Jesus Christ was the image of the invisible God. Though he became a slave, leaving the glory he had with the Father, Jesus was the firstborn, who bore the image of God and who predestined us to be transformed into His image. In this lesson we will study Christ, as the image of the invisible God.

1. When Jesus was with the Father, he was in the form of God. But when he came to earth (Incarnation), Jesus bore the image of the Father. “Form of God” emphasizes Christ’s preincarnate divine existence. From being God (extreme transformation), Jesus came into history in the “form” of a slave.
   1. gpypg;gpau; 2:6. mtu; NjtDila &gkhapUe;Jk;> NjtDf;Fr; rkkhapUg;gijf; nfhs;isahbd nghUshf vz;zhky;>
      Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
   2. 7. jk;ikj;jhNk ntWikahf;fp> mbikapd; &gnkLj;J> kD\u; rhayhdhu;.
      But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
   3. 8. mtu; kD\&gkha;f; fhzg;gl;L> kuzgupae;jk;> mjhtJ rpYitapd; kuzgupae;jKk; fPo;g;gbe;jtuhfp> jk;ikj;jhNk jho;j;jpdhu;.
      And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

1. In answer to Philip, Jesus clearly implies that He is the image of the invisible God. Seeing Jesus is equal to seeing the Father, since the Son is the image of the Father.
   1. Nahthd; 14:5. Njhkh mtiu Nehf;fp: Mz;ltNu> ePu; Nghfpw ,lj;ij mwpNahNk> topia ehq;fs; vg;gb mwpNthk; vd;whd;.
      Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
   2. 6. mjw;F ,NaR: ehNd topAk; rj;jpaKk; [PtDkhapUf;fpNwd;; vd;dhNyay;yhky; xUtDk; gpjhtpdplj;jpy; tuhd;.
      Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
   3. 7. vd;id mwpe;jPu;fshdhy; vd; gpjhitAk; mwpe;jpUg;gPu;fs;; ,JKjy; ePq;fs; mtiu mwpe;Jk; mtiuf; fz;Lk; ,Uf;fpwPu;fs; vd;whu;.
      If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
   4. 8. gpypg;G mtiu Nehf;fp: Mz;ltNu> gpjhit vq;fSf;Ff; fhz;gpAk;> mJ vq;fSf;Fg; NghJk; vd;whd;.
      Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
   5. 9. mjw;F ,NaR: gpypg;GNt> ,t;tsTfhyk; ehd; cq;fSlNd$l ,Ue;Jk; eP vd;id mwpatpy;iyah? vd;idf; fz;ltd; gpjhitf; fz;lhd;; mg;gbapUf;f> gpjhit vq;fSf;Ff; fhz;gpAk; vd;W eP vg;gb nrhy;Yfpwha;?
      Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

1. Christ, being fully divine, bears the perfect image of God. Christ wanted us to be transformed into His image. Hence Christ died to save us so that we can also be bear the image of the heavenly Man (Christ). We are in the process of being transformed into His image.
   1. I nfhupe;jpau; 15:45. me;jg;gbNa Ke;jpd kD\dhfpa Mjhk; [Pthj;Jkhthdhd; vd;nwOjpapUf;fpwJ> gpe;jpd Mjhk; capu;g;gpf;fpw Mtpahdhu;.
      And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
   2. 46. MfpYk; Mtpf;Fupa ruPuk; Ke;jpdjy;y> n[d;kruPuNk Ke;jpdJ; Mtpf;Fupa ruPuk; gpe;jpdJ.
      Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
   3. 47. Ke;jpd kD\d; G+kpapypUe;Jz;lhd kz;zhdtd;; ,uz;lhk; kD\d; thdj;jpypUe;J te;j fu;j;ju;.
      The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
   4. 48. kz;zhdtd; vg;gbg;gl;ltNdh kz;zhdtu;fSk; mg;gbg;gl;ltu;fNs; thdj;Jf;Fupatu; vg;gbg;gl;ltNuh> thdj;Jf;Fupatu;fSk; mg;gbg;gl;ltu;fNs.
      As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
   5. 49. NkYk; kz;zhdtDila rhaiy ehk; mzpe;jpUf;fpwJNghy> thdtUila rhaiyAk; mzpe;Jnfhs;Nthk;.
      And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

1. Adam was the firstborn of the human race. Since Adam lost his original image which became distorted through Sin, Jesus Christ becomes the firstborn, bearing the perfect image of God in human flesh.
   1. nfhNyhnrau; 1:13. ,Uspd; mjpfhuj;jpdpd;W ek;ik tpLjiyahf;fp> jkJ md;gpd; FkhuDila uh[;aj;jpw;F cl;gLj;jpdtUkhapUf;fpw gpjhit ];Njhj;jpupf;fpNwhk;.
      Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
   2. 14. [Fkhudhfpa] mtUf;Fs;> mtUila ,uj;jj;jpdhNy> ghtkd;dpg;ghfpa kPl;G ekf;F cz;lhapUf;fpwJ.
      And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
   3. 15. mtu; mjuprdkhd NjtDila jw;R&gKk;> ru;t rpU\;bf;Fk; Ke;jpd NgWkhdtu;.
      Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
2. Christ wanted us to be conformed to the image of His Son.
   1. Nuhku; 8:28. md;wpAk;> mtUila jPu;khdj;jpd;gb miof;fg;gl;ltu;fsha; Njtdplj;jpy; md;G$Ufpwtu;fSf;Fr; rfyKk; ed;ikf;F VJthf elf;fpwnjd;W mwpe;jpUf;fpNwhk;.
      And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
   2. 29. jk;Kila Fkhud; mNef rNfhjuUf;Fs;Ns Kjw;NgwhdtuhapUf;Fk;nghUl;L> Njtd; vtu;fis Kd;dwpe;jhNuh mtu;fisj; jkJ FkhuDila rhaYf;F xg;ghapUg;gjw;F Kd;Fwpj;jpUf;fpwhu;;
      For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1. On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus showed a glimpse of the future glory. The glory of Christ (Second Adam) far surpasseth the glory of the fallen Man (Adam)
   1. khw;F 9:2. MWehisf;Fg; gpd;G> ,NaR NgJUitAk; ahf;NfhigAk; NahthidAk; mioj;J> cau;e;j kiyapd;Nky; mtu;fisj; jdpNa $l;bf;nfhz;LNgha;> mtu;fSf;F Kd;ghf kW&gkhdhu;;
      And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
   2. 3. mtUila t];jpuk; ciwe;j kioiag;Nghy; G+kpapNy ve;j tz;zhDk; ntSf;ff;$lhj ntz;ikaha;g; gpufhrpj;jJ.
      And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
2. Since Christ is the image of the Father, He also glorified us and will glorify us. Whomever God has called, will also be glorified.
   1. Nuhku; 8:29. jk;Kila Fkhud; mNef rNfhjuUf;Fs;Ns Kjw;NgwhdtuhapUf;Fk;nghUl;L> Njtd; vtu;fis Kd;dwpe;jhNuh mtu;fisj; jkJ FkhuDila rhaYf;F xg;ghapUg;gjw;F Kd;Fwpj;jpUf;fpwhu;;
      For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
   2. 30. vtu;fis Kd;Fwpj;jhNuh mtu;fis mioj;JkpUf;fpwhu;; vtu;fis mioj;jhNuh mtu;fis ePjpkhd;fshf;fpAkpUf;fpwhu;; vtu;fis ePjpkhd;fshf;fpdhNuh mtu;fis kfpikg;gLj;jpAkpUf;fpwhu;.
      Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1. Moses longed to see God’s glory but was unable to see God’s glory face-to-face. But through Christ, the veil has been taken away. Through Christ, we can see the glory of God, since Jesus is the true bearer of the divine image.
   1. ahj;jpuhfkk; 33:18. mg;nghOJ mtd;: ck;Kila kfpikia vdf;Ff; fhz;gpj;jUSk; vd;whd;.
      And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
   2. 19. mjw;F mtu;: vd;Dila jiaia vy;yhk; ehd; cdf;F Kd;ghff; fle;JNghfg;gz;zp> fu;j;jUila ehkj;ij cdf;F Kd;ghff; $WNtd;; vtd;Nky; fpUigahapUf;fr; rpj;jkhapUg;NgNdh> mtd;Nky; fpUigahapUg;Ngd;; vtd;Nky; ,uf;fkhapUf;fr; rpj;jkhapUg;NgNdh mtd;Nky; ,uf;fkhapUg;Ngd; vd;W nrhy;yp>
      And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
   3. 20. eP vd; Kfj;ijf; fhzkhl;lha;> xU kD\Dk; vd;idf; fz;L capNuhbUf;ff; $lhJ vd;whu;.
      And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
   4. 21. gpd;Dk; fu;j;ju;: ,Njh> vd;dz;ilapy; xU ,lk; cz;L; eP mq;Nf fd;kiyapy; epy;Y.
      And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
   5. 22. vd; kfpik fle;JNghFk;NghJ> ehd; cd;id me;jf; fd;kiyapd; ntbg;gpNy itj;J> ehd; fle;JNghFkl;Lk; vd; fuj;jpdhy; cd;id %LNtd;.
      And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
   6. 23. gpd;G> vd; fuj;ij vLg;Ngd;; mg;nghOJ vd; gpd;gf;fj;ijf; fhz;gha;; vd; KfNkh fhzg;glhJ vd;whu;.
      And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
2. Since the veil is taken away in Christ, by beholding Jesus Christ, we are seeing the glory of the Father, face-to-face. We are also changed into his image, from glory to glory, by beholding Christ.
   1. II nfhupe;jpau; 3:15. NkhNrapd; Mfkq;fs; thrpf;fg;gLk;NghJ> ,e;ehs;tiuf;Fk; Kf;fhL mtu;fs; ,Ujaj;jpd;Nky; ,Uf;fpwNj.
      But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
   2. 16. mtu;fs; fu;j;juplj;jpy; kde;jpUk;Gk;NghJ> me;j Kf;fhL vLgl;Lg;Nghk;.
      Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
   3. 17. fu;j;jNu Mtpahdtu;; fu;j;jUila Mtp vq;NfNah mq;Nf tpLjiyAKz;L.
      Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
   4. 18. ehnky;yhUk; jpwe;j Kfkha;f; fu;j;jUila kfpikiaf; fz;zhbapNy fhz;fpwJNghyf; fz;L> MtpahapUf;fpwfu;j;juhy; me;jr; rhayhfj;jhNd kfpikapd;Nky; kfpikaile;J kW≫gLfpNwhk;.
      But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1. Paul proclaims that the god of this age, has blinded the people from receiving the gospel of Christ. The gospel is the glory of Christ. The knowledge of God (gospel) has been revealed through the face of Jesus Christ.
   1. 4. NjtDila rhayhapUf;fpw fpwp];Jtpd; kfpikahd RtpNr\j;jpd; xsp mtpRthrpfshfpa mtu;fSf;Fg; gpufhrkhapuhjgbf;F> ,g;gpugQ;rj;jpd; Njtdhdtd; mtu;fSila kdijf; FUlhf;fpdhd;.
      In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
   2. 6. ,UspypUe;J ntspr;rj;ijg; gpufhrpf;fr;nrhd;d Njtd; ,NaRtpd; Kfj;jpYs;s jkJ kfpikapd; mwpthfpa xspiaj; Njhd;wg;gz;Zk;nghUl;lhf> vq;fs; ,Ujaq;fspNy gpufhrpj;jhu;.
      For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.