#391 Kingdom: The Case For Sonship

Over the past several weeks or months we have been referring to “sonship” as a New Covenant reality but without much explanation. In this study, which contains some speculation, we want to investigate what “sonship” means as it relates to eternity and to the Kingdom of Priests. Since this Eternal Priesthood can ONLY be after the Order of Melchizedek we want to make our application to the “sons of the High Priest.” That will be the focus of the “CASE we are making for sonship.”

Case >noun; a set of facts or arguments supporting one side of a debate or lawsuit.

We are assuming that there may be OTHER arguments that do not agree with our speculation on this subject. Let each person be persuaded in his own mind!

The basis of our “case” is that in the earthly example of heavenly and eternal things, only Aaron and his sons were permitted to enter the Holy Place to minister to the Lord. Since that earthly priesthood was only a type and shadow of the real and eternal priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek, at least some of the requirements and details must be applicable as types of the eternal priesthood.

Since Jesus Christ has taken up His Priesthood after the Eternal Order of Melchizedek, it is reasonable to also make an application to His sons entering into this same order. This is the part that is speculation because we don’t have any direct reference to “the sons of the High Priest” in the New Testament. Still, that doesn’t prevent us from pointing out several scriptures that imply there is now, in the present dispensation, Jesus Christ AND His sons.

Heb 2:8 THOU HAST PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

Heb 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM THY NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING THY PRAISE.”

Heb 2:13 And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.”

Rom 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Eph 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Heb 12:5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

It is obvious that everyone who believes something about Jesus is NOT a “SON” unless he is led by the Spirit and endures the discipline of God so that we might share in His Holiness. In other words there is much preparation for a “believer” to become a “son.” A baby or child of God is one thing but a “son”, in whom the Father is well pleased, has grown to that maturity and standard set by the Father to qualify him for “ADOPTION.”

 Gal 4:1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Since “sonship” is not a matter of the outward person, it is not about male and female. “Sonship” only applies to the new creation person that after Christ is created in the image of God. Therefore, “sonship” is a matter of growth, maturity, character and Christ-likeness. The new creation or new inner man is soul and spirit and is NOT male or female. One of the confusions about a woman speaking in church or putting on a head covering is the matter of confusing the outer natural person with the new inner person who is of a totally new and different creation. The new man is NOT Jew or Greek or male or female or rich or poor or black or white.

The new man is NOT circumcised or uncircumcised. The “adoption of sons” has nothing to do with men and women. Those who only see Christianity applying to the old creation of Adam will only relate everything to male and female or try to dress up the outward man to look acceptable to the local religion. The “natural religions of the world” will create all kinds of distinctions to include some and reject others. Still, Christianity is very exclusive and rejects everyone who is of Adam. Christianity { that relates to the third heaven} only accepts those who are of the “new creation.”

Trying to include Adam (outward man) in any renewal, revival or restoration will just be more confusion. Adam has been investigated for 6000 years and failed in every test. Now he has been tried in the courts of heaven, convicted and sentenced to death and burial. He has been declared a menace to society and unable to complete the purpose of God and he is totally worthless in eternity.

Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him 11 --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

For a complete explanation of “adoption” ask for the document “The Advantage Of Maturity.” However, let us share a simple outline on this subject. When a son / child is born into a family he becomes an heir of the father and potentially is owner of the whole estate. Still, maybe that child will just waste his inheritance with carnal living or an immoral life. Therefore, the father enrolls the child into the care of teachers, trainers, guardians and managers until that child meets the qualifications set by the father. When the child, through training and discipline, is grown up to the father’s standards, the manager informs the father that this child is ready to be adopted into the father’s family as a “qualified son.” The father calls for a feast and invites his family, business associates and leaders for this wonderful occasion. During the feast the father introduces his son as “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased and one who is authorized to speak for me.” This is the application of “sonship” that I am using in this study.

Of course the concept of “sons” who have grown up to the measure of the stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ is clear in the scriptures but still rather subjective, personally. Not everyone will accept the demands and discipline of the Kingdom to develop into mature sons able to administrate the Eternal Government of God. Few will ever grow up to be qualified to speak for the Father!

Many still expect that the babes will suddenly become “sons” upon death or in the blinking of the eye. Still, the Bible concept of maturity reveals a growth process under the discipline of God and the inner working of the Holy Spirit to teach and train us in eternal things.

We begin then with the thesis that our High Priest will have mature sons who will be priests of God and who will make up the Body of the High Priest. Since our High Priest is BOTH Head and body we will try to identify those who participate in the body of the High Priest. Why is this important? Because the Kingdom is a Kingdom of Priests and NOT a Kingdom of believers.

Some will surely ask if we are not, in reality, just identifying those who make up the bride of Christ? Meaning, those who have become “one with Him.” He is the Head and “she” is the body. { Again, the “she” is not male or female but the new creation inner man}

Of course the explanation of God’s Eternal Purpose uses many metaphors to speak about the same thing. For example; The “overcomes who sit on the Throne” is another metaphor that focuses upon faithfulness, persistence, strength, warfare and development.

The “bride” is another metaphor that focuses upon intimacy, love, devotion and

dependence. The “manifested sons” is another metaphor that speak of obedience, growth, responsibility, authority and an alignment with the Father and His purpose.

Priesthood is another metaphor that speaks of sacrifice, offerings, and ministry. It shows those who stand before Him, to minister to Him, and burn incense. It speaks of garments, anointing, ordination, consecration and the Holy Place Life and function.

The church is another metaphor that speaks of serving God and people, worship, a transformed life and fulfilling priesthood in its various functions.

Other metaphors speak to us of this eternal dimension! For example; Mount Zion and the New Jerusalem. The Pure Gold Lampstand and the Ark of the Covenant also reveal things about this eternal realm.

These things represent the REALITY of those things seen as types and shadows in the Old Covenant.

Exodus 29:4 “Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting, and wash them with water. 5 “And you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod; 6 and you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 “Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head and anoint him.

Exodus 29:8 “And you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them. 9 “And you shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and bind caps on them, and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute. So you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

Exo 40:12 “Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13 “And you shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister as a priest to Me.

Exo 40:14 “And you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them; 15 and you shall anoint them even as you have anointed their father, that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing shall qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

These and many other scriptures is the reason we must make an application to our High Priest AND His sons which is the reality of these pictures from the earthly Tabernacle.

Heb 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

Heb 8:1 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

It should be obvious to those who read scripture that the Tabernacle of Moses was a copy and shadow of the “True Tabernacle” in heaven. That the priesthood of Aaron was a type and shadow of the Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek. It is obvious that the high priesthood of Aaron is a copy and shadow of the Eternal Priesthood of Christ Jesus! Now we “speculate” that the Sons of Aaron are also a type and shadow of the “Sons of the TRUE High Priest” after the order of Melchizedek.

Aaron’s sons held their priesthood throughout their generations “after the order of Aaron.” Christ Jesus and His sons will hold an Eternal Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek.

Heb 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

Heb 7:15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of Him, “THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Heb 7:28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

The “Forever Priesthood” is about Sonship and perfection!

Heb 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE”? And again, “I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”?

Heb 3:6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Heb 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

John 5:26 “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

John 1:32 And John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’

John 1:34 “And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

The Living and abiding Word of God , Who IS God, was made flesh like us. God even created everything through Him. He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of God’s nature. He was God in every sense but He became a man. He was always the Living Word of God but He became a baby man or a child. He grew in the natural as man and He grew in favor with God. He was perfected as a man and has become our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Now “the man, Christ Jesus” is seated at the right hand of God and has become the heir of all things. Why? God has accepted Him as His Full Grown Son and permitted Him to speak for God. Now His purpose is to bring “many sons” to that same glory.

Did the Living and Abiding Word of God which IS God and was in the beginning with God just disappear? No! He is STILL God but He, the Word, became the sperma, imparted by the Holy Spirit into Mary, that produced Jesus, the Christ of God. He is, therefore, the Son of God. God has NOT now become two persons because the fact that the Word became the sperma of the new creation! This has NEVER detracted from the “God Head” of Father, Word and Holy Spirit that was in the very beginning. {This is also true in the natural realm with natural fathers. Releasing the sperma doesn’t change the father but identifies him}

It was the Eternal Sperma that created the Son of God. The Eternal Word of God is STILL the “Sperma” that is currently producing many sons of God. When they are tested, trained and perfected they will be presented to the Father as “manifested sons.” Those who have grown up in ALL things into Christ will be brought into the same radiance of His Glory as the only begotten Son. If we are permitted to speculate a little more we can conclude that now the “God Head” is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Divine Son has joined the Trinity. Could it possibly be true that those “many sons” will be brought to this same Glory? If the “many, manifested sons” become His body, is it possible they will be included in the Trinity, thus fulfilling Jesus’ prayer in John 17? Of course it is not essential that we answer that question now.

Unless each of us has been born again by the Divine Sperma, the MOST that we can ever be are religious sons of man. The Divine Sperma is essential to produce the “manifested sons of God.” ONLY that which is “born of Spirit is Spirit.” No matter how high the natural man ascends in the natural realm he can NEVER become a son of God.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Only those who “receive Him”- the Sperma- and are “born of God” can EVER become the sons of God. Why? Because the “sons of God” are of an entirely different species from the sons of Adam. ALL other kinds of births can ONLY produce the sons after their own kind. Adam only produces more Adams. God, the Word, (Sperma) produces more sons after His own kind.

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’? 35 “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

Those who have been “born again” by the Living and Abiding Word of God have an unlimited potential to fulfill every aspect of the Eternal Purpose of God? Why? Because we believe something about Jesus or we hold to certain doctrines? Of course not! We are merely a “tent” in which the Power of the Holy Spirit and Presence of the Living Word of God dwell. They alone are the creators of the New Creation inner man who is linked by Life to the Last Adam and the New Covenant. “WE” live in this “tent” along with them but the new “we” exist solely because of them. Without “them” we are just dirt and will return to dirt.

2Cor 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

It Is my opinion that in the near future those who are seeking God for participation in the next restoration must come to a much greater appreciation of the indwelling Living and Abiding Word of God AND the Indwelling Holy Spirit of God! This will be revealed in response to our full consecration offering. It is obvious that in the Outer Court dimension of natural light the reality of what God has provided in the New Covenant has become blurred. In the illumination of the Seven Spirits of God this “veil” will be removed and new Life / Light will be available for the New Creation man.

I am speculating that “the new creation man” comes into his potential as a priest of God as the result of each and every foundational experience of the Outer Court preparation. Why? Be cause the new creation man cannot be half Adam {old creation} and half “Christ” {the new creation man.} Old things MUST pass away and all new things must come as our experience! Where can this possibly happen except during the Outer Court preparation for the Eternal Priesthood?

At this point it may appear that we have ignored many very clear scriptures about the church which is His body or those “members” who are the body of Christ. I will try to address this problem that is created by my application to the “sons of the High Priest” as “the body of the High Priest.”

Obviously, this will involve some speculation and interpretation and some knowledge about the types and shadows of the Old Testament. It will require acceptance that the Tabernacle of Moses is a copy and shadow of heavenly things and that the priesthood after the order of Aaron and his sons is a shadow of the Priesthood of Christ Jesus after the Order of Melchizedek.

1Co 12:12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

1Co 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.

1 Cor 12:27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

1Co 10:16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

It is certainly clear that the church is the body of Christ and that true believers are included in that body and that the “body of Christ” is in the process of being “built up.”

If we examine these scriptures it seems apparent that the “body of Christ” is spoken of in the Outer Court sense of being in the process of development. Forgiveness of sins, baptism in water, baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s Table, the gifts of the Spirit and fellowship apply to the “church” as it is being prepared in the Outer Court dimension.

However, the developed and functioning church is only seen in the Pure Gold Lampstand that is located NOT in the Outer Court but in the Holy Place. Since the Lampstand has NO WOOD in it and all the dross has been removed, it again is clear that much work has been done upon it! It is this “work” that enables the Lampstand to host the Seven Spirits of God and supply light for the Priesthood ministry of the Holy place.

If our speculation is accurate, the body of Christ and its members apply to the preparation of the priesthood. However, in my speculation, the Body of the High Priest is made up of those who have come to maturity and accepted into sonship. Making them “Sons of the High Priest” and participants in His Body as Priests after the order of Melchizedek. To assume that everybody who believes something about Jesus or accepts certain doctrines are automatically priests after the order of Melchizedek is very difficult to accept. None of this carnal concept is shown in any of the types or shadows connected to priesthood.

In fact we learn that even the priests who were sons of Aaron could not function in the Holy Place if they had any one of several identified defects.

Lev 21:17 “Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 ‘For no one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb, 19 or a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, 20 or a hunchback or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye or eczema or scabs or crushed testicles. 21 ‘No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, is to come near to offer the LORD’S offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 ‘He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy, 23 only he shall not go in to the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, that he may not profane My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”

Of course not one of us can accurately proclaim that we have NO DEFECT! Therefore, we cannot come near to burn Incense or approach the Gold Altar. Neither can we “set out the Bread of God.” We may eat the Bread, both the Holy and the Most Holy but only someone who has no defects can set it out.

Our High Priest can meet all the qualifications to approach the altar, burn incense, make intercession for us and set out the Bread of God. Therefore, each one us with defects can eat that Holy Bread that came down out of heaven to give Life to the world.

It is reasonable to say that very few of those with defects will even bother to “eat the Holy Bread of God.” Many have not even been informed that they must “eat the whole Lamb that was slain as our Passover.”

Hopefully, the “salvation” and preparation in the Outer Court will heal our defects so we can participate in the Eternal Priesthood. Each of the “defects appear as physical in nature”in the Old Covenant but each defect speaks to us in the New Covenant of “spiritual defects.” For example; we see a dwarf [or one who has not grown] has a defect. One who can NOT reproduce is not accepted to offer the sacrifices. Those who have no spiritual eyes, cannot walk straight or work or have no discernment and are always irritable are not accepted into full priesthood. However, Jesus healed these things in the natural realm. The Holy Spirit AND the Word of God has in-dwelled us to heal our spiritual defects, WHEN we acknowledge our defects and submit to the healing process which may involve the discipline of the Lord.

It is obvious that nearly all “Outer Court believers”, who are comfortable in that ream, will never humble themselves to admit to their defects and seek God for healing. For this reason “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to the Life of the Holy Place or the Priesthood and few there be that find it! When we recognize that the Kingdom is a Kingdom of Priests after the order of Melchizedek, the total preparation of each priest and removal of each defect is extremely important. This is one of the mysteries that MUST NOT be ignored if we expect to fulfill the purpose of God for our dispensation.

The common response to these demands of the Kingdom is that when Jesus forgave our “SINS” we were cleansed of every defect. In 1 Corinthians 6 and in Galatians 5 it is clear that the works of the flesh and many defects still existed. It is clear that the works of the flesh will keep us from the Kingdom, AFTER our “SINS” are forgiven. Paul was still “Laboring that he might present every man perfect in Christ” long after their “SINS” were forgiven.

Col 1:25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from

God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

2Cor 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.