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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDWARD WATSONS WEBWORLD"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDWARD WATS</B><B>ON'S WEBWORLD</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION"><U><B>SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1"><U><B>1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>2</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3"><U><B>3</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4"><U><B>4</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5"><U><B>5</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6"><U><B>6</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7"><U><B>7</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8"><U><B>8</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9"><U><B>9</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10"><U><B>10</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11"><U><B>11</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12"><U><B>12</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13"><U><B>13</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14"><U><B>14</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15"><U><B>15</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16"><U><B>16</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17"><U><B>17</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18"><U><B>18</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="APPENDIX"><U><B>APPENDIX</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id82.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 1: CONCLUSION"><U><B>SECTION 1: CONCLUSION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABBREVIATIONS"><U><B>ABBREVIATIONS</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. 22-30. MORMONISM: Section 1, Chapter 2. All rights reserved.]</B></div> <bR> <div> <U>CHAPTER 2</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Is Jesus an Exact Replica of the Father? </B></div> <bR> <div>      Jesus currently has a glorified immortal body in anthropomorphic form. We must use this  as the foundation for determining whether Heavenly Father also has a glorified immortal body since this is the unknown. </div> <bR> <div>      (1)  Phil<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in<I> Christ Jesus:</I> Who<I> being in the form [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>morph</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT><I>] of God</I> thought it not robbery <I>to be equal with God.</I> But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him<I> the form [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>morph</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT><I>] of a servant</I>, and <I>was made in the likeness [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>h</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>m</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>i</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>ma</I></FONT><I>] of men: And being found in fashion [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>sch</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>ma</I></FONT><I>] as a man, </I>he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.</div> <bR> <div>      (2) 2 Cor<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 4:4 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, <I>who is the image [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>eik</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>n</I></FONT><I>] of God</I>, should shine unto them.</div> <bR> <div>      (3) Col<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 1:15 <I>Who is the image [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>eik</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>n</I></FONT><I>] of the invisible God,</I> the firstborn of every creature.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" >     (4) John </FONT> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" >12:45 And <I>he that seeth [</I></FONT><I>th</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><I>or</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" ><I>] me seeth [</I></FONT><I>th</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><I>or</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" ><I>] him that sent me.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div>      (5) John <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? <I>he that hath seen [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>hora</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>] me hath seen [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>hora</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>] the Father; </I>and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?</div> <bR> <div>      (6) Heb<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 1:2-3 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his <I>Son</I>, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who<I> being in the brightness [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>apaugasma</I></FONT><I>] of his glory</I> <I>[</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>doxa</I></FONT><I>], </I>and <I>the express image [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>charakt</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>r</I></FONT><I>] of his person [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>hup</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>stasis</I></FONT><I>] </I>and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high.</div> <bR> <div>      (7) John<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and <I>the Word was God.</I></div> <bR> <div>      (8) John<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can<I> do [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>poie</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>]</I> nothing of himself, but what he<I> seeth [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>blep</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>]</I> the Father<I> do [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>poie</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>]</I>:<I> for what things soever he doeth [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>poie</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>], these also doeth [</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>poie</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>] the Son likewise</I> <I>[</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>h</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>m</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>i</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>s</I></FONT><I>].</I></div> <bR> <div>      (9) 1 Tim<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:<I> God was manifest</I> <I>[</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>phan</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>r</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>] in the flesh, </I>justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      (All of these identified Greek words and their occurrences are examined in the Appendix to demonstrate the accuracy of my interpretation.)</div> <bR> <div>      <B>(1) Phil</B> <B> 2:5-8 1) Phil  2:5-8 </B> Have the same attitude [have humility just as] Jesus Christ had: “Despite having the same nature of God, he didn't think his  equality with God was to be forcefully clung to but emptied himself and took upon himself the nature of a slave and became like mortal man. Appearing as a man, he humbled himself and was obedient unto stooping to die the death on the cross. [+ vv. 9-11] This is why God elevated him higher than anything possible and gave him a name more exalted than any other name so that every knee in heaven, on earth and in the underworld will bend in adoration of the name of Jesus and everyone will acknowledge  Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”</div> <div>      “<I>morph</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT>” is used here to mean much more than an outward appearance but is about Jesus' inherent nature/makeup (Heb  2:14-18).<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT>   He is truly “God” and “emptied” himself (he divested himself of his glory, rights, and privileges due to his divine status [which he later asked to receive again- John  17:5] but kept his divinity [which is shown in MORMONISM: Section 2]) and made himself a humble and oppressed slave to atone for the sins of mankind. </div> <div>      Admittedly, this passage in isolation is incapable of proving Heavenly Father has a three-dimensional, discernable, anthropomorphic body, but when coupled with the other passages referenced here, gives convincing support to the idea God the Father possesses a physical body and the contrast in Phil  2:5-8 is the distinction from God to Man/immortality to mortality/glorious to dull. The primary focus of the passage is on the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ with his resultant triumph and glory.</div> <div>      <B>(2) 2 Cor</B> <B> 4:4 2) 2 Cor  4:4  &</B> <B>(3) Col</B> <B> 1:15 3) Col  1:15 </B>  Jesus is in the image [<I>eik</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>n</I>] of God. “<I>eik</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>n</I>” is always used as an outward visible appearance or representation that is <I>discernable</I>.</div> <div>      <B>(4) John </B> <B>12:45 4) John  12:45  &</B> <B>(5) John </B> <B>14:9 5) John  14:9 </B> Both refer to the same thing despite using different Greek words (<I>th</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><I>or</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.4</I></FONT> and <I>hora</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT>).  To see Jesus is to see Heavenly Father. <I>When one sees Jesus; one sees what Heavenly Father looks like.</I> Since Jesus has a three-dimensional, anthropomorphic form (he wasn't ontologically omnipresent);  Heavenly Father has a three-dimensional, anthropomorphic form as well and isn't  a formless, nonmaterial essence (<I>ousia</I>) that's ontologically omnipresent (similar to John  8:19's “he who knows me knows the Father”). </div> <div>      <B>(6) Heb</B> <B> 1:2-3 6) Heb  1:2-3 </B> Jesus is the radiance (<I>apaugasma</I>) of the glory (<I>doxa</I>) of the Father. It isn't possible to tell from the context if the radiance of Jesus was from him by virtue of possessing the Father's glory or if it was a reflection from the Father. Similar to the brightness of the sun and moon. One is the source of light, the other is a reflection.  </div> <div>      Jesus is the exact representation/copy (<I>charakt</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT><I>r</I>) of the Father's substance (<I>hup</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><I>stasis</I>) just as an object formed out of a mold is an exact image of the original master copy the mold was made after, or, two identical pieces from the same mold (let's say the “God mold”) in all points identical. Whatever the attributes of one, the other has the exact same attributes (if Jesus has a glorified, immortal physical body; so does Heavenly Father) since “an exact image would be identical with the original.”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT></div> <div>      We are merely after the  image of God (see next chapter) whereas Jesus is the exact image [<I>charakt</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT><I>r</I>], a flawless copy of the Father. Whatever Heavenly Father's substance is, (what his glorified immortal body and nature as God are); Jesus is completely identical.</div> <div>      Intellectual and scriptural honesty can't exclude Jesus Christ's outward physical appearance and material nature from being an exact duplicate of Heavenly Father's outward physical appearance and material nature.</div> <div>      This passage perfectly meshes with the other passages which describe Jesus as being a perfect duplicate of the Father both in nature and physical appearance (John  1:1;  12:45;  14:9; Heb  1:2-3; 1 Tim  3:16; 2 Cor  4:4; Col  1:15; Phil  2:5-6) both before and after his resurrection. Any insistence on following the Greek philosophical view of God (which doesn't appear in the Bible) is problematic for those who claim to believe in the divine inspiration of the Bible.</div> <div>      <B>(7) John</B> <B> 1:1 7) John  1:1 </B> The Word was God. “<I>kai theos en ho logos.</I>” “The Word was whatever God was.” Since whatever God was, the Word (Jesus) mirrors,  seeing what Jesus is reflects what the Father is. To see Jesus is to see the Father since Jesus is an exact copy of the Father. Jesus possesses a three-dimensional, material, immortal body. Consequently, Heavenly Father also possesses a three-dimensional, material, immortal body.</div> <div>      <B>(8) John</B> <B> 5:19 8) John  5:19 </B> This is another devastating passage for opponents of the church since it clearly states “whatever Jesus sees his father do (John  3:11,32;  8:38), Jesus  emulates.” Since Jesus claimed to be doing exactly what he saw (<I>blep</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT>) the Father do (<I>poie</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT>), and we wish to know what the Father is and did, we must ask ourselves what did Jesus <I>do</I>? He came down to earth and took upon himself a physical body in which he died, and was resurrected with, and currently has a glorified immortal physical body that looks the same shape as ours. He isn't this formless, nonmaterial essence that's omnipresent. Since Jesus took upon himself a physical limited body, initially mortal, subsequently, immortal;  likewise the Father.  This is why Jesus is an exact replica of the Father and to see one is to see the other (John  1:1;  12:45;  14:9; Heb  1:2-3; 1 Tim  3:16; 2 Cor  4:4; Col  1:15; Phil  2:5-6). Jesus has a three-dimensional anthropomorphic body and isn't ontologically omnipresent. Since he emulates the Father in all things and is the perfect copy of Heavenly Father; Heavenly Father likewise has a physical,  anthropomorphic, three-dimensional body.</div> <div>      <B>(9) 1 Tim</B> <B> 3:16 9) 1 Tim  3:16 </B> God was revealed/seen/manifested “<I>phan</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><I>r</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>4</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT>” in the flesh. The sense of this statement either means   “Jesus is God” (which is examined in MORMONISM: Section 2) or  “Jesus looks like God.” Here's the passage again:</div> <bR> <div>   There's no doubt how magnificently profound the divine truth of our faith is: <I>[God] was manifest in a mortal human being,</I> was declared righteous by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed in by the world and was received by heaven with glory.</div> <bR> <div>      Who was this “human” who had God “manifested” in him, who was declared righteous by the Holy Ghost, who was preached to the Gentiles and whom heaven received in glory? Naturally, Jesus. He [God] was seen/revealed/ manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Does this mean Jesus is actually Heavenly Father? No, this isn't teaching  Modalism. It's possible this passage means “God became human” (which is examined in MORMONISM: Section 2) but most likely means <I>the appearance of God the Father was seen on the person of Jesus Christ.</I> This teaches the same thing the previously mentioned passages do:  Jesus is the exact copy of the Father and to see one is to automatically see what the other looks like, showing what the other is. Exact duplicates.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Does God have a “shape”? Does God have a shape? </B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" >    </FONT> (1) Num <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and <I>the similitude [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh] of the LORD shall he behold:</I> wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?</div> <div>      (2) Ps <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, <I>when I awake, with thy likeness [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh].</I></div> <bR> <div>      (3) John<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen <I>his shape</I> <I>[</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>id</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>s</I></FONT><I>].</I></div> <bR> <div>      <B>(1) Num </B> <B>12:8 1) Num  12:8  & (2) Ps </B> <B>17:15 2) Ps  17:15  </B>Moses had the ability to see <I>the similitude [t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh] of God</I> and the Psalmist said in the resurrection, he will be content to see the <I>likeness [t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh] of God.</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT> The Hebrew word “<I>t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh</I>” (8544) is used to mean “a likeness, image, similitude, form, figure, representation, semblance, appearance,”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT> and is used as a reference to an exterior appearance that can be discerned. `[It] is derived from the Hebrew root <I>min</I> (“kind” or “species”). It refers to that which has a shape or is in the process of taking shape.'<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT> Here are other places in the OT where it can be found:</div> <bR> <div>  (a) Job<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 4:15-16 Then <I>a spirit passed before my face</I>; the hair of my flesh stood up: <I>It stood still, </I>but I could not discern the form thereof:<I> an image [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh] was before mine eyes</I>, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,</div> <bR> <div>      Job could see this spirit but he couldn't discern its features. An image <I>[t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh]</I> was seen.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>(b) Ex <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or <I>any likeness [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh] of any thing</I> that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.</div> <div>  (c) Deut<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 4:16,23,25 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image,<I> the similitude [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh] of any figure, </I>the likeness of male or female ... Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness <I>[t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh]</I> of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee ... When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness <I>[t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh]</I> of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger.</div> <div>  (d) Deut<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness <I>[t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh]</I> of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth.</div> <bR> <div>      All these passages refer to idols as “<I>t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh</I>” of things that can be seen in heaven, on the earth, or in water (like birds, fishes, bulls, humanoids, etc.) “<I>t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh</I>” was discernable, not an omnipresent formless essence.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>(e) Deut<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 4:12,15 And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but <I>saw no similitude [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh];</I> only ye heard a voice ... Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for <I>ye saw no manner of similitude [t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh] </I>on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire.</div> <bR> <div>      The Israelite masses didn't see any form of God when he spoke to them out of the fire at the top of Mt. Horeb. Why? Was it because God is inherently formless? </div> <bR> <div>  Deut<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 4:15-16 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude <I>[t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh]</I> on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: <I>Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image</I>, the similitude <I>[t</I><I>e</I><I>mûnâh]</I> of any figure, the likeness of male or female.</div> <bR> <div>      God didn't show the masses any form of himself so that his people won't be tempted to make idols in his image to worship. It was to combat the Israelites' tendency to succumb to the grievous sin of idolatry and not  because he was ontologically a formless omnipresent being.</div> <div>      “<I>t</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>e</I></FONT><I>mûnâh</I>” is used to refer to a three-dimensional image which is discernable in the OT and is never used to mean a formless omnipresent essence.</div> <div>      <B>(3) John</B> <B> 5:37 3) John  5:37 </B> This passage has Jesus mentioning to these particular Jews that they've never heard God the Father's voice nor seen his  shape (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><I>id</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>s</I>). This is a very odd comment if Heavenly Father didn't have a shape or form but was an  omnipresent essence (<I>ousia</I>). “<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalB Roman" ><I>.</I></FONT><I>id</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>s</I>” is always used in the NT to refer to the exterior, visible discernable appearance of objects and beings. </div> <div>      To demonstrate how odd this statement of Jesus is if those who were listening to him didn't believe Heavenly Father had a shape/form, but was a formless, shapeless omnipresent being; here's some hypothetical statements of Jesus to a hostile crowd seeking his death: “You've never heard God's voice nor seen his tail;” or, “You've never heard God's voice nor have you ever seen his tentacles.” What would've been the reaction of these hostile people? Probably the same reaction most would do, “Blasphemy! Off with his head!” </div> <div>      John  5:37 contains a statement concerning the ontological nature of God. His very nature. If God ontologically didn't have a shape but was this omnipresent essence; why didn't they argue the point with him or correct him? They were looking for anything to charge him with to have a case against him. <I>Why didn't they accuse him of blasphemy for saying </I> <I>God had a shape?</I> If Jesus mentioned God's “tail” or “tentacles” there wouldn't be any doubt how swift and vocal their howls of “blasphemy” would be, why then the silence and inaction on this? </div> <div>      This statement doesn't mean God doesn't have a shape. It means he <I>does</I> have a  shape but these Jews never saw it. “You've never seen Colleen's daughter” doesn't mean Colleen really doesn't have a daughter. “You've never seen Carmen's house” doesn't mean Carmen really doesn't have a house.</div> <div>      The silence of these Jews along with the mere fact Jesus mentioned God having a three-dimensional, discernable shape shows neither Jesus nor these first century Jews believed the now prevalent view of God being an  omnipresent, formless being.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Does God have a “face”? Does God have a face? </B></div> <bR> <div>      (1) Matt <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, <I>That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.</I></div> <bR> <div>      (2) 2 Th<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from <I>the presence [pros</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon] of the Lord,</I> and from the glory of his power.</div> <bR> <div>      (3) Heb<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in <I>the presence [pros</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon] of God </I>for us.</div> <bR> <div>      As can be seen, these aren't OT passages that mention God having a face during appearances but are NT passages <I>outside</I> manifestations of God to mortals to avoid the claim they are merely theophanies.</div> <bR> <div>      <B>(1) Matt </B> <B>18:10 1) Matt  18:10  </B>What were these guardian angels seeing in heaven? God's face. How is this possible if God didn't have a face? If God was a nonmaterial formless omnipresent being, how can he have a face? Notice the angels (not mortal humans) are the ones who are seeing God's face in this passage which means <I>it wasn't a</I> <I> theophany</I> that “needed”  God to appear in human form. God has a form that can be seen. (Also see Job  19:26;  33:26; Isa  35:2; Matt  5:8; Rev  22:4; 2 Ne  9:4; 3 Ne  12:8; D&C  88:68;  97:16; Mos  5:10 which mention the resurrected will see God).<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT></div> <div>      <B>(2) 2 Th</B> <B> 1:9 2) 2 Th  1:9  & (3) Heb</B> <B> 9:24 3) Heb  9:24 </B> These mention the “<I>pros</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon</I>” of God which is translated in the AV as “presence” but means “before the face” or “before his sight.” These show God isn't an  omnipresent formless being since “<I>pros</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon</I>” is used as a spatial separation. Notice the context of “<I>pros</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon.</I>” The wicked will be cast out <I>from </I>the face (<I>pros</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon</I>) of the Lord. If God is  omnipresent and fills all things, these wicked can't be cast <I>away from</I> God since there isn't a place away from God. Jesus <I>left</I> the earth and <I>went into</I> heaven<I> to go before</I> the face (<I>pros</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>Ç</I></FONT><I>pon</I>) of God. This is an impossibility since ontological omnipresence fills all things. There isn't any “into” “out” “away” “going before,” etc. </div> <bR> <div>      These fifteen passages in the Bible show (1) God has a discernable three-dimensional shape and isn't an omnipresent, shapeless being, and, (2) Jesus Christ is the exact duplicate of Heavenly Father.  To see one is to see the other. <I>Any denial of a physical resemblance is merely bias due to obscuring the pure biblical message with the filter of Greek philosophy.</I></div> <bR> <div>      Going over the last two chapters: If Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are both  perfect, are  equal and look exactly alike, Heavenly Father must also have an immortal body. As the Son is, the Father is also. What the Son has, the Father has also. <I>Whatever God was; the Son is exactly like him</I>. Jesus is the mirror image (including physical reflection) of Heavenly Father. Their outward appearance is similar to that of identical twins.</div> <bR> <div>   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> Jesus is the exact duplicate/replica/facsimile/clone/ copy of Heavenly Father! To see one is to see the other!</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>[ENDNOTES]:</B></div> <bR> <div> 1.GELNT-SD.  64.9; NTSB. 8:199; DPL. pp. 106-107.</div> <div> 2.TEBD. p. 516.</div> <div> 3.TWBB. p. 226 “The parallelism between the two parts of the verse shows that `likeness' means practically the same thing as `face'; it is God himself that the Psalmist hopes to see, not any mere likeness of God.”</div> <div> 4.SECB-H. p. 125a; ABDBHL. 8544; BDBGHEL. p. 568a-b; TWOT. 1191b; WBDB-R. B5374; OTWS. p. 395; NUBD. Form, Likeness.</div> <div> 5.MSG. p. 16.</div> <div> 6.Also 4 Ez. 7:98; 2 En. 45:1-2; OTP. 1:172,540.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca"><U>e-mail me!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>