From before the foundation of God’s creation, He purposed from within Himself that He, in the process of time, would bring forth a seed in the earth to birth after His own kind. As God spoke in the first chapter of Genesis, He proclaimed the fashion of that seed. Gen. 1:26, “Then God said, Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth”. This scripture refers to and includes such qualities as reason, personality, and the intellect. Also, with the capacity to relate, to hear, to smell, to see, to feel and to speak.

All these are characteristics of God, which He chose to reproduce in His created man. This man is purposed to be God’s kingdom agent, to rule and subdue all the rest of creation, including the aggressive fallen forces of the adversary that would and does infringe upon God’s purpose. This plan, this seed, this man, a many members one, is not one that God has forgotten about nor left to be unfulfilled. It is down through the dispensations of time that God purposed the molding and maturing of this created man into Christ full measure.

From scripture as written in the book of Hebrews, the revelation of that seed had its beginning as the seed, the Son of God Christ Jesus begins. Heb. 1:1-2, “God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds”. God’s son, superior to everything in every way, is the perfect reflection of God’s glory and the image of His Person. Herein, lays the promise that God gave and its coming forth as a first-born Son. Note with understanding that while the first-born is the Heir, the promise will not be complete until the co-heirs likewise find their place of fulfillment as members of Christ, becoming His many member body. These members of Christ, first as a first-fruits company, have their beginning in the making up of this completed body.

Rom. 8:14-17 openly declares, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together”.

From this verse, we can see the progression as a person receives forgiveness of past sins to become one of the children of God. However, in the spirit realm as in the natural, a child needs to grow, and in its maturing processes, he matures to qualify and finally become an adopted son, a son that begins to move in the Fathers authority. Thus this child finally becomes a part of the matured body of Christ, the glorified ones in which Jesus prayed for in John 17:22, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:”. This oneness prayed for is not an organizational oneness but a spiritual unity, a body that will manifest the life of Christ as first-fruits, as they bear full witness to the divine mission of Christ.

As clearly stated in the Word of God, Jesus Christ is but the firstborn son. It also declares that God, in His foreknowledge, purposed that others would also mature into the image of His First Son. Rom. 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. That He might be the firstborn among many brethren”. The writer, looking into eternity past sees that God’s purpose for His people has only been good. He foreknew and predestined believers to be like Christ. With clarity, God states that a people shall become sons. The requirement stated is that they shall be required to overcome. “Overcome” is a word that speaks of conquering. Thus, unto those who conquer, they shall likewise inherit from the Father, becoming a first-fruits people who gain a place called “sons.” These shall receive from God all things that He has prepared for them that love Him. Rev. 21:7, “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son”.

Herein lays the revelation concerning that which God purposed when He declared, “let us make man in our image, according to our likeness”. With the Holy Spirits revealing, we can understand that the seed, Christ Jesus, is but the beginning of God’s creation. In other words, Jesus Christ was the pattern for other coming sons. God saw Him before the making of any man, with the man becoming many in number that would finally grow-up into the likeness of the first-born son. Rev. 3:14, “… These things say the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God”. Jesus Christ then, birthed through Mary came forth from God, not only to become the sacrifice for sin, but as God’s pattern son. He, as a seed, is to become a harvest of sons made in His image and likeness. Thus, we have the witness that the firstborn has come. He lived, died, was in the tomb, rose to life again to now be seated at the Fathers right hand.

With the Sonship of Jesus being made complete and by becoming the sacrifice needed, God continues working and is still waiting for the body of Christ, the precious fruit of the earth to be made complete. James 5:7 states, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord [includes His first-fruit many member body]. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” God’s patience, according to the times and seasons of creation will bring forth this great harvest of first-fruit sons.

When is it that the heirs of God shall possess their inheritance? In answering this question, we must take into account the phrase “in the last days.” Acts 2:17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God …”. This phrase “in the last days” refers to the era of the church from the upper room Feast of Pentecost to the return of Christ. This brings todays man to the overlapping of today’s age and the age that is to come. 2 Tim. 3:1, “But know this that in the last days’ perilous times will come.” This word “perilous” has the meaning of “harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, painful, fierce, grievous, hard to deal with.” This word describes a society that is barren of virtue but abounding with vices. Appearing “in the last days” certain events begin to take place that bring about the fulfillment of those things declared previously.

With the entire dispensation of grace, this church age, referred to as “the last days,” the Apostles revealed that they, likewise, were living “in the last days”. Yet 2000 years later, we find we are still living “in the last days”. Thus, a 2000-year period given to prepare and mature the harvest of the Christ seed that was planted those 2000 years ago. It is here that we should note that Jesus as our sacrifice, lifted upon the cross at the third hour, the mornings sacrifice, speaks of 9:00 AM. Mark 15:25, “Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.” Jesus then remained on the cross until the ninth hour, the evening sacrifice, at 3:00 PM. Mark 15:33-34, “Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is translated, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? [the sacrifice completed]”

Fallen man, unable to restore himself, can now know restoration but only through this sacrifice of Jesus. This being because man, born in the fallen condition of the Adam man, could not pay the penalty for himself. Fallen man needed a worthy sacrifice found only in God’s firstborn Son, the man Christ Jesus. Herein He died; He paid the price that was necessary for man’s sinful life. He hung on the cross for as long as needed and then He cried out, “it is finished.” His sacrifice, for man, was now a price paid in full. John 19:30, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, it is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” Now, with that requirement met, God begins to focus upon another son, a corporate son, one that has many members.

Jesus, the firstborn son came forth in the morning of these “last days,” but now, at the time of the evening sacrifice (the closing hours of the last days) Jesus again cries, “It is finished.” Here, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, He pours Himself by the Holy Spirit into a called and chosen body of sons who now do the ministry of the “greater things.” John 14:12, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” Because His purpose was the crucifixion, Jesus’ earthly ministry was limited to only a few years. However, after the Resurrection of Jesus and with the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost, His ministry continues to multiply through Holy Spirit empowered believers, a harvest of first-fruits coming forth to establish the kingdom of God in all the earth.

According to God’s plan, from the beginning, He purposed to have a many member son. These, with Christ as the head, are to restore creation as a whole back into a restored divine order. Back, from the realm of death, to God’s realm of life. Heb. 2:10, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory; to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings”. While the Old Testament people knew God only as the creator, the lawgiver and a punisher of sins, Jesus came to reveal and unveil God’s true nature.

Heb. 1:3, “Who [Christ Jesus] being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”. This Christ seed, now planted in the souls of receiving humanity, purposed that they might live again. With every seed bringing forth after its own kind, Jesus Christ brings forth a harvest liken unto the first born, the visible image of the invisible God. As stated in Col. 1:15, it says, “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” 

        Herein we can rest assured in this fact, that Jesus was and is the overcomer. He overcame, not for Himself alone, but that man could also become partakers of God’s divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4, “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”. These great and precious promises, given to us in Jesus Christ whose very nature can become who we are. While it is only in the blood of Jesus Christ that man can know redemption, we can also remember that His other sons are spiritually birthed do the greater works spoken of by Jesus. I Cor. 15:22-24, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power”. 

        This scripture is pointing to the resurrection, an experience in human life with Jesus Christ being the authentic Man who acted in behalf of other men. The second coming of Christ within His completed purpose will complete the resurrection harvest. Having subdued all enemies, Christ will then turn over the reins of the divine government to God the Father. Again, let us remember that the Christ is the Head and He has a many member body, the first-fruits manifesting in the earth.

To gain insight into the present tense purpose of God for man we need to know, just what are God’s plans and His purposes. Does scripture not tell us that all of creation is to be made subject to God’s Christ’ and His body? Heb. 2:8, “You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. …..”. If we are living in the last of “the last days,” the phrase “the last days” is speaking of the closing out of this present age and the preparing for the coming in of another. This also speaks to us of a coming new world while the old world is to pass away. The word “world” (OIKOUMENE) means “the world as inhabited, to dwell.” Thus, the word “world,” as spoken to us here is speaking of the inhabitants, the dwellers upon the planet and not the soil.

This speaks to us a new world order coming because of a change in rulership, a governmental change as the inhabitants who once ruled are now being defeated and removed while a new government is being established. Rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places, which have ruled the darkness of this present evil world, are to be without power and authority in the next age that is arriving. Rev. 20:1-3, “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, which is the enemy and adversary, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. …..”. 

        With the adversary and his messengers being bound for that coming period, who is it that shall rule over this new government, this new world, God’s new age? Rev. 2:7 speaks to us, “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Verse 11 says, “… He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Verse 17, “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” 

        Verses 26-28, “And he who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels, as I also have received from My Father, and I will give him the morning star.” Rev. 3:5, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels“. Verse 12, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more, I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem [God’s first-fruits and bride become this city], which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him my new name.” 

        Verse 21, “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” This word “overcome,” as used here repeatedly is from the Greek word “NIKAO.” A word used to mean, “to conquer, or overcome.” Therefore, unto the one who conquers the fallen world of the first Adam, he will rule in this new government of the coming age. Where is God’s government to manifest but from within man, a government that has been planted within the hearts, the nature of God’s new creation people.

It is from God’s word that we find God also declaring judgment upon a certain people. These people He calls a “world.” Thus, it is important for us to see that there is more than one world involved in God’s judgments. God has promised us a coming King and 2 Peter 3:3-7 declares insight concerning this promise. “Knowing this first: those scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of His coming? For since, the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willfully forget that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world [government, nature] that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

According to these scriptures, it reveals that we are still living on the same earth or soil that saw the flood in Noah’s day. Was Noah’s ark transported to another planet somewhere, I think not. What world was destroyed by the flood, but the world created by the people, those people who were living in a rebellious nature against God? Yes, I think this is so for again, what does Peter show us as to this present world which is to be burned up by the wrath of God in these last days, which is our day? While heaven and earth shall remain, it will be this present day governmental world, both the political and the religious, that God destroys. All things birthed by ungodly men who follow their own lust began to know God’s wrath and judgment and they shall not remain. The truth is that while God does not destroy the natural earth, He does establish a governmental order, bringing forth the destruction of all ungodly governments that rule in the present time. It is through the Christ and His many member body, the first-fruits, which God has chosen to rule over His kingdom age that is to come.

Humanity needs to awaken and get the picture. God uncovers the truth of His kingdom as we read from Isaiah 11:1-9, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His Lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Read also Isaiah 65:17-25.

Today’s men still have an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to wake them up; can we not get the picture? We see a reigning on earth wherein the Christ and His body will minister life to all of creation. We will be able to know the reality of true living. There will be houses built and jobs to work at. Real animals alive that do not destroy nor hurt one another, with children being born that are not afraid of snakes and lambs that are not afraid of wolves. In all of God’s creation, the first-fruits of God are becoming a people that are conformed to the image of the Son of God. These people have overcome because they have put all their enemies under foot with the last enemy being destroyed, which is death.

Note the truth of God’s word in 1 Cor. 15:22-26, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [God’s Christ, both head and his body], afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming [Jesus the head and His body with the bride]. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” With death destroyed, the end comes because there shall be no more sin and death, a time when every tongue shall confess Him as Lord.