John 1:14 tells us that the Word became flesh and 'tabernacled' among us, and

Colossians 2:9 reveals that in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead

Although Exodus 33:18 -23 makes it clear that Moses could not see the

face of God and live, the same chapter tells us, 'And the Lord spake unto

Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend' (Exod. 33:11).  For a

fuller examination of the teaching involved, and the apparent contradiction

that appears on the surface, see Face, p. 194.

We pass on, therefore, to other aspects of the subject, and turn to

Genesis 1 where Adam is said to be made 'in the image' and 'after the

likeness' of God (Gen. 1:26).  The Companion Bible says that this is the

figure of hendiadys -- one thing not two -- 'in the likeness of our image'.

We learn later that Christ is the 'Image of the invisible God', consequently

Adam was made 'after the likeness' of the Saviour.  This is more fully seen

when we remember that the word 'likeness' translates the Hebrew demuth from

which the very name Adam is derived; as Romans 5:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:45 -

49 reveal, Adam was a 'figure of Him that was to come'.  The making

of Adam in the image and after the likeness of his Maker, not only faintly

foreshadowed the coming Saviour, but also the coming Glory.  The earthly

image must one day be exchanged for the heavenly (1 Cor. 15:49), and this

will be only fully realized in resurrection glory.  Colossians 3:10, however,

shows that even now the believer puts on the new man 'which is renewed in

knowledge after the image of Him that created him'.

The structure of Colossians 1:15 -19, shows that two creations are

before us: first, the original creation in which Christ is pre -eminent as

the Image of the Invisible God, and then the new spiritual creation in which

Christ is pre -eminent as the Head of the Body, and the One in Whom all the

fulness dwells.  This new and spiritual creation is considered more fully in

the corresponding section, Colossians 3:5 -15.  Let us observe the

relationship between these two parts:

G 1:15,16.  The Creator.  The Image.

H 1:20.

Reconciliation of heaven and earth.

I 1:17,18.  Christ pre -eminent

all in Him.

J 1:20.

Peace and forgiveness of sins.

K  1:22.

Holy, blameless, unreproveable.

G

3:10. Created after Image.

H

3:11. Reconciliation of Jew and Greek.

I

3:11. Christ is all, and in all.

J

3:13,15.  Peace

forgive quarrel.

K

3:9,12.  Put off

put on

holy and beloved.

It is evident that there is an intentional parallel here, and we must

not attempt an exposition of Colossians 1:15 -25 without noting the words

which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The subject is so vast that one falters at the threshold.  Who can hope to

handle aright such truth as is involved in the doctrine of the invisible God,

and of Christ His Image?  The mighty sweep of creation here unfolded almost

leaves the mind stunned; and even more wonderful is the transition from the

Headship of creation to the Headship of the Church.  That God should create