Humanity was made in God’s image to walk with Him in His PHYSICAL Presence—face-to-face.
Imagine that!
In His original plan, we as His likeness, were to rule over the earth God that created—not earth as it is today.
This current earth was deeded over to Satan. This is some powerful stuff and often difficult to fathom—what His original perfect will and desire for us was—as we witness earth careening toward destruction under Satan’s rule.
JAP touches on so many aspects of what Genesis 1:26-27 means, and what it will mean again for His chosen:
Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
This verse does not sound like God created man to be subservient to the animal kingdom, or to the kingdom of the devil! But sadly, God’s promise was trampled when His first creation—Adam and Eve—decided they could live their lives without His help. The couple was deceived by Satan, who’s main purpose was to rule over God and the paradise He created.
After Eve, Adam, and the apple, the devil won the deed to earth, to rule his new possession with all the worldly glitter, possessions, behaviors, and false hope he could arouse in foolish human hearts. Mankind believes his lies. And so, after Eden, the world continued until it became so evil that God found it necessary to destroy it by flood, creating a new earth. But even that failed and man was soon back in the same quagmire of evil thoughts and deeds and desires.
But there is hope, God promised a Redeemer Who would save mankind from the eternal death planned by the devil. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
And that precious Son was born not as the expected King, but as the sacrificial Lamb of God to be offered up on a cruel cross to pay the price a holy, perfect God demanded from His creation, as recompense for mankind’s evil rebellion.
And for those who accept this treasure, a new life is given with the triumph of victory—life over death. But they must realize their hope is only possible with repentance of personal sin. True believers must accept Him, and His divine forgiveness to live safely protected from the plans of the great deceiver.
God originally made man in his own image, and with His Treasure, that image—which is ruined by personal greed and bad choices—is cleansed by the precious blood of His promised Redeemer on a cross!
So, what does that mean to God’s chosen, who have turned their backs on the world’s promise of wealth and prosperity? A world that is rapidly failing?
That same Son—who through His death and resurrection opened the door to restoration of God’s image—has given us the opportunity to live in God’s kingdom of promise.
Realize your belief in Him will not end the challenges of born-again flesh over “rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). We must stand firm against these temptations, and our human sin-nature. Remember challenges can be opportunities of expectancy and anticipation. Rely on Holy Spirit to see you through. Work through the power of Holy Spirit to see this dark devil’s world illuminated by Jesus’ words “I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
As devoted children we work, serve, and watch for the return of God’s Son. One day He will rule this world—which is currently enveloped in the evil of the devil’s schemes—with love and peace.
Each of us have been called to change challenges into opportunities through faith and trust. “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
We labor in faith, waiting to see the devil and his followers “drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath” (Revelations 14:10). “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (verse 12).
So, be obedient and never allow challenges to hinder your forward advance into God’s spiritual realm, always remember that challenges present opportunities, and that each of us holds a key into that new spiritual life through a risen Savior with the invitation into an eternity of joy and peace forever in our Creator’s presence!
AMEN!