Expert: Phillip Senn - 5/22/2004

Question
Man was made in God's image?  Is his image a visual one?  I am troubled,  trying to understand how it is possible to continue insensate after Death, if that is what happens.  What would it be like?  Sometimes Scripture seems so confusing and lacking in simplicity....

Answer
I am sorry, apparently you misunderstood my response. It is only the body that is insensate, as it is lifeless without the spirit. But the spirit of that man, by which he was alive physically, returns to the Father. Scripture indicates that that man will either be in torments, or in comfort, depending upon his relation to God the Father through Jesus Christ, God's Son.

As far as what it will be like, there are many passages that give us a mental glimpse, however one thing is clear concerning those that have trusted in Christ, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

There are indeed many things in Scripture that are "hard to be understood". Even the Apostle Paul indicated by the previous statement, we don't know all things now, but we will then. In another place he wrote, "For now we see   through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

The main thing is, that even though we cannot have full understanding of everything (because we are not God), we can trust what God (who does know everything) chooses to share with us through His written Word. Again, thanks for your confidence in my limited understanding. May the Lord Jesus receive all the glory from your life as well as from mine.

With Love in Christ,
Phillip Senn