Purpose of God for Creating man is that Man should Inherit His Kingdom. God became poor, a mere flesh man on earth in order that men become rich by becoming joint-heirs with Christ in heaven.
God lives in heaven of which the description of its glory cannot even enter in the minds if the people. God wants to choose a group of obedient people, make them righteous and holy so that they can live with him forever. They will inherit the kingdom of God. "Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
1. Who is Man?
A. Man has a Body
The tangible part of us is our body, because we see and feel the body. God created the body from the dust of the earth and it will return to the dust. " Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, Eccl 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." The body is flesh and it has life. When the life ends that is the end of the body and we are dead. But our soul continues to live and will never die. At the resurrection, the image of the body will be raised and joined with the soul.
B. Man is a Soul
The true person of the human being is soul. In other words, soul is living inside the house, which is the body. "Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." The soul is created at our conception but it never dies. At the death of the body, the soul who is the person of the body, will either be sent to heaven or hell. "Matt 25:34 --- Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 41 --- Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
Even though the soul is a spirit in nature, one soul and one body is permanently joined at the conception. When the body dies, the soul leaves. Soul, being the person, bears the character. Soul is responsible for our deeds. The deeds of other living beings are controlled by their instincts since they do not have souls.
C. Receives Spirit of Man
The first man was created from the dust of the earth. He has a soul at creation. When God gave him the spirit by breathing into him, he (his soul) became living soul. "Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." At the genuine repentance of a person, God forgives him and gives the spirit of man to him for his spiritual life. Then he becomes born again (living soul). "1 Cor 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." At this point this person begins to understand the things pertained to the kingdom of heaven. "Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." The spirit is the light of life. "John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." If he reverence the spiritual life, the spirit remains with him until his physical death. At his death his spirit goes to God. "Eccl 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
The first man became a living soul. He was told that he will die in the day he eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. That is, his living soul will become a dead soul. That is, the spirit of man which God gave will leave him at that point. "Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." If a person backslides and rebel against God, at a certain point God will take the spirit away from him. "Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Even though this person continues to live, he lives as a spiritually dead person as Adam and Eve were dead at the Garden of Eden when they ate the forbidden fruit and continued to live in the body.
2. Prospects of Man
A. The dust of the earth
The true God, who created everything that is created, lives in the glorious place called heaven. He is seated on the throne in heaven."2 Chr 30.27 --- their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. 1 Kings 22:19 --- , Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left." God created man from the dust of the earth. God remembers that he is dust. "Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground,--. Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." God has created everything for His pleasure. "Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." It is also His pleasure to give his kingdom to men and women, who were created by him from the dust of the earth. " Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
B. God Chooses The Godly
"Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:" God wants to bring the deserving men and women to His kingdom to sit on His throne and to rule with Him. God gives commandments to the people, chooses the obedient, purify them without spot or wrinkle, makes them holy and perfect as God is holy and perfect, resurrects that is to raise them with glorious bodies, declare them sons of God ( bride of Christ) as he has declared the Man Jesus as the begotten Son of God. (For details you may click on this topic: "Begotten Sons of God.") God brings them to heaven so that they may live with Him and to rule with Him forever. Heaven is so glorious, even the description of it cannot enter in the minds of the people. 'God the Word' has left such a glorious bliss, left even his status of Power as God, became as a mere man, in order to bring mere men to the status of glory that He had, by raising their status to be joint-heirs with Him. That is, He became poor to make them rich. God offers this status to all men as Salvation. We are asked to count the cost and to accept the offer on our free will. Is it too much to believe? Maybe so. But God is beyond our comprehension. Trust God, and have faith in him. Do you want to partake of it? "Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: ---. 2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
C. Pleasure of God
"Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." This is the ultimate Salvation when we reach Heaven. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are in this great salvation, as the same way they were in the creation. God the Father planned everything. God the Word became a man, Jesus Christ. He died for the sins of the world and became the author of salvation. He forgives the obedient. Jesus Christ preached the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of heaven to the people. "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,-." He called the obedient with the gospel, and lived a sample life so that they may follow. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" God the Holy Spirit guides them, gives them power to follow Jesus, abides with them and raptures them to heaven. "Rom 8:11 --- if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
3. God Created Man
"Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:--- 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." God and man are of the same image, that is God should look like us. But God is a Spirit and we are from the dust of the earth, which is flesh. "John 4:24 God is a Spirit:-- Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground," Spirit and flesh are not of the same image. At our birth, we are born of the flesh and the spiritual birth has to take place later. Most of the people may meet death without even being born again which is born of the spirit. "John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." But everybody is born with a soul which is our person. This person, our soul is made in the image of the Person of God. "Matt 12:18 --- in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, --- Heb 10:38 --- if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." That is, God is a person, a Soul. We are also a person which is our soul. You and me are made in the image of God, because of our souls.
4. God became a Man
God was made flesh, that is, he became a mere man without any power attributes of God. "John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 14 And the Word was made flesh---." When God became flesh, he was called the Son of Man and His name was 'Jesus'. His disciples called him Lord in the sense that He was a 'Guru' who is a 'Dignified Teacher'. "Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS." He lived as a Perfect Man as an example to us so that we may follow his steps in our living. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." He humbled Himself, was obedient to the Father, offered Himself as a sacrifice on the cross as the Lamb of God for the forgiveness of our sins. "Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." He became the author of our salvation, if we obey Him. "Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
5. Man was declared begotten Son of God and God
At the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God made Him Lord in the heavenly sense so that every knee on earth, in hell and in heaven shall bow and confess that He is Lord. "Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." At the resurrection He was declared 'the Begotten Son of God' or in other words, God made Him 'Christ'. "Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." He became 'Lord' and 'Christ'. "Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
'God the Word' is now 'the Lord Jesus Christ'. 'The Lord' refers to his lordship over earth, hell and heaven. 'Jesus' refers to the fact that He became a Man, the son of the Virgin Mary, who was glorified by God at the resurrection. 'Christ' refers to his position as the Begotten Son of God and as God who is raised to the throne of God. He is our 'Lord Jesus Christ'. Now He is a Spirit and He is God even though He was a Man. By the declaration of God He posses all the Omni-Powers of God. He is our God.
6. God's Plan for Man
God as the Father gave His only begotten Son to the people and draws them to His Son. "John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him-" He chooses those who respond to His love with their love and obedience. "Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear ---." God's abiding will give total victory to them over sin and Satan. "1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
God when He became a man and set an example for us to follow. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" He died for the forgiveness of our past sins. "Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Now he is the author of eternal salvation. He saves all those obey Him. The disobedient will be forsaken. "Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
God as the Holy Spirit guides and gives power to follow Jesus Christ. He abides with them and raptures them to heaven. "Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
This God became a mere man in order to make mere men to become like Him and to make him a part of Him eternally. True Christians will purify themselves as Jesus Christ is pure, so that they could become a part of God. "1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
7. Conclusion
The true God, who is the creator of everything that is created, lives in the glorious place called heaven. "2 Chr 30:27 their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." The description of heaven cannot even enter in the minds of people. His ultimate purpose of his creation is to choose a group of obedient people to live with him, to enjoy his glory forever. "Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways:" God became a man and preached the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of heaven. "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Those who loved God and believed the gospel followed his steps in obedience. "1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:---" These are the chosen of God to inherit his kingdom. They will become joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
God lives in heaven of which the description of its glory cannot even enter in the minds if the people. God wants to choose a group of obedient people, make them righteous and holy so that they can live with him forever. They will inherit the kingdom of God. "Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
1. Who is Man?
A. Man has a Body
The tangible part of us is our body, because we see and feel the body. God created the body from the dust of the earth and it will return to the dust. " Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, Eccl 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." The body is flesh and it has life. When the life ends that is the end of the body and we are dead. But our soul continues to live and will never die. At the resurrection, the image of the body will be raised and joined with the soul.
B. Man is a Soul
The true person of the human being is soul. In other words, soul is living inside the house, which is the body. "Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." The soul is created at our conception but it never dies. At the death of the body, the soul who is the person of the body, will either be sent to heaven or hell. "Matt 25:34 --- Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 41 --- Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
Even though the soul is a spirit in nature, one soul and one body is permanently joined at the conception. When the body dies, the soul leaves. Soul, being the person, bears the character. Soul is responsible for our deeds. The deeds of other living beings are controlled by their instincts since they do not have souls.
C. Receives Spirit of Man
The first man was created from the dust of the earth. He has a soul at creation. When God gave him the spirit by breathing into him, he (his soul) became living soul. "Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." At the genuine repentance of a person, God forgives him and gives the spirit of man to him for his spiritual life. Then he becomes born again (living soul). "1 Cor 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." At this point this person begins to understand the things pertained to the kingdom of heaven. "Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." The spirit is the light of life. "John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." If he reverence the spiritual life, the spirit remains with him until his physical death. At his death his spirit goes to God. "Eccl 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
The first man became a living soul. He was told that he will die in the day he eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. That is, his living soul will become a dead soul. That is, the spirit of man which God gave will leave him at that point. "Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." If a person backslides and rebel against God, at a certain point God will take the spirit away from him. "Psalms 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Even though this person continues to live, he lives as a spiritually dead person as Adam and Eve were dead at the Garden of Eden when they ate the forbidden fruit and continued to live in the body.
2. Prospects of Man
A. The dust of the earth
The true God, who created everything that is created, lives in the glorious place called heaven. He is seated on the throne in heaven."2 Chr 30.27 --- their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. 1 Kings 22:19 --- , Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left." God created man from the dust of the earth. God remembers that he is dust. "Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground,--. Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." God has created everything for His pleasure. "Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." It is also His pleasure to give his kingdom to men and women, who were created by him from the dust of the earth. " Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
B. God Chooses The Godly
"Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:" God wants to bring the deserving men and women to His kingdom to sit on His throne and to rule with Him. God gives commandments to the people, chooses the obedient, purify them without spot or wrinkle, makes them holy and perfect as God is holy and perfect, resurrects that is to raise them with glorious bodies, declare them sons of God ( bride of Christ) as he has declared the Man Jesus as the begotten Son of God. (For details you may click on this topic: "Begotten Sons of God.") God brings them to heaven so that they may live with Him and to rule with Him forever. Heaven is so glorious, even the description of it cannot enter in the minds of the people. 'God the Word' has left such a glorious bliss, left even his status of Power as God, became as a mere man, in order to bring mere men to the status of glory that He had, by raising their status to be joint-heirs with Him. That is, He became poor to make them rich. God offers this status to all men as Salvation. We are asked to count the cost and to accept the offer on our free will. Is it too much to believe? Maybe so. But God is beyond our comprehension. Trust God, and have faith in him. Do you want to partake of it? "Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: ---. 2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
C. Pleasure of God
"Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." This is the ultimate Salvation when we reach Heaven. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are in this great salvation, as the same way they were in the creation. God the Father planned everything. God the Word became a man, Jesus Christ. He died for the sins of the world and became the author of salvation. He forgives the obedient. Jesus Christ preached the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of heaven to the people. "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,-." He called the obedient with the gospel, and lived a sample life so that they may follow. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" God the Holy Spirit guides them, gives them power to follow Jesus, abides with them and raptures them to heaven. "Rom 8:11 --- if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
3. God Created Man
"Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:--- 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." God and man are of the same image, that is God should look like us. But God is a Spirit and we are from the dust of the earth, which is flesh. "John 4:24 God is a Spirit:-- Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground," Spirit and flesh are not of the same image. At our birth, we are born of the flesh and the spiritual birth has to take place later. Most of the people may meet death without even being born again which is born of the spirit. "John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." But everybody is born with a soul which is our person. This person, our soul is made in the image of the Person of God. "Matt 12:18 --- in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, --- Heb 10:38 --- if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." That is, God is a person, a Soul. We are also a person which is our soul. You and me are made in the image of God, because of our souls.
4. God became a Man
God was made flesh, that is, he became a mere man without any power attributes of God. "John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 14 And the Word was made flesh---." When God became flesh, he was called the Son of Man and His name was 'Jesus'. His disciples called him Lord in the sense that He was a 'Guru' who is a 'Dignified Teacher'. "Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS." He lived as a Perfect Man as an example to us so that we may follow his steps in our living. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." He humbled Himself, was obedient to the Father, offered Himself as a sacrifice on the cross as the Lamb of God for the forgiveness of our sins. "Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." He became the author of our salvation, if we obey Him. "Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
5. Man was declared begotten Son of God and God
At the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God made Him Lord in the heavenly sense so that every knee on earth, in hell and in heaven shall bow and confess that He is Lord. "Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." At the resurrection He was declared 'the Begotten Son of God' or in other words, God made Him 'Christ'. "Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." He became 'Lord' and 'Christ'. "Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
'God the Word' is now 'the Lord Jesus Christ'. 'The Lord' refers to his lordship over earth, hell and heaven. 'Jesus' refers to the fact that He became a Man, the son of the Virgin Mary, who was glorified by God at the resurrection. 'Christ' refers to his position as the Begotten Son of God and as God who is raised to the throne of God. He is our 'Lord Jesus Christ'. Now He is a Spirit and He is God even though He was a Man. By the declaration of God He posses all the Omni-Powers of God. He is our God.
6. God's Plan for Man
God as the Father gave His only begotten Son to the people and draws them to His Son. "John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him-" He chooses those who respond to His love with their love and obedience. "Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear ---." God's abiding will give total victory to them over sin and Satan. "1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
God when He became a man and set an example for us to follow. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" He died for the forgiveness of our past sins. "Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Now he is the author of eternal salvation. He saves all those obey Him. The disobedient will be forsaken. "Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
God as the Holy Spirit guides and gives power to follow Jesus Christ. He abides with them and raptures them to heaven. "Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
This God became a mere man in order to make mere men to become like Him and to make him a part of Him eternally. True Christians will purify themselves as Jesus Christ is pure, so that they could become a part of God. "1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
7. Conclusion
The true God, who is the creator of everything that is created, lives in the glorious place called heaven. "2 Chr 30:27 their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." The description of heaven cannot even enter in the minds of people. His ultimate purpose of his creation is to choose a group of obedient people to live with him, to enjoy his glory forever. "Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways:" God became a man and preached the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of heaven. "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Those who loved God and believed the gospel followed his steps in obedience. "1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:---" These are the chosen of God to inherit his kingdom. They will become joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
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