Let me set the foundation of our study and research with the Scripture passage from Genesis 1:26-28, which shows the original purpose with which the Lord created us:
?And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.?
There are already many different commentaries on these verses. The reason why I would like to add the revelation the Lord has given to me as well is because I believe it will help us get the right focus concerning the purpose of our existence on this Earth.
In order to explain what I mean, I would like us to concentrate on what these Scriptures are trying to say to us.
First of all, in verse 26, we see that the Lord wanted to create man in His own image.
Some say that means that man is a physical reflection of God, e.g. looks like the Lord physically. The word likeness also contributes to that effect. Of course, I believe this is absolutely so.
Others say that man being made in God?s image means, that, as man consists of spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23), so is the Lord. There are many Scriptures throughout the Word of God that can prove that point too.
Still others connect man?s three dimensional being to the Divine Trinity ? The Godhead, consisting of:
- God the Father (Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 43:12; Isaiah 46:9)
- God the Son (Jesus Christ ? Romans 9:5)
- God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3,4)
The personal pronouns (?let us make man?, not ?let me make man?) show that clearly as well.
Now all these comparisons being worthy of appreciation and further study, I would like us to see another one as well, not so connected with the physical attributes of man so much, as to the original purpose for his creation.
Let us focus on the word image again. Let us leave aside it?s meaning connected with a natural resemblance for a while and focus on the figurative one, where image means: stature, position, authority, influence, rank, etc.
We have all heard the expression: ?I have to improve my image?.
Now the Lord has definitely built Himself an image. And it?s a great image ? that of the Ruler of the Universe, the Lord over all, the Supreme Power over everything else. Even if we ask total unbelievers about God, they will connect Him to that same image. Even they know that there is Somebody (sometimes they say it?s something) that is Ruling and Reigning, and that has the ultimate authority and dominion.
So, the Lord has that image, stature and spiritual position. But have you noticed that the primary reason with which the Lord created man in His image was that man might have dominion? And if we try to get into God?s heart and thoughts at that moment, we could paraphrase Genesis 1:26, 27 in the following manner:
?And God said, I am the Lord! I am God! I rule over everything! The Heaven and the Earth are under My authority. That is My image. Now, let us make man in that same image, so that he also can have dominion over everything I place under his authority ? everything that flies, everything that walks and everything that creeps on the Earth. Everything in the air, water and on the Earth will be subject to him, because I will impose My image upon him, and he will rule as an extension of Me.?
The blessing that follows in verse 28 continues in that train of thought and action. The Lord blessed man and woman and released 5 creative purposes in them:
1. Be fruitful
2. Multiply
3. Fill the Earth
4. Subdue it
5. Have dominion
These are the 5 aspects that reveal God?s destiny for every individual, every family, every Church, and every nation in the Earth!
The first three of them (be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth) require a relationship filled with true love, intimacy and commitment; while the last 2 show us the original and ultimate purpose for our existence as God?s people (subdue the Earth and have dominion).
That?s the image of God we must acquire!
