The Meaning of Sons

Some translations render “children” in the text above as sons of God. Thayer’s Lexicon concurs that the word refers to a male child, hence sons may be the more appropriate use. However, it is also true that the word can so refer to females, hence generically speaking, sons of God as both male and female.

The End-time Significance of Sons

The end goal of the text is the endtime. It focuses on what is not (present in their day) but what shall be in the future as limited by the text. That which was not was the true identity of the sons of God. Stated thusly, the world did not know them. Why? It is because they were not of the world, but of the Father, implying they were born of God. (John 3:3, 5; 1 Peter. 1:22; 1 John 2:15-17; 3:9)

As was true of Christ, the world did not know them as it did not know him, for had they truly known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8). Thus, even though Jesus’ contemporaries knew he was supposedly the son of Joseph, the carpenter; they knew Mary his mother, his sisters and brothers, they did not know him. By this we mean, they did not know his relationship with the Father. Thus, it is his spiritual, not biological appearance that was the mystery.

The Hidden Identity

Further it was this mystery, the hidden true identity of Christ which would be revealed at his Parousia or coming. (1 John 3:2) . Thus to see Christ as He is, as stated above, would be to see him in his regal beauty as king upon the throne of David versus the servant suffering on the cross. During his absence following the ascension, this identity was hidden. (Colossians 4:3)

The destiny of Christ’s identity was the destiny of the sons of God. As long as he was unknown (hidden), the disciples were unrevealed. Thus, while knowing Paul, Peter, or John in bodily presence, the world did not know their true relationship to God. This was perplexing to the natural Jew who could possibly trace their lineage to Abraham and stake a claim upon his blood in their veins.

Looking The Part

While outwardly, they looked the part of sons of God, especially since they had an existing priesthood that offered sacrifices, the temple, the law and 1500 years of history and tradition, Paul makes clear that one was not a Jew who merely was one outward in the flesh. (Romans 2:28-30).

The Real Deal

What determined true sons of God were the eschatological events that characterized the end of the age. They were:

1. Those who were baptized to escape the coming wrath. Matthew 3:7, 12.

2. Those who had the eschatological Spirit poured out in the last days, Acts 2:16-20; Romans 8:14-16.

3. The eschatological sufferings of which all sons had to take part, else be considered bastards or illegitimate, Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17, 18; 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 5; 2 Timothy 2:11, 12; Hebrews 12:8

4. The eschatological resurrection which consummated the disciples as sons, Luke 20:35, 36.

5. Holy conduct that demonstrated their worthiness in view of the first four reasons, 1 Pete 4:5; 1 John 2:3-6.

William Bell, writes and lectures on Covenant eschatology. Visit: http://www.allthingsfulfilled.com