated and put away.

The second constellation is Crater which is the cup of God's Wrath. The brightest star Al Ches means the cup. Pointing to the cup of His indignation from Revealtion 14:10.

Lastly, Corvus the Raven, are the birds which shall devour the serpent and His army at the battle of Armagedon. (See Revelation 19:17-18) The brightest star in the Corvus the Raven is Chiba or Al Chibar which means the accursed. The second brightest star Al Goreb means the raven; while the third brightest star Minchar al Gorab means the raven tearing to pieces.

The time quickly approaches when the Gospel of the heavens will be fulfilled. The kingdom of heaven is going to invade the earth and the enemies of the kingdom will be slain. God place each star in its place none is missing and He knows them each by name. The heavens do declare the glory of God, day after day they pour forth speach, night after night they reveal knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their words have gone out through all the earth. Their utterances to the ends of the world. And they proclaim one thing; "JESUS IS LORD!"

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah!

From the earliest times in history from Egypt to India, Leo as been a lion in the heavens. The tail of the Lion represents the beginning and the end of the Zodiac. The beginning because the head of Virgo and the end because of the tail of Leo.

The Hebrew name for this constellation is Arieh which means the Lion. There are six Hebrew words for lion but this one means a lion hunting down his prey. I also love the Arabic name of this constellation; Al Asad means a lion coming with vengeance, leaping like a flame.

The brightest star in Leo is the King star Regulas. Amazingly this king star and Jupiter the king planet came into conjunction three times between Sept of 3 B.C. and May of 2 B.C. Normally this happen once every twelve years, but this set of conjuctions told wise men from the east that a king had been born. Not any king, but the King of Kings!

Regulas marks the heart of the lion, hence it has been called Cor Leonis, the heart of the Lion. It's name actually means treading under foot. The Beta star, Denebola, means the Judge or the Lord who comes. While the third brightest star Al Giebha means the exaltation. And Zosma means shining forth.

All these stars tell the story of our Lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, He is going to come forth leaping like a flame with vengeance upon His enemies. He will tread under foot the serpent. He will judge the earth and is the Lord who is coming. He comes shining forth in His exaltation. Praise and Glory to our King!

The sheepfold carried off are now safe at home!

The compannion constellations of Cancer direct us home. Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you. I go prepare a place for you, and if I go prepare a place. I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may be also, you know the way." (John 14:2-4)

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Our first companion constellation is the little bear Ursa Minor. Which contains one of the most famous stars in the heavens our North Star. The Bible points to heaven and God's throne room being located in the sides of the north. See Isaiah 14:13 and also Psalm 48:2 which says; "The joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King."

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The Sheepfold waits for their King who promised to return and take them to where He is. The Alpha star of Ursa Minor our pole star is Al Ruccaba which means the turned, hence those who turned. Repent actually means to turn. Another name for the North Star is Arctos which we derive the term Arctic regions means a travelling company. But it is the second brightest star that hold some really cool meaning. It's name Kochab means waiting for Him who is coming.

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Our second companion constellation Ursa Major. The name Acturus comes up as the Hebrew name for the Bear. The Lord asked Job; "Can you show Arcturus and his sons the way?" I can almost hear Thomas answer for Job; "What way?" (John 14:5) But the way is not a set of religious rules its a person, Jesus answered Thomas, "I am the way!" (John 14:6)

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The Arabic name for the Bear is Al Naish which means the assembled together. The brightest star Dubhe means the herd or the flock. Our second brightest star Merach in Hebrew also means the flock, but the Arabic name means the purchased. This second constellation points to the flock of the Redeemer.

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Our third companion constellation is Argo the ship. It is a picture that resembles the ark of Noah, hence the righteous being saved from the wrath to come upon the earth. Isaiah saw the redeemed as they are taken from the earth to the heavenly Mount Zion located in the sides of the north. He prophecied; "And the ransomed of the LORD will return, and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:10)

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The ship Argo carries the great company of travelers. It's brightest star Canopu means the possession of Him who is coming. Again Isaiah seems to see this gathering together in the midst of darkness upon the earth. The lights of the world are saved from the darkness of the tribulation. Isaiah prophesies; "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. Lift up your eyes round about, and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth will minister to you; They will go up with acceptance on My altar, and I shall glorify My glorious house. Who are these who fly like a cloud, and like the doves to their lattices [lit. windows]? Surely the coastlands will wait for Me; and the ships of Tarshish will come first, to bring your sons from afar." (Isaiah 60:1-2, 4-9)

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This passage goes from the darkness that shall cover the earth in the form of the seven year tribulation and ends with the millennial reign of our Lord. It is an amazing chapter and the heavens first told the story.

The Messiah holds His redeemed possessions (Cancer)

The ancient Arabic name for this sign is Al Sartan which means who holds or binds and my be from the Hebrew word Asr [strong's H631] which means to bind together. The Greek name Kerkinos means holding or encircling.

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Within the center of the constellation is a bright cluster of stars which can appear to look like a comet this cluster is called Praesepe and it's name means a multitute or offspring.

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The bright star in the tail is Tegmine which means holding. While the brightest star is Acubene which in both Hebrew and Arabic means the sheltering or hiding-place. Another Arabic name for this star is Ma'alaph which means the assembled thousands.

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This reference to the assembling of the righteous reminds me of the words of Zephaniah; "Gather together, gather together, nation without shame, before you are cispersed like chaff which disappears in a day; before the burning anger of the Lord overtakes you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek uprightness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

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Isaiah also foresaw this same hidding of the saints; "Come my people, enter your rooms, shut the door behind you, hide yourselves for a little while until the indignation has overpast. For the Lord emerges from his dwelling place to punish the inhabitants of the earth of their guilt; and the earth will reveal the blood shed on it and no longer hide its slain." (Isaiah 26:20-21)

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Cancer refers to the Messiah's redeemed while Leo refers to the Messiah's enemies. The compannion constellations of Cancer refer to the redeemed as His flock and even a hint to the rapture of the saints prior to the Lord pouring out his wrath on His enemies.

The enemy under foot, the coming Prince of Princes, our redeemer exalted!

Long time no see. Just need to finish these constellations up that tell of both the first and second comings of our king, Jesus!

These companion constellations of our two fold two coming messiah, Gemini, tell of His enemy being defeated. The Hare, Lepus or the Enemy is under the feet of Orion. The brightest star is Arnebo [in Hebrew] which means the enemy of Him that comes.

The Psalmist captures this in Psalm 60:12 where it says; "And it is He who will tread down our adversaries."

The second companion constellation is Canis Major or Sirius the Prince. The name from Danderah ancient Zodiac means coming forth, coming swooping down, like a hawk. The brightest star is one of the brightest in the heavens its name being Sirius, the Prince. It's Hebrew name is Sar as in the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. The Second brightest star is Mirzam which means the prince or ruler. While Wesen the third brightest means the bright and the shing one. Another bright star is Adhara which means the glorious. These give us a great description of our coming king, confirming what Isaiah prophesied;

"And the governement will rest upon His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

Our third star in this set of constellations is Canis Minor, the Socond Dog, which means the exalted Redeemer. The brightest star in this constellation is Procyon which means Redeemer. Telling us that the glorious Prince is none other than the one who was slain. The second brightest star confirms it further, its Arabic name is Gomeisa, means bearing for others.

Shortly the final days of this age shall come and these words from Isaiah will be fulfilled; "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him, And the Redeemer shall come to Zion." (Isaiah 59:19-20).