Fulfilling of a King

Jesus fulfilled the prophecies as King of Israel when He came down to Earth.

Was there any chance that He wasn't the Messiah? Let's study that.

His exact genealogy was foretold. The coming King was to be a descendent of Shem (Genesis:26-27), Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), Isaac (Gen. 26:3-4), Jacob (Gen. 35:11-12), from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10), specifically through Jesse (Isaiah 11:1), from the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12). Whew!

The city of His birth was foretold to be Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and His death was predicted to be before the temple and the city of Jerusalem were destroyed (Daniel 9:26).

These are all factors that Jesus, if merely human, would have absolutely no control over so, as to avoid manipulation of false messiahs.

Let's talk about the Magi, those wise men who came to visit Jesus when He was born. They are a mysterious people were know little about; however, we have some information. The Magi were the pagan priest clan within the larger tribe of Medes, somewhat like the Levites were to the Israelites. Once upon the Old Testament time period, they appeared many times such as in the books of Esther, Acts, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Now, with Daniel, the Magi were close to be being killed by Nebuchadnezzar because they couldn't figure out the meaning of his dream. However, Daniel stepped up and deciphered it, calling on the one, true God, after which point he was made a ruler and chief prefect over all Magi. Now, this affected them, and they began a search for a unique king, one they'd been taught would arrive by Daniel. The future King of Israel was indeed a prophecy held close to the heart of all Israelites, and Daniel would've let the Magi know.

The Magi were such a powerful people, politically speaking, at the time of Jesus, that no one became king in Persia without their approval. No one. They were the king makers. So, understand now the significance of their influence in that time and the fact that they crossed lands just to meet Jesus and acknowledge Him as king. If you're imagining a few men riding camels in the night, pulling up in silence outside some inn to see Jesus, you have it wrong. They were rich, powerful men with hundreds, maybe even thousands of mounted bodyguards. They would have been a sight to behold.

Then, the Magi didn't just acknowledge Jesus as king, they worshipped Him (Matthew 2:11). This means they understood Him to be God. They were, perhaps, the first gentiles to be saved since Jesus' birth.

The gospels tell of how Jesus' own people had a hard time believing He was the foretold King. They had in mind a different picture. The Jews thought He would arrive and take their troubles away. He would come in and unite the Israelites, and the Israelites alone, into a powerful kingdom on Earth. The Jews would be sought for their knowledge of God by all other nations. The world would enter into peace and utopia. They had a hard time understanding that Jesus came to unite all the peoples on Earth into a Kingdom of God, which wasn't immediately apparent. They knew Jesus would lead a rebellion, but they didn't see Jesus as a Messianic king leading His people in the way they expected.

What they got instead was a dusty-footed peasant with ordinary looks. No entourage, no crown. Only a commanding, yet humble presence, and a thorough yet heretical knowledge of the Torah. How would this person, who was just like them, lead them into battle against the world?

Some were surprised, sure, by His miracles. Some converted, sure. Many more were suspicious. They were right to be wary. There were many false prophets and "messiahs" who had popped up through the many years. They were desperate but already hardened.

See, since ancient times, the Israelites had wanted to conform to the other nations in what a leader and king was supposed to be like. After lifetimes of being led by God and His prophets, they begged to have a king like the others (1 Samuel 8:5). God warned them of the consequences of having a king but said He would allow it. Now, fast forward thousands of years, and they forgot that their ideas of what a king should be was completely world-derived. And, this strange man sitting on hillsides preaching strange words wasn't it.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. - John 1:10-11

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” Luke 4:24-27

Here was baby Jesus, whom His Father heralded with the Magi's announcement and visit. Yet, He was so very normal and un-kinglike, according to worldly standards. Yet, Jesus wasn't here to change just the surface of things. He was here to change hearts and souls, to be the very ripple of water needed to usher a spiritual tsunami never before known.

When life looks hopeless and dark, it's important to remember that God is there working in the small things, stirring up the world in unknown ways, in order to bring about the utmost good.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

God is by our side, even if we don't see Him. He's not about appearances of things but about the deepest recesses of our souls, so He's not always obvious. However, He's always there, forming His kingdom amongst us and within us, fulfilling His promises.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

“Then You are a king!” Pilate said.

“You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” - John 18:36-37

Jesus wished for Pilate to come to his own conclusions about His kinghood, but He states His kingdom is not of this realm. He was leading a spiritual battle.

This Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of the newborn King, the King of Kings in heaven and on Earth.

So, to which leader will you pledge your allegiance?


Sources other than Bible:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_234.cfm
http://blogs.christianpost.com/confident-christian/the-king-makers-a-look-at-the-magi-13659/
http://www.egrc.net/articles/director/articles_director_0605.html

Foretelling of a King

Christmas is coming, so our focus will be on Jesus, which is totally different from other weeks! (/sarcasm) Anyway, this week we'll be looking at the foretelling of Jesus' birth in the Old Testament, and how that was perceived by the Israelites.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." - Genesis 3:15

Here, just after Adam and Eve sinned and ushered evil into the world, God is already giving them hope. Eve's offspring will be wounded by evil (on the cross) but would ultimately crush its head (resurrection and salvation).

Judah will hold the royal scepter,
And his descendants will always rule.
Nations will bring him tribute
And bow in obedience before him. (Genesis 49:10)

His descendants will always rule? Who on Earth is on the throne from the tribe of Judah? Some places want to claim Queen Elizabeth might hold that claim, but honestly, this is at most a vague connection and at worst, completely missing the point!

The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David’s descendants. (Isaiah 11:1)

The Lord says, “The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land. (Jeremiah 23:5)

You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end. (2 Samuel 7:16)

I understand that you probably understand who God was speaking of at this point. The King of Judah was Jesus, and He'll rule on the throne forever.

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”

The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”

You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

Jesus referred to these words God spoke to Moses when he stated:

"For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." - John 5:46

Everything Jesus stated came to pass, but there was even more proof that He was the King and prophet to rule the world.

But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

A child is born to us!
A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,”
“Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Check, check ,and check. These aren't the only signs of His coming that were foretold in the Old Testament.

“What I saw in my vision
hasn’t happened yet.
But some day, a king of Israel
will appear like a star. (Numbers 24:17)

Magi were men who studied the stars, interpreting omens, dreams, and signs. Who they were exactly have been debated apparently forever, but they were scattered throughout the country and were occasionally referred to as wise men.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”... After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. - Matthew 2:2-12

The King of Israel would be foretold and found by a star, and who better to notice that star sign than the Magi!

Honestly, we could go on for a while finding all the signs that Jesus would be born and destined to be King of Israel. The only problem is - the Israelites thought they would notice Him and make Him a King on Earth.

Next week, we'll find out how that worked out in the Fulfilling of a King.

Are People Who Never Heard of God... Going to Hell?

Can people be saved without hearing the gospel? Are those who've never been exposed to the knowledge of God condemned? What about babies who die? What about mentally handicapped adults?

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. - Romans 5:12-14

First, this entire post hinges on the idea of Original Sin. This is controversial, but I believe there's no such thing as Original Sin being passed from Adam/Eve to us. There's nothing in the Bible that truly substantiates this. You can disagree, but I believe Paul's meaning was this: Humanity was displaced from a utopia where we COULDN'T sin to a corrupt world we CAN'T ESCAPE sin. We each are condemned by our own sins. We are condemned by our own rebellion. We are all destined to die a physical (first) death, but we can be saved from a spiritual (second) death.

However, we need to be perfect in order to be saved from the second death, the extinguishing of our soul (Revelation 20:14). We need to be righteous, not just sin free. We can't escape the second death unless we're perfect. Only One is perfect or as the Bible says, Good.

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. - Mark 10:18

Oh, was Jesus saying He wasn't perfect? Well, if He were, then His death meant nothing. He's asking the Jews, who didn't know He was God. He's saying, are you saying I'm good? Only God is good... He's trying to get them to come to the rightful conclusion. He is God.

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:48

The Father is perfect, as well. However, none of us are God. Therefore, none of us are good. We're all doomed... but wait! There's more!

And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. - Matthew 9:2-7

Did God give the authority to forgive sins to men? No, dear Soul.

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” - John 8:58 

This is one of many times Jesus revealed that He was God. The Jews nearly stoned Him there because they knew what He was implying. Only the God of Exodus would say I Am that I Am. Yet, here, Jesus is saying just that.

Babies and mentally handicapped adults, if they are mentally unable to accept God's salvation, are equally unable to rebel or sin. Therefore, they're not condemned to the second death. They are, unfortunately, in this corrupt world with us, however. So, they are subject to physical death but not spiritual.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." - John 11:25

None of us are perfect, not even those who are babies or mentally handicapped. They're human, after all. However, not everyone is under moral guilt. They're not righteous but neither are they guilty.

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let's focus on those adults who never heard about God.

"So will God condemn the innocent tribesman who has never heard the name of Christ? No, because there are no innocent tribesmen." (TGC) 

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. - Ecclesiastes 7:20

This is a tough pill to swallow. No one is completely ignorant of God. Their path to Him may be harder, but God sees into the heart. Most people in the world would agree on certain morals and heart matters, namely that life is sacred, stealing and jealousy is painful, and there's a spirit that runs through the veins of the world.

If they live a life of love, not knowing who love is precisely, are they not walking in the right direction? Of course, there's that little issue of faith in someone they don't know, right?

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:14-17

But, wait.

And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. - Revelations 5:7

So, there are people from EVERY tribe, language, people, and nation who are saved?? How? And, there will be a lot of people from every nation, not a handful.

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. - Revelations 7:9

God uses His creations to declare Him from one corner of the world to the other. Even though His people may not have reached everywhere yet, the winds, the mountains, the fauna, and the flora have reached them.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. - Psalm 19:1-6

The. world. is. God's. witness. everywhere. This isn't unique to our humanity. Everything is witnessing God's glory to His people. Do you see the way most creatures treat their young or mourn over death? There is God's wisdom everywhere.

We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." - Acts 14

Indeed, when Gentiles [i.e. non-Jews], who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:14

Notice this: we are not judged by our exposure to the gospel. We are judged according to how much we accepted the light in whatever way we were exposed to it. Did we reject our conscience? Where does our heart stand? If they have faith in the holy spirit that comes to anyone who accepts it, whether they know God by "I AM" or by the compassion (given only by the Holy Spirit) they have for their fellow humans, they are saved.

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' - Exodus 19

God claimed the whole earth, but the Israelites were a nation of priests, set apart from His nations to be the light for them all. The rest of the nations did not need to be part of His priesthood to be saved.

 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep... My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me - John 10:14-15;27

His people know His voice, and He doesn't always speak verbally.

Just as isolated tribespeople may have never heard the gospel, in human words, neither did most of the world before Jesus. The Israelites spread much of the knowledge of God, but they were fairly secluded when compared the expense of the Earth. This doesn't mean everyone was condemned before Jesus nor that all of the isolated tribes are now.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. - I Corinthians 4:4

I really hope to hear praise from God for the condition of my heart, and I hope that I hear the praises He gives to all of His creations.

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” - Romans 17:22-31

The Greek people didn't know God's true name, but they knew He was out there. There was something within them that called out to this God, and they feared angering this unknown being by not worshipping Him. So, they erected an altar for Him just in case. This is amazing. However, this isn't unique.

There are countless stories of missionaries coming upon tribes on various continents who instinctively knew of God and recognize His ways when they are explained to them. They'll generally point to nature as being what taught them initially.

There was a tribe of Kwaio people in Fiji who were violent and defensive, but after years of attempting missionary work, missionaries were finally allowed in when they told the Kwaio their God could save their dying chief. Haribo, the chief, listened and said,

"I have waited my entire lifetime to hear this story," the tribe chief said. "I have always felt there was some sacred message like this. But no one ever came to bring us such words. How can I receive this Jesus into my life?" (gospelherald)

Other times, one tribe will hear from another tribe that people come with this good news, and they beg for missionaries to visit. They are hungry for God.

“The men and women of Isahu village we are very hungry for this talk that it will be in our bellies. Please have pity on us. In all other places of the ground we have heard that they have the talk of God but us ones of Isahu are still standing without, we have nothing. I have heard of others hearing this talk in other villages but this talk is not in Isahu yet. So please send some to learn our language and teach us this talk so we can know it too. (godreports)

You'll find the belief in a god, especially a father or sky god that reigns supreme even over other gods, is an almost universal experience no matter what culture or country you visit. It'd be stranger to find a country that didn't ever have a religion, historically.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. - Romans 1:18-20

No one is truly innocent. No one is perfect enough to escape a second death of the soul without God. Not everyone is morally guilty, but most adults are. God has and does save isolated or ancient tribespeople who have never heard the gospel in human language. The reason is God exists in our hearts, even if not on our tongues. Everyone knows God, even if they've never heard His name. They have the choice to follow the light of their conscience (which is the Holy Spirit) or not. All this isn't to say that you don't need to spread the gospel. That was a direct command by God.

And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' - Mark 16:15

Also this:

And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. - Luke 12:47-48

I'm not including this verse to assure you that the ignorant will be dealt with less severely (remember that none are ignorant of God, in the end). It's here to ensure you understand that, like that Spider-Man line, "With great powers come great responsibility," God has given you a whole lot. You know the gospel. You have hope. Just because there are some tribespeople who are saved without missionaries' help doesn't mean those tribal people have hope. They may not know the greatness of the holy spirit within them. You are here to spread that light, and because you have that within you, God expects more from you.

No worries. He's always by your side. That's where the great power comes from.

Thousands are waiting for your good news, the hope and joy you carry within you. Are you ready?




Sources other than the Bible:
https://www.samstorms.com/enjoying-god-blog/post/will-people-have-a-second-chance-after-physical-death-to-repent-and-believe-the-gospel
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/can-a-sinner-be-saved-after-death
http://orthochristian.com/101202.html
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/becoming-a-christian/is-christ-the-only-way/what-about-those-who-have-never-heard
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-happens-to-those-who-never-hear-gospel/
http://drmsh.com/romans-512-part-4/
http://christianthinktank.com/hnohear.html
https://www.gospelherald.com/articles/70280/20170428/tribe-chief-heard-gospel-before-dying-raised-back-life-testify.htm
https://blog.godreports.com/2016/02/when-tribes-beg-for-missionaries-to-come-and-share-the-talk-about-god/

Is the King Enthralled by Your Beauty?

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. - 1 Peter 3:3-4

There's nothing wrong with external beauty or making yourself look nice. It's just not important in anyway. A well-dressed businessman is not more than a mismatched cashier is not more than a filthy homeless woman. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," is not a Biblical verse, and just because you walk into a church with your Sunday finest, you're not morally superior to the milk-stained-torn-shirt lady sitting in the back row. You both showed up to learn, and only your fruits can tell you apart.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. - Proverbs 31:30

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

Consider God the Father's appearance. Yes, think upon what He looks like. Can you imagine Him? Not the fake, white bearded man books and movies like to make Him appear to be. I mean, what does He really look like?

As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. - Daniel 7:9

Hmmm... maybe He does have white hair. Nothing much else is clear about His appearance.

Okay, but consider Jesus. He walked among us. We obviously would know what He looks like, right? No, not artist interpretations with the long brown locks. Do you know true His appearance? Surely, they described Him in detail in the New Testament... No?

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. - Isaiah 53:2

Okay... doesn't say much. We can assume some things. Jesus was a Jew in first century Judaea, and according to anthropology, Jews in Israel at that time were biologically closest to Iraqi Jews now. So, he probably was olive skinned with dark hair and dark eyes just like the rest of His family (Matthew 1:1-17). He blended in a crowd, easily lost when He desired in the masses (Luke 4:30). So, He probably didn't look too different from everyone else. As a carpenter with first century tools, He was likely muscular, at least somewhat. That's about all we got. Basically, He could look like just about anyone.

Yet, we "see" God everyday.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. - romans 1:20

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. - job 12:7-10

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. - Psalm 19:1

We know Him by His "invisible qualities," the fruit of His works, the love He bestows on us, and the beauty He suffuses the world with His power. Even the writers of the Bible knew that His literal appearance made no difference to the message He carries.

Yet He is said to have created us in His image.

Then 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 birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:26-27

So, we look alike? That's hardly what this verse is saying. Maybe we do. Maybe we don't. That's unimportant. We were made in the spirit of His truth and love, and we are to follow Him in His ways. This is how we were made in His image. He expects us to continue as we represent Him here on Earth.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.- Psalm 139:13-14

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. - 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16

In a wedding song amongst the Psalms, we the church are compared to a bride marrying the king, in this case the King of the Universe:

Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord. - Psalm 45:10-11

God isn't enthralled in our outer beauty. He appreciates it, as with anything beautiful that He's created, but that's more for us than Him. The beauty He is enthralled by lives within you, in a heart filled with His hope and love for others.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. - Songs of Songs 4:7

The beauty of a life well-lived, serving others and spreading the good news of His salvation, is something we need to learn to appreciate more than external qualities. In many ways, the beauty that we see are shadows of what lives within us as Children of God.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who brings news of peace, who announces good things, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!' - Isaiah 52:7

Oh, for God to open our eyes to see the world as He does! Let us openly appreciate the enthralling, gorgeous light we see in others.




Sources other than Bible:
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/what-did-jesus-look-like
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/what-did-jesus-really-look-like-as-a-jew-in-1st-century-judaea-1.3385334