by Pastor Afolabi Oladele
One of the things that I found in the Word that struck me was the model, the prototype of the sons of God. Until Jesus came there was only one person that was called the Son of God – Adam. In the genealogy of Jesus listed in the book of Matthew, every man was called the son of somebody but when it got to Adam he was called the Son of God. Jesus was the second person referred to as the Son of God. At His baptism, the Scriptures record that there was a voice from heaven that said, “This is My beloved Son.” (Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; Mark 9:7).
When Jesus was before the Sanhedrin in Matthew 26:62-64, there was something significant that He pointed to when He answered with the words “son of Man” instead of “son of God” when He was asked if He was the “son of God.”
And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mathew 26:62-64
This was not the only occasion that Jesus did this. Over and over Jesus responded to this question of whether He was the Son of God with the response “Son of Man” (see also John 3:12-13). Why did He respond this way? To trace this why we need to go back to the original Son of God (Adam) and see what happened in Genesis 1-3. We also need to understand what God has prepared for man (1 Cor. 2:9), the authority and power God has given man, what was the purpose for which God made man and the things that happened in Genesis 1-3.
When God made Adam He made him after His own image and likeness – so everything that God was got replicated in this man Adam – nature for nature; capacity for capacity. It had to be that way. God dwells in unapproachable light; Adam and Eve were clothed in light, otherwise they could not stand before God. How did Adam know he was naked if not that there was a covering upon him before the Fall? (Gen 3:8-12). In Eden, Adam was a witness to the spoken word in action – to seeing God bringing things to life – because God wanted man to replicate what he had seen in Eden on the face of the earth. And this is why Jesus said, “You would do greater works than I’ve done.” It’s important that you get this understanding and know what God has prepared and reserved for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9) and also know what man lost at the Fall and what God is bringing back to us.
To understand why Jesus replied with Son of Man when He was asked if He was the Son of God we need to understand the purpose for which God made man and the things that happened in Genesis 3. Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: Genesis 3:1-2. The serpent in Genesis 3 is not a type of snake from the animal kingdom but was something completely different. What stood before Eve in Genesis 3 was not a snake from the animal kingdom but a divine being, a rebellious one who was against God when God created man and gave man dominion. In Ezekiel 28:13-15 God typed something using the King of Tyre. The earthly king of Tyre was not in Eden but there was a being in Eden covered with precious stones. And something covered with precious stones gives an imagery of shining light, so a being with this type of clothing (light) could not have been a snake from the animal realm. It was a being that was also clothed in light who had a place and a role of “the anointed cherub that covereth.” Eve and Adam were also members of God’s divine council so she was not scared when the serpent spoke to her (Who would see a standing snake and not run?). As this being was covered in light so was she also covered in light.
The temptation that Eve was subjected to was that humanity could be elevated to the very highest, to the level of God Himself, to know good and evil as God knows good and evil, presumably to establish the standard of good and evil and do what is right in their own eyes. This is the essence of what Satan was preaching to Eve. The woman did not know that this schemer was trying to destroy all that God had planned for man. Knowing what God has given to us, are we going to continue to live in disobedience or are we going to give our lives to God in totality?
A lot more happened here in Genesis 3 that is left to conjecture but the transformation that happened when man lost that covering of light was that he lost the immortality that he had been endowed with and that man was sent unceremoniously to the face of the earth to continue to do what God asked him to do but now with restricted capacity. In Genesis 3:15-19 God did not take away the mandate from man, He only made it harder. And that’s why we are where we are today – sons of men; why we die, why we need redemption and salvation, and why we cannot save ourselves. It also tells us that God’s plan has only be delayed and not defeated; and how God’s plan would be executed through the bloodline of the woman – the coming of the Son of God becoming the Son of man who would lead many into sonship, the sonship of God in the day when the Son of God goes out of theophany. God Himself chose to take on human flesh as John described in 1 John 1:1. The Eternal God Himself stepped in and there was a beginning to sonship (1 John 1:1-3). Sonship has a beginning (Heb 1:5). Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Hebrews 1:5-6. The word “when” speaks of time.
Jesus Christ came to save sinners but please don’t satisfy yourself with “Thank God, I’m going to be saved.” That’s good, but that’s not the perfect will of God. The perfect will of God is that you attain to the image of Christ and the fullness. Let me give you a simple illustration of this common salvation. Many athletes train hard to compete in the Olympics and yet in each competition only three win medals. Out of 160 nations only 36 countries qualify to play in the World Cup and only one country wins the cup yet all the teams would all saw they went to the World Cup. That’s the way salvation is. Many would be saved but not all would get into the brideship that would go with the Lord wherever He goes. There is gradation in heaven. In the Parable of the Sower, some of the seed that fell on good ground brought forth 30-fold, some 60-fold and some 100-fold. Clearly the 100-fold are superior to the 60-fold, and the 60-fold to the 30-fold. The same principles govern what we see around us, whether it’s the Olympics or the World Cup. Those invited to the Marriage Supper are not the Bride but they are also present at the Marriage Supper and they are blessed (Rev. 19:9). This is simply to show you that there is gradation in the things that God is doing. Many would be saved but there would be that special group. Psalm 45:7 shows that many would be saved but only a handful would make it to that level of the 144,000 of Revelation 14. We see also in Hebrews 1 that there are fellows with Him, exactly what was spoken of in Psalm 45. Also in Hebrews 2:13, the words “I and the children which God hath given me” show that there are fellows around Him. The Scriptures reinforce themselves. The picture is clear that many would be called but only a few would be chosen, only a few would get into this upper class spoken of in Revelation 14:1-5 – the 144,000 who appeared with Him on Mount Zion and go with Him wherever He goes.
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1-5
These 144,000 of Revelation 14 are a special group. They are called the firstfruits unto God. We definitely know that they are a different order among the redeemed. The 144, 000 on Mount Zion are firstfruits unto God but they are not the only firstfruits unto God, but they would be one of the highest order, there would be millions more of the Elect who would be raptured. These 144,000 evidently are some specific order of the bride. They had the Father’s name written on their foreheads the same way Jesus bore His father’s name (John 5:43). There was no guile in their mouth. They sang a new song that no else could sing. They are a firstfruit of the Eternal God. My prayer is that as you get the understanding of what God wants to do you would strive to get into that conformity.
What are the qualifying characteristics of these people?
Conformity – One definition of conformity is the way cement blocks are made. Concrete mix is poured into moulds and there’s no difference in the blocks made from that mould – shape for shape they are all alike. Another dimension of conformity is seen in Matthew 19:24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. This Scriptures does not say it is impossible for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle but that is not easy. Looking at the physical characteristics of a camel, something has to happen to a camel for it to be able to pass through the eye of the needle. What it would take for a camel to go through the eye of a needle is the process that conformity calls for – it is broken and then moulded, every bone is broken, nothing is left unbroken and then it’s stretched. This is conformity. There is pain, blood and agony involved. If you are not ready to suffer then you are not ready for the kingdom of God. If the Captain of your salvation was made perfect through suffering then who are you not to be ready to go through suffering?
Who is prepared to pay the price for conformity? We sing the song, “It’s not an easy road we are travelling to heaven,” but many of us have forgotten that it is not an easy road. We have been deceived into easy gospel. We have been deceived and it’s time to wake up. There is a price to pay. Inherent in the process of conformity is pain and agony and stretching until all that remains is broken and moulded the way God wants it. There’s a fight to be fought and a race to be won and there are dangers to face on the way but the Lord is your life, He is your strength, on His word you can depend. We all need to come to terms with the price we need to pay if we’re going to be conformed to the image of Him who has called us. And I pray the Lord would write this on the tables of your heart.
God appointed you for sonship, nothing short of this, are you going to make the effort to attain it? Like Paul said, press on that you may apprehend that for which God apprehended you. Do you have the hunger of heart? Are you prepared to pay the price? My beloved brethren, it is at the place of the Cross that that transition happens. There is a price to pay. There is a cost to attaining to this manifestation of the Sons of God. There is a cost to discipleship and Paul summarised it in Acts 20-21. Paul knew that life begins at the transition of death and that was why Agabus’ prophecy concerning him did not move him from continuing the work God had given him (Acts 21:8-14 KJV). Those who heard Agabus’ prophecy concerning Paul besought him, some translations say they begged him not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:12). What kind of faith is your own that you see death and yet you’re going to put your head in it. Paul knew that life begins at the transition of death. Even the sparrow understands that life begins in the place of death. The altar is the place of slaughter and in Psalm 84:3 we see that there’s where the sparrow lays its nest – on the altar of sacrifice. Why would the sparrow go to this place to raise its young there? Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God (Psalm 84:3).
There is a focus that belongs to all those who are called at this time. In Luke 9:62, Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. In other words some would put their hands to the plough and turn back, and this happened in John 6. The Scriptures record in John 6 that from that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him when Jesus that He said, except you eat My flesh and drink My blood ye have no life in you (John 6:53-66). Don’t just remain a follower, become a disciple. Remember Demas who initially accompanied Paul wherever he went but by 2 Timothy 4:10 he had gone back to the world because he loved the world. Not all followers would become disciples of Christ. Test your heart with this. Hard things would come your way that would test your faith and the times when you face inexplicable things that you can’t fathom out or rationalise are the times to fall on your knees and say, “Lord, help me.” Don’t hide from God on the day of temptation. Don’t be afraid to come to Him for help. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was not afraid to say to His Father, if it be Thy will let this cup pass from Me (Luke 22:42-43). Jesus’ example shows us that there is nothing you need to hide from God. When Jesus said, “Lord, not My will but Yours. I agree with Your will, Lord” an angel was sent to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). In the day of your most grievous temptation when you’re in His presence praying, “Lord, I want to do Your will. What You want is what I want,” strength will come. The power to overcome comes from God alone (Phil 2:13) but the willingness has to come from your heart – Lord I agree with You. I don’t want anything different from what You want.
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. There is a price to pay. In Philippians 3:9-15, Paul said he was ready to die that he may experience the power of the resurrection. Philippians 3:12 shows that God has appointed you for something and it is in your hands now to say, “Lord, I am going to get what You have appointed me for, whatever it costs.” And that is the challenge that is before us. That is the daily fight that we fight. God has decided to make a son of God out of you, the question now is – are you hungry enough to want it? Christ says, “I would be the firstborn among many brethren, anointed above My fellows. And I’m looking for those who will enter into fellowship with Me, who would pay the price, who will be like Me until My nature is fully replicated in them and that when people see them they will be seeing Jesus.” This is what God is calling us to. This is the prize that is ahead of us, that Jesus is saying you need to get.
The second thing you find that comes with the qualification of the Sons of God is righteousness. You read of it in Psalm 40 and in Hebrews 1. Righteousness to be lived and to be taught – there’s no faking it, you’re either righteous or you’re not – justice, knowing Him. In Philippians 3:10, Paul said, that I may know Him. What is it about knowing God that is so crucial and important?
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4. The first time I taught on this passage in Isaiah 50 and told my congregation that Jesus Christ went to school, they were shocked, “Which school did He go to?” I will tell you the school He went to. Jesus went to the school of the Holy Spirit, the school of instruction with the Father. Very early in the morning Jesus Christ went to the top of the mountain to pray (Mark 1:35 Luke 4:42). What do you when you wake up first in the morning? Look at your whatsApp messages? How many of us have a morning by morning, unbroken fellowship with the Lord every day? There are some who haven’t even read their Bibles in one week, who are waiting for church to happen on Sunday. Who is spending time in the presence of the Lord? Who is seeking the Lord? God says, “You will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). You say you want to know Him, but are you seeking Him? Paul who said “that I may know Him” spent time before the Lord. Beloved, we are too much at ease and this is part of the deception that we need to ask God to deliver us from, “Lord, deliver me from the deception of Christendom that has been used to capture my soul.”
Let me just tease you with something that I call “Spare Moment Praying” about two men in the Bible on the roof of their houses in their spare moments. Peter in his spare moment on the rooftop while waiting for his meal to be completed, was praying to God, and he received a revelation from God. David in his spare moments on the top of the roof saw a naked woman and went into adultery. What do you do in your spare moments? Watch African Magic? Some of my best moments are in those moments very early in the morning when I’m in His presence and He speaks and downloads things in my heart. And He wants to do the same for you if there’s a willingness in your heart to know Him. Paul spoke about knowing Him, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.”
All of us want to do things for God. But let me say this to you; intimacy with God trumps any service you can render to Him. In Luke 10, Martha was running up and down, “I must give food to the Master. I must serve Him with the best meal” but Mary sat down at the feet of Jesus. And Jesus said Mary had chosen the good thing. Why? Because it is as you look at Him face to face that you are changed from glory to glory. It is not in your running up and down in service. You need to first of all be made before you can be put into service. I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus, my dear brethren, hear the voice of His Spirit.
The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:5-7. Persecution was what was being spoken of in Isaiah 50:6-7. And in verse 7 He said, “I have set my face like a flint and I know I shall not be afraid of persecution because the Lord My God will help me.” There was a determination, a focus like you saw with Paul in Acts 20:24 when he said, “these things don’t bother me, I am going forward until my ministry is accomplished.” One of the prophets of God, in one of his writings, said, “the days are coming, Satan will seek to maim, to prevent, to kill those who are going to be translated with Christ Jesus. But don’t be afraid, the right hand of God would be there to defend you.”
Jesus even in the days of His flesh continued to learn, as seen in John 5:19, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19 is sonship for you – the Son does nothing of Himself. This is what you should do to be sure what is in His heart is what you are doing and it takes a people who are dead to circumstances, whose faith is not echoed by the things that surround them, who are prepared to go to the depths of submission and say I am not moving like Moses said, “Lord if You don’t go with me I am not going anywhere.” I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:32. These are Scriptures that we read every day and they are things we need to come to terms with and translate to reality in our lives. God is looking for you. He wants to do things through you. He wants to do things by you.
Paul spoke of the place of the knowledge of the Son of God in Ephesians 4:13 when he said, “until we all come to the unity of the knowledge of the Son of God.” We need to know Him, because in knowing Him we will understand what He is saying. He speaks of the same thing in Philippians 3:8 and Colossians 1:9-10. Peter spoke of the same in 2 Peter 1:3 when he said, “according to the knowledge of Him by whom we have become partakers of the divine nature.” It is only as you know Him that you are being changed into His image.
All of us need to thoroughly prepare our hearts, understanding that the Cross and discipleship have a cost (Romans 8:17). Let me say this to all of us, particularly my brethren in the North, the grant of the key of the key of apostleship is a call to death. Some trials will be absolute necessity for the clearing away of all remaining infirmities of the natural mind, and the burning away of all wood and stubble nothing must remain in the fire, as a refiners fire so shall He purify the Sons of the Kingdom. A refiner puts the container carrying the unrefined silver at the very centre of the fire, the hottest part of the fire. He leaves it in the fire and it is only when he can see his face reflected in the silver that he knows the refining process is complete. This is exactly how it is. The end of the trial is when God can see His face in you. That is the making of the Son of God. Don’t be afraid. His right hand of righteousness is the right hand of power and He’s standing there with you. When I got that booklet of the 72 out there in Northern Nigeria it triggered something in my heart – the understanding that there is a price that we have to pay. Like Esther said, it is the time of “If I perish, I perish.” Who here amongst us has the heart to be made into the Son of God? In Philippians 3:8 Paul was not just merely comparing, he actually lost it all. Yes, everything is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ (Philippians 3:8 NLT). There’s a choice you need to make and that is what I am asking you today. Put them in the balance knowing Christ is worth more than any other thing (Phil 3:8 NLT). In the glory that is being revealed there is a price to pay and there is a choice to make. Will you make that choice?
Thomasadodo
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