By John Thiel. Beholding Christ Series, Part 4, mp3

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [Him], that we may be also glorified together.

It’s good to keep our eyes focused on Jesus beholding Him. We want to do this that we might be changed to the same image. From glory to glory, what does it mean; from character to character. There are many facets of glory of the character of Jesus and the one we want to consider is the character of the Sonship of Jesus Christ, the divine and human Sonship a twofold Sonship. Perfect Sonship finds its bench mark, its genetics in the fifth commandment. Here are the genetics of true Sonship:

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

These are the genetics, the benchmark of true Sonship but how much does it encompass? We are blessed with the spirit of prophecy in which we can appreciate the wide encompassing meaning of this bench mark. To see the flesh and bones of it all rather than just its basic announcement.

 Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them a responsibility for the souls committed to their charge, has ordained that during the earlier years of life, parents shall stand in the place of God to their children. And he who rejects the rightful authority of his parents is rejecting the authority of God. The fifth commandment requires children not only to yield respect, submission, and obedience to their parents, but also to give them love and tenderness, to lighten their cares, to guard their reputation, and to succor and comfort them in old age. It also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers and for all others to whom God has delegated authority. {PP 308.2}

Here we have the amplification, the developmental growth of the genetics of the command. It is a Sonship which is a living activity. To comprehend, to see the actual living demonstration of that benchmark, we have a living example to behold. It is Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

When someone is firstborn, what does he become to the other children? Is he not the elder brother? He is our elder brother. If we want to understand what Sonship really is, we see it in our elder brother.

When Jesus would uplift men to become members of the heavenly family, He humbled Himself to become a member of the earthly family, and by partaking of our nature He became the Son of man, the Son of Adam, and a Brother to every Son and daughter of our fallen race.–Ms 58, 1896, p. 4. {17MR 25.3}

We who are fallen people have an elder brother for us. It is he who humbled Himself from the position of God and became a member of the earthly family. The Son of man. In beholding our elder brother like so many of the children who are born to a multiple child family, the firstborn is the one who gets all the training more severely than any of the others because they then have an example in the older brother or sister.

He is our Elder Brother. He came to prove that human beings can, through the power of God, live sinless lives. {ST, August 9, 1905 par. 8}

Let the graces of our Elder Brother be copied. {SpM 62.5}

The graces of Sonship. Join with me to explore the graces of Sonship which we are called to copy. When we behold Christ we observe a dual Sonship.

Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Can you see a dual Sonship here? He was the Son of God according to the spirit but according to the flesh what was He? The seed of David. He was indeed the seed of man, the Son of David. Let us explore more Bible texts to appreciate this Sonship potential in Him. Here it is speaking of His Sonship to David.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

That term, under the law means under its condemnation like every other Son and daughter that is born unto a woman. Jesus was made under the condemnation of the law.

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.

If you meditate upon this you see that the Sonship of Jesus was a Sonship that was accountable to the authority of human parents.

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto Him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

For Apostle Peter to recognise that He was the Son of God while He was a human being, who grew up from infancy, required the Holy Spirit to reveal it. May the Holy Spirit reveal to us the dual Sonship perplexity that Jesus experienced. Imagine yourself to be a child of God, a Son of God and you have to obey Him and simultaneously the Son of a human being and you have to obey them. Especially if those parents are faulty which every parent is. It follows that the graces of his Sonship encompass according to the benchmark, a relation with two classes of authority.

Focus on the process of Jesus growing up from infancy and his wonderful grace of Sonship demonstrated.

  Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them a responsibility for the souls committed to their charge, has ordained that during the earlier years of life parents shall stand in the place of God to their children. {AH 293.1}

In the early years of Christ what were his parents? In the place of God to Him. Let’s see Him as the Son of manmade of a woman, under the law. Let us behold Him and by beholding this grace to appreciate and to copy, meditate, think carefully on what we are reading.

Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

What a challenge – sonship to be in favour with both. He was subject to both. He respected and honoured both.

   The gradual development of the plant from the seed is an object lesson in child training. There is “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” He who gave this parable created the tiny seed, gave it its vital properties, and ordained the laws that govern its growth. And the truths which the parable teaches were made a living reality in His own life. In both His physical and His spiritual nature He followed the divine order of growth illustrated by the plant, as He wishes all youth to do. Although He was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, He became a babe in Bethlehem, and for a time represented the helpless infant in its mother’s care. {COL 82.3}

Can you see the dual Sonship here? The Son of God. This babe depended upon the care of his earthly parent who is as God.

In childhood He did the works of an obedient child. He spoke and acted with the wisdom of a child and not of a man, honoring His parents and carrying out their wishes in helpful ways, according to the ability of a child. But at each stage of His development He was perfect, with the simple, natural grace of a sinless life. {COL 82.3}

The sacred record says of His childhood, “The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40, 52

Here was the childhood of Jesus. He the Son of man and the Son of God that demonstrated a Sonship that fulfilled perfectly the benchmark of the fifth commandment in Exodus 20.

Though He increased in knowledge, and the grace of God was upon Him, yet He did not become lifted up in pride, or feel that He was above doing the most humble toil. He took His share of the burden, together with His father, mother, and brethren. He toiled to sustain the family, and shared in the work that would meet the expenses of the household. Though His wisdom had astonished the doctors, yet He meekly subjected Himself to His human guardians, bore His part in the family burdens, and worked with His own hands as any toiler would work. {5BC 1117.4}

You know what it is when we please our mummy and daddy and we start to feel good about ourselves. Not so with Christ. Here is a Sonship that no matter how good you are, Jesus was much better than anyone else. Never indulge pride in yourself. To have a mind that is of God but is subject to human – the rightful authority. This was his submission to parents as guardians. What else did we read that the fifth commandment requires? It requires obedience to the ministers – that is part of that commandment.

Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

What does this represent in reference to his Sonship? In reference to honouring and respecting and following the guidance of ministers? We remember what sort of ministers they were and what does this 12 year old do? He listened to the doctors and asked them questions. Did he let them feel I know more than you because he did? Did he communicate that? He behaved as a Son to the ministers who were so seriously faulty. We will explore this amazing Son to the ministers.

   At that day an apartment connected with the temple was devoted to a sacred school, after the manner of the schools of the prophets. Here leading rabbis with their pupils assembled, and hither the child Jesus came. Seating Himself at the feet of these grave, learned men, He listened to their instruction. As one seeking for wisdom, He questioned these teachers in regard to the prophecies, and to events then taking place that pointed to the advent of the Messiah. {DA 78.4}

Isn’t it an ironic situation here, he the Messiah Himself who was awakening to this positioning as he watched the events of the lamb sacrifice was now coming to be guided by these grave scholars asking them to tell Him what needs to be understood. As Jesus was asking them questions and very intelligently finding answers;

  The words of Jesus had moved their hearts as they had never before been moved by words from human lips.  The words of Jesus had moved their hearts as they had never before been moved by words from human lips. God was seeking to give light to those leaders in Israel, and He used the only means by which they could be reached. In their pride they would have scorned to admit that they could receive instruction from anyone. If Jesus had appeared to be trying to teach them, they would have disdained to listen. But they flattered themselves that they were teaching Him, or at least testing His knowledge of the Scriptures. The youthful modesty and grace of Jesus disarmed their prejudices. Unconsciously their minds were opened to the word of God, and the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts. {DA 80.2}

This is something to meditate about. Let it really penetrate to try and understand. How did Jesus teach them and yet didn’t actually teach them? When you and I think we know something, how do we relate to those who are ministers and who reveal to me they don’t know something? What an object lesson to study, the grace of Sonship towards the minister that Jesus demonstrated here.

Now observe that here he was respecting and honouring these grave men and yet also honouring his heavenly father as a son. How to be able to engage in that and still honour the ones who were faulty.

   From its earliest years the Jewish child was surrounded with the requirements of the rabbis. Rigid rules were prescribed for every act, down to the smallest details of life. Under the synagogue teachers the youth were instructed in the countless regulations which as orthodox Israelites they were expected to observe. {DA 84.1}

Here is a perfect illustration of the policies of the Pharisees.

But Jesus did not interest Himself in these matters. From childhood He acted independently of the rabbinical laws. The Scriptures of the Old Testament were His constant study, and the words, “Thus saith the Lord,” were ever upon His lips. {DA 84.1}

He is submissive to God.

As the condition of the people began to open to His mind, He saw that the requirements of society and the requirements of God were in constant collision. {DA 84.2}

You can imagine what he was suffering inside. To obey and respect the parenthood of these men and also the parenthood of his father in heaven.

Men were departing from the word of God, and exalting theories of their own invention. They were observing traditional rites that possessed no virtue. Their service was a mere round of ceremonies; the sacred truths it was designed to teach were hidden from the worshipers. He saw that in their faithless services they found no peace. They did not know the freedom of spirit that would come to them by serving God in truth. Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God, and He could not sanction the mingling of human requirements with the divine precepts. {DA 84.2}

What did he do in respect to his parents and ministers?

He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers; but when reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the word of God in justification of His conduct. {DA 84.2}

Can you pick up how he could be in respect to the ministers and at the same time respect God? He did not attack them for their things but he was reproved for his singularity. How did he do it?

   In every gentle and submissive way, Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact. Because He was so gentle and unobtrusive, the scribes and elders supposed that He would be easily influenced by their teaching. {DA 85.1}  

That is the impact that his Sonship revealed to them. They thought he was a push over.

They urged Him to receive the maxims and traditions that had been handed down from the ancient rabbis, but He asked for their authority in Holy Writ. He would hear every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; but He could not obey the inventions of men. Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end, and He presented them in their true import. The rabbis were ashamed to be instructed by a child. They claimed that it was their office to explain the Scriptures, and that it was His place to accept their interpretation. They were indignant that He should stand in opposition to their word. {DA 85.1}  

He didn’t mean to instruct them but they rebuked Him. In his Sonship he had to gently rebuke them, he didn’t let them push Him over but he referred to his father in heaven.

   They knew that no authority could be found in Scripture for their traditions. They realized that in spiritual understanding Jesus was far in advance of them. Yet they were angry because He did not obey their dictates. Failing to convince Him, they sought Joseph and Mary, and set before them His course of noncompliance. Thus He suffered rebuke and censure. {DA 85.2}

Put yourself inside of this mind. What a tug of war was going on.

   At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God’s word. {DA 86.1}

Here is a beautiful delineation of obeying both parties. What do we see in his dual Sonship? Respect and honour to both parental authorities yet Gods parental authority was not being adhered by those supposed to be as God to the child. The child was only submissive to God but still with submissive gentleness. Sonship.

“It is written” was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. But the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance. {DA 86.1}

Was he being educated? He was learning the hard lessons of silence and patient endurance. You know what it’s like to suffer in silence. You want everyone else to know you are suffering but no, not Jesus.  We will now look at his early adult hood. Let us explore his dual Sonship now. When he was 20 he was already an adult according to the bible but for 30 years he was subject to his parents. The only thing he wasn’t subject to was the customs that were out of harmony with his father’s commandments. He had only just commenced his ministry and called his disciples.

John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it]. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

What do we see here? His honour and respect to his mother was being contorted within Himself because she was pressing Him into committing something that Jesus felt he was not yet ready his time to do so. What did he say? My hour is not yet come. He had a problem here, honour her or honour the call of the father. She is going ahead anyway so he tells them to pour water and the water turns to wine.

What do we learn from this Sonship? He combined the Sonship of his heavenly father to the Sonship of his mother and he pleased her by doing that. Even the way he spoke to her can be interpreted wrongly that he was disrespectful. Mother, woman, what have I to do with thee? No it was mother, why do I have to do this, my hour is not yet come and she went ahead and told them, do what he says.

We are to succour and comfort parents in old age. His Sonship to his heavenly Father brought Him to the point of the cross.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the [wife] of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

Was Jesus a perfect representation of what it meant to be a son? Even now at this moment of having being whipped and scourged, the lacerations, the shame and he looks down upon his mother and he says oh my mother, I love you, you need someone to care for you because I won’t be able to do it anymore. John, this is your mother, mother this is your son. What a beautiful Sonship principle.

It also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers and for all others to whom God has delegated authority. {PP 308.2}

Let us look at Jesus in respect to that. All who are in delegated authority. We are to obey the rulers of the land as they are messengers of God to keep order in the land. They are as Gods agents, they are as God to the world. How does Jesus as Sonship to this demonstrate to us his dual Sonship?

Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men’s shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

What does Jesus say in regard to his Sonship and the Sonship of his brothers how they should regard those who are in position of authority? They sit in Moses seat. Do what they say, because when they describe to you, what is written in the bible, you do that. They are still in that position and Jesus Himself was subject to them. There were many things he would not do in respect to the ministers and many reasons were there and Sonship was one. When it came to the rulers crushing the Jewish nation, how did he relate to their authority?

Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, [ye] hypocrites? 19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? 21 They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 22 When they had heard [these words], they marvelled, and left Him, and went their way.

Why could Jesus answer like this? Was he just a smart person who could outwit them? No, it was his Sonship. He had it very clear in his own understanding that I obey Caesar and I give what is due to Him and I obey God and I give what is due to Him. He demonstrated this his whole life. He was a in a condition of true Sonship.

Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute [money] came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 17 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented Him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto Him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

This is a powerful demonstration of his Sonship toward his God and toward human beings. Really we don’t have to pay this tribute money because this money was being collected for the temple at Capernaum. He was the Son of God so why did he have to pay? He had no responsibility, however so we don’t offend them, pay. He still respected them in their position. I have no problem with paying tribute money, go catch a fish, you will find the money in its mouth.

The Sonship of Jesus to God and man was most powerfully demonstrated in the time of his crucifixion.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

His Sonship continued to function totally, but notice a wonderful demonstration of Sonship to both parties. God and man. here he knew what God expected Him to do.

Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him, 33 [Saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles:

 10:34 And they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him: and the third day he shall rise again.

He had this command from God and all the time before he had avoided it but now he was to obey, even to the death of the cross. He explained to the disciples this is why they were going to Jerusalem. Now he stands before Pilate. Notice something in reference to his dual Sonship. Pilate was in a terrible plight, he wanted to free Jesus and he wanted Jesus to defend Himself.

John 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave Him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that

I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Is that right? Wasn’t he in authority? He claimed his authority by saying please talk to me so I can release you. I have power to crucify or release you. Notice what Jesus said;

John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above:.

What an answer. Again, his submission to Pilate was the submission that blended with his submission to the father in heaven. Here we have the epitome of everything that governed Him all the way through. He was obedient unto death even the death of the cross. Jesus was an obedient Son in every detail but blended only as God commanded it did he obey.

These ministers of the land are actually tools in Gods hand. As we submit to them in harmony with submission to God we are in true Sonship. Jesus suffered in paradoxical circumstances. Here is the description of what he in his Sonship learnt and developed for us;

Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;

He was the author of Sonship. He learned obedience to both parties and developed a perfect character. He learnt by his suffering. He learnt even in his youth, he learnt the lesson of silence and patience. Through that interaction. Here is how God trained his Son and here is how you and I are to be trained by God and man.

He [Christ] had clothed His divinity with humanity, and in every period of His life, through infancy, childhood, youth, and manhood, He had suffered every phase of trial and temptation with which humanity is beset.–Ms 35, 1895, p. 1. {17MR 25.2}

We can see an aspect of this amazing picture that we can comprehend the intricacies that took place in the nature of Jesus with the psyche and mind that we must pick up on. You can see Him go through every trial and temptation with which humanity is beset. We who are sons and daughters of man are admonished to do this and more. We are to follow his example;

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Remember he was our elder brother showing us how we are to be trained?

Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

A vivid understanding that Jesus suffered and learnt obedience by the things which he suffered. The contradictions going on his mind to obey and honour and be disobedient to certain aspects while at the same time he wanted to be obedient to earthly authorities. We are not to become weary of these mind bending twists of the brain. Let this psyche control you that under every circumstance we are following Christs Sonship.

The Sonship of Jesus is to be ours by beholding and copying. If I am going to become a Son of God, how am I to become one? By copying Jesus.

Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The word through Christ opens such a vista of comprehension that as I look at Jesus in his Sonship, that if I were a Son of man only, through Him, I may now become a Son of God like Him. In other words, there is no magic here. If you want to become a Son or daughter of God, look at Jesus. His Sonship and you will become one.

Not only do we become sons of God but heirs of God through Jesus Christ. He is represented as the first born. Like any family, the oldest child is the one that leads the rest of the children by example. Jesus received the training so that we might follow the elder brother experience.

In itself the act of consenting to be a man would be no act of humiliation were it not for the fact of Christ’s exalted preexistence, and the fallen condition of man. But when we open our understanding to realize that in taking humanity upon Him, Christ laid aside His royal robe, His kingly crown, His high command, and clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might meet man where he was, and bring to the human family moral power to become the sons and daughters of God, [we begin to understand the magnitude of the Incarnation].–Ms 67, 1898, pp. 4, 5. {17MR 25.1}

   He [Christ] had clothed His divinity with humanity, and in every period of His life, through infancy, childhood, youth, and manhood, He had suffered every phase of trial and temptation with which humanity is beset.–Ms 35, 1895, p. 1. {17MR 25.2}

Divine Sonship. If we will behold it and take it seriously and observe it in all its variations, we may be of a divine Sonship.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is.

If we will suffer with Him, then we will be saved.

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth Himself, even as he is pure.

We have the hope, we have the Sonship of Jesus to gaze upon, we will follow it intelligently and we will submit as he the Son of God did because in that way we will be purified and indeed when he comes, we shall be like Him.

As I meditate upon this and as I read from the spirit of prophecy in the words that E G White herself contemplated, I echo her words to us in conclusion.

Christ, the one equal with the Father, came to live heaven before men, that they might learn to know what it is to have heaven in the heart. He illustrated what man must be to be worthy of the precious boon of the life that measures with the life of God. {FE 179.2}

   The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if He would join the church triumphant. The love of Christ is so broad, so full of glory, that in comparison to it, everything that men esteem as great, dwindles into insignificance. When we obtain a view of it, we exclaim, O the depth of the riches of the love that God bestowed upon men in the gift of His only-begotten Son! {FE 179.3}

   When we seek for appropriate language in which to describe the love of God, we find words too tame, too weak, too far beneath the theme, and we lay down our pen and say, “No, it cannot be described.” We can only do as did the beloved disciple, and say, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” In attempting any description of this love, we feel that we are as infants lisping their first words. Silently we may adore; for silence in this matter is the only eloquence. {FE 179.4}

Amen.