Let us not lose sight of God's Purpose

[Zao is life]

God's Purpose & the Kingdom of Christ
Let us not lose sight of God's purpose​

The world, current events, every day life distracts us from God's purpose. Even Christian theology & eschatology can distract us from God's purpose (and to an extent they do, in the case of many believers).

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Genesis 1:26 God's purpose
"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 heavens, and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth.”

Psalm 8:3-9
"When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have established;
what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet:
all sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field;
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, and all that pass through the paths of the seas.
O Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 2:7-8 is based on God's purpose.
“I will declare the decree of the LORD. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession.” (Psalm 2:7-8).

"My kingdom is not of this world [kósmos]. If my kingdom were of this world, then My servants would fight so that I might not be delivered to the Jews.

But of this present time [nŷn] My kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36).

Hebrews 2:8-9
"'You have subjected all things under his feet.' For in order that He put all things under him, He did not leave anything not subjected.
But of this present time [nŷn] we do not yet see all things having been put under him.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every son."

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
20 But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruit of those who slept.
21 For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming.

"And being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered and said,

“The kingdom of God does not come with observation. Nor shall they say, Lo here! or, behold, there!
For behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21).

"At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 14:20).

"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:21-23)

"..But of this present time [nŷn] My kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36).

".. But of this present time [nŷn] we do not yet see all things having been put under him." (Hebrews 2:28b).

Revelation 11
15 And the seventh angel sounded his trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world [kósmos] have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he will reign for ever and ever.

1 Corinthians 15
25 For it is right [δεῖ deî: fitting, ought] for Him to reign until He has put all the enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy made to cease is death.

1 Corinthians 15
24 Then is the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He makes to cease all (human) rule and authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15
27 For He put all things under His feet (but when He says that all things have been put under His feet, it is plain that it excepts Him who has put all things under Him).
28 But when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subject to Him who has subjected things to Him, so that God may be all things in all."

Psalm 2:7-9
"I will declare the decree of the LORD. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession. You shall break [râ‛a‛] them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

Revelation 2:26-28
"And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations. And he will shepherd [poimaínō] them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will be broken to pieces, even as I received from My Father. And I will give him the Morning Star."

Revelation 12:5
"And she bore a son, a male, who is going to shepherd [poimaínō] all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne."

Revelation 19:5
"And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, so that with it He should strike the nations. And He will shepherd [poimaínō] them with a rod of iron. And He treads the winepress of the wine of the anger and of the wrath of Almighty God."

2 Peter 3
1 Beloved, I now write this second letter to you, in which I stir up your pure mind to remember
2 the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by us, the apostles.
3 First, knowing this, that there will come in the last days scoffers walking according to their own lusts
4 and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
5 For this is hidden from them by their willing it, that the heavens were of old, and the earth out of the water, and through water, being held together by the word of God,
6 through which the world that then was, being flooded by water, perished.

7 But the present heavens and the earth being kept in store by the same word, are being kept for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, let not this one thing be hidden from you, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any of us should perish, but that all of us should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up.
11 Then, all these things being about to be dissolved, what sort ought you to be in holy behavior and godliness,
12 looking for and rushing the coming of the Day of God, on account of which the heavens, being on fire, will melt away, and the elements will melt, burning with heat?

13 But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, be diligent, spotless, and without blemish, to be found by Him in peace.

"..But of this present time [nŷn] My kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36).

".. But of this present time [nŷn] we do not yet see all things having been put under him." (Hebrews 2:28b).

"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven." (Matthew 7:21).

"First, knowing this, that there will come in the last days scoffers walking according to their own lusts and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 2:3-4).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

There is dispute among Christians as to how long it will be after the kingdoms of this world [kósmos] have become the kingdoms of our LORD and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15) that Jesus will deliver the Kingdom back to God the Father, bringing an end to all (human) rule and authority and power.

There is also dispute as to whether or not the kingdoms of this world have already become the kingdoms of Christ,

but one thing is certain:

God created Adam (man) for a purpose which was fully achieved before the fall of Adam, but Adam fell into sin and death.

In Christ, the Son of God, the last Adam and the Son of man, God's purpose is achieved.

Let us not lose sight of God's purpose. Otherwise we may be tempted to believe all human experience is vanity and meaningless. Also, we want to be on God's side, agreeing with His purpose.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

 

[com7fy8]

You clearly say not to lose sight of God's purpose.

But it looks like you have not said what this purpose is.

What is God's purpose that we need to keep sight of?

 

[keras]

Our main purpose is to be the Judges and Witnesses at the final trial of Satan. Rev 20:10
We, the faithful, righteous Christian peoples, will be seated on thrones, Revelation 20:4a, to Judge and to be the impartial witnesses to God's just sentence of annihilation for Satan and all the wicked people and angels.

 

[Zao is life]

You clearly say not to lose sight of God's purpose.

But it looks like you have not said what this purpose is.

What is God's purpose that we need to keep sight of?

God Himself gave His purpose in Genesis 1:26 and Psalm 8:3-9.

You missed it, but I did put it into my post.

Psalm 2:7-8 are based on God's purpose.

Genesis 1:26

"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after our likeness.
And let them have dominion ..

 

[Zao is life]

Note: It is enough, and should cause us to praise God in gratitude, that He made us in His image, after His likeness, and gave us dominion under God over the earth.

Desiring anything more than the above, or ascribing any purpose other than what is written in Genesis 1:26, is the same as believing this, and acting upon it:

Genesis 3:4-5
4 And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,
5 for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

 

[com7fy8]

What is God's purpose that we need to keep sight of?

to be the Judges and Witnesses at the final trial of Satan. Rev 20:10

Thank you; I did not think of this.

Genesis 1:26

"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after our likeness.
And let them have dominion ..

Yes, you did say this; thank you

But of this present time [nŷn] My kingdom is not from here." (John 18:36).

So, if Jesus Christ's kingdom is not of this world, do you think dominion over animals now is His main purpose? And does in His image mean how humans on this earth are now?

I think of Romans 8:29 >

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

From this, I would say God's main and eternal purpose is for eternity . . . including after this world is gone - - - when our Father will have His children changed into the image of Jesus. And this seems to be the main focus of the ministry of our Apostle Paul >

"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28)

 

[Zao is life]

Thank you; I did not think of this.

Yes, you did say this; thank you
So, if Jesus Christ's kingdom is not of this world, do you think dominion over animals now is His main purpose? And does in His image mean how humans on this earth are now?

I think of Romans 8:29 >

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

From this, I would say God's main and eternal purpose is for eternity . . . including after this world is gone - - - when our Father will have His children changed into the image of Jesus. And this seems to be the main focus of the ministry of our Apostle Paul >

"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28)

Your strange questions regarding the animals etc make it seem that you are confusing Christ's Kingdom in the world as the Son of man and the last Adam with His rule over all the universe as the Son of God from His throne in heaven.

I don't go beyond what is written, although by your strange questioning you seem to be wanting me to go beyond what is written.

Christ's Kingdom is quite obviously in the world to the extent that He rules in the hearts and minds of those who believe in Him and submit to His authority. That is what He implied when He told the Pharisee that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, and also @com7fy8 when He said He will be in those who believe in Him, and they in Him.

It is written that Christ Himself said His Kingdom is not of this present time of this world (kosmos).

So You will have to take your (rather strange) question regarding the animals etc to Christ, and in regard to the Kingdom of Christ, you will have to take your questions also to Christ Himself (because it is written, and it is written because Christ said it).

THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

It is written that Christ, the last Adam, is the uncorrupted image of God (just as it is implied in Genesis that Adam was when he was created, but before the fall).

But it is also made clear in the Bible that since the fall of Adam every human except Christ is not (no longer) the uncorrupted image of God. But those who are Christ's will be changed into Christ's image, who is the image of God .

@com7fy8 I won't be answering any more of your questions in this regard or in regard to my OP. It seems you want to change the exhortation into something it does not mean.

What I said in my OP is plain enough for a child to understand.

And I don't say the above to be rude. But I have detected a less than honest motive behind your questions.

 

[Zao is life]

Saints take note: It is enough, and should cause us to praise God in gratitude, that He made us in His image, after His likeness, and gave us dominion under God over the earth.

Desiring anything more than the above, or ascribing any purpose other than what is written in Genesis 1:26, is the same as believing this, and acting upon it:

Genesis 3:4-5
4 And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,
5 for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

 

[com7fy8]

I don't go beyond what is written, although by your strange questioning you seem to be wanting me to go beyond what is written.

I am asking how you understand what is written here >

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

I understand this shows that our Heavenly Father's main purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus. And Colossians 1:28-29 to me shows how this purpose is the main focus of our Apostle Paul's ministry. This is greater and better than simply ruling creatures on this planet. So, I would offer that ministering for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus is the purpose to keep in our attention.

And Jesus started His Sermon on the Mount with how to be. Conforming to Jesus is not only about dominion, but how to become in our character >

"poor in spirit"

"meek"

"merciful"

"pure in heart"

So, what I mean by my questions is if this is what you mean.

 

[Zao is life]

Saints take note: Satan's earliest trick is to get men and women believing that though God said it, He never meant it:

Genesis 3:4-5
4 And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,
5 for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

But that's his second attempt. His first attempt is to question whether God had even said what God said:

Genesis 3
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Is it so that God has said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

 

[Zao is life]

The purpose of the OP in this thread is not to attack or accuse or malign anyone.

If you post anything or make any contribution (which you are welcome to) then please ensure that the purpose of anything you post is not to attack or to accuse or to malign anyone, either subtly, or directly, OR to change the meaning of anything that is written regarding what God said, what Christ said, and what the apostles said.

 

[Zao is life]

I am asking how you understand what is written here >

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

I understand this shows that our Heavenly Father's main purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus. And Colossians 1:28-29 to me shows how this purpose is the main focus of our Apostle Paul's ministry. This is greater and better than simply ruling creatures on this planet. So, I would offer that ministering for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus is the purpose to keep in our attention.

And Jesus started His Sermon on the Mount with how to be. Conforming to Jesus is not only about dominion, but how to become in our character >

"poor in spirit"



"meek"

"merciful"

"pure in heart"

So, what I mean by my questions is if this is what you mean.

Answered already in posts # 7, 10, and 11.

It is written in Genesis 1:26 what God's purpose is. It is also written that Christ, the last Adam, is the express image of God, just as Adam was at the time Genesis 1:26 came into being. It is also implied very, very strongly in the New Testament that God's purpose is fulfilled in and by Christ. It is also written that it is God's will that fallen Adam (mankind) be conformed to Christ's image, who is the image of God.

And as we know, one thing that is not an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, is to argue against what is written, and I'm sure you'd agree that another that is not an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is to falsely accuse or malign others, either subtly or directly.

So we are in agreement as to God's will that we be conformed to the image of Christ.

But I'm not prepared to debate about God's purpose for creating Adam with those who do not believe what is written, and what is written starts in Genesis 3:26.

 

[com7fy8]

And He also said >

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

In keeping with this purpose, I think of Philippians 2:13-16, which includes >

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation," > this is in Philippians 2:13-16.

And James says >

"let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" > in James 1:19-20.

By stopping whatever in us can get us arguing and complaining, this can help us to become conformed to how Jesus is, I would say. Plus, as we become "slow to wrath", and gentle and humble, instead, this also helps.

And I think of this >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

So, I see how these scriptures of Paul and James are related to staying attentive to God's purpose > "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (in Romans 8:29)

 

[Zao is life]

And He also said >

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

In keeping with this purpose, I think of Philippians 2:13-16, which includes >

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation," > this is in Philippians 2:13-16.

And James says >

"let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" > in James 1:19-20.

By stopping whatever in us can get us arguing and complaining, this can help us to become conformed to how Jesus is, I would say. Plus, as we become "slow to wrath", and gentle and humble, instead, this also helps.

And I think of this >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

So, I see how these scriptures of Paul and James are related to staying attentive to God's purpose > "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (in Romans 8:29)

Even though the above is all true, it would not even be necessary for any one of us to be told the above were it not the fact that God's purpose for creating Adam, who was created in the image and likeness of God, was not temporarily thwarted by Adam's fall into sin, until Christ came and died for our sins, and rose again from the dead.

@com7fy8 Where is the very first time in the Bible that we read the words,

"And let them have dominion"?

We cannot take away from the Word of God. God's purpose in creating man was not to give man His image, His purpose in creating man in His image was to let them have dominion over His creation (Genesis 1:26).

We lost it. But now it's in the hands of Christ, the last Adam, who calls all those who are on His side, His brothers and sisters.

You are 100% correct that is is God's will that we be conformed to the image of His Son, but you have confused God's purpose in creating man with God's will that we be conformed to the image of His Son.

 

[Zao is life]

Where is the very first time in the Bible that we read the words,

"And let them have dominion"?

We cannot take away from the Word of God. God's purpose in creating man was not to give man His image, His purpose in creating man in His image was to let them have dominion over His creation (Genesis 1:26).

We lost it. But now it's in the hands of Christ, the last Adam, who calls all those who are on His side, His brothers and sisters.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Our main purpose is to be the Judges and Witnesses at the final trial of Satan. Rev 20:10
We, the faithful, righteous Christian peoples, will be seated on thrones, Revelation 20:4a, to Judge and to be the impartial witnesses to God's just sentence of annihilation for Satan and all the wicked people and angels.

Annihilation? How do you get that from what it says here:

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

It very clearly describes eternal torment, not annihilation.

 

[keras]

Annihilation? How do you get that from what it says here:

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

It very clearly describes eternal torment, not annihilation.

Of course you would object, esp to Keraz!

Many scholars have looked at this verse and the conclusion of most is that it does not mean endless torment.
What it does mean is the wicked will be separated from God for Eternity.
It will be 'as if they never were'.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Of course you would object, esp to Keraz!

I have always objected to that false doctrine. You think too highly of yourself if you think I'm objecting to it just because you believe in it. It's just one of many false beliefs that you have. It's not surprising.

Many Hebrew scholars have looked at this verse and the conclusion of most is that it does not mean endless torment.
What it does mean is the wicked will be separated from God for Eternity.
It will be 'as if they never were'.

LOL. The verse was written in Greek, not Hebrew. I guess you don't think much of any of the Greek scholars who interpreted that verse into English and described it as eternal torment rather than annihilation.

 

[keras]

God’s glory shared with humanity:
If the God of the Christian faith is true, it means that there is not a random process behind the order and beauty of the universe. It means, that at the highest level there is not indifference to the human condition. There is actually the intelligent mind of a Creator, who is the source of all life and cares for what He has made. In His Word, given to us, we are told that we are made in His image and each human has a special destiny. We are the creations of God, but through choosing to live independently, in self sufficiently and rebellion against Him, we are separated from His ultimate plan for humankind.
Thank God, because He is a God of mercy, He has opened a door to forgiveness and reconciliation and a renewal of life through the life and death of Jesus, the Messiah. This means that we can, in spite of living in a fallen world, still reflect something of God’s character.

This is true human greatness, or heroism. One does not need to be a Mother Teresa or an evangelist. Heroism is compatible with an ordinary life, lived well. If the Creator Himself is mindful of us, then our goal is that He will eventually say of our life- “Well done, you good and faithful servant”. The meaning of life is found in our relationship to this omnipotent God.

Psalms 8:5-6 Yet, You have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of Your hands, you have put all things under their feet.

The idea of dominion implies a free agency to mankind. That is, we are actors, not robots in this cosmic production. The mindfulness of a personal and absolute God and the task of dominion is the starting point for our heroism.
As we look at this task, we are brought back to its core, which is imaging the character of God. We must reflect the values of our Creator, having been made ‘a little lower than Him’. Jesus Christ was the perfect example for us, so that we can learn what glory and honor means in our world. The virtues that He displayed are good for us, as they reflect the character of the God who created us to do them.

Sin is not only violating moral rules. It is described by Paul- Rom 3:23; as falling short of the glory of God.
For example, Ahab was King in Israel and to satisfy his greed and his wife, he murdered one of his subjects and took over his land. Elijah met him there and told him; You have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. He had broken God’s laws, and in so doing, he violated the character and glory of God, by making himself into a misshapen image of his Creator. Therefore he had ‘sold himself’.

The Bible is largely a story of God dealing with the human race. The story takes us from Creation and Fall, through the dramas of Israel, to the incarnation of Christ- His life, death and resurrection. God’s Spirit came to build the Church and spread the Gospel of the redemption of His people. Eventually, Christ will Return, this time as a King.

We are part of that story. By the way we live, we can help or hinder the work of bringing the world back to that righteous state that God intended.

Each person has the opportunity to play a unique part in this cosmic drama, and it is written that we “shall stand before Him in Judgment"
To survive that examination, to please our Creator, that is true heroism and glory. Ref: True Heroism, by D. Keyes