THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #7- OUR COMING GREAT INHERITANCE

NOTE: Many words CAPITALIZED IN UPPER CASE for emphasis sake!

SONSHIP- AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE FROM GOD

This is the 7th in a series regarding the SONSHIP MESSAGE. The term SONS OF GOD used here is an all-inclusive term, referring to both SONS and DAUGHTERS OF GOD, or CHILDREN OF GOD. Intimately related to the subject of SONSHIP, is the concept of an ETERNAL INHERITANCE that God has for us. God is preparing a people unto Himself to be like JESUS and ‘..they shall reign with Him for ever and ever’ Re22:5.

SONSHIP is ‘the ETERNAL PURPOSE that GOD PURPOSED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD’ Ep3:11; that God wants more SONS AND DAUGHTERS LIKE JESUS CHRIST Heb2:10. They will be like Him when Jesus returns for them in THE RAPTURE 1Jn3:2. The SONSHIP MESSAGE must be shared so God’s other SONS AND DAUGHTERS can come forth to receive their rightful INHERITANCE that God purchased for them with His life. 

THE SONSHIP MESSAGE IN REVIEW 

God’s plan for SONSHIP began 6000 years ago when He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Holy Bible does not state how the SERPENT entered into the Garden, or who planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but in the beginning THERE WAS ONLY ONE LAW OR ONLY ONE OFFENSE: ‘And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt NOT eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die‘ Ge2:16,17.

Not only did God know that Adam and Eve would sin, but that He had to come in the person of JESUS CHRIST, to die for our sins in order to redeem and to save us. Re13:8 states JESUS is  ‘..the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world‘, not just 2000 years ago! But why did God want to pay such a great price, His very life, to die for us? The answer is so He could have more SONS AND DAUGHTERS LIKE JESUS CHRIST!  (For more details, please refer to What Really Happened in the Garden of Eden). Then 4000 years later, God chose the apostle Paul to be the first person to bring forth the SONSHIP MESSAGE, previously unknown to all mankind!

God gave the apostle Paul the revelation of the  MYSTERY OF CHRIST Ep3:4, the teachings on the SONSHIP MESSAGE. Paul wrote ‘For it became (God), for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing MANY SONS UNTO GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation (Jesus) perfect through sufferings’ Heb2:10. Paul defined who these SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD are: ‘For as many as are led by the SPIRIT OF GOD, they are the SONS OF GOD’ Ro8:14. The apostle John also wrote ‘Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called 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. And every man that hath this HOPE IN HIM PURIFIETH HIMSELF, even as he is PURE’ 1Jn3:1-3.

The main reason JESUS gave us the HOLY SPIRIT is so that we can be LIKE HIM (SONSHIP), TO BE LED BY HIS SPIRIT Ro8:14. Jesus said ‘For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence’ Ac1:5.  Then ‘.. they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance’ Ac2:4. Also Ac8:17,9:17,10:45,19:6. ‘But we.. are CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, even as by the SPIRIT OF THE LORD‘ 2Co3:18.

SONSHIP- A GREAT INHERITANCE FROM GOD OUR FATHER

Our Father God in heaven has a great INHERITANCE for His SONS AND DAUGHTERS, greater than all the combined wealth of the entire world. Paul wrote ‘In whom (CHRIST) also we have obtained an INHERITANCE, being PREDESTINATED according to the purpose of (God) who worketh all things after the counsel of his own WILL’, and ‘In whom (CHRIST) ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom (CHRIST) also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of PROMISE, Which is the earnest (pledge) of OUR INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession (SONSHIP), unto the praise of his glory’; ‘that ye may know what is the HOPE OF HIS CALLING (SONSHIP), and what the RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS’ Ep1:11,13,14,18.

Paul said that we were PREDESTINATED to obtain an INHERITANCE according to God’s WILL, that after we believed in Christ, we were sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE– a pledge of the PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE Heb9:15. Paul said ‘I press toward the mark for the PRIZE  of the high calling of God in CHRIST JESUS’. This HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS IS SONSHIP and a GREAT INHERITANCE that comes with it.

God has predestinated a GREAT INHERITANCE to those OVERCOMER SONS OF GOD, who are His CHILDREN, HEIRS AND JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST. Paul wrote ‘The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the CHILDREN OF GOD: and if CHILDREN, then HEIRS; HEIRS OF GOD, and JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST; if so be that we SUFFER with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the SUFFERINGS of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY which shall be revealed in us.. the MANIFESTATION of the SONS OF GOD’ Ro8:16-19.

JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST mean we would share everything jointly in common with Jesus Christ in ETERNITY.  Since our INHERITANCE comes with certain requirements, it is likened to receiving our REWARD, a PRIZE, an INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN 1Co9:25 from God. We must endure SUFFERINGS  as believers in Christ, and also be OVERCOMERS. Paul who suffered greatly for the Gospel sake Ac9:16 wrote ‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every SON whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with SONS; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?’ Heb12:6,7. John wrote ‘He that OVERCOMETH shall inherit ALL THINGS; and I will be his God, and he shall be my SON’ Re21:7. We will now look into the nuances of this GREAT INHERITANCE from God our Father!

SONSHIP– A HIDDEN WILL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 

The NEW TESTAMENT is a covenant of GOD’S WILL for His children. It is a binding contract of the disposition of Jesus’ assets when He died for us on the Cross. It names the SONS OF GOD as heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ Ro8:16,19. But this WILL IS HIDDEN, because most Christians don’t know it exists, or care about it. The NEW TESTAMENT is the last  WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST made effective by His death, and signed in His own BLOOD. Paul wrote ‘For where a Testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the TESTATOR’ Heb9:16. Jesus said ‘This is my BLOOD of the NEW TESTAMENT, which is shed for many’ Mk14:24. Here we see that JESUS, the TESTATOR had a WILL for us and it became in force upon His death.

Paul wrote ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED US WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST: According as (God) hath CHOSEN US IN CHRIST before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before God in love: Having PREDESTINATED us unto the ADOPTION OF CHILDREN (SONSHIP) by Jesus Christ to (God) himself, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF GOD’S WILL’ Ep1:3-5. But unless we know the terms and conditions of GOD’S WILL, we will never attain OUR INHERITANCE and REWARD. A person’s inheritance can either be lost through ignorance, careless sinful living, or even be stolen by others or Satan, of which the Bible gives some examples of.

THE STOLEN INHERITANCE– THE STORY OF TWIN BROTHERS

The Bible tells a story of Esau, the firstborn of Isaac, who lost his BIRTHRIGHT and INHERITANCE to his younger twin brother. Jacob, in conspiracy with his mother Rebecca, stole the birthright from Esau, when Esau who was hungry, ‘for one morsel of meat sold his birthright’ Heb12:16. Esau lost his inheritance to Jacob because he did not have respect for his birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of pottage Ge25:33. God said ‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated’ Ro9:13, perhaps because Esau disregarded his rightful INHERITANCE as the first-born son of Isaac. Esau was impetuous, a flesh man driven by his appetite for the moment.

After testing Jacob’s fortitude, God subsequently changed Jacob’s name to ISRAEL meaning ‘..as A PRINCE HAST THOU POWER WITH GOD and with men, and hast prevailed’ Ge32:28. The inheritance God gave to Abraham, through his seed, Isaac and Israel, is the promised land of Canaan Ge12:6,7,15:7. In the Bible, God is always regarded as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (ISRAEL) Ex3:6,15,Mt22:32,Mk12:26, and never as the God of Ishmael or Esau. Through the years, the heirs of Ishmael and Esau have contested this inheritance, and are now fighting with the heirs of ISRAEL over the ‘promised land’ . It is the chief cause of today’s Israeli-Arab conflict which will culminate into the final great battle of ARMAGEDDON in the Middle East, when all the nations of the world will come against Jerusalem and ISRAEL in a nuclear war Re16:16, Zec14:1,12.

THE RESTORED INHERITANCE- THE PRODIGAL SON

The Bible also tells the story of the PRODIGAL SON squandering away his inheritance money ‘with riotous living’ Lk15:13, ‘with harlots’ v30; how he was heading for HELL and nearly lost his INHERITANCE of ETERNAL LIFE v32. This story is like many who have ‘lost their Way’, and need to RETURN, REPENT, and to REMAIN with OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN Ez3:19-21! Likewise we can also lose our INHERITANCE from God through ignorance or careless sinful living.

Everything we receive from God is predicated on our FAITH. Paul wrote ‘Without FAITH it is impossible to please God..’ Heb11:6. No knowledge, no FAITH! No FAITH, no blessings! Ignorance means no INHERITANCE! The FAITH we need comes not only by the hearing Ro10:17, but also by obeying the Word of God. James wrote ‘..my FAITH by my works.. so FAITH without works is dead..’ Jas2:18,26. Here are some conditions needed to receive our INHERITANCE from God: We must be in Christ 2Co5:17, living a SPIRIT-FILLED life Ro8:14, obeying His Word Mt4:4, be pure and holy Heb12:14, watching and praying for His return Lk21:36, and sharing the Gospel with others Mk16:15. We must know God’s good pleasure for us Ep1:4, and also contend for the FAITH which was revealed to us Jude3.

A LOST INHERITANCE- A PERSONAL TESTIMONY

About 15 years ago, Henry, an old eccentric friend about 70, a chicken farmer turned carpenter, told my wife and I that he had set aside $100,000 in his checking account for us upon his death. Though Henry was a frequent visitor to our home, often helping with carpentry and having meals with us over the years, we never once inquired about his money. Henry, a loner, a bachelor and retiree, was very frugal, lived alone in a high-rise Condo in downtown Honolulu, went out every early morning to pick-up empty cans and bottles for cash refund. Henry also owned several rental properties. I would pick Henry up weekly for grocery shopping, but one day when I came by, he did not show up. After trying several days to call him on his cell phone, the security guard told me that Henry had passed away in his apartment, after people noticed a foul odor from his unit.

I subsequently learned after checking with his attorney, that Henry had made a new Will six months before he died. Strangely, Henry’s attorney and doctor, and the executor of his Will, were related through marriage. Also his insurance man sold Henry, who had no surviving family, a large policy, and his wife, a realtor, sold most of Henry’s properties. An estimated million dollars that my dear friend Henry had possibly went to these individuals. But God knows all; ‘they were judged every man according to their works’ Re20:13 in the final judgment.

We had never coveted any of Henry’s money, but I believe this was ‘blood money’; money such that many people lose their their souls over. 1Ti6:10 states ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil..’. This is a good example how Satan uses others ‘to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..’ Jn10:10. Likewise, Satan does not want anyone to get GOD’S GREAT INHERITANCE, which he had desired. But Satan was thrown out of heaven for trying to take it by force for himself Ez28:16. Jesus said ‘I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven’ Lk10:18.

THE BIBLE STATES WHO WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Bible is explicit in who will NOT INHERIT God’s kingdom. Paul wrote ‘Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.. they which do such things shall NOT INHERIT the kingdom of God’ Ga5:19-21 and 1Co6,9,10. John added ‘But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone..’ Re21:8.

Jesus said ‘Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it’ Mt7:13,14. Jesus continued ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity’ Mt7:21-23. MANY will lose their INHERITANCE, go into destruction and to HELL, including MANY LEADERS, PASTORS, AND MINISTERS who work iniquity for money, gain, and power.

SONSHIP  AND INHERITANCE– NOT A GIFT BUT A REWARD FROM GOD 

There are important differences between GIFTS AND REWARDS. A GIFT, by nature, is freely given without conditions or ‘strings attached’. The recipient does not pay or earn it, and may not even deserve it. GIFTS from God such as SALVATION Jn3:16, HEALING Lk9:11, RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT Lk11:13, and FORGIVENESS OF SINS 1Jn1:9, are freely given to all who ask Him, and are received by FAITH. On the contrary, a REWARD must be EARNED, by doing something. REWARDS are for the RIGHTEOUS, and for the OVERCOMERS. David said ‘The LORD REWARDED me according to my RIGHTEOUSNESS; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me’ Ps18:20. John wrote ‘He that OVERCOMETH shall INHERIT all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my SON’ Re21:7.

REWARDS are for faithful followers of Christ. 1Co3:8 states ‘..every man shall receive his own REWARD according to his own labour’. Co3:24 states ‘.. ye shall receive the REWARD of the INHERITANCE: for ye serve the LORD CHRIST’. REWARDS are given according to our works. Jesus said ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant..’ Mt25:11; ‘For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;and then he shall REWARD every man according to his WORKS’ Mt16:27; ‘..behold, I come quickly; and my REWARD is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be’ Re22:12.

Paul said ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE HIM, But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the DEEP THINGS OF GOD’ 1Co2:9,10. Clearly, REWARDS must be earned and that SONSHIP IS AN INHERITANCE REWARD given by God ONLY to His WORTHY SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

SONSHIP– THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, OUR COMING ETERNAL INHERITANCE

The apostle Paul wrote 14 epistles that revealed the SONSHIP MESSAGE and a HIDDEN WILL of an ETERNAL INHERITANCE from God. SONSHIP is the ‘MYSTERY OF CHRIST’ Co4:3, ‘which is Christ in (us), the hope of GLORY’ Co1:27. Paul was the first man chosen by God to know the SONSHIP MESSAGE, previously unknown to the world. Paul wrote ‘Now to (God) that is of power to stablish YOU according to MY GOSPEL, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, which was kept SECRET since the world began’ Ro16:25. God ‘..made known unto us the MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in Himself’ Ep1:9; ‘How that by REVELATION (God) made known unto me the MYSTERY’ Ep3:3; ‘Whereby.. ye may understand my knowledge in the MYSTERY OF CHRIST’ Ep3:4.

Paul was told to ‘.. preach among the Gentiles the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST (SONSHIP); and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the MYSTERY, which FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD..’ Ep3:8,9. Nearing the end of his life, Paul wrote ‘That I may know (CHRIST), and the power of his resurrection (THE PRICE HE PAID), and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the RESURRECTION of the dead (THE RAPTURE).. I press toward the MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD (SONSHIP) IN CHRIST JESUS’ Php3:14.

Paul said ‘Henceforth there is laid up for me a CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (SONSHIP), which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at THAT DAY (THE RAPTURE) and.. unto ALL them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING’ 2Ti4:8. Paul anticipated THAT DAY of being a SON OF GOD LIKE JESUS CHRIST, for ‘THEY WHICH ARE CALLED MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE’ Heb9:15.

The SONS AND DAUGHTERS LIKE JESUS CHRIST will inherit EVERYTHING that GOD has: HIS POWER, HIS WISDOM, the UNIVERSE Re21:7, the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST Ep3:8, HIS IMAGE Jn17:22, HIS GLORY Co1:27, RULERSHIP Re22:5, and ETERNITY! Amen!

PLEASE SEE THE REST OF THE SONSHIP MESSAGE SERIES FOR DETAILS. Also feel free to reblog or copy them for your sermons and/or Bible studies.   

• THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #1- Life is About God and Not About Us

• THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #2- What Really Happened in the Garden of Eden

• THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #3- PAUL’S GOSPEL

• THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #4- From Here to Eternity

• THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #5- God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ Jesus

• THE SONSHIP MESSAGE #6- A Postscript To God’s Coming Glory Upon Us