Who says?
God says!
Why is this important to believe?
Because when we ascribe to the Truth as Scripture says, we also ascribe the attributes of God to man "who was made in His image and likeness" therefor man has God's Divine nature as a guideline of success to measure up to. With His Love, Holiness, Unchanging Word, promises, watch care, His immutable Truth and power raising the bar for the "quality of character" His Masterful creation man was meant to be.
Not believing Scripture but believing in the knowledge of man (science) we have the warning in 1 Timothy 6:19-21: "19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
It is clear in 1 Timothy 6:19-21 that the main instruction is in order to have a good foundation for eternal life one must trust Scripture which was committed to him, avoid profane and vain debates, and science when it opposes the Truth. Science always debases when it challenges the Word of God. In fact I would go as far to say that in every area that science is applied to our lives on earth we suffer and the knowledge of God is corrupted.
It becomes clear that when science prevails to intersect with the lives of man it replaces the need for God on every level and disseminates His promises as not needed or fables. By doing so it also takes the challenge to "know Him", "seek Him", and honor Him so He will meet our needs with His divine power and uplifted arm, away. So healing, miraculous signs and wonders, and all Divine intervention fails for lack of faith trusting science (mans answers). This is why Divine Revelation is needed in the individual life of Christians. If we fail to study the Scriptures in Spirit and Truth we can easily fall prey to the teachings of men, who rely on carnal logic, using secular humanism as a guide and a sinful heart to wrest the Holy Word of God. They, without understanding, pass on a teachings which kill faith and deny the power of God to manifest itself thereby denying the followers of Christ hope of Divine intervention.
Creation was always and forever meant by God to "prove His existence" with mind boggling amazement and heart felt admiration (worship) to "all" mankind, forever. It was never meant to be picked apart to see if what Scripture says can be true (Scripture is truth), or to eliminate the blessing of the deep things of God. Man is natural and God is Divine. This relationship exists to set God above and us below, God provider, man blessed receiver. Don't be fooled though, God was well aware of the wickedness of the heart of man when He was in heaven before the creation, and knew that man would "stray" from His care and replace His Glory with the carnal practice we call science.
In what wise does this have to do with today's practices of Man being lumped into the same group of animals? Well lets see what we can surmise from Scripture.
God used 6 days to create all that we see today as the universe including all existing things.
He used each day to separate each part of His creation and make them stand out individually.
1st. Night and Day,
2nd. Separated firmament water and sky,
3rd. Dry land earth and water seas with grass, herbs and fruit trees "bearing seeds after their own kind who's seeds were in themselves after their own kind.
4th. Two great lights in the firmament, one to rule by day and one to rule by night.
5th. He filled the waters with great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind.
6th And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Here is where the separation of man and animals takes place on the 6th day. He ends one with the words that He used at the end of each day "and God saw that it was good" and then goes into creating a whole new creation: Man.
All the creeping creatures, cattle, and beast of the earth were "after their kind" meaning common, creeping about the earth, no ability to advance or change, they were after their kind "not in the image and likeness of God. In their own image and kind.
Then God created man with a whole different advantage. He created he them after His image and likeness, the first part of creation that took on the "in our own image and likeness (Gods) to make us separate from all of the rest of creation which was "NOT in the image and likeness of God". Here is the account:
26 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 air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, "it was very good". And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Note that on the day He created man He gave man "dominion" over all creatures land, air, and sea but also gave man the herbs and plants for food. At that point He looked and saw that it was "very good". Not just good, but very good.
Some might argue that both creeping creatures and man were created on the same day so they are the same. This is man's wisdom. There is a clear and distinct ending of the creation of that which fills the earth and air, and that which was created in His image and likeness.
The big difference between the creatures of creation and man is what their design purpose is. The animals were to be under the provisional care of man and man under the provisional care of God. Creatures were to serve man, man was to serve God. Creatures are "after their kind" and man is in the image and likeness of God. While animals produce their own kind man produces the image and likeness of God.
Again animals being after their own kind cannot reproduce "moral character", righteousness, or holiness, because they are after their own kind a creation of God. While man is commanded to produce these qualities as a duty in representing the One who created man in His image and likeness. The creation is not without signification in that according to Scripture it's very existence is proof that God exists to man who is created in His image and likeness. So as man is set over creation so creation reminds man that only God could create this and causes us to be in awe of our Creator.
Another condition of animals is that they cannot be saved, or need to be saved, because they have no immortal soul and will not live through out eternity. Their soul purpose on earth is to be under the "dominion" of man. Man on the other hand is the most intricate part of creation being that we (before creation took place) were provided a Savior because God wanted man to be a part of His heaven for eternity with Him. Man is the only "redeemable" part of creation. Most of the rest of creation will be purged with fire and destroyed in the "end times" then renewed as Christ rules over the earth for 1000 yrs.
Here are some important facts:
Man is the only one in creation that is in the image and likeness of God.
Animals (not man) are under the dominion of man. Man is under the dominion of God.
Man has a "moral obligation" to represent his Creator: God. Animals roam the earth, sky and seas reproducing "their own kind", and, though created by God, they are not in God's image and likeness.
Man is commanded by God to worship God and have an intimate relationship with Him. Animals are not.
Man produces seed that is "in the image and likeness of God", animals reproduce after their own kind.
All of creation exits for the sole purpose of God showing His Love to man and for the angels to observe.
God is the creator and man is the center and high achievement of His creation.
Scripture is only directed toward the relationship of God to man and man to God.
Aside from care and sacrifice there isn't a whole lot said about animals.
I have used the phrase "in the image and likeness of God" maybe too abundantly but we have to believe that it has significant meaning in the separation of man and animals. Also consider the importance of man only being called man and all other animals are called creatures. Again, who they represent is the difference.
One point to make about animals is that God has used and will use them in the future for His purpose. Jonah and the big fish, Baal am and the donkey are a few examples.
Another point to make is that the only link that man can make for an argument is to use science and compare body similarities to conclude that man is an animal. The same sciences that try to disprove that God's creation is miraculous and that it is just "nature" evolving to make us who we are.
A note to make here is that nothing has changed or evolved with man since the creation. God didn't make a mistake that had to be changed by nature at any point or by evolution. I might add neither did any of the animals evolve since He created them. Christians must take a stand on these issues because they make God look like He has made mistakes at the fundamental base of creation and has through evolution been fixing them ever since.
When will Christians look at creation as an unexplained miracle that if believed by faith will unleash incredible clarity with other Scriptures and raise the expectation of what is to be received from our Creator. All things in Scripture are received by faith because "everything not of faith is sin" and "only be faith can we please God."
"We shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free." Gods word is Truth. Period! No if and's or buts about it. "Let God be True and every man a Liar." Period. Because of lack of revelation in many areas what I might speak it could be a lie because I am a man. Remember that only God's Word is True and we all are liars in some area's of our speaking. If we stray from the Word of God we are either adding or detracting from it and our punishment is deserving. If that be the case then why should we try to prove God's existence with science? Do we have to have more than faith and the Word to acknowledge that God exists and has shown forth many wondrous works?
What can the mind of man add to the knowledge of God? The carnal mind cannot fathom the wisdom of God that He has hid in His creation for it is not a "spiritual mind or the mind of Christ" it is man's mind and the mind of God is Spirit.
Point of error: when the mind of man "wonders from the things of God" (as revealed in His word).
God has shown us in His Word that what is most important from God is His plan of salvation, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the anointing to Glorify Him. Right? Does he put any emphasis on much more than that? Is this what really counts to those that say they know Him? So if the eternal soul of man HAS to know this and the lack of this knowledge send souls to an eternal damnation, what could reign supreme over this. Following that we are to Love others as ourselves. To Love others honors all the commandments after the first and greatest commandment, to "Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, and strength." The Love of others is satisfied by religious "actions" which is to care for those in need. Food, water, clothing, shelter and the ability to have a working skill so they can be able to care for themselves and others like wise.
Remember that we honor God by faith and prove that Love by action or religious works following the commands in Scripture.
Whats my point?
Here is one example:
We (man) over the decades have spent countless billions in dollars here on this earth trying to open up the universe and all it's secrets (that God established in creation). And what has it gained us in a practical sense? Absolutely nothing that really matters or that can be used to help our fellow man with the basic necessities of life. Science once again robs the poor of help in order to enlighten the mind to produce nothing but the "pride of accomplishment". I can guarantee that if man had put this much effort into "seeking God's face", he not only would of been given the secrets of the universe with no effort but he would of accomplished the helping of his fellow man who was in need.
Another point:
God has clearly set in His word from the beginning that He was to be our provision and that means in everything. Healing was one of those provisions. On any given day on tv you can watch countless adds of medications that mask the symptom of a health problem, (to make you feel that it doesn't exist), followed by a list of severe risks that comes with (not the healing of the infirmity) the masking of the symptoms. Many more life threatening than the actual problem. God's healing has never had any negative side effects and the problem is not masked it is healed, and you are delivered of the infirmity. Here is the example of mans wisdom helping man when it is a lie, and many times fatally erroneous at the cost of millions of dollars in research which is rendered of none effect. If all the money spent on these "masking" treatments were spent on aiding the needy (the truly needy) we could of wiped out all need in the whole world and those that relied on God for their health would of experienced the same as the Hebrews leaving Egypt without one sick or feeble. Old age would of not been a factor in the ill health of life. We would of been "productive" until God would call us home, us having finished His work and gladly "entered in."
Use your own understanding to apply the above to other areas of science. God's Word and way will win out every time in favor of man and not vain imaginations.
This whole scenario and it's costly repercussions all has it's roots in the question: Is man just another animal?
The answer by faith is NO! We are in the image and likeness of God the creator of the universe.
His wisdom is made sure.
"Let God be true and every man a liar."
Love
J&E in Tn
"We shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free." Gods word is Truth. Period! No if and's or buts about it. "Let God be True and every man a Liar." Period. Because of lack of revelation in many areas what I might speak it could be a lie because I am a man. Remember that only God's Word is True and we all are liars in some area's of our speaking. If we stray from the Word of God we are either adding or detracting from it and our punishment is deserving. If that be the case then why should we try to prove God's existence with science? Do we have to have more than faith and the Word to acknowledge that God exists and has shown forth many wondrous works?
What can the mind of man add to the knowledge of God? The carnal mind cannot fathom the wisdom of God that He has hid in His creation for it is not a "spiritual mind or the mind of Christ" it is man's mind and the mind of God is Spirit.
Point of error: when the mind of man "wonders from the things of God" (as revealed in His word).
God has shown us in His Word that what is most important from God is His plan of salvation, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the anointing to Glorify Him. Right? Does he put any emphasis on much more than that? Is this what really counts to those that say they know Him? So if the eternal soul of man HAS to know this and the lack of this knowledge send souls to an eternal damnation, what could reign supreme over this. Following that we are to Love others as ourselves. To Love others honors all the commandments after the first and greatest commandment, to "Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, and strength." The Love of others is satisfied by religious "actions" which is to care for those in need. Food, water, clothing, shelter and the ability to have a working skill so they can be able to care for themselves and others like wise.
Remember that we honor God by faith and prove that Love by action or religious works following the commands in Scripture.
Whats my point?
Here is one example:
We (man) over the decades have spent countless billions in dollars here on this earth trying to open up the universe and all it's secrets (that God established in creation). And what has it gained us in a practical sense? Absolutely nothing that really matters or that can be used to help our fellow man with the basic necessities of life. Science once again robs the poor of help in order to enlighten the mind to produce nothing but the "pride of accomplishment". I can guarantee that if man had put this much effort into "seeking God's face", he not only would of been given the secrets of the universe with no effort but he would of accomplished the helping of his fellow man who was in need.
Another point:
God has clearly set in His word from the beginning that He was to be our provision and that means in everything. Healing was one of those provisions. On any given day on tv you can watch countless adds of medications that mask the symptom of a health problem, (to make you feel that it doesn't exist), followed by a list of severe risks that comes with (not the healing of the infirmity) the masking of the symptoms. Many more life threatening than the actual problem. God's healing has never had any negative side effects and the problem is not masked it is healed, and you are delivered of the infirmity. Here is the example of mans wisdom helping man when it is a lie, and many times fatally erroneous at the cost of millions of dollars in research which is rendered of none effect. If all the money spent on these "masking" treatments were spent on aiding the needy (the truly needy) we could of wiped out all need in the whole world and those that relied on God for their health would of experienced the same as the Hebrews leaving Egypt without one sick or feeble. Old age would of not been a factor in the ill health of life. We would of been "productive" until God would call us home, us having finished His work and gladly "entered in."
Use your own understanding to apply the above to other areas of science. God's Word and way will win out every time in favor of man and not vain imaginations.
This whole scenario and it's costly repercussions all has it's roots in the question: Is man just another animal?
The answer by faith is NO! We are in the image and likeness of God the creator of the universe.
His wisdom is made sure.
"Let God be true and every man a liar."
Love
J&E in Tn
