Frequently asked questions and answers:

Question 181: What does “YHVH’s Image” mean?

Answer:

In discussing spiritual things, to be right, no one can go beyond the word of Scripture. The Bible tells us that YHVH gave to man a living soul. In this sense he was in the image of his Maker in his dispositions, temperament and desires and in his obedience to the divine will; but this condition was forfeited through sin. It could only be said thereafter of those who walked uprightly before YHVH and were inspired of him, that they were "His offspring." (Matthew 13:38; Mark 7:10. See John 12:36; Acts 13:10; Colossians 3:6.) Yeshua Himself drew the distinction when he told the wicked scribes and Pharisees that they were the children of the evil one and this is the actual condition of every one living in sin, unrepentant and unforgiving. Thus, while in his perfect condition man was like his Maker, in a condition of sin he is no longer so, nor has he any of the spiritual attributes and qualities that belong to the perfect condition or even of the pardoned sinner, who has the hope through Moshiach of reconciliation and restoration. The Bible nowhere declares that man is of himself and inherently immortal. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." When sin entered, then came physical decay and death; man's first condition was lost and with the continuance of sin, and unrepentant and unforgiving, he also forfeited spiritual immortality. Eternal life is the gift of YHVH. Paul declares that Yeshua, through his Gospel, brought life and immortality to light for fallen man and showed the path to restoration through repentance, forgiveness and acceptance.