Christ is the Seed, the Son of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). Therefore every believer baptized into Christ becomes a son of Abraham (Galatians 3:26-29).
Here again is the divine logic, which makes the church the true “Circumcision,”11 “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). God planned this all along. His promise of a great, glorious nation pointed first to fleshly Israel (with its earthly pictures of glory, and its many preparations), then to this greater Israel of faith that combines both Jews and Gentiles in Christ.12 Now God brings us to a far greater country and city. Yes, He brings us “to the heavenly Jerusalem.”13
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect… (Hebrews 12:22-23).
In Hebrews 12 the Greek term “firstborn” is plural, meaning, “the church [made up] of the firstborn ones.” Jesus, of course, holds the highest rank as “the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).14 So the divine logic seems to be: Christ is the Firstborn. Therefore all in Christ are firstborn sons. Even we Gentiles are “firstborn” in the sense that we share the same status and rank as our Jewish brothers. God has no secondary sons! The past tense, “you have come,”15 shows that we already enter and enjoy the new Jerusalem. The fact that we enjoy it by faith makes it no less real, just as faith in our King makes Him no less real. Is there glory yet to be seen? Certainly, just as we shall see our King’s glorious return! In the meantime, He “made us a kingdom” (Revelation 1:6)16 This helps us understand Jesus’ choice of words,
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).
To “enter the kingdom” is to enter the chosen nation, and more, to be born into the royal family. The context of John 3 shows this watery birth to be baptism.17 A sinner goes down into the water, and a Spirit-filled firstborn arises. Just as Jesus rose from the grave to be enthroned in heaven (Ephesians 1:20), so we rise with Him to enter the same throne room.
…and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6-7).
Are we learning the logic?
Christ is seated in heaven (Ephesians 1:20). Thus all in Christ are seated there too (2:6).
We already enjoy blessings richer than all earth’s treasures can buy.18 Yet these blessings set the stage for many more in “the coming ages.” Through the exchange of the cross, God counts whatever is true of His Son as also true, in some wonderful way, of each of us in His Son. We have already seen that this exchange makes us heirs of Abraham (Galatians 3:29). How far can the logic of grace go? For Jesus, as the Son of God, is also the Heir of God. Does that make us heirs of God Himself? Exactly!
…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. (Romans 8:17). M
Christ is the Heir of God. Therefore in Christ we too become heirs of God.
11. Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11-12
12. Galatians 3:7-9, 14, 22, 26-29; 4:21-31; 6:15-16; Romans 9:6-8, 23-26
13. Research subject – Heavenly Jerusalem: Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:16; 12:22-23; 13:14; Revelation 3:12; 21:2, 10
14. “Firstborn” can be used literally (Exodus 4:23; Luke 2:7,23) or figuratively (Exodus 4:22; Colossians 1:15,18). The latter means foremost, most important, most blessed by God (Psalm 89:27).
16. Revelation 1:6 can be read more literally, “He has made us kings” cf. Revelation 1:9; 5:10; not to be misapplied 1 Corinthians 4:8
17. See Study Note: The Context of John 3
Picture: Many regard modern Jerusalem as the capital of three world religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. But the New Testament depicts God’s family as citizens of the Jerusalem in heaven (Galatians 4:26; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22-23; 13:12-14).