the unveiling of the image

The highlight in the creation account of Genesis 1 is the creation of man “in God’s image.” The question of who or what that image is, remains unanswered in Genesis 1. It is the apostle Paul, who changes this question mark into an exclamation mark.

… the evangel of the glory of Christ, Who is the Image of the invisible God…2Corinthians 4:4.

The image of God is the glorified Christ. Note the present tense: “Who IS the image of God” (see also 3:18). Also in Colossians writes Paul about the image of God:

… the Son of His love … Who is the Image of the invisible God, Firstborn of every creature, for in Him is all created … Colossians 1:13-16

Again Paul refers to the current position of the Son of God: “He IS the image of God.” How wonderful is Genesis 1 in that light! The Creator in creation an image in mind. Unidentified celestial inhabitants (Job 38:7?) Also Paul here refers to the current position of the Son of God: He IS the image of God”. How wonderful becomes Genesis 1 in that light! The Creator had at the time of creation an image in mind. Unidentified celestial inhabitants (Job 38:7) knew this image, as well, because God spoke about, “Let us make” and “our image” and “our likeness”. An image (Heb. tselem) is a representation of something or someone. A likeness (Heb. dmuth) is an comparison, something that resembles, for example, a drawing or a model (2Kon.16:10). Although residents of heaven already, at the time of creation, had knowledge of the image of God, it was Paul who reveals His identity in the Scriptures. The image of God is the glorified Christ. That means that the glory of Christ was already foreknown at the time of creation (1Pet.1:20) and served as an image or model in which  and through which God created all things. “The last Adam” (1Cor.15:45) is the prototype of the first Adam. Although Christ was not born until thousands of years after Adam and would stand up (be resurrected), nevertheless, He is “the firstborn of every creature.” Not because he was first born, but because He has been made to be the firstborn.

Indeed, I shall MAKE him the firstborn, The uppermost of the kings of the earth. Psalm 89:27 (See also: Rev.1:5)   

——————————— translation: Peter Feddema

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