HHMI Newsgroup Archives
From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Sent: Thursday, June 19, 1997 12:31 AM To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup Subject: The Inheritance -- Part III From: drleves@ibm.net To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Chapter 6 From Eddie: ************* The following article is Part III in this series from our brother in the newsgroup. In Revelation 5:10 it is written: "And hast made us unto our God KINGS and PRIESTS and we shall REIGN on the EARTH" This is a BRIDAL concept NOT a SALVATION concept. When the BRIDE reigns with Yeshua/Jesus during the Messianic Age, she will be teaching the TORAH to the nations. In Isaiah 2:2-3 it is written: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills and ALL NATIONS shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob: and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths: for out of ZION shall go forth the TORAH and the word of the Lord from JERUSALEM" ************************************************************************* CHAPTER 6 THE BIRTHRIGHT God had decided to establish in the world a nation that would bring in the messiah, ultimately a King of the nation that would rule the world. Abraham had been given the promise that his seed would ultimately become that nation. A King would come forth from that nation whose kingdom would have no end. Through this kingdom the world would be blessed. We read in the Scriptures that Issac, born supernaturally, brings forth from his loins twin sons, born almost at the same time. Esau, the firstborn, is heir to the birthright and the blessing that goes with it. Almost immediately after Esau is delivered his brother, Jacob, is born grabbing his brother's heel. We need to observe something important here. Although Jacob is born to the same parents in the same house and almost at the same time, he lacks only one thing, the birthright. This is because he was not the firstborn son. What is the Birthright? It must be of great importance, for we read that "the children struggled together within Rebekah to be born first." Esau, the strongest, wins the contest by being born first, but his brother Jacob while grabbing his heel, continued the struggle in birth and throughout his life. For God had said to their mother "Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger" (Genesis 25:22-23). Notice that the Lord said that the older shall serve the younger. In order to understand the real meaning of the Birthright we must understand that the Birthright speaks of ruling which in turn, speaks of Kingship, Kingdom, and having authority over people, including his brother. The Birthright begins with Abraham. The rights of ownership come with being the first born. Many have struggled to obtain this birthright and even up to this day the battle continues. Jesus said "The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt 11:12). Later on we see Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for one "morsel of food" (Hebrews 12:16). In Genesis 25:32 Esau said "look, I am about to die; so what profit shall this birthright be to me?" Esau had just returned home from hunting. Being hungry he sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a stew which Jacob had cooked. Earlier it was pointed out that the Birthright is the Inheritance, or the Kingdom, and those who run the race and enter the Kingdom are given crowns (see James 1:12, 2 Tim 4:8, 1 Cor 9:25). We are exhorted in the book of Revelation to "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" (Rev 3:11b). Notice the CROWN. The Birthright was always connected with the inheritance. The first born had the inheritance; he would receive it by the laying on of hands by the father who in turn would bless him and bestow upon him authority within the household. He would inherit all that the Father had, his brother would serve him, and tokens would be given to the rest of the family. He would also be come responsible for the welfare of the family making sure that the menservants and maidservants were treated fairly and that his household was given a portion of food in due seasons (Luke 12:42). Although the Birthright automatically belonged to the firstborn, the laying on of hands and the blessing, was the seal. Once this blessing had been given it was irrevocable. The Blessing given to Jacob was as follows, "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let People serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee" (Genesis 27:28-29). Notice that Esau was blessed also by the father, "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come" (Hebrews 11:20). But the blessing was different than that given to Jacob, "Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above: And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother" (Genesis 27:39-40). This means that in this world Esau would be blessed with material things where Jacob was blessed with spiritual and material things. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things (earthly needs) will be added to you" (Matthew 7:7). Issac told Esau "Behold, I have made him THY LORD, and all his brethren have I given to him for SERVANTS; and with corn and wine have I sustained him:" (Genesis 27:37). Although the Birthright had been rightfully his by birth, and although the Birthright promised the INHERITANCE, Esau had despised it by selling it to his brother. Because Jacob prevailed in his struggle to obtain, out of him comes all those that will overcome to win the crowns and the Kingdom. They will rule over those (Carnal Christians) who defiled and sold their birthright by giving in to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Jacob never ruled over Esau in his lifetime here on the earth. The Spiritual promise of RULING OVER HIS BRETHREN can only come during the Kingdom age when the Lord returns with all His Saints to reign here on earth for a thousand years. We read in 1 Chronicles "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his BIRTHRIGHT was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the BIRTHRIGHT, For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's" (1 Chronicles 5:1) Like Esau, Reuben defiled his birthright and was disinherited from receiving the blessings and honor of ruling over his brothers, because of sin. Note that Reuben was still part of the family but had lowered his standing from a lord (king) to a servant's position. The first part of the blessing, "Much corn and wine" and the "fatness of the earth," are earthly blessings. Both Jacob and Esau were blessed with the materials things. But the final blessing is yet to come when those that overcome with the Lord will sit with Him on His Father's throne. Jesus told us to "WATCH," and "PRAY THAT WE BE FOUND WORTHY." May God grant to all those who have been called (everyone who has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour)to be chosen to receive the greatest blessing that God has reserved for those that love Him. "Many are called but few are chosen" (Matt 20:16). Although we are called into the Kingdom through the works of salvation to this high calling, "FEW ARE CHOSEN" because they fail to love the things of God more than the things of this world. James wrote "the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is THE ENEMY OF GOD" (James 4:4). The Kingdom of God will have no citizens who have not paid a price for the crown they wear. Although they were weak they overcame by the "Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimonies" (Rev 12). CHAPTER 7 The Inheritance Jesus, in the close of his message to us in the book of Revelation, gave us this promise, "He that OVERCOMETH shall INHERIT all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Rev 21:7). Paul told the saints at Colosee, "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Col 3:24). He also admonished the Corinthian saints by telling them, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not INHERIT the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, (effeminate refers to what the world now calls gay) nor abusers of themselves with mankind" (1 Cor 6:9). The inheritance, beginning with the promise to Abraham, was transferred to the firstborn son who had the right to the blessing given to him by the laying on of hands by his father. This blessing was the confirmation of the testament, or will, which would entitled the possessor to rule over the household of his father. Younger brothers or sisters were traditionally given tokens (small gifts) but would not be entitled to the authority of the father's estate. The one who had the birthright (inheritance) would then be responsible for taking care of the family. The doctrine of the laying on of hands, part of the foundational truths, goes beyond the present common understanding of today's theology. First, the laying on of hands is a kingdom principal where the inheritance was imparted to the one who had the birthright. All power was transferred to the receiver, with all its authority. When I was a little boy I remember my grandfather laying hands on all his sons and grandsons to bless them every New Years Day. This event is still remembered as a great blessing in my life. True, the laying on of hands is part of imparting spiritual gifts and healing, but let us also remember that it speaks of sonship. Our eastern brothers would say, "the Number One boy." The Lord wants us to be first. He wants to give us the Kingdom. He wants us to inherit all things. But the choice is ours. Being born again gives us that opportunity. If we choose to do as Esau, who had the Birthright, did and sell our birthright away for things that will satisfy the belly or the flesh, our right to this blessing will be removed and given to another. The Birthright is what can be lost or thrown away. By being lukewarm one will miss the greatest event that God can give to those who watch and pray always. Those with the Birthright will be found worthy to escape the judgment that is coming to the world. The inheritance is the Kingdom of God and the Birthright. These should be the goal of the saints. In Psalm 2, while speaking of the kingdom age, the Lord says "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine INHERITANCE, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." One of the blessings of the inheritance takes place upon the return of the Lord Jesus to His church. Those who overcame and were found worthy to escape the great tribulation that had taken place seven years earlier, will now be reigning with Him on the earth. Job had prophesied this when he said "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after myskinworms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" (Job 19:25). The scriptures speak of this glorious time again. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints" (Jude 14). Those who at this time have been faithful will be made rulers over the cities of the earth. The uttermost part of the earth will become the property of the saints. The heathen countries, and liberals who mocked and persecuted the Lord and His saints will become the saint's footstool. Part of the Inheritance deals with the earth and the land. God promises to give the earth to His saints for their possession. The second portion of this great inheritance deals with the portion of our inheritance which is in the Lord. The scriptures tells us that "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:" (Psalms 16:5). We have become the Lord's inheritance, "For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance:" (Psalms 94:14). We are further exhorted by St. Paul, "And now, brethren, I command you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). The Word of God's grace is the building block on which we are to receive this inheritance. It stands to reason that Paul's theme of the Gospel was this great grace. Paul, in his discourse to King Agrippa, reveals that the gospel is needed to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of their sins, and INHERITANCE among them which are sanctified by faith that is "in me" (Acts 26:18). Satan will always try to hide the truth from the lost, and he will blind those that have received the truth so that he can steal their inheritance. We can lose this inheritance, or even give it away, for Paul further exhorts us "For this know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any INHERITANCE in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph 5:5). You may not be a "whoremonger," but what about an "unclean person." This would include, pornography, effeminate (gay) people, X-rated movies, and even some movies with lower ratings today. Maybe you are not in these categories, but read on down the list. "A covetous person" is an idolater. What are your desires and dreams? Do they include the Lord? The house that you want so much, does it consume you with lust? The Lord said to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things (house, car, whatsoever you need) will be added to you." (Matt 6:32). This INHERITANCE can only be earned by walking and living in the Spirit. That is why the Lord personally exhorts the churches to be overcomers of these things listed above. The reward of being a good and faithful steward of God is that we "shall receive the reward of the INHERITANCE: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Col 3:24). And that reward is "an INHERITANCE incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). This inheritance also speaks of the Kingdom of God. It denotes authority by wearing the crown of a ruler to rule with Christ in the eternity to come. Let us work out this salvation with fear and trembling, not like Judah who was the first born in the house of Israel, who lost his birthright because of a sinful relationship. **************************************************************************
Return to
Newsgroup Archives Main Page
Return to our Main Webpage
�2011
Hebraic Heritage Ministries International. Designed by
Web Design by JB.