To be a co-heir with the King means this:
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
True, there is much we do not know.30 Yet the few glimpses Jesus gives absolutely astound us:
The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne (Revelation 3:21). M
The bold rights of prayer already surprise us.31 We marvel at being seated in heavenly places,32 and the prospect of judging angels.33 Yet divine logic bursts beyond all these wonders to reserve for us a place on the throne.
The Father enthrones His Son over all the universe.34 Therefore all who remain in the Son will sit on His throne!
Who dreams of such things in their grandest ambitions? God not only dreams it, He plans it for us from eternity. He determines that our adoption will be real and complete. He prepares a birthright fit for a king, an inheritance to match His own majesty and wealth. The King reveals the very words He plans for welcoming His children home:
… Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). M
The Father wants to bless you. From creation His work makes preparation for you, as His future son. But God is also the Judge, and He must also prepare another place and other words: “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).35 The Judge chooses different wording to make a point for all eternity. The kingdom is “prepared for you.” 36 Eternal fire is “prepared for the devil and his angels.” No human need enter hell, for that has never been God’s primary plan for any individual. His planning and predestining reach out to save every person. But each must come “through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5). Human self-will and stubbornness lead to judgment that must divide all humanity into two groups: those on the right inherit the eternal kingdom; those on the left enter “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46). Which of these two sides do you choose?
There are two kinds of sons: “sons of the kingdom” and “the sons of the evil one” (Matthew 13:38). Whose spiritual son are you?
There are two families: “the family of God,” and “those who do not obey the Gospel of God” (1 Peter 4:17). To which group do you belong?
As far as God is concerned, you ought to “obey the Gospel” and serve in His family, the church of His eternal purpose. The King of kings makes loving, thoughtful, powerful preparations for you. Now it is time for you to make loving, obedient, faithful preparations for Him.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). M
31. Hebrews 4:16; 10:19; Ephesians 3:12
34. Acts 2:33-35; Ephesians 1:20-22; Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:19
36. Research subject – Preparations: by God Isaiah 25:6-8; John 14:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Hebrews 11:16; Luke 14:16 with Revelation 19:9; by us Amos 4:12; Luke 1:17; 12:20; Revelation 21:2
Research Subjects
- Father, Son, Spirit
- Winning
- Paul, apostle to the Gentiles
- Heavenly Jerusalem
- Destruction of the earth
- The human body will change
- Preparations by God and by us
God does not leave us as orphans that struggle alone in a spiritually hostile war-zone. Rather, God stays close and helps us. Indeed, He dwells in us by His Spirit, the seal of divine ownership and protection. This “guarantee” is more than symbolic. According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit works to assist us in our weaknesses. He carries our prayers to the Father. He strengthens our inner person and helps us overcome sin. He confirms us as sons and heirs. However, God gives us the choice. By obeying the Gospel, we participate in God’s family and enjoy His eternal blessings. Or, we lose all these advantages through unbelief and disobedience. Which do you choose?
Memory Verses
- John 10:28-29 – I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
- Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
- Ephesians 3:14-17 – For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 – For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
- Romans 8:17 – >…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
- Revelation 21:7 – The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
- Revelation 3:21 – The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
- Matthew 25:34 – … Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- 1 John 3:1-3 – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Lord, my choice is You!
I know my weakness, and my fear was about my own ability to succeed spiritually. But You take that fear away. You promise to live in me and empower me by Your Spirit.
Thank You that I am not alone. I pledge to give my full allegiance and obedience to You…