INTRODUCTION: MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD, WHEN, WHERE AND HOW HAS BEEN A TOPIC MUCH DISCUSSED BY HOLY GHOST BELIEVERS THROUGHOUT THIS TWENTIETH CENTURY. WILL SOME MIRACULOUS END-TIME REVIVAL, ACCOMPANIED BY POWERFUL DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRODUCE THESE SONS, AS TAUGHT BY CERTAIN TEACHERS? THE 144,000 OF REVELATION 7 AND 14. ARE THESE THOSE MANIFESTED SONS? IF NOT, WHO DOES THE SCRIPTURE PROCLAIM TO BE THESE MANIFESTED SONS? WHAT ROLE DOES ADOPTION, THE HOLY SPIRIT, RESURRECTION, TRANSLATION PLAY IN THIS MAGNIFICENT ROLE OF GOD IN PRODUCING THESE SONS?

Before approaching this timely subject on MANIFESTED SONS and the route chosen in manifesting them, let us briefly examine another kind of manifested sons. These manifested sons of “god”, which require no new birth, no special training are of a quite different nature, nevertheless they are here and are being manifest more and more. The very fact that these sons are here in manifestation proves God’s MANIFESTATION OF SONS is just around the corner. Of which sons are these that we speak?

SATAN (god of world) AND HIS MANIFESTED SONS OF WICKEDNESS

First, let us establish what a wicked person is. One does not have to be a gangster, a Hitler or a Stalin to be a wicked person. The scriptural breakdown is far simpler. All persons who know not Christ in the free pardon of sin in the revelation of His word is classified wicked. Proverbs declare that even the plowing of the wicked is sin, establishing that every step made by the sinner is made in sin because they are sinners or wicked. Not one thing could be done to change the status unless repenting and accepting Christ, as God says, “there is none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10-12) The individual may be a prize citizen; their civic awards may be many; mates may consider them ideal companions, but unless the individual knows Christ as Lord and Saviour, God will forever classify them as wicked, evil, unregenerated sinners, undone, without hope and belonging to Satan’s family and considered as one of his evil children, however, God classifies His own born again children as righteous.

True, Satan’s sons are responsible for the mounting tension and unrest that is in the world today. The sons of wickedness as they are manifested will make this final generation the generation that God must judge for its wickedness, seeing that the wickedness of the days of Noah and Lot will be dumped into this last generation. (Luke 17:26-30) Perhaps this explains why rebellion, lawlessness, riots, pot, dope, booze, pornography, sex education, mate swapping, homosexuality, nudity, fornication and adultery have become household words in this society, and is fast becoming as an accepted part of the American way of life, as has “Apple Pie.”

The three “R’s”, to past generation, were reading, ‘riting and rithmetic, TODAY THEY HAVE BECOME RIOTING, REBELLION AND RESTLESSNESS. If this present condition continues, says Dr. Whitt N. Schultz, we will have REGRET, RIOT AND RUIN. For this moral and social breakdown one can thank the manifested sons of the evil one, who through special educational programs have struck deep at the things of righteousness for which the Bible stands. Through these special educational programs this generation is being taught they may indulge in things frowned upon and classified as wicked by previous generations. This manifested society of evil cries, AWAY WITH RESTRICTIONS OF LIFE, DOWN WITH MORALITY AND DECENCY: DOWN WITH OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEMS AND THE AMERICAN PATRIOTISM: AWAY WITH THAT BOOK CALLED THE BIBLE WHICH HAS PUT RESTRAINT AND CURBED THE EVIL APPETITE DESIRES AND CRAVINGS OF MAN’S LOWER NATURE. Satan encourages his sons to feed these evil, lustful desires and cravings because “the Bible is old fashioned and out of date.”

How is Satan producing this madness of manifestations in his sons and daughters? Evil has become the accepted way of life, while righteousness and morality is despised. Evil has taken a holiday for which this generation will be required to pick up the check of this expensive vacation. Science announces through their recent invention of the living gene that we stand on the very threshold of producing human beings from laboratories, thus dissolving God’s original route of birth and controlling the population explosion. A University of Wisconsin team of scientists say that genes can be made completely with simple organic chemicals. The gene is the basic unit of heredity that controls all life processes. According to noted biologist Dr. James D. Watson, who recently before the House Science Subcommittee told them that within a year a scientist would conceive a baby in a test tube and successfully place it inside a woman who will bear the child.

In every field of science, Satan has progressed knowledge into human, carnal minds. Today trips to the moon are no longer dreams. Satan’s knowledge does not come cheap, $40 billion in our country alone was spent before one footprint settled in the dust of the moon. Approximately $400 million was recently spent in one flight (Apollo 14). Satan does make one pay through the nose to gain great accomplishments. Crime and lawlessness is considered rising NINE times faster than the growth of U.S. population. “If present trend continues, says noted crime lawyer Edward B. Williams, in five years there will be a total breakdown in the criminal justice system in urban American.” A thief committing a crime today has five chances to one he will not be caught. The dignity that policemen held in the public’s eye fifty or one hundred years ago is no longer present today, instead today he is looked upon as a “pig” and assaulted on every hand. During the first two months of 1970, according to J. Edgar Hoover, FBI Director, police were assaulted at the rate of 41 each day. Over the last 13 years, 557 policemen were killed in the line of duty. January and February of 1970, saw nine policemen dead and 2,394 badly injured in 57 major cities. Criminals, during 1968, killed 64 policemen, while in 1969, they killed a total of 73. Others were slain and hundreds were mauled by revolutionists. One of the policemen’s worst enemy is the Black Panthers who openly called for the killing of cops and from raids on Black Panther headquarters it proved they are capable of doing it. Recently in Boulder, Colorado, a time bomb exploded in a police station; it was the fourth bomb explosion within three days. All police stations were locked and guarded. A short time ago a N.Y. City patrolman was cut in ribbons by three machete wielding assailants. One policeman lying helplessly wounded on the street, was shot to death by a Panther. (Are the police becoming victims of conspiracy?) It was recently announced from Italy that Washington had ordered ten (10) bullet proof automobiles from a certain Italian manufacturer, these are for political figures.

The year 1970 will go down in history as a year of violence and terror aimed at police and all law enforcement officers. Cities, large and small, are witnessing terrorists operations which are growing increasingly bolder. Attacks on policemen in New York City alone are running approximately 300 on monthly rate. In Chicago seven policemen had been killed in the first half of 1970 and at least 750 injured by assaults. There has been killings and attempted killings on police in Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. By September 1970, sixty policemen had already been killed. Police have been lured to their deaths by answering phony requests for help. Others were ambushed while on patrol. Federal judges are being guarded because of so many threats to kidnap them.

The Treasury Department reported that more than 4,500 bombings occurred throughout the nation between January 1969 and April 1970. The number of bombings in 1970 compared to 1969 had doubled. California cities alone reported 20 bombings per week throughout the summer of 1970. Thefts of weapons from military bases, national guard units and private gun factories by militants, both black and whites, are on the rise. Stolen arms include rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers, and could amount to as many as 10,000 weapons, said the Defense Department. There have also been many thefts of dynamite for use in bombings of police stations and booby-trap plots against officers who are sworn to protect citizens of this country. Unless something is done to reverse the present trend, this country is going to be faced with a civil war within 5-10 years, says high ranking officials of the Justice Department. WHAT WILL THE SUMMER OF 1971 HOLD?

MORALITY CRISIS

Are you happily married? Perhaps the couple living on either side of you appear happily married, but statistics show that one of the three families are going to be broken in a divorce for today one out of three marriages end in divorce. Ten years ago the average was one in four. In 1970, 1,500,000 American couples were divorced. In two years divorce in U. S. increased 25%.

There is a crisis in morality in this country at large. Old time standards of right and wrong are being challenged. The new morality holds that there are no absolutes. The ten commandments are thrown aside and God’s moral laws are regarded as not for this day and age. Mate swapping has grown to such a large extent that now clubs have been formed. The U.S. News of June 29, cites a survey conducted by the magazine “Psychology Today”, announcing the attitude among its readers, most averaging 30 years of age and with college backgrounds. Three fourths called themselves sexual liberals, 41% of the husbands and 22% of wives declared they were definitely interested in swapping mates. 5% declared they had tried it, while 80% thought that extra-marital sex was all right and 36% of wives had carried out the thought. This is marital infidelity and adultery. It is hard to believe, but in California and some other areas there are school with trained personnel who are able to assist those desiring to take part in mate swapping and become a member of one of these clubs but are not advanced enough to make this step. The purpose of the school is to erase feelings of wrong, timidness, awkwardness and to cause their students to be expert mate swappers with no conviction of wrongdoing.

Questions are being asked such as; what are we coming to and what will the next generation be? Romans 1:18-32, describes the condition of the world in and before the days of the flood when it says three times, “God gave them up”, (1) to uncleanliness, (2) to vile affections, (3) to reprobate mind. We believe we are living in the days of Lot and Noe which are to be repeated in the end-time, Luke 17:26-30. Now we can see how far the flight from Puritianism has gone since the 1920’s. Recently a hippie convention was held in a western state where 6,000 attended and nudity was common among them. Marijuana has become big business among the youth. Heroin is making addicts of increasing numbers of youth, some only 10-12 years of age. In the summer of 1969, 400,000 young people attended a rock festival, listening to rock music and indulging in drugs. The youth are announcing to the world what they call “a time of new understanding”, which is helped along by drugs and love (spelled LUST). The truth is, they wallow in immorality. It has been stated by shocked onlookers that Sodom and Gomorrah had nothing on these groups. God knows how far it will go.

Sometime in late 1969, New York City acquired a new liberalized abortion law. Already in their hospitals 1,000 abortions have been performed. Doctors predict 100,000 will be performed in the year following July, 1970. Since the Bible teaches life begins with conception, no doubt that will be 100,000 murders. A greater part of these abortions are performed on unwed mothers! Within a couple of years every high school and college in America will be addicted by heroin, according to two leading magazines. 40%-60% of elementary students will be frequent users of marijuana and hard drugs. New York City reported in 1969, 224 deaths due to overdose of drugs by teenagers and young children. The heroin habit cost youth no less than $10 per day. The war on drugs continues, however it appears we are losing the battle. Everyone was concerned with the four students killed on the campus of Kent State College, but no one paid any attention to the fact that during the same week seventeen youngsters in New York alone died from overdose of drugs. The Vietnam War casualties totaled 43,000 lives, yet during the same period 140,000 drug associated deaths took place in America. Dr. Robert Baird, appearing before a Senate Subcommittee, made this prediction, “unless decisive steps are taken we are going to have a problem five years from now that we cannot handle.” Dr. Baird estimated about 83,000 men in the armed forces use heroin or opium, and a minimum of 600,000 smoke marijuana. This committee was told from 30%-80% of military personnel are involved in drug use. Baird said although admirals and generals don’t want to believe such a problem exists, it is so big it is cutting down on the fighting efficiency of our men. This is a state of emergency and should be declared so by Congress, declared Dr. Baird.

Before Perry Pilon, an 18 year old drug addict, committed suicide he left the following not to help someone who he might warn to stay away from drugs. In one year he had used all types of drugs. “If someone offers you drugs, be more a man than I was, please learn from my mistake. They will offer it to you free, then start making you pay for it. Drugs played a big part in ruining my life. Always remember, he said, Drugs have their small moments of happiness, but for every moment lies a century of sadness never to be removed.” When it is understood many dope addicts need from $45-$250 per day to supply their needs, we can see why there are so many thefts. One California policeman estimated 20% of juvenile shoplifting is due to drug addicts who need money to pay for their drugs. As has been stated, drugs cost youth approximately $10 per day, therefore they must steal to supply this need. Youngsters on drugs never have enough money, says Dr. Rabinovitch of Hawthorne Center.

Theft – Theft across America by youth has almost become an epidemic. According to FBI investigations juvenile arrests for serious crimes climbed 78% in eight years (between 1960-68), while the juvenile population only increased 25%. In 1968 youthful offenders accounted for 61% of all automobile thefts, 54% of larcenies, 55% of burglaries, 33% of robberies. The biggest increase was in shoplifting, referred to as the white collar crime in today’s youth, which since 1960 has soared 134%. The National Retail Merchants Association estimates store thefts at three billion dollars per year. Youngsters are responsible for one-half of that. Security experts say girl shoplifters outnumber boys twenty to one.

A BRIEF LOOK RELIGIOUSLY

Satan has done masterfully in all fields of wickedness, but perhaps none as great as the progress he is making through his World Council of Churches in uniting all religions. The WCC represents 235 Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Old Catholic churches in 90 countries. Their one theme, which is being stressed more than ever, is Christian unity and through it the unity of all mankind. Certain Protestant groups have even dropped the term “protestant” in order to speed the unity of all religions. What will happen once all religions are finally united? The Bible says in Revelations 13, that the image of the beast will be formed (emerging from this union) and cause a mark to be placed upon mankind where he can neither buy nor sell without it and all who take it, scripture says, have sealed their eternal destiny. Church leaders have been guilty of giving assistance to this toboggan sled of morals. Certain church leaders are today speaking favorably of a sex revolution. The Bible says in I Corinthians 6:18, “avoid sexual looseness like a plague.” (Phillips Trans.) No religious group can rationalize immorality and survive as a church, even Billy Graham recently said, “the next step will be church supervised brothels very similar to the temple prostitutes of ancient Corinth.”

Some five years ago in San Francisco the first church of Satan was established where the members pay literal homage to Satan. Today that church boasts a membership of 15,000.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1970 spoke favorable of the liberalizing of abortion laws. Nationwide there is an estimated 100-200 church organizations which accept known homosexuals into their membership. The United Church of Christ publishes a magazine for young people called Colloquy. The March 1970 issue featured nude bathers on its cover and it was reproduced in a full page photograph on the inside, while still an article on another page carried a paragraph which read, “at Woodstock Rock Festival there was a great deal of nudity, it was accepted as quite natural.” No one was shocked and no one was arrested for indecent exposure. This article went on to say, why can’t this be a general practice in the world? Other articles suggested pre-marital sex as a beautiful thing.

All is not well in Satan’s infested polluted kingdom, for according to science through man’s ambition and eagerness to press ahead in conquering every known field, he has polluted his environment and stands on the threshold of a dying planet which he himself has almost killed. Man is sure to loose the battle against pollution predicted University of Toronto scientists. Unless we stop increasing pollution by the mid 1970’s, we have only 15-30 more years to live. From another report, this time Dr. John Hanlon, Assistant Surgeon General, says there is a great deal of evidence that the various kinds of pollutions; air, water & food, cause killing diseases! In a speech before the American Medical Association, Hanlon warned each year the pollution of our air, water and land becomes worse. Pollution is killing us and it is almost too late to do anything about it!

A WORKABLE PLAN

Through Satan’s manifested sons he has successfully succeeded in polluting man’s mind, the gospel of Christ and now turns his attention against man’s environment (water, air). Scientists declare if they had a workable plan to clean up pollution it would cost over $60 billion (over a 5 year period.) However, all is not lost, PRAISE GOD, there is a workable plan. One which shall not only release man from his corrupt and polluted environment, but also release the animal kingdom from their environment. The Bible declares how God will take fallen man and through two phases of ADOPTION without cost of money shall accomplish a work which all creation will rejoice to see.

MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SONS OF GOD OR ADOPTION

ROMANS 8:14, EPHESIANS 1:4-5

You will see how these topics blend together as we progress into the message. I am sure we all have some concept of what natural adoption is, but what about spiritual adoption? For some reason Paul used this word adoption quite frequently, especially in Galatians, Romans and Ephesians. Using this term so frequently indicates Paul must have been trying to impart a true thought on the word showing some way God was doing something in redeeming us back unto himself.

WHY ADOPTION WAS NECESSARY

We all realize that the fact we were born into this world through a natural physical birth makes us a child of God by natural creation. Understand my words, I did not say being born into the world made you a spiritual creation in relation to the new birth, did I? CERTAINLY NOT! You are a child of God only by natural creation, yet we realize according to the scriptures our coming into this world through the natural process has causes us to inherit a fallen nature through the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Because of that disobedience it caused each one of us to be subject to the fall, therefore, the scripture declares we are all born in sin, shaped in iniquity, coming into the world speaking lies. (Romans 3:10-18, Psalms 51:5) What a pathetic state for a human being to enter the world, nevertheless, that is the route we came! There is no good in us, none at all. Think of it, because of that Adamic birth there is not one of us who seek after God according to revelation. (Romans 3:11) We everyone one went astray going our own way, (Isaiah 53:6), forming our own concept of who and what God is and what He wants and away we went building our own unstable philosophy and ideas, and we have the audacity to think God should accept it. Well, beloved, that is not so. God has a way that He expects humanity to approach and worship Him, to live, serve and glorify Him and without that strait way, (not straight way), (Matthew 7:13-14), we absolutely cannot do anything to please God.

INHERITED DEPRAVED NATURE NECESSITATES ADOPTION

The Bible teaches that through one man’s disobedience all were made sinners, but thank God the Bible also teaches that through the obedience of one shall many be made righteous, (righteous strictly in the spiritual sense). (Romans 5:19)

Through the transgression and fall of Adam and Eve in the garden all of us were born then in the process from the tree of knowledge. Born into this world through the natural process caused us to inherit the fallen Adamic nature; within us are fallen depraved attributes, which are absolutely foreign to God. We possessed absolutely no spiritual knowledge of how to serve Him in the revelation of His word, (Romans 3:10-12). Spiritually we had nothing! Carnally we possessed all our mental and natural facilities and senses but none of us could see God in His own spirit, God must be drawn to him giving him His revelation (of faith) the one and only true meaning of the process whereby He desires to be worshiped and served. (Hebrews 11:6)

Beloved, if we can see that the fall of Adam made each of us a fallen creature, though in the creative sense we are a created child of God, yet fallen creatures, and in that state God could not have fellowship with any of us, but looks upon us as one who is foreign to His grace and truth or as a helpless orphan child thrown to the mercy of the world, seeing us as though we were orphans living only for the sole purpose of existence, being kicked to and fro by the evils of this world.

Our righteousness in God’s eyes is compared to dirty, filthy rags, (Isaiah 64:6). Spiritually speaking, we were in worse condition than any poverty stricken individual born down in the ghettos or slums. If something somewhere isn’t done for our hopeless condition, we wouldn’t end up as well off as the poor kid on the street. Later we will return to discuss this more thoroughly.

ADOPTION BY INVITATION ONLY – JOHN 6:44

Shall we read some scriptures in Romans for the basis or foundation of our thought? Christians especially enjoy reading this 8th chapter of Romans because it points out and verifies many things in connection with being a child or son of God. For instance, Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons (or children) of God.” That verse means exactly what it says, ‘for as many as are led by the spirit of God’. What do we mean, led by the spirit of God? In being led by the spirit of God we must understand one thing. First, Jesus said no man can (ever) come to me except the father draw him and all that the father gives me will come to me. (John 6:37) Regardless what anyone says, that is predestination and eternal security all wrapped up in one verse. Predestination, “they will come.” Remember, scripturally no sinner can approach God unless somewhere he is drawn by the spirit of the true God. (John 6:44) He may have a mental concept that he is a sinner; he can even formulate that in his mind; he may even have a mental concept that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, but until he personally has come face to face with the reality and the ultimatum, I AM A SINNER, I AM LOST AND I NEED GOD. Until he feels that in his soul that individual may even join the church, he may make friends with the preacher, he could go through all kinds of sacrifices, but it is not going to benefit him because it is always something that he does in respect to the natural man’s understanding. (Hebrews 11:6) However, once he receives a revelation from God that he is lost and regardless how honest and upright he has attempted to live, if there isn’t that revelation, I’M LOST, when the Bible declares that through the disobedience of one many have sinned and have come short of the glory of God, (Romans 5:19), why he would always remain much like an old crab-apple tree.

GRAFTING CHANGES NATURE – JAMES 1:21

Crab-apple trees can’t help bearing crab-apples, that is their nature. You would never get a Roman Beauty, Stamine’s Winesap or Golden Delicious from a crab-apple tree. However, you can take the bud from the Roman Beauty and graft it into the crab-apple tree and once the Roman Beauty begins blooming, clip everything else off then you will begin to have Roman Beauty apples from the crab-apple tree. Notice, first you must change the nature of the tree by grafting something else onto it. That is why for us it demands a complete new birth, and that new birth is God’s only means of bringing us into His redeemed family relationship whereby the scripture could say, “for as many as are led by the Spirit of God (which was grafted into us, (James 1:21), grafted into that old human stump of humanity), they are the sons of God.” The Spirit of the Word was engrafted into the human life and nature to make it produce the fruits of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23) and not the works of the flesh, (Galatians 5:19-21).

First, we are led by that spirit to conviction and repentance. Second, to accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour. Third, to the watery grave and then on into the in filling of the Holy Ghost which now brings Eternal life on the inside of us, beginning immediately to illuminate our soul, instructing and teaching us what God’s will is for this inner man. Yes, only they who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God. We must even be led into that hidden place in Christ. Many people are of the opinion and hold the attitude once they receive the Holy Ghost they can simply sit back, merely go to church on Sunday and pay their dues and do the little insignificant things and THAT IS ALL REQUIRED! Have you ever seen a baby brought into this world and treated any such way? It would starve to death! What do you do! You pamper and feed it, bathe and take care of it, for the day you neglect that baby something terrible is going to happen.

SPIRIT OF ADOPTION – NOT SPIRIT OF BONDAGE ROMANS 8:15

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear.” Here Paul refers back to the spirit of law, because the law (or bondage) said thou shalt not do this or that because if you do there is a penalty added. Under the law, which was bondage, because of the sinful in-dwelling nature of man the law was compelling, therefore man could not do certain things. Also there was that constant dreaded fear within the law that once you did do something the penalty was automatically applied to you, but through grace, Paul teaches we have not received again the spirit of bondage to fear, (no sir, this is a different spirit from that) but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father, meaning he is my God. The Spirit Himself (now on the inside) beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Yes, under grace we have received a different Spirit than under law.

Remember this scripture has no reference to the Spirit of God being on the outside of us pulling us toward salvation, convicting us of our sins; showing us we need Christ. Oh, no! In this verse, Romans 8:14, the Spirit is on the inside of the person bearing witness that they are born-again children of God. Beloved, He bears witness with our spirit inside by revelation that we have been brought into relationship with the Eternal God! He bears witness we are children of God and if children then heirs, WE ARE HEIRS!

Children born of natural parenthood automatically are in alignment of heirship of whatsoever their father has in the sense of possession, likewise through the spiritual birth we became heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, if so we be with him that we may also be glorified together, Romans 8:17. Note, here Paul pauses briefly from his subject of adoption into the family of God and begins to project far out into the future concerning the fact that though this adoption has already taken place without us, yet out in the future the blessings of all that we are going to fall heir to, will absolutely overwhelm the present fact of the route we had to come through in order to receive this glory (our inheritance), (Romans 8:18). When he says I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are nothing to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (future). Beloved, make no mistake about it though many may differ with me about this glory which shall be revealed in us, it positively will not take place until after our bodies have been changed!! Linking that up with another verse of scripture in II Thessalonians, where Paul, speaking of the coming of Christ says (1:7-10) “When he is revealed from heaven in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and them that have pleasure in unrighteousness, when he comes to be glorified in his saints.” WHEN HE WHAT? COMES TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS! (II Thessalonians 1:10)

PLACING THIS GLORY WHERE IT BELONGS

Therefore, let us not permit ourselves to be carried away by modern 20th century theories and place this glory in something or other that is found on this side of the rapture as so many have been guilty of doing. Paul wants to lead up to something concerning this thing called adoption and glory. Here Paul, the gentile apostle, stated, (Romans 8) (18) “For I reckon that the sufferings here of the present time are nothing to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.” Now watch what he says! (19) “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestations of the sons of God.” Notice again this wording. Paul is saying, somewhere there is going to be a great and glorious manifestation, creation is waiting for it to happen! The word MANIFEST means to reveal, to make known or to put on public display. Therefore, by revelation Paul is saying that the entire cry of creation is waiting in a state of great expectancy, waiting for what? Waiting for the hour when the manifested sons of God will come forth! DOING WHAT? Manifesting their authority and position in Christ, and notice what Paul says this authority which the sons of God have been elevated unto will do! REDEEM THIS FALLEN CREATION! To accomplish this scripture teaches you will have to have a glorified body, so beware of these teachings concerning the manifestations of the sons of God and their work before they receive new bodies!

MORTAL LIFE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO EVIL

As long as man dwells in this mortal flesh he will always be subject to an evil force. I care not how super-duper he may try to make himself believe or appear through some new revelation, he is only like a man standing in the middle of a highway trying to lift himself in a tub. Yet, Praise God, there is coming a day according to the scriptures when this vile corrupt body, which is always subject to evil powers, (I Corinthians 10:12) will undergo a change and be changed into the glorious image of Jesus Christ and not until then could man ever redeem anything fallen!

GLORIFIED BODY FOR MILLENNIUM

Christ himself could not even appear in the office of kingship in the millennium reign until His mortal body had been changed. HEAR WHAT I MEAN? Potentially Christ was already king, however, literally He never could step into that office until somewhere His physical body, which was given Him at His birth and which He walked in upon the earth, under-went a change, a change into that perfect, glorified body in which He was raised from the dead. Now that body would coincide with that perfect man which God foreordained in His mind as His pattern. That body which Christ first appeared in bore our sins and iniquities, (Isaiah 53:3-11). In that body Christ has come down to our level, allowing Himself to be tempted and tested in every measure as you and I yet knowing no sin. (I Peter 2:22) No guile was ever found in Him. In that body He was spit upon, despised, disgraced and humiliated, yet Hebrews stated He endured all this for the joy that was set before Him, Hebrews 12:2.

THAT JOY DEMANDS NEW BODY

Notice, this joy set before Him was not on this side of the cross or grave, but He could see far beyond the cross. Again I repeat, if Jesus would tarry His coming, this glory which is waiting for you will only come beyond the grave, not on this side! That particular glory which is waiting for the saints of God is not now present in anyone of us and shall not be seen until first the dead in Christ has risen from the grave. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD? God has this one thing so lined out perfectly in His Word that no person, no, not even if we were only five minutes away from the rapture, could possibly jump ahead of God’s plan and receive this glory. Once God states something in His Word, such as the dead in Christ must rise first, don’t ever try to do something outside of that. You cannot change that making it run backwards, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, it just won’t do it. The dead in Christ must arise first before anyone will have this glory and become manifested Sons of the living God!

WHOLE CREATION GROANS – WAITING VERSES 19-23

According to Romans 8:22, the whole creation is groaning and travailing, waiting with expectancy for the manifestation of the sons of God. WHEN WILL THAT MANIFESTATION OF THOSE SONS TAKE PLACE? God has a special preordained plan and season for that deliverance. Back to Romans 8:20, The creature was made subject to vanity (meaning, God subjected man and animal life to this environmental condition of decay and futility), “not willingly”, not because we chose it that way. Oh no, neither you nor I had one thing to do with it. None of us willed or desired it to be this way. Not one of us (animal life included) had anything to do with our even being here in this life. Long ago you were nothing more than a gene in your father’s loins waiting to be introduced into this world. No, you did not ask to come by the route you came; you never asked to enter this world bearing the effects of a fallen depraved nature as you did which was handed down through heredity from your ancestors. God himself suffered it to be that in so doing He would accomplish His will and purpose. The scripture says, not willingly but by reason of Him who has subjected the same hope, meaning there was this hope that all creation (including everything) would one day be set free, that is, delivered from bondage and corruption, slavery and decay and share in that glorious freedom enjoyed by the children of God, however, remember they cannot enjoy their freedom until redeemed man through the change of his natural body has enjoyed his glorious liberty. God’s order of redemption is first MAN, second THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, third NATURE ITSELF.

MANIFESTED SONS IN OPERATION

Paul is showing in Romans 8:21, that natural creation itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (death and decay) unto the glorious liberty of the freedom of God; showing first man himself shall be set free from this bondage through the resurrection of rapture of church where the hope for the balance of creation is soon to follow. Here is the first thing taking place through the glorious redemptive work of the manifested sons of God, which verse 19 testifies creation is waiting for. Once God sets in motion the process for that season of redeeming the entire creation, His whole creation restored back unto Himself, notice what will happen according to verse 22 for Paul says, “For we know that the whole creation (animal life, nature) groaneth and travaileth together until now.” “UNTIL NOW” does not refer to our day, it refers to Paul’s day as he is writing to the church. Almost nineteen hundred years have passed since then and things have gotten much worse, haven’t they? Sin and sickness are worse; evil is one every hand, yet out of it all God has somewhere promised He would redeem the entire thing and notice, there is a process used to accomplish all this!

Romans 8:23 clarifies who Paul spake of in verse 22 by saying not only they, but we ourselves, we christians groan and travail waiting for our deliverance who have the first fruits of the Spirit. Later we shall discuss what the first-fruits of the Spirit is and its relationship to adoption in respect to the glory that shall be revealed in us, and how it affects the manifestations of the sons of God.

Romans 8:24, “For we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for what a man seeth why does he yet hope for, but if we hope for that which we see not, then we with patience wait for it.” Therefore having received the Spirit (first phase of ADOPTION) Paul says, we wait patiently for the second phase of ADOPTION, the adoption of the body to become manifested sons of God. (Here Paul ends his thought on works of manifested sons).

SPIRIT FIRST MUST BE CHANGED

(FIRST PHASE OF ADOPTION – ROMANS 8:15-16)

It must be remembered God will not redeem or change the physical, natural body until first He had done something to alter the course or change the inner spirit man dwelling within that corrupt body. If the inner man, which is made in the image of God, is never changed to know or love God, never living for Him and being a true son talking and walking in harmony and fellowship with God, what advantage would there be to change his vile, sinful body that could exist eternally only to continue going a million miles farther away from God? The first thing in God’s plan of redemption is, something must be done to get that inner man straightened out. To accomplish this required the new birth. Yes, the inner man must be born again (John 3:3) or he can never enter or see the kingdom of God. He must be reinstated into a relationship and fellowship with God and nothing short of the new birth would accomplish this. (I Peter 1:18-20)

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION IN TWO PHASES ROMANS 8:15, 23

(23) “Not only they, Paul said, but ourselves also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the ADOPTION.” What adoption does Paul speak of here? We recall in verse 15, how God has given unto us the first-fruits of the spirit of ADOPTION whereby we call Abba, Father, but here for the second time Paul, in verse 23 again speaks of ADOPTION. What could it mean? This time the adoption is the redemption of the human body and not the spirit. We now have two thoughts concerning ADOPTION with which to deal. Realizing now there are two positions in this entire process of ADOPTION (spirit and body) one placing you in the family (Romans 8:15) while the other places you in line for your position as to what your inheritance is as an heir, which is determined much upon how we have lived for God while here upon earth.

TWO PHASES IN CHRIST’S LIFE REVEALS ADOPTION

Twice also within the life of Christ do we hear a voice speaking unto Him from above. Recall, first was when a voice spoke to him saying, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM (WELL) PLEASED TO DWELL IN!” (Matthew 3:16-17) The second time the voice said, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, HEAR YE HIM.” (Matthew 17:5) It was all of the same process. The first time was when the Spirit came on Him, representing Romans 8:15, in the believer and next in Matthew 17. The disciples saw Him in that glorified, manifested body representing Romans 8:23, in the full adoption of the believer when He receives His new glorified body.

ADOPTION FIRST BEGAN WITH A THOUGHT EPHESIANS 1:5

Turning to Ephesians we come upon a passage written long before the one written in Romans 8, where Paul, by revelation, was investigating the mind of God. He finds out where everything starts from. Long before any of it begins to unfold in the earth; long before it begins to have its affect on things. Paul states in Ephesians 1:4-5, (4) “According as he has chosen us in him” (we had been chosen in Christ) WHEN? Perhaps ages before there ever was a star, a moon or anything; long before there was anything to fly through space, the great eternal Spirit of this universe (God) was. This Spirit later to be called God once there would be something created to offer worship. (God meaning object of worship) According to scripture, Ephesians 1:1, God counseled with Himself, meaning before anything ever was, God thought or meditated. Everything brought into existence was born in a thought. I want a universe filled with stars; I want a universe called Earth; On earth I want an animal kingdom; I want a Son – a man! These were His thoughts which later brought His word into existence when He said, “Let there be” and it was! I want such and such! (Psalms 33:6-9)

That Eternal Spirit meditated, in other words, He counseled with Himself. No, beloved, there was not three persons sitting there on a chair discussing this among themselves, otherwise the scriptures would have to read ‘counseled with themselves and not himself!’ It doesn’t read that way. Such an understanding is a product of carnal man’s religious thoughts who cannot conceive of one God accomplishing all this by Himself. HE COUNSELED WITH HIMSELF, according to the counsel of His own will. (Ephesians 1:9-11)

When a man decides to build himself a house where does the first process begin? In his own mind of course. There he can see exactly how he wants the house constructed, whether it be of brick, wood or stone and contains 5 or 6 rooms and their locations. Already in his mind he sees it and now it is put onto blueprints so those appointed to actually build the house can go into action and know exactly from the blueprints what was in the mind of the one for whom they are building the house. Later you may see several men working on the house, but it is not their house, John Doe is building the house and these men are only helping or assisting him. Therefore, we can better understand Genesis 1:26-27, when God says, “let us make man in our own image and our own likeness.”

WHO IS US? – GENESIS 1:26

WHO IS US? He is speaking of those who are assisting Him in His work, right? The Trinitarians will immediately declare the word speaks of more than one (person) God. Oh no, because verse 27 destroys that theory. Notice, “and in the image of God created he (not they) him, male and female created he them.” When the actual creation is performed, the word diverts back to the singular HIMSELF and the masculine term. God created man in his own image! True, God had to be speaking in conjunction with something that was going to assist or help Him in the whole process of creation, so who is He addressing? He was speaking to none other than those who always assist him, HIS ANGELIC FAMILY! In Job 38:4, 7, God asked Job, (4) “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (7) “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (sons of God were the angels.)

Many christians have absolutely failed to recognize the part in God’s program played by the angels or the part they are to play in God’s program. Many think simply because they are spirits they have no actual part in God’s program however, according to scripture, this is not true! Angels have been delegated with great authority to carry out the will of God. Notice the various capacities in which they serve God. Angels served as messengers, protectors, helpers, controller of nature and warriors. Genesis 3:4, Hebrews 1:7, 14, Joshua 5:14, Judges 13:3, Daniel 9:21, Revelation Chapters 2 & 3 (ministering angels to seven church age messengers), Revelation 7:1, Revelation 8, Revelation 12:7, Hebrews 1:6, to name only a few.

According to Paul’s revelation, God has counseled with Himself and on the basis of what had been seen Paul received the revelation that God chose us in Him (in Christ the anointed word) back when there was nothing, before the foundation of the world, before the world ever had an existence or any description of a beginning, back when only a thought existed in God’s mind, there we were chosen that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:4-5.

To clearer paraphrase it, let us say John Doe is building a house. In his mind he already sees it completed; he knows exactly how he wants the yard landscaped, etc.. He knows all this because it is his house. It has been drawn up according to his own concept, so naturally that is the way it is going to be. In his mind he sees how it looks, simply requires time for it all to come into manifestation. Beloved, that is the same way it was with God. In reality, before man was ever created or went astray God had plans to redeem back His fallen creation to Himself through His Word made flesh, His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.

FALL OF FIRST MANIFESTED SON

Notice, it is through His only created manifested son (the first Adam) that God commissioned with authority to rule over the earth, saying subdue and replenish it, dress it, and take care of it. However, we all are all familiar with the sad story of that first created son’s failure in his great commission. It was never carried out! Instead he brought a fall and curse upon the entire human race. Therefore, still by the same token has God, during the millennium purposes to redeem this fallen creation back to Himself. First, by redeeming fallen man through His (second Adam) Word made flesh, then somewhere later allowing fallen man to become manifested Sons of God and redeem all the creation back unto the Eternal God to fulfill Paul’s revelation in Romans 8:21-22.

No, that doesn’t give sinners a second change, is that understood? Before the earth was, before Eden was, God already had seen in his mind all this disappointment brought on by the first Adam because of that, therefore, he predestinated us unto the ADOPTION of children or sons by Jesus Christ, the manifested Word. Predestinated simply means before the world was destined, God saw the end, also God was fully aware of all that would transpire from beginning to end, (pre – is before, destination – is the end). God, who is sovereign is omnipresent, omniscient, knowing all that will transpire because God doesn’t live in time. Everything that lives and exists had to first exist in His mind. Since it existed first in Him, naturally He knows all that goes on here. Seeing all that would be, He knew exactly how to choose to set things in motion to fulfill the plan according to what He had already counseled with His own self to be, that we would be adopted sons, adopted back to himself through Jesus Christ the manifested Word. Yes, according to the good pleasure of His own will.

PROCESS OF NATURAL ADOPTION ILLUSTRATED

Watch for a moment the process of natural adoption. Watching this process will give somewhat a better understanding of spiritual adoption. For example, there was a man who saw an orphan lad, half-naked, dirty clothes, half starved and sick, out running the streets. This little fellow has become a victim of society, a victim of circumstances who can’t seem to help himself. He has just been tossed to and fro, from pillar to post becoming an outcast to society, having no certain dwelling place. This poor child has no certain outlook on life. With him tomorrow is just another dreary day of existence with no certain outlook for anything better. What hope is there for such a child? The only hope he can muster is somewhere, there will be a break for him in life. However, that break would have to come through the medium of someone else. Unless someone shows mercy and compassion on him willing to help him out of his pitiful condition, this child might continue to live out of the filthy garbage can in the dirty alley, sleeping in the rain, in the gutter on and on, the child is only existing.

Spiritually speaking, beloved, that is the identical way we were until Jesus Christ found us. I care not how nice your natural home is, how soft your bed was or how many T-bone steaks you ate, until you knew Jesus Christ you weren’t anything, only a miserable vagrant. Your soul was just as wretched, destitute and naked in the sight of God and the little righteousness you possessed, God had compared that to filthy rags. No question about it, you were in just a destitute a state as any natural orphan kid might be. In the natural realm you may have succeeded, but in the spiritual realm you were an orphan, a pauper with no hope. What hope was there? You were away from God with no real knowledge how to reach Him. Someone also was going to need to show some mercy on you.

MERCY IS SHOWN

One day this despondent downcast orphan lad is walking aimless along the street. How long had it been since he had heard a kind voice speak to him? Everywhere he goes people say, “GET OUT OF HERE, GET AWAY FROM HERE YOU DIRTY LITTLE RAT.” All his life that is the way he had been treated, BUT one day a strange thing happened, he heard a voice with a different ring, not a scolding, screaming voice. Across the street stood a man who had been observing the treatment of that lad. He saw the poor bewildered child with his head drooped, waling away crying because of his rejection and treatment. For some reason that man had compassion on the lad. Walking over he placed his land gently on the boy’s shoulder, saying “Sonny, what is wrong?” The kind man observed the skinny frame from lack of food and the filthy rags he wore. He asked again, “Sonny, what is wrong?” No doubt the lad realized the difference in the tone of his voice, how long it had been since he had heard a kind voice! Still he probably wondered what this man wanted, possibly some hard task to be done for little pay. To his surprise this kind man only says, “I would like very much to help you, would you like to come with me?” Finally the lad understands the good intentions of the kind man and slowly the hard feelings he has built up concerning the treatment he has had begins to fade. That is the way it is in the world, Satan beats you round every mulberry bush, giving you such a hard way to go. He lets you go through life tossed about until you become so hard-hearted, when you do hear the tender voice of God, many times you don’t even recognize it to be His voice, in kindness and mercy beckoning you to come to him, COME AND GO WITH ME.

At last the little fellow decides to leave with the man. I can see the man taking him home, compassion and a deep heart’s desire has prompted the man to want to do something for the lad. Looking upon him was not enjoyment, seeing all that dirt and filthiness, the man asks if he would like to have a nice, warm bath. No doubt the only bath he had ever had was what he received standing in the rain. The lad is still skeptical, but is led to the bathroom where the tub is filled and soap and towel given him. All this is so new he hardly knows what to do or say. Well, salvation was new to you also. Sure it was wonderful to get cleansed in the glorious cleansing agent of Jesus Christ. Brother, when the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses your soul from all the filth of the world it makes you feel completely different, doesn’t it? It was like getting into a tub full of nice warm soapy water. When you have been toiling hard all day in a dusty field that warm water soon loosens up the muscles, cleans out the pores, getting all that dirt off makes you feel like a new person, doesn’t it? While the little boy was taking his bath the kind man had purchased him new clothing and the old rags went into the trash can. Remember one important thing, although this man had been extremely nice to the lad he still was not his child, yet this man had something in mind. The lad was given the new suit of clothes, something he had never had before, He had only had things taken from trash cans which had been thrown away.

That is exactly the way the devil does! Let me use that for a moment. Satan will take you to some old church system somewhere and dress you up in all kinds of old dilapidated rituals, old hand-me-downs, aged, wrinkled and completely out of date with the grace of God. It is only some leftover rags of the past age and you walk all over God’s creation in those old dirty self-righteous rags of Babylon only one day to discover spiritually you are just as naked as a bird. In the eyes of God you are worse than a vagabond.

Standing there all dressed up in his new suite this child is amazed how wonderful he now felt. What a difference from the rags he had previously worn. Inside his spirit has began to perk up. Slowly his suspicious nature and attitude begins to change toward this man who had never asked him to do one wrong thing but only showed him kindness. All he had been asked to do was to come home with him, take a warm bath to wash away all the dirt and put on these new clothes. Now he is placed at a table where a good meal awaits. There before him is a plate and silverware. How different is this environment from the alleys and garbage cans he has been accustomed to. Certainly there was no need for silverware to eat an apple core or old banana or something fished from the garbage. I have to say, beloved, it is pitiful today to think of the hippies who come from well-do-do parents who are absolutely willing to turn to the alleys to eat out of tin cans. Your daily newspapers continuously carry such stories of young people who are willing to live in such an environment. For some reason Satan has warped their mind into thinking they are going to change this world and make it a better place for some kind of a super duper generation of people which they hope to produce, IT’S NOT SO!

THAT FIRST MEAL

Here sits this orphan boy in his new suit enjoying a nice hot meal. The little fellow sits there with such delight as he has never known before. Just the way you begin to feel beloved, when the grace of God comes to you and cleanses you from your sins, places a new robe of righteousness about you and gives you the Holy Ghost. Then what does he do? He sits you down and begins feeding you out of the wonderful things of Gods Word. AMEN! In the natural what has this man done? In one step he showed mercy and compassion in bringing the child into a new and better environment.

STEPS IN LEGAL ADOPTION

That man could permit the child to remain there indefinitely, however, the child could never be a legal heir until something happened. Do you know what would need to transpire before the child could become a legal heir? He is not a legal heir because he has no physical contact of life with the man, does he? However, later the man learns to love the child so much, he sees every potential lying in that child, something can be made of him. He decides to adopt him! Adopting a child is serious business. He must appear before the legal authorities to notify any heir or person who might have legal hold on this child to see if they would allow him to be adopted. He could have some relative who would refuse this request. In the spiritual sense it is the devil. Of course the man would first ask the child if he would like to be his son. This was something hard to understand for he could not remember a mother or father, but only being pushed from one place to another. Sitting down the man explains the process of adoption how the legal authorities examine all information and facts and then issue their decision. Once that child becomes adopted his old family name is dropped. For example, Smith, his old name, would be taken. All legal papers identify him as being an Adams.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

Receiving the family name is as far as anyone can go into natural adoption. Never could there be any physical tie such as the man placing his own spirit in the lad, he can only give him his name. These ties according to law are sufficient enough to make him a legal heir. Once he becomes legally adopted as a son into that family it is sufficient to place the child in line for heirship and inheritance, isn’t it? However, never could there be any spirit transmitted from the father to the adopted son, only the fathers name could be applied to the son’s life causing the sons on this basis to become legal heir to everything that the father has, but PRAISE GOD, when God adopted us He was able to go a step farther, wasn’t he? Adoption with Him was much closer and personal once He saved us bringing us into His relationship, cleansed us through His blood, bringing us through the watery grave (water baptism), washed our bodies up from the sins that had been committed and gave us the Holy Ghost which was His own life imparted unto us (Acts 2:38), that made the adoption so much more personal. It was as though we had actually become, in reality, His son.

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION – ACTS 2:38

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached and 3000 interested, inquisitive, devout Jews responded by asking, “Men and brethren what must we do”, to become heirs of this? To be adopted into God’s family? Peter simply told them to repent and take unto themselves God’s family name of heaven and earth.

FAMILY NAME ADMINISTERED THROUGH BAPTISM

But what is the family name of heaven and earth? (Ephesians 3:14-15) Paul instructed the Ephesians this family name was none other than the name of Jesus. Jesus is the family name of heaven and earth, right? Certainly, that is God’s family name. CHRIST TESTIFIED. He came in his Father’s name. (John 5:34) Beloved, you can’t be adopted even in a natural family until you take on that family name. “Repent everyone of you, turn from your evil ways (Leave the alleys and garbage cans) and be baptized; take a bath in the watery grave but by all means do it in the family name and according to Peter you will not only receive the family name, but as an added bonus over a natural adoption, you shall receive the Spirit of the family, which is the Holy Ghost who also is the spirit of adoption. God’s very own life, giving to you a full-fledged life cycle with the father Himself. Now you have the father’s life implanted in you, the one thing natural adoption could never provide. You are now of the real family itself, not simply because of the name, but you have received the spirit of the father Himself into your life. Oh, my! Just think, in spiritual adoption we have the spirit of the father dwelling in us because we took on His family name, Jesus. He has also given us of His spirit. The eternal father can look upon us and say, This is my son, while in turn we can look up and say this is my father. Through natural adoption the orphan boy also can say, yes, he is my father, however, he can only say this from an adopted standpoint because he only carries the family name. Certainly he could never say it from a more personal standpoint because he carries the spirit of the father in his bosom, but in this heavenly adoption we have the spirit of our daddy in us.

Through this heavenly adoption, or receiving of his spirit, are we able according to Paul to cry, “Abba Father, he is my God”. (Mon. Trans. In which we cry out, my father, my dear father) or in plain old country language we are saying, THAT IS MY DADDY! Beloved, that is not debasing God. He is my daddy because I have His life in me. We now have our daddy’s spirit in us. It is none other than the spirit of adoption that places us in the family or body. (For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body) (I Corinthians 12:13). Being placed into the family by His spirit simply means we are born into the family of God. We have not only the family’s name, but also the family’s spirit.

Notice three things concerning this spirit of adoption in us, (Romans 8:9&14, Colossians 1:27). (1) “Without the Spirit of Christ we are none of His (2) They that are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God, (3) Christ in you, your hope of glory.” Through the Apostle Paul’s stimulating revelation we have learned how God has chosen and adopted us through Christ that we might have access to this heirship or inheritance which deals with our position as manifested sons of God. We will study more of this later, however, much must transpire before we will see any manifested sons of God at this point.

Again through Paul’s revelation recorded in Romans 8, God had chosen and purposed that He is going to redeem all this fallen creation by His manifested sons. Let us turn back into Genesis and refresh our memory upon God’s natural creation. God started out with only one son and one daughter. The first Adam and Eve were placed in the garden and commissioned to replenish the earth, dress it, be fruitful and multiply, Genesis 1:28. Notice the entire commission and promise of God lay invested there in those two, so because of what happened in the garden every child born unto their union after the fall was born into this world without eternal life, God life as His original plan had called for (from the tree of Life). Genesis 6:1-2. Eventually as men began to multiply on the face of the earth (Cain’s life crossing over into the Sons of God line, Genesis 6:1-6). As Cain’s line also began to be crossed over into the family tree of the sons of God line through the human genes, they began to lust, steal, lie, thinking all manner of evil imaginations etc., until the father we proceed down through the history of humanity past Genesis 6:1-2, the more corrupt the earth became through the evilness of man, man in his plurality has multiplied on the face of the earth and corrupted the face of the earth with his evil until God sent judgment through a flood. Did this correct everything, it did not! Sin and disobedience all started with one man and one woman. If the fall of the first Adam and one woman has brought this whole thing down through 6000 years without that commission of the first Adam being fulfilled, is it forever lost? Will man born of the first Adam ever rise back up to that exalted place in this life?

Watch something here in God’s mind shown in Paul’s revelation concerning that long awaited commission. Christ, who was the second Adam, who is none other than the Lord of Glory Himself, was made a quickening spirit solely for one purpose, to give life back to something which had been lost through the natural creation process. Notice just as the first Adam was given a help-mate to reproduce himself manifested sons and daughters by which to re-populate and rule this world, thus fulfilling that great commission had there been no son, so also shall the second Adam be given a helpmate (bride church) to undo this terrible curse and fulfill the commission.

WEAKNESS OF FLESH OVERCAME FIRST COUPLE

Because of that first couple’s weakness they transgressed in the garden and brought all humanity, along with the animal world, from its present state. But watch something, all is not lost, just postponed. Without that great commission ever being fulfilled, God, through the second process to redeem that entire lost creation, brings forth Christ the Second Adam into the human race (the word was born of woman). Notice, this Adam is also given a helpmate (the revelated church) to help undo what Adam and Eve had done, where that great commission issued to man could be carried out at last. You must understand, it will not be carried out until after the completion of the first resurrection and rapture of the Bride church. This is why Christ Himself could not take up that kingship of his spoken of so much throughout the Old Testament to fully manifest in this earth all that redemption did include. Beloved, redemption not only includes the redemption of your soul, but it also includes the redemption of our body, secondly it includes the redemption of the entire earth, thirdly it includes the redemption of the animal kingdom, which also fell under that terrible curse.

SECOND ADAM’S HELPMATE

The first act of Christ’s redemptive work was the adoption of the soul or Spirit of people who would later be changed into a glorious image like unto Him once their bodies had undergone that change from the corruptible unto that immortal body. These found worthy, these over comers who make that change are found in all seven church ages of grace and will constitute His true bride church. These became his helpmates in the millennium where the work of the manifested sons of God shall be performed. This is given to her at the end of the prolonged period during which He has spent adopting us into the family through Jesus Christ, and once His helpmate has fully come forth, just as Eve was brought forth from Adam’s side and presented to Adam, so shall that little bride church be fully brought forth (bodily redemption from the ground) and presented to Him (Ephesians 5:27) through God’s redemptive process after every predestinated seed, whether man or woman has heard this call for adoption into the heavenly family.

Beloved, that little wife or helpmate, that little heavenly family will be raised up, He came forth in an immortal body, ascended on high and sat down on the right hand of authority and power where that name of Jesus, the family name of heaven and earth was given to subject every demon in hell and everything else unto that redemptive name of Jesus, Amen! One day, according to Paul’s glorious revelation, He will present that little wife to Himself (Ephesians 5:27). Having done this, the millennium is ready to begin and then the manifested sons of God will step forth upon this earth in their new glorified bodies and begin to release and undo everything that has been going through this 6000 years. In only a thousand year period shall all this be undone but beloved, to attempt it now would be like trying to stand in a washtub and lift yourself. You think today you are going to change a lion from his fallen nature? The Bible plainly teaches in that day God will take away that enmity between man and beast, but don’t try it now regardless how much Holy Ghost you think you have or how much faith you think you possess. It is not for this hour, this is the hour He is completing his Bride or helpmate for that age.

Once that second Adam has stepped forth and portrayed Himself as that Great Eternal King in immortality who shall never more die; when He comes on the scene with all heavens authority invested in Him and that little Bride wife steps up by His side also robed in immortal flesh, robed in that same glory that He is shrouded in, invested with that same kingly authority that He is invested with, OH, PRAISE GOD, for one thousand years this earth will begin to feel the affects of the rule of righteousness and Godliness, where that devil through fallen man has corrupted the earth for 6000 years, all that will begin to be reversed and changed and creation also will begin to feel the change that has been brought about through that little family of God’s adopted children who inherited His glory for just such a purpose. The purpose of it was all in the plan of God that he might reconcile this thing back to Himself.

IMPOSSIBLE TO DIVIDE TRUE CHURCH

Beloved, never stand guilty of trying to split the one body of Christ, the true church of the living God into two of three separate categories. This cannot be done! The one true church will always remain that one inseparable body of Christ. (Colossians 1:18) This same body of Christ is also referred to as the Church of Christ or the Church of God. This is what God calls church, however, when thinking in terms of what the world calls church, yes, Christ will definitely take the Bible (true revelated body) out of the church that is in the world because the carnal worldly church has no part in the bride of Christ.

TRUE CHURCH OF REVELATION

Referring to the true bride church in Matthew 16, where Jesus praised Peter for knowing Him by the revelation of the Spirit, Jesus said, “Upon this rock” (rock of revelation revealed by the Spirit) “I’ll build my church,” He never intended to change His mind and later build His church off something else such as carnal teaching, etc. Paul, the gentile apostle, never changed his speech either, therefore, that one true church of the living God still as always remains composed or is made up of every true born again believer from the day of Pentecost down to this present hour.

ADOPTED FAMILY IS BRIDE CHURCH

It is the adopted family of God who has received the Spirit of adoption who shall be the bride of Christ and nothing short of a new birth can place you into that family or bride church. Watch something here, take a natural child born into this world, he is very small in weight, isn’t he? Medical science says that new born baby will not know how to use his mentality or senses for sometime. Yes, that only goes to demonstrate once we christians first give our hearts to God neither do we have enough of a spiritual mind to know how to act, therefore, Paul says for a while we also need to have the bottle nipple between our lips and feed on the milk of the Word. (I Peter 2:2) That milk of the Word will give us our bearings, but how is it with some people, let them give their heart to God one minute and a week later they are ready to tell the world and the church what to do. They absolutely get an egotistical self-righteousness attitude that they know what the Word of God says, and beloved, their ideas are as carnal as can be. The most any of them should do is to instruct sinners how to be saved, but to try to straighten a church out or try to tell the world what to do, NO SIR! You don’t see a baby telling his daddy and mother what to do. If you did you could rest assured his poor mother and dad doesn’t know any more than the baby does.

ADOPTED AS BABES

Beloved, we must accept the fact there is much spiritual growth in this thing of serving the true living God. Yes, the spirit of ADOPTION places us into the family of God as newborn babies (I Peter 2:2) not full grown sons! It is going to take much leading and guiding by the spirit. How well we have listened and obeyed our guide and teacher the Holy Spirit will determine whether or not we have developed enough to merit the second phase of ADOPTION when it takes place!

Always remember, the only thing that God ever intended His true revelated church to do on this side of the resurrection or rapture is to live the exampleship and to help change men’s souls and lives telling them about the strait way (Matthew 7;13-14, Acts 2:38) helping get as many into the family of the living God who are willing to come on God’s terms for ADOPTION. Yes, helping to change man’s nature is our only job during this grace age, however, one of these days according to the scriptures once this age draws to a final close as the body of Christ through the ages will have constituted all the growth it was predestinated it should have, the last person will have been added to the body. According to what was revealed to Paul, God will then be ready to change the order of events, gathering all that He has produced in Christ; dead and living, of his adopted sons through those seven church ages and shortly begin to change the conditions that prevail in the world stemming from the fall. Watch closely how this is to be accomplished!

FIRST-FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT – WHAT IS IT? (ROMANS 8:23)

“And not only they,” (they, referring to verse 22, that creation which groaneth, travaileth and pained together until now) but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit”; we who have the first phase of this spirit of ADOPTION in our bosom bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. This fulfills Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 12, “Knowing this that no man can call Jesus the Christ except it be by the Holy Ghost,” (Matthew 16:17-18). He is not your Lord or Saviour; He is not even your real Christ unless you truly have Christ as the spirit of ADOPTION dwelling inside of you. (Romans 8:9) Paul continues, “even we (christians) ourselves groan within ourselves waiting” (waiting for what) Paul says the adoption. What adoption is this? It is the redemption of our body. So this second phase of adoption will then be manifested by the redemption of the body. Now we are clearly aware that the atonement of Christ has already purchased the second phase of adoption as well as the first phase, however, the human body must wait to be changed (it’s adoption) into immortality to receive all benefits. Scriptures verify this straight through. Clearer version of Romans 8:23, “Even we (Christians) groan inwardly as we eagerly wait our full adoption as sons,” the redemption of our body which is to be the next thing or second phase of ADOPTION.

ADOPTION – PHASE ONE REVIEWED

Now it is clear why Paul repeatedly spoke of the word ADOPTION. He was distinguishing between the two phases of adoption of Spirit and body in this great relationship in ADOPTION. Already we have tried to bring out ADOPTION from the natural standpoint using a poor orphan child , bringing him into a new family relation, giving him the family name in order to become a legal heir to all the family’s possession. In a natural adoption we showed how the child could never receive the life or spirit of the family in the sense that God recognizes us. As vagabond orphans having no home, unaware who our father really was, our natures were not to serve the true and living God, only the god of this world. Seeing us in this pitiful fallen state God in His love and mercy had compassion upon us and chose to adopt us into His family. Yes, He give us of His spirit which was none other than the spirit of adoption (spirit of sonship or consciousness of adopted sons states other translations). Romans 8:15, completes phase one of our legal, spiritual adoption into the heavenly family (waiting for the redemption of the body, phase two, fulfilling then the complete translation of redemption, the full adoption or full sonship, (Colossians 1:12-14).

PHASE TWO – REDEMPTION OF BODY COMPLETES ADOPTION

Romans 8:23, is going to show where this first state of receiving the spirit of adoption leads us. According to scripture, at some time or other our adoption must take on a second phase in response to our relationship to our heavenly father, causing us to become full-fledged manifested sons of God. Paul stated back in verse 22, the whole creation was groaning and travailing (as in child birth) together until now. Oh, how much creation has groaned also in the past 1900 years waiting for something to help them! Every creature in this entire creation sighs, moans and throbs with pain, because somehow it is fully aware something has happened causing it to live and exist under such conditions. Always bear this in mind, outside the return of the Lord Jesus to this earth is accomplish all that the thousand years reign is designated in God’s mind to produce and accomplish, there is absolutely no hope for the animal kingdom to be rescued out of its condition. There is no hope for this world politically, militarily, economically or any other way that man can do to change the course brought on by the effects of that curse. Absolutely no hope can be offered outside the Lord Jesus returning to this earth to set up a kingdom which will set in motion and fulfill all that this revelation of the manifestation of the sons of God is designated to accomplish.

144,000 NOT THE MANIFESTED SONS

We are aware of the various teachings coming down through the Twentieth Century concerning what this manifestation of the sons of God is. Some even heavily stress the 144,000 in Revelations 7 and 14 is that over-coming group taken out of the church who shall be those manifested sons of God, that not only shows ignorance to the truth, and that they are unable to distinguish between Jews and Gentiles, but also shows you how easily scriptures can be twisted to teach such perversions of the world. Paul, the apostle in Romans, is showing that true church of the living God in operation and it is not the 144,000. Here Paul shows forth the true purpose of the manifested body of the sons of God. (Romans 8:22-23)

INHERITANCE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE (GALATIANS 4:1)

Paul alone appears to be the master teacher concerning this truth on ADOPTION, so let us turn over to another epistle of his and receive a further insight into ADOPTION, (Galatians 4:1). “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.” Here Paul shows how the adopted children of this age of grace will in no wise differ from the servant type people until something happens. What? The children of Israel were under the law of bondage, yet by the law they also were children of God. However, they were treated or looked upon as a servant people (poorer in relation to God than the children of God who were heirs of this grace dispensation and its inheritance; poorer only in the sense they would not obtain or be crowned with the authority that shall be invested in the sons of this grace age.) Christians of this dispensation under the great plan of redemption shall be far richer once they do come into their inheritance. However, as long as they remain simply adopted children and not full manifested sons of God they are no different from that of the servant.

Children under this grace dispensation have been chosen to fulfill the highest calling of God in Christ Jesus which any person during any age could ever attain. This people of the grace age will be found worthy to be wed to the Lord Jesus becoming His wife or helpmate. So, when inheritance time comes the grace age Christians will differ considerably from those within the law age or servants in the fact these under grace shall be manifested sons of God. Paul is saying, regardless of which age they will be found in those who measured up to His requirements for that age are all His children, however none shall be children in the same sense of authority as invested in His children of this age of grace. These one day shall be manifested sons. That day, as already stated, shall be the thousand year reign. Verse 2, “But is under tutors and governors (children of the law era), until the time appointed of the father.” See, all that Old Testament ritual served as types and shadows (Hebrews 10:1). “Even as we (referring to himself along with other Israelites) when we were children, were in bondage to the elements of the world (Romans 8:15) (meaning the law) but when the fullness of time had come God sent forth his sons made of a woman, made under the law (subject to the law) to redeem them that were under the law that we in this age of Grace might receive the adoption of sons” MIGHT RECEIVE WHAT? THE ADOPTION OF SONS, AMEN!! (Galatians 4:5)

So we can easily see this adoption is going to lead the children of the grace age into a far superior position than could have ever been thought possible. No wonder Paul was so impressed in I Corinthians 2:9 to write, “For eye hath not seen or ear hath not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man (during any age) the wonderful things that God has prepared for them that love him.” (Especially for Grace Age Saints) And again thundering with joy, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present world (that which we now endure) are nothing to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (shall burst upon us), or as still another translation read, Bear no comparison with the splendor as yet unrevealed which is in store for us. WHEN? In that hour when God’s little adopted family has fully taken on their second phase of adopted grace relationship and in the millennium shall be placed on display. “And because ye are sons God has sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba, Father,” (Galatians 4:6-7)

TWO GREAT EVENTS IN LIFE OF CHRIST

We spoke earlier of the two great events in the sons of God earthly experience which bring about their manifestation in the millennium. Let us also look into the two special great events in the life of He who came to be the example (I Peter 2:21). As has previously been stated there were two moments or highlights even in the earthly life of Christ, the only begotten Son, similar to these of the adopted Sons. Both times being when the father, the Great Eternal Spirit, spoke in behalf of His favorite, the Son, that human vessel fulfilling the sonship office, which certainly deserves more of our attention. Once in the Jordan River being baptized by John where He is ready as the son of God to be manifested to Israel. There He was ready to step into the office work as prophet, which would later lead to the sacrificial atonement work of Himself being the lamb of God. At the river Jordan the voice spoke and said, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. Some translations render, IN WHOM I AM PLEASED TO DWELL IN. What did the statement actually mean, seeing He had some 30 years before been born the son of God through the virgin Mary of Nazareth to fulfill Galatians 4:4?

Here, Beloved, Christ is called upon to do a specific job as the Son of God. (1) He was anointed of the Holy Ghost and went about doing good. (2) He did nothing except what the father showed him. (3) The scripture says that He was made perfect through the things which He suffered. (4) Christ was tempted and tried in every wise as you and I yet He knew no sin, and through it all He walked as much like man as any man could possibly walk. What was it? He was the son of God put on public display as an example showing how God wants His adopted children to walk and live on earth. First, in order for Christ to be that example in flesh He must know what you and I face and encounter, so bravely facing it He overcame that He might become the first overcomer to be the victorious one, and because He only did what the Spirit (Father) showed him, it greatly pleased the Father. During all his 3½ years of ministry He continually pleased the Father. Here was the one He could place His attributes in. Remember, when you are adopted into the family of God you too get anointed with the Holy Ghost. That Holy Ghost will teach and guide you; He will instruct and illuminate you. Oh, how much is left up to us as to what kind of a son we are going to be! Many people receive the Holy Ghost; they get saved then sit down and never learn what it is to be a real Christian or really live a life of example ship! So much of the time their speech is much like it was before. Their temper remains about the same as before. Could we say the Father would be pleased to dwell in that kind of vessel?

Again we notice another time in Christ’s life something happened. There came a day when Jesus was speaking to a multitude and said, “Verily I say unto you there are some of you here that will not see death until you have seen the Son of Man coming in the power and the glory of his fathers kingdom.” About a week later He, with Peter, James and John, went up into a mountain and there the scripture says he was transfigured before their eyes, representing the second phase of our adoption. WHAT WAS HAPPENING? The great Eternal Spirit was shrouding Him with His millennium glory, with majesty, with His honor in the presence of these three disciples to be later testified, allowing them to see Him how He will look once He returns in the millennium as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Certainly that was not the way He looked while upon earth in His prophet office, but this is the way He will look once He comes in Revelation 19 to fulfill the great kingship of the Great Eternal Father.

Notice Matthew 17:2, “his face did shine as the noonday sun and his raiment was white as the light.” Following this great spectacular sight of millennium glory preview the three heard a voice saying, “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5) What is the meaning of this vision? It showed that there had been a mighty delegation of authority invested in Him because now the Spirit is leading Him to Calvary where He is to die and pay the great sin debt. Scripture teaches, beloved, that Jesus saw the cross coming up long before it actually happened. “For the joy that was set before him (oh, yes, that is the beautiful part of it) he could see that joy which lay beyond the cross.” He could see His bride (helpmeet) which one day would be given to Him, whom He would purchase through His suffering and death. (Ephesians 5:25-27) Possibly it might not have been so encouraging could He not have seen the great kingly authority given to Him to set here one day upon this earth to rule and reign with his helpmeet to restore righteousness and peace to the earth in order to fulfill all that Paul, by revelation, saw in Romans 8:22-23, when the whole creation which groaneth and travaileth in pain, would be redeemed by the manifested sons of God.

Understand this statement, NO BODY, ABSOLUTELY NOBODY is going to redeem this mess, changing things to make it a better world in which to live, getting things ready for Christ’s return. THAT IS ABSURD! Christ and His wife (manifested sons) will do that themselves and He doesn’t need any outside help. Some think and teach that a great endtime revival is going to bring about the manifestation of the sons of God and accomplish this. FORGET IT! It will never happen in this age! Men shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived, Christ and His glorified Bride will return to earth to accomplish this task for which all creation is waiting. He took upon Himself the sufferings of the cross despising the shame which He could also see, He could see the pain, the agony of it all, but brother He looked beyond the cross, beyond the tomb, beyond hell, He looked far beyond all of that and saw the day His little wife would be given to Him. He could see the day the kingdoms of this earth would be given to Him. There was his joy set before him. (Hebrews 12:2) Remember, immediately upon being baptized by John, the voice having declared Him as His beloved son in whom He was well pleased, Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He endured heavy bombardment of the evil forces while fasting for forty days, during which time Satan was permitted to tempt the very Son of God, the flesh part, tempted Him on every basis of what He was going to fulfill. (Hebrews 2:18) Satan, knowing the flesh was hungry said, if you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Christ on earth was a miracle worker, wasn’t He? Christ was going to take the power of God and transfer many things, was He not? Not for Himself, but for lost undone humanity who had been trapped by the fall. Satan was allowed to tempt Him on everything He was going to fulfill in scripture. The devil said, if you be the Son of God do this. That is much the same manner Satan gets hold of us sometimes, we are a child of God, we have that spirit of adoption, the Holy Ghost; we know we have been given the power of God yet, often times we are just like little babies trying to walk in the Spirit of God. We should realize if God permitted Satan to tempt and try us. If God permitted His own son to be tempted forty days in the wilderness, don’t you think for a moment Satan is not going to be allowed to test you to see whether you are sure you are a son of God or not. If thou be the Son of God do such and such. Scripture says God tries every son, none are exempted. Here was the Son of God who was ordained for redemption and you are a product of what He became.

ADOPTION OF THE BODY BEFORE MANIFESTATION

Coming back now to our second phase of redemption or adoption which transpires only as our corrupt bodies receive their change. Paul’s revelation showed us “the dead in Christ shall rise first”, therefore, their adoption of the body appears before the living bride’s awaiting rapture. It matters not how close to that hour we come, even to the point of reaching out and touching it, it will be impossible to touch that second phase of adoption until after the dead in Christ comes forth and have received theirs, that is the order. (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) Let’s get this straight, those resurrected dead in Christ, though they come forth first putting on bodily immortality (incorruption), ready at last to become manifested sons of God, they are not going to run off and leave us. No Sir, the dead in Christ shall rise, we do know once this happens some time later (we know not just when) (Matthew 27:52-53) in a moment in the twinkling of an eye we shall be changed. When those dead rise we know it is at hand. I said if it was possible that we can get so close that we can touch, it can’t occur until the dead ones first rise. Therefore, that kills the theory a great revival will produce these manifested sons of God, only the resurrection and the catching away of the living bride (rapture) shall accomplish this! Paul said their bodies were sown in corruption but will be raised in incorruption. (I Corinthians 15:42-57)

BRIDE TOUCHES SECOND PHASE OF ADOPTION TOGETHER

So this body we walk in, if we remain alive, altogether we shall touch the second phase up to that very ordained moment. The same shall be said of us, this was sown in mortality, it will be reaped in immortality. WHEN? One here and one there? NO SIR! All at the same moment at the twinkling of an eye! This living bride’s body will be changed. Immediately the living touch the second phase of adoption together. It was not a gradual process! It was not that some of the living touch that place before others. Together we will touch it because now the redemption or adoption of the body has received its full atoned benefit. Once that body of the living redeemed has been changed we shall be gathered together, both the living and the dead, in the air and as His bride we shall be presented unto Him who is our all in all to be wed, therefore, becoming His helpmeet for the millennium.

In connection with this, Ephesians 1:5 reveals this was all planned in the mind of God long before the world ever began. (Romans 8:29-30) Always remember if we who have started in the revelation of His Word remain faithful and true unto Him, and are fortunate enough to be in that high bride calling (Philippians 3:13-14) to be manifested sons of God, and help lift that terrible curse placed on creation during the millennium it will only be because you were already in the mind of God before ever there was a star, moon or anything else. We were in His thoughts, He had predestinated us unto Himself in the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ Himself, and to the good pleasure of His own will. Note, He did all this all by Himself (Ephesians 1:11). He never asked help from some second or third person asking them what they thought about it. There are some things He just does to the good pleasure of His will.

Some people ask, did He know what Adam and Eve were going to do? He certainly did, and then some will go so far as to say well, why did He make us then? That is none of our business. God does a few things according to His own good pleasure, therefore, in Romans Paul asked the question, “shall he that is formed saw unto he that formed him, why hast thou made me thus?” After all if He loved me enough to take my place, the just dying for the unjust, the least I can do is give myself completely to Him. Beloved, the whole thing boils down to this, that God might have a family of adopted children born of Eternal Life (His life, life as was originally planned in the garden before the guidance of the tree of knowledge was sought and children were born in death) who will love Him out of pure love and devotion to Him for something that He has done for them. He chose His adopted children in Christ before the foundation of the world that we might be the adopted sons of His. Paul writing unto those of the first-fruits said in Ephesians 1:13-14, “In whom ye trusted after you heard the word of truth (means the good news of salvation), in whom also after ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Sprit of Promise.” Then over in Ephesians 4:30, he told how long they were sealed, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” However, according to some evangelical teachings you are only sealed from revival to revival, from church meeting to church meeting, that is like saying a baby lives only from meal to meal. My goodness, I would hate to think as I approached the dinner table that my children were on the verge of collapsing and expiring because they only existed from meal to meal! Granted, if they don’t get some food once in a while along the way they would cease to exist, however, concerning the inner man the Bible says the seal of the Holy Ghost is something placed in us to give us an assurance that we are His and He is ours.

SEALED WITH SPIRIT IS DOWN PAYMENT UNTIL FULL REDEMPTION OF BODY

Notice, “ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14) Williams translations says the holy Spirit is “the first installment of our inheritance.” Recall, adoption takes place under two installments or two phases (spirit and body). Bear in mind, in reality, complete adoption of sons of God does not occur until Phase Two is brought into effect, redemption of the body. True, we were fully purchased at Calvary and we received the spirit of adoption immediately, which was our seal God placed on us to show His ownership. Giving us of His Spirit was at this time the first initial down payment placed upon us which was sufficient to hold everything until the day of redemption, Ephesians 4:30, or the day He picks up His purchase, when at that time we would be changed, bodies redeemed. This down payment showing already purchased ownership was to let Satan know he had no claim on us, but I am thankful in reality we were not placed on lay-a-way until second phase or second payment transaction was completed. At that time we will not have to depend merely upon having the spirit as the earnest or down payment on our inheritance to show ownership, we until then be like Him. (I John 3:2)

With the transaction of adoption now completed we are ready to receive our inheritance. Paul shows we receive the Holy Ghost now even though the second phase of adoption is not yet complete, although in God’s mind it certainly is. (See Romans 8:29-30) The Spirit was only the down payment on our adoption to become manifested Sons of God. The Spirit is sufficient until that day of redemption when He fully completes our adoption (resurrection or rapture). Someday this Spirit on the inside of us is going to lead us unto the next blessing wherein is the final transaction in reality. There the redemption of the purchased possession, which is the body, goes into effect as the millennium witnesses the manifestation of the full-fledged sons of God in action. Beloved, we do not mean to imply that through the grace age we have not been sons of God, we certainly have, Romans 8:14. But, only adopted sons in the first phase waiting for the final transaction of phase two where, at the translation, we shall become manifested sons of God.

MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST – COLOSSIANS 1:18,24

Note carefully, turning to Christ in this grace age has merely placed us in the mystical body of Christ, but at the resurrection or rapture it will no longer be in the mystical body, but in the literal kingdom itself, having not only His Spirit but possessing also a glorified body likened unto His resurrected body that He shall be in for the kingdom office, kingship, where also these full-fledged adopted manifested sons of God shall appear reigning with Him in full authority, fulfilling the scripture in Revelations 5:10, 1:6, “for he has made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth.”

OFFICEWORK OF FULLY ADOPTED SONS

Once we can see what this adoption and its effectiveness is in its second phase and seeing how it becomes applicable only when this body is changed into the glorious image of the body of Christ Himself, then and only then could any person ever have enough power to step out and say to the animal kingdom, PEACE. Time has come for animals to lie down and relax because there is no more adversary present to keep the animal kingdom as it is. Entering into revelation one is better able to see what this adoption really brings one into. While it is true, John throughout Revelations never once uses the term adoption, nevertheless, Christ Himself made John, that aged Apostle, some wonderful promises which deal with overcoming believers and their position after the resurrection or catching away of the living. Revelation 2:26-29 speaks of the Thyatira Church, the church which portrayed the church during the Dark Ages. If Christ chose to speak this promise to the people of a church which was a local church who would represent and set the pattern of what the people of God would be in the Dark Ages, then how much more should we not realize what He would do for us in this hour!

REWARD UNDER THYATIRA CHURCH AND LAODICEA

Thyatira Church is the church representing the Dark Ages, Revelation 2:26-29. Christ had just finished rebuking the church for allowing the prophetess Jezebel to influence that era, but unto the over-comers of that period he said, (26) “And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” WHO WILL RULE? THE OVER-COMER!! And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. Observe please this reward was not spoken of in the first, second or third ages, only in the 4th age. “To him will I give power over the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron.” According to Revelations 19, God will rule the nations with a rod of iron. Why does He promise this to the over-comer under the fourth age? BECAUSE THE OVER-COMER WILL BE A PART IN THE BRIDE OF CHRIST! Recall, that bride will be made up of every over-comer throughout all seven church ages and that over-comer is a son of God who was adopted into the family of God, and when his body is changed into the glorious image of Christ’s body at the second phase of adoption, he will then be a manifested son of God. His glorified body proves that he made the journey successfully and he shall rule them (nations) with a rod of iron and as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; as even I (personal) received of my Father. Christ received of the Great Eternal Spirit Father the authority to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, didn’t He? Therefore, He is actually saying to him that overcometh, I will share this kingly authority with him because he is one of the sons of God! “And I will give him the morning star and he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit sayeth unto the churches.” Already Christ has told the over-comer of the dark ages He would give him power over the nations, a promise that could only be demonstrated as Christ actually becomes King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Furthermore, notice carefully, our promise He gives to us of this Laodicean Age. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” (Revelation 3:21) See how both promises dovetail? To the man in the Dark Ages who overcomes I will give power over the nations. To have power over the nations he is going to have to be delegated with that authority, because Christ alone will rule the nations with a rod of iron but here His over-comer, which is part of God’s adopted sonship, is placed in his kingdom. In Matthew 17, we saw what Christ looked like as He presented a preview of millennium glory before those three disciples and John, one of these disciples, said we would be like Him (I John 3:2). Soon after Jesus died and arose from the dead He announced “all power and authority in heaven and earth is given unto me.” (Matthew 28:18) He could not immediately take up His kingly (authority) crown and build the kingship, because first He was to fulfill His high priest office work interceding for those on earth during seven stages of His grace age, who would become his bride and reign with him as manifested sons with all power and glory for one thousand years in glorified bodies likened unto His, (Matthew 17:2, I John 3:2). Christ was the first over-comer, overcoming hell, death and the grave, furthermore, He overcame every temptation to become the captain of our salvation, Hebrews 5:5-10, saying Come and follow me. So, here in Revelation 2:26-28, Revelation 3:21, we find this over-comer saying to him that overcometh, I will give power over the nations. Remember, that only comes under the kingly rule and to the ones of us in this hour He says, “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” Naturally, everyone is not going to run over somewhere and actually sit down in a single throne, that is figurative meaning his throne is the position of kingly authority, if we are faithful to him He will lift us up and place us in His kingly authority likewise, so actually the promise to the Dark Ages is the promise to this one too. They are one and the self-same. It portrays the same type of placing, therefore, ADOPTION in the second phase is when God takes His children, gives them a glorified body and then reveals them in creation. There they are, the kings and priests for the millennium age, and Christ will come and rule the nations for one thousand years.

We see the present world in all its turmoil, in all its political confusion when every man is absolutely raking his brain for an answer of today’s pressing problems, beloved, there is one outlet and one hope, THAT HOPE IS CHRIST. Please do not think me a fanatic when I say there isn’t one thing that the little bride of Christ at this time can do to change the present status of world conditions. The only thing you can do is to get yourself lined up with this word. Robe and clothe yourself in His revelation and prepare to meet Him, because this political situation will only continue to worsen. The military situation will continue to worsen until the last land war, Armageddon, will be fought. No doubt the world has witnessed the last types of wars that will ever be fought with the sole purpose of winning. Everything is a rotten mess, men are put out to be shot down and butchered, because a group of crooked politicians are back somewhere dictating the out-come, either for money or for political gain. God has the whole thing in His hand, He is maneuvering it, He is shaping it just the way He wants, and when I say this do not think that I am saying for the christians to sit down and not be interested in the human soul, that is not what I said at all. No sir, but you are not going to change the course of things in this world. You might be successful in helping to change the course of an individual’s live, but you will never change the course of this world, which is heading straight on course and shall collide with God’s judgement, because the Gentiles rejected His plan of adoption. The moment you put your hand out to change the course of this world it may change the course of your destination; it may prove whether you will make it or not, so I am saying this, let us get our self in the word of God. Let us find out what His will is and find out how to walk and live like a Christian, because brother and sister, He is coming for a people that is made like Him. I am interested in human beings, don’t ever get me wrong, but I realize so many times people can get so occupied, they can get so busy they absolutely end up trying to take it out of God’s hands altogether and run it themselves.

I have heard so many say, God wants us to be co-workers. That is true, providing we listen to Him once in a while, but have you ever noticed some people, once God becomes a co-worker he sits in a corner and they try running it. No, Jesus the Son of God did nothing except what the father showed Him! He had no program of His own. He said, I do nothing in myself. That is why, beloved, some time He could heal a multitude then other times He would go through a multitude and only touch one. He was solely an individual who wanted the will of the father done. That is the quality God is looking and searching for in us. If Jesus were to step forth in this generation and do as He did over 1900 years ago people would declare, He is a respecter of persons. Why, I would do it this way some would say. Sure the people would do it that way because they are not God. God says as the heavens are high above the earth so are my ways above your ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Well, like everyone else I too am looking for the manifestations of the sons of God, but I know when that time arrives they will be of a proper age, and there will be a condition and state that the sons of God will be in which will coincide perfectly and it will fit this world’s needs.

Beloved, we are journeying toward the end. Every kind of teaching will arise and some of them will sound good and some will have just enough human imagination tied in with them to take a human mind and completely mislead it.