Why Did God Create You?
"What we have seen and [ourselves] heard we are also telling you, so
that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers
with us. And [this] fellowship that we have (which is a distinguishing
mark of Christians) is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ,
the Messiah."
-- (1 John 1:3, The Amplified Bible)
Four persons with whom to have fellowship:
1. God the Father (Isaiah 57:15; John 14:23; John 17:21-23; 1 Cor. 6:13; 1 John 1:3-7)
2. God the Son (Matthew 18:20; John 14:23; John 15:1-8; 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Cor. 10:16; 1 John 1:3-7)
3. God the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1)
4. The Christian (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1,42-47; Ephes. 5:19; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 John 1:3-7)
Man is something really special. He is made in the image of God. He is
made to have fellowship with God.
Some people get the idea that God made man so He’d have someone to
dominate. But God is not a dominator. God is love and love needs to give
to someone. That’s why God made man. He made him so He could give him
His love.
God could have given His love to the angels, and He did that. But giving
to angels didn’t provide total fulfillment. Why? Because angels aren’t
made in His image.
You’re the same way. Let’s say, for example, you have a puppy as a pet.
You can fellowship with that little pet just so much, but then there
comes a time when you need to talk to somebody. There comes a time when
you need to have communication on your own level.
The reason you’re like that is because you’re created in the image of
God. That’s how He is. He has a desire to fellowship with someone like
Himself.
Dare to believe you’re something really special today--a one-of-a-kind
creation made by God in His very own image. Dare to receive His love and
dare to love Him back!
SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 1:26-31
Genesis 1:26 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.
Genesis 1:26
a[Let us] A divine Trinity is required by the use of plural personal pronouns (Genesis
1:26; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7; Psalm 2:2-4; Isaiah 6:8; John 14:23; John
17:11,21,22).
Names, Titles, and Offices of the Trinity
74 names, titles, or offices of God the Father:
1.God (Hebrew: Elohiym (HSN-430), Gods, Genesis 1:1)
2.Lord God (Jehovah (HSN-3069) Elohiym (HSN-430), Genesis 2:4-22)
3.Most High God (Genesis 14:18-22)
4.The Almighty God (Genesis 17:1; Rev. 19:15)
5.The everlasting God (Genesis 21:33)
6.The God of heaven (Genesis 24:3)
7.The God of earth (Genesis 24:3; Rev. 11:4)
8.The Lord God of heaven (Genesis 24:7)
9.God Almighty (Genesis 28:3; Genesis 43:14; Genesis 48:3)
10.The mighty God (Genesis 49:24)
11.The God of Abraham (Exodus 3:6)
12.The God of Isaac (Exodus 3:6)
13.The God of Jacob (Exodus 3:6; 2 Samuel 23:1)
14.I AM (Exodus 3:13-15)
15.God of the Hebrews (Exodus 5:3; Exodus 7:16)
16.Jehovah (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 26:4; Isaiah 42:8)
17.God of Israel (Exodus 24:10; Exodus 34:23)
18.Jealous (Exodus 34:14)
19.God of the spirits of all flesh (Numbers 16:22; Numbers 27:16)
20.The God of gods (Deut. 10:17)
21.The eternal God (Deut. 33:27)
22.The living God (Joshua 3:10)
23.Lord God of Israel (Joshua 22:16; Joshua 24:2)
24.Lord God of gods (Joshua 22:22)
25.Strength of Israel (1 Samuel 15:29)
26.The Rock (2 Samuel 22:32; Psalm 18:2,31)
27.God of my rock (2 Samuel 22:3)
28.God of the rock of my salvation (2 Samuel 22:47)
29.The Rock of Israel (2 Samuel 23:3)
30.The God of David (2 Chron. 34:3)
31.The righteous God (Psalm 7:9)
32.Fortress (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91:2)
33.Deliverer (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91:3)
34.Strength (Psalm 18:2)
35.Buckler (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91:4)
36.The horn of salvation (Psalm 18:2)
37.High tower (Psalm 18:2)
38.The God of my salvation (Psalm 18:46)
39.The God of glory (Psalm 29:3)
40.The God of truth (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16)
41.Yah (HSN-3050), JAH (Psalm 68:4). See Sixteen Jehovah Titles.
42.The Most High (Psalm 91:1,9)
43.The Almighty (Psalm 91:1)
44.Refuge (Psalm 91:2,9)
45.Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 30:15)
46.The glorious Lord (Isaiah 33:21)
47.The Creator (Isaiah 40:28)
48.Lord God of hosts (Isaiah 22:5)
49.The Lord thy Savior and Redeemer (Isaiah 60:16)
50.The mighty One of Jacob (Isaiah 60:16)
51.The Lord of hosts (Jeremiah 7:3,21)
52.The true God (Jeremiah 10:10; John 17:3)
53.The great and mighty God (Jeremiah 32:18)
54.The God of all flesh (Jeremiah 32:27)
55.Ancient of days (Daniel 7:9,22)
56.The God of judgment (Malachi 2:17)
57.God of the living (Mark 12:27)
58.The uncorruptible God (Romans 1:23)
59.God of patience and consolation (Romans 15:5)
60.The God of hope (Romans 15:13)
61.The God of peace (Romans 16:20)
62.God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3)
63.God of love and peace (2 Cor. 13:11)
64.The living and true God (1 Thes. 1:9)
65.The only wise God (1 Tim. 1:17)
66.The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of Lords (1 Tim. 6:15-
16)
67.The great God (Titus 2:13; Rev. 19:17)
68.God the Judge of all (Hebrews 12:23)
69.God the Father (1 Peter 1:2; 2 John 1:3)
70.The God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10)
71.The only Lord God (Jude 1:4)
72.Lord God Almighty (Rev. 4:8; Rev. 11:17; Rev. 15:3; Rev. 16:7; Rev. 21:22)
73.The Lord God omnipotent (Rev. 19:6)
74.The Lord God of the holy prophets (Rev. 22:6)
137 names, titles, or offices of God the Son:
1.Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15)
2.Jehovah (the Lord, Genesis 19:24; Psalm 110:1,5)
3.Shiloh (Genesis 49:10)
4.The star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17)
5.Prophet (Deut. 18:15; Luke 24:19)
6.Rock of salvation (Deut. 32:15)
7.Daysman (Job 9:33)
8.The Anointed (Psalm 2:2)
9.The Son (Psalm 2:12; Hebrews 3:6)
10.Sanctuary (Isaiah 8:14)
11.Stone of stumbling (Isaiah 8:14)
12.Rock of offence (Isaiah 8:14)
13.Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6)
14.Counsellor (Isaiah 9:6)
15.The mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
16.The everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
17.The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
18.Rod out of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1)
19.The Branch (Isaiah 11:1; Zech. 3:8; Zech. 6:12)
20.An ensign of the people (Isaiah 11:10)
21.My Servant (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:18)
22.My elect (Isaiah 42:1)
23.Polished shaft (Isaiah 49:2)
24.The Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20)
25.The angel of His presence (Isaiah 63:9)
26.The Lord our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
27.Plant of renown (Ezekiel 34:29)
28.Messiah (Daniel 9:25; John 4:25)
29.The Judge of Israel (Micah 5:1)
30.The desire of all nations (Haggai 2:7)
31.The man that is My fellow (Zech. 13:7)
32.Refiner and purifier (Malachi 3:3)
33.Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)
34.Jesus Christ (note, §Matthew 1:1)
35.The son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1)
36.The son of David (Matthew 1:1; Matthew 9:27)
37.Christ (Matthew 1:17; Matthew 2:4)
38.Jesus (§Matthew 1:21, note)
39.Emmanuel (God with us, Matthew 1:23)
40.King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2; Matthew 21:5)
41.Governor (Matthew 2:6)
42.Nazarene (Matthew 2:23)
43.The Son of God (Matthew 4:3)
44.Master (Matthew 8:19)
45.The Son of man (Matthew 8:20)
46.Physician (Matthew 9:12)
47.The bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)
48.The friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19)
49.The beloved (Matthew 12:18; Ephes. 1:6)
50.The sower of the seed (Matthew 13:3)
51.The Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32)
52.The horn of salvation (Luke 1:69)
53.The dayspring (Luke 1:78)
54.Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11)
55.Savior (Luke 2:11)
56.The consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)
57.Salvation (Luke 2:30)
58.Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 4:34)
59.Holy One of God (Luke 4:34)
60.The Word (John 1:1-2)
61.God (John 1:1-3; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8)
62.The true Light (John 1:9)
63.Only begotten Son (John 1:18; John 3:16)
64.Lamb of God (John 1:29; Rev. 5:6)
65.The King of Israel (John 1:49)
66.Teacher (John 3:2)
67.Gift of God (John 4:10)
68.Savior of the world (John 4:42)
69.The bread of God (John 6:33)
70.The bread of life (John 6:35,48-51)
71.Light of the world (John 8:12)
72.Door of the sheep (John 10:7)
73.The good shepherd (John 10:11)
74.The way, the truth, the life (John 14:6)
75.The vine (John 15:1-8)
76.Lord and God (John 20:28)
77.Holy One and Just (Acts 3:14)
78.Thy holy child Jesus (Acts 4:27)
79.A Prince and a Savior (Acts 5:31)
80.Lord of all (Acts 10:36)
81.A propitiation (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2)
82.Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)
83.The Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
84.Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Tim. 2:5)
85.The power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
86.The wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
87.Sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30)
88.Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
89.Our passover (1 Cor. 5:7)
90.Spiritual Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
91.Christ the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23)
92.The last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
93.The second man Adam, (1 Cor. 15:45-47)
94.Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
95.Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:29)
96.Chief corner stone (Ephes. 2:20)
97.Head of the church (Col. 1:18)
98.Firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18)
99.Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Tim. 1:12)
100.Mediator (1 Tim. 2:4-5)
101.The man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5)
102.Ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:6)
103.Seed of David (2 Tim. 2:8)
104.Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 1:4)
105.Brightness of His glory (Hebrews 1:3)
106.Express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3)
107.Upholder of all things (Hebrews 1:3)
108.Captain of salvation (Hebrews 2:10)
109.The Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Hebrews 3:1)
110.Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20)
111.Minister of the sanctuary (Hebrews 8:2)
112.Testator (Hebrews 9:16-17)
113.Author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:2)
114.Great shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20)
115.Shepherd and Bishop of souls (1 Peter 2:25)
116.Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
117.Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11)
118.Day star (2 Peter 1:19)
119.Advocate (1 John 2:1)
120.Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1)
121.Eternal life (1 John 5:20)
122.Faithful witness (Rev. 1:5)
123.First begotten of the dead (Rev. 1:5)
124.Prince of the kings of earth (Rev. 1:5)
125.Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; Rev. 21:6; Rev. 22:13)
126.The beginning and ending (Rev. 1:8)
127.The first and the last (Rev. 2:8)
128.Morning star (Rev. 2:28)
129.The Amen (Rev. 3:14)
130.Faithful and true witness (Rev. 3:14)
131.Beginning of creation—the One who began creating all things through the Father
(Rev. 3:14; Ephes. 3:9; Col. 1:15-18)
132.Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
133.The Root of David (Rev. 5:5)
134.The Word of God (Rev. 19:13)
135.King of kings, Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
136.Root and offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
137.Bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16)
36 names, titles, or offices of God the Holy Spirit:
1.Spirit of God (22 times, Genesis 1:2; Genesis 41:38; Matthew 3:16; 1 Cor. 2:11-14)
2.Spirit of wisdom (Exodus 28:3; Deut. 34:9; Isaiah 11:2; Ephes. 1:17)
3.The Spirit (113 times, Numbers 11:17,25; Ezekiel 1:20; Ezekiel 2:2; Galatians 6:8;
Ephes. 2:22)
4.His Spirit (Numbers 11:29; Psalm 106:33; Isaiah 48:16; Romans 8:11; 1 Cor. 2:10).
Thy Spirit (2 Kings 2:9; Psalm 104:30; Psalm 139:7) and My Spirit (Isaiah 42:1;
Acts 2:17-18)
5.The Spirit of the Lord (30 times, Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges
13:25; Judges 14:6,19; Judges 15:14; Luke 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:17-18)
6.The Spirit of Elijah (2 Kings 2:15; Luke 1:17)
7.Thy good Spirit (Neh. 9:20)
8.Thy free Spirit (Psalm 51:12)
9.The Spirit of judgment (Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 28:6)
10.The Spirit of burning (Isaiah 4:4)
11.Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2)
12.Spirit of counsel and might (Isaiah 11:2)
13.Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; cp. 2 Tim. 1:7)
14.Spirit of the Holy Gods (Daniel 4:8-9,18; Daniel 5:11)
15.Excellent Spirit (Daniel 5:12; Daniel 6:3)
16.Spirit of the Gods (Daniel 5:14)
17.Spirit of grace and supplications (Zech. 12:10; Hebrews 10:29)
18.The Holy Ghost (89 times, Matthew 1:18-20; Matthew 3:11; Matthew 12:31-32;
Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7)
19.The Spirit of your Father (Matthew 10:20)
20.The power of the Highest (Luke 1:35)
21.The Holy Spirit (1 time, Luke 11:13)
22.The Comforter (John 14:16,26; John 15:26)
23.The Spirit of truth (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 5:6)
24.Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4)
25.Spirit of life (Romans 8:2)
26.Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11)
27.Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15)
28.Spirit of the living God (2 Cor. 3:3)
29.The Spirit of His Son (Galatians 4:6)
30.Holy Spirit of promise (Ephes. 1:13)
31.Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephes. 1:17)
32.Holy Spirit of God (Ephes. 4:30)
33.Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:19)
34.The eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
35.The Spirit of glory (1 Peter 4:14)
36.The Spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10)
These 247 names, titles and offices of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost reveal
their character, work, and separate parts in the plan of God. The Father has the role of
headship; the Son has that of creation and redemption; and the Holy Spirit has the direct power of operation. All three persons of the Trinity have worked and are still working in perfect harmony in the creation, redemption, and eternal good of all.
b[image] Hebrew: tselem (HSN-6754), shade, resemblance. Its usage proves it refers
to outward form, not to attributes (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:3; Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:4; Leviticus 26:1; Psalm 73:20; Psalm 106:19; Isaiah 40:19-20; Isaiah 44:9-17; Isaiah 45:20; Isaiah 48:5; Jeremiah 10:14; Jeremiah 51:17; cp. Romans 1:20; 1 Cor. 11:7; James 3:9).
c[likeness] Hebrew: demuwth (HSN-1823), resemblance, model, shape; it refers to
outward form as proved by usage (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 5:1,3; Isaiah 40:18; Ezekiel
1:5,10,13,16,22,26,28; Ezekiel 8:2; Ezekiel 10:1,10,21,22).
d[dominion] Man’s dominion included the sun, moon and stars (Psalm 8). In the final
restoration man will again have such rulership (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Ephes. 1:10; Hebrews 2:7-9).
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:27
a[created man] The beasts and man were brought into being in God’s third creative act
(Genesis 1:24-28; cp. Genesis 1:1,2). Their bodies were formed but their life was
created. By divine council (Genesis 1:26-28), God created man in His own image
(Genesis 1:27). Man was a work of God, not of molecules and monkeys. See
Creation—Not Evolution.
b[man] See The Doctrine of Man.
The Doctrine of Man
The word man is found 2737 times in Scripture. Several Hebrew and Greek words are
translated man with various meanings, including Adam, male, husband, mortal, mighty
man, and a human being.
1. Man’s creation:
(1)Inner man created (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:1-2).
(2)Body formed of dust (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19).
(3)Made in God’s own bodily image. Hebrew: tselem (HSN-6754), shape,
figure, physical form (Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 5:3; Genesis 9:6; Numbers
33:52; 1 Samuel 6:5,11; 2 Kings 11:18; 2 Chron. 23:17; Psalm 73:20; Ezekiel
7:20; Ezekiel 16:17; Ezekiel 23:14; Amos 5:26).
(4)Made in God’s own bodily likeness. Hebrew: demuwth (HSN-1823), model,
shape, similitude, resemblance (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 5:1,3; Isaiah 40:18;
Ezekiel 1:5,10,13,16,22,26,28; Ezekiel 8:2; Ezekiel 10:1,10,21-22). The Greek:
eikon (GSN-1504) confirms the idea of physical image and likeness (Matthew
22:20; Romans 1:23; 1 Cor. 11:7; 1 Cor. 15:49; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Hebrews
10:1; Rev. 13:14-15; Rev. 14:9,11; Rev. 15:2; Rev. 16:2; Rev. 19:20; Rev.
20:4).
(A)Neither Deut. 4:15 nor any other scripture does away with the physical form
of God. Just because Israel did not see any form when God spoke is no proof that He is bodiless and without form any more than someone else who might be heard and whose body is not seen. Many in Israel did see God’s body (Genesis 18; Genesis 32:24-30; Exodus 24:9-11; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:11-23; Judges 13:3-23; 1 Chron. 21:16-17; Job 42:5; Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 10:5-6; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; Rev. 5:1-7; etc.) See Anthropomorphism.
(B)There is no question that man was made in the likeness of God in soul and
spirit (Ephes. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10), but this does not do away with the bodily
image and likeness of God, as in all the above passages. All angels and spirit beings have bodies as well as souls and spirits.
(C)Even resurrected human bodies are called spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44), yet they
will also be material (Luke 24:39; Phil. 3:21). Misunderstanding of this
subject comes from not knowing what spirits are like. See The Spirit World.
(5)The body is wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). It consists of various
chemicals—iron, sugar, salt, carbon, iodine, phosphorus, lime, calcium, and
others. The body has 263 bones; 600 muscles; 970 miles of blood vessels; 400
cups on the tongue for taste; 20,000 hairs in the ears to tune in to all sounds; 40 pounds of jaw pressure; 10,000,000 nerves and branches; 3,500 sweat tubes to each square inch of skin (or 40 miles long); 20,000,000 mouths that suck food as it goes through the intestines; 600,000,000 air cells to the lungs that inhale 2,400 gallons of air daily; and a communication network that relates to the brain instantly any known sound, taste, sight, touch or smell. The heart beats 4,200 times an hour and pumps 12 tons of blood daily.
(6)Man’s soul is the seat of the emotions, passions, desires, appetites, and all
feelings.
(7)Man’s spirit is the seat of the intellect, will, and conscience. It is capable of all
divine powers only in a lesser degree. See Spirit.
(8)The inner man, consisting of soul and spirit, is eternal. See note, §1 Peter 3:4.
(9)Man was made a little lower than angels (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7).
(10)He was created sinless, but capable of sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-21; 1
John 3:4).
(11)He was made a threefold being—body, soul, and spirit (1 Thes. 5:23; Hebrews
4:12).
(12)His flesh differs from all other creatures (1 Cor. 15:39).
(13)Both male and female are represented in man (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 5:2;
Matthew 19:4).
(14)Material and spiritual natures of man are clearly distinguished in Scripture, as
follows:
(A)Soul and spirit not dust (Genesis 2:7).
(B)Spirit leaves body at death (James 2:26; Luke 8:49-56; Luke 16:22; Luke
23:43; Acts 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:3-4; Phil. 1:21-24; Hebrews 12:23; 2
Peter 1:13-15; Rev. 6:9-11; 1 Kings 17:20-22; Job 14:10; 2 Samuel 12:19-23;
Eccles. 12:7).
(C)Soul and spirit are in man’s body, but are not the material of the body (Job
14:22; Job 32:8; Proverbs 20:27; Zech. 12:1; 1 Cor. 2:11; 1 Cor. 7:34).
(D)The body can be killed but not the soul (Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5).
(E)The spirit can be willing; the flesh powerless to execute (Matthew 26:38-41).
(F)Both flesh and spirit are to glorify God (1 Cor. 6:20).
(G)Both flesh and spirit can be filthy or holy (2 Cor. 7:1).
(H)The inner man is eternal; the body mortal (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
(I)The inner man is fully conscious after leaving the body (Matthew 10:28;
Matthew 17:3; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 20:38; John 11:25-26; Acts 2:27; Ephes.
3:15; Ephes. 4:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Phil. 1:21-24; Hebrews 2:14-
15; Hebrews 12:23; note, §1 Peter 3:4; Rev. 6:9-11).
(J)The spirit and soul are not the breath (Job 34:14-15). To prove this try
substituting breath for spirit and soul in scriptures and see how ridiculous it
is. Try this with Psalm 19:7; Psalm 106:15; Luke 12:19; Acts 23:8-9;
Romans 2:29; 2 Cor. 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 6:20; 2 Cor. 7:1; Galatians 5:25;
1 Thes. 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 10:38-39; Rev. 6:9-11.
(K)Souls can be dead while the bodies are alive (Matthew 8:22; Ephes. 2:1-9; 1
Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1).
(L)Souls of the righteous have eternal life even after the body dies (John 3:16;
John 5:24; John 6:47,53,63; John 11:25-26; John 14:19).
(M)Souls of the wicked are also conscious after the body dies.
(N)Resurrection of the dead refers to the bodies coming to life again, not the
souls (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:35-54; Rev. 20:11-15).
(O)Souls of the righteous go to heaven at death (2 Cor. 5:8; Ephes. 3:14-15; Phil.
1:21-24; Hebrews 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11). Their bodies go to graves (Daniel
12:2; John 5:28-29).
(P)Souls of the wicked go to hell while the bodies go to the grave (Isaiah 14:9;
Luke 16:19-31; Rev. 20:11-15).
(Q)The body is the house of the inner man (Job 4:19; Job 14:22; Job 32:8; Zech.
12:1; 1 Cor. 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Peter 1:13-15). The soul and
spirit design; the body executes. Man through his body has consciousness of the material world; through the soul, self-consciousness; and through the
spirit, consciousness of God.
(R)Man has a body but he is not just a body; a soul but he is not just a soul; and a
spirit but he is not just a spirit being (1 Thes. 5:23).
(S)Man has a will, making him in every sense a free moral agent and a
responsible being (John 3:16; John 7:17; Romans 7:18; 1 Cor. 7:36-37; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Peter 1:21; Rev. 22:17).
(T)The body can be put off and put on again (2 Cor. 5:1-8; 2 Peter 1:14). This
requires a separate inner man from the body itself.
(U)Souls are now immortal (note, §1 Peter 3:4); bodies are not.
2.Man on probation:
(1)Given dominion over the earth and other planets (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:3-8;
Psalm 72:8)
(2)Commanded to multiply and replenish the earth formerly plenished by the pre-
Adamites (Genesis 1:26-28; cp. Genesis 9:1)
(3)Given responsibility to tend the garden and to keep out all enemies (note,
§Genesis 2:15)
(4)Given full liberty but with one restriction (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-3)
(5)Given eternal life and glory on condition that he not sin (Genesis 2:16-17;
Romans 3:23)
3.The fall of man (Genesis 3):
(1)Man was created sinless, but capable of sin or transgression of law (Genesis 2:16-17; 1 John 3:4).
(2)Tempted by Satan through the serpent (Genesis 3:1-8; 2 Cor. 11:1-3).
(3)Eve was deceived to commit sin, not Adam (Genesis 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:14).
(4)Sin was a voluntary act of the will, but instigated from without (Romans 5:12-
21). There was no sin in human nature. Inbred sin is the spirit and nature of the
devil working in men (note, §2 Cor. 5:17).
(5)Sin came through a denial of the divine will and the elevation of the will of man
over the will of God (Genesis 2:16-17).
(6)Sin came through unbelief of God’s Word (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:4-6).
(7)Sin came through rebellion against God’s Word (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3;1-
8).
4.Effects of the fall—man became:
(1)Separated from God (Isaiah 59:2)
(2)Depraved in nature (Ephes. 2:1-3)
(3)Ignorant and blind (Ephes. 4:18)
(4)Evil in conscience (Hebrews 10:22)
(5)Corrupt and deceitful in heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:19-21)
(6)Obstinate and rebellious (Acts 7:51; Romans 8:7; Isaiah 28:14)
(7)Evil in thoughts (Genesis 6:5)
(8)Lustful and ungodly (John 8:44; Romans 7:5-23; 1 Cor. 6:9; Galatians 5:19)
(9)Dominated by Satan (John 8:34,44; Ephes. 2:2; 1 John 3:8)
(10)Servants of sin (John 8:34; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 6:16-23)
(11)Dead in sin (Ephes. 2:1-9)
(12)Doomed to eternal hell without God or hope (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 25:46;
Romans 6:23; Ephes. 2:12; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15)
(13)Short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)
(14)Subject to suffering and death (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:21-23)
(15)Cursed by God to hard labor (Genesis 3:11-24)
(16)Mortal, imperfect, and weak (Job 4:17-21; Psalm 39:4-5; Psalm 103:14-15;
Matthew 6:27; Galatians 6:3)
(17)Universally sinful (Romans 3:9-23)
(18)Sinners by birth and practice (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12-21; Ephes. 2:1-3)
(19)Children of the devil (Matthew 13:38; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8-10; 1 John 5:19)
(20)Subject to sickness, disease, pain, and all present evils of earth (Exodus 15:26;
Deut. 28:15-68; John 10:10; Acts 10:38; Rev. 21:3-7;22:3)
(21)Short-lived. Life is compared to:
(A)A pilgrimage (Genesis 47:9)
(B)Water spilled on the ground (2 Samuel 14:14)
(C)Wind (Job 7:7)
(D)A passing cloud (Job 7:9)
(E)A weaver’s shuttle (Job 7:6)
(F)A shadow (Job 14:2; Psalm 144:4)
(G)Flowers that fade away (Job 14:2; Psalm 103:15; Isaiah 40:6-8; James 1:10;
1 Peter 1:24; cp. note, §Psalm 90:5)
(H)Grass that dies (Psalm 37:2; Psalm 90:5-6; 1 Peter 1:24)
(I)Green herbs that wither (Psalm 37:2)
(J)Nothing (Psalm 39:5)
(K)A dream (Psalm 73:20)
(L)Sleep that is soon over (Psalm 90:5)
(M)Vanity (Psalm 144:4)
(N)A vapor (James 4:14)
All this will end in the New Earth (Rev. 21:3-7; Rev. 22:3-5). Brevity of life can be
lengthened by obedience and faith. There is no set day for man to die (Exodus 20:12; Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 9:11; 1 Cor. 11:30; Ephes. 6:2; 1 Peter 3:10-11).
5.God’s appraisal of man:
(1)God has given the revelation of Himself, His creation, and His plan for man, so
that man might know his origin, present responsibility, and destiny. The Bible is
the record of this revelation (2 Tim. 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; Hebrews 4:12).
(2)God appraises man as the highest of creation. Man is worth:
(A)Making him lord of creation (Genesis 1:26-31; Psalm 8:3-8).
(B)All the millenniums of effort to redeem him (Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9).
(C)More than the whole world (Mark 8:36).
(D)Giving of God’s only begotten Son to redeem him (John 3:16; Rev. 22:17).
(E)Restoring to his original dominion as eternal ruler of creation (Daniel
7:18,27; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
(F)Trusting with eternal authority and life to help God administer the affairs of
the universe (Romans 8:17-18; Rev. 2:27-28; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
(G)Placing him on an equal basis with Jesus Christ in redemption—as to
righteousness (1 John 3:7), provision by promise (1 Cor. 3:22-23; 2 Cor.
1:20; Hebrews 8:6), nature (2 Peter 1:4), works (John 14:12), inheritance
(Romans 8:17), sufferings and future glory (Matthew 10:24-25; Romans
8:18; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Peter 4:1; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 5:10; Rev.
22:4-5).
(H)Making provision for body, soul, and spirit, here and hereafter. See New
Testament Promises.
6.Man’s part in redemption:
(1)Man is commanded to repent and obey the gospel (Mark 1:15; Mark 16:15-16;
Luke 13:3,5). See New Testament Commands.
(2)Man has a part in the new birth, salvation, the continuation of Christian life,
works, and conformity to the gospel (Col. 2:6-7; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 2 Peter 3:18).
7.Man’s destiny:
(1)Man charts his own destiny by his conformity or nonconformity to the gospel
(Mark 16:15-16; Luke 13:3,5).
(2)Eternal life with God in heaven and on earth is the destiny of those who conform
to truth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
(3)Eternal hell and punishment is the destiny of those who refuse to obey truth (see
Hell; Isaiah 66:22-24; Matthew 25:41,46; Mark 9:43-49; §Luke 12:5, note; Rev.
14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15).
c[mindful of him]
God Mindful of Man
"Mindful" comes from the Hebrew: zakar (HSN-2142), to mark or remember
continually, as perpetual incense rising; to set the heart upon; to keep continually in
merciful view. Translated mindful (Psalm 8:4; Psalm 111:5; Psalm 115:12; 1 Chron.
16:15; Neh. 9:17; Isaiah 17:10); remember 172 times; and remembrance 13 times. That God should remember in mercy such miserable beings is a great condescension; that He should actually visit them by assuming their own nature, by dwelling among them, and by giving His life a ransom for them, is mercy and love indescribable and divine.
d[the son of man] "Son of man" has no definite article in Hebrew. The phrase occurs 3
times before this (Numbers 23:19; Job 25:6; Job 35:8). In all, it occurs in singular 197
times and plural 23 times (sons of men). Occurs in Psalms here; Psalm 80:17; Psalm
144:3; Psalm 146:3. See notes on §Ezekiel 2:1; John 1:51. Here the title relates to
man’s dominion of the earth.
e[man] Hebrew: adam (HSN-120), created man, not enowsh (HSN-582), mortal,
weak, sickly, and wretched man, of the first part of the verse.
f[visitest him]
Seven Ways God Visits Man
1.By coming Himself (Daniel 7:9-14)
2.By sending Christ (Isaiah 48:16; John 3:16)
3.By sending the Holy Spirit (John 16:7)
4.By sending angels (Hebrews 1:14)
5.By prophets (Acts 3:21; Hebrews 1:1)
6.By dreams and visions (Daniel 2:28; Daniel 4:1-7; Daniel 7:1; Daniel 8:1; etc.)
7.By His Word (2 Tim. 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)
c[in the image of God] In the image of God—Elohiym (HSN-430) (plural), Gods.
The whole structure of the sentence involves unity joined with plurality (see Genesis
3:22 and The Trinity).
d[male and female created he them] Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4. Other creatures were also made male and female.
Genesis 1:28 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.
Genesis 1:28
a [blessed them] The second blessing was on man and woman together, not on man alone or other creatures. Cp. Genesis 1:22.
b [Be fruitful] Genesis 1:22; Genesis 8:17; Genesis 9:1,7; Genesis 35:11. After the fall, to be fruitful was a blessing; unfruitfulness was a curse.
c [replenish the earth] This proves a social system before Adam, when Lucifer ruled (cp. Genesis 9:1; Isaiah 2:6; Isaiah 23:2; Jeremiah 31:25; Ezekiel 26:2; Ezekiel 27:25).
Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Genesis 1:29
a [to you it shall be for meat] Man was given grain, fruits and other products. Animals were also created for him to eat (1 Tim. 4:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:13; cp. Genesis 9:3).
Genesis 1:30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
Genesis 1:30
a [to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat] Animals weren’t created to eat each other and won’t do so in the Millennium and the New Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:25).
Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31
a [sixth day]
Divine Acts in Day Six
1. God said—divine purpose stated (Genesis 1:24)
2. God made—divine formation of the bodies with His hands (Genesis 1:25; Genesis 2:19)
3. God saw—divine inspection and satisfaction (Genesis 1:25)
4. God said—divine plan to make man and outline his work (Genesis 1:26)
5. God created—divine work of creating (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7,21-22; Genesis 5:1-2; Genesis 9:6)
6. God blessed—divine favor (Genesis 1:28)
7. God said—divine commands to man (Genesis 1:28)
8. God said—divine provision (Genesis 1:29-30)
9. God saw—divine satisfaction (Genesis 1:31)
The work of the six days was now finished. It began when God said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3) and ended six 24-hour days later, with the chaotic earth made perfect a second time and inhabited, as in Lucifer’s kingdom before Adam’s time. Everything was "very good" at once, proving there was no long process of evolution from a few molecules seeking to improve themselves (Genesis 1:31).
