The Divine Inheritance of Christ and His Literal Sonship

By reason of His literal Sonship, Christ received from His Father a divine inheritance that includes all the attributes, power, and authority of the Godhead, most notably the possession of life that is original, unborrowed, and underived5BC 1130.3+2. This inheritance is not an arbitrary appointment but is inherent in His very being as the eternal Son of GodSOTW 88.2.

The Inheritance of Divine Life

The most significant aspect of Christ's inheritance is the self-existent life of the Father. This life is exclusively the property of God and was possessed by the Word from the beginning5BC 1130.3+1.

• Original and Underived: Jesus declared that as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself John 5:261SM 296.2. This life is not received in the way created beings receive physical life, which is a gift that can be taken back5BC 1130.3+1.

• The Fountain of Life: In Christ resides the fountain of life, whereas in humanity there is only a "streamlet" derived from that fountainMM 7.3+1.

• Immortal Substance: This inheritance consists of immortality and an eternal substance that measures with the life of GodAUCR July 21, 1899, par. 10+1.

Authority and Exalted Office

Because He is the Son, Christ inherited a position and authority that no created being, not even the highest angel, could hold9MR 126.1+1.

• All Authority: Following His inauguration in heaven, Christ was recognized as having received all authority in heaven and on earth as Priest and KingTT 22.5+1.

• The Express Image: He inherited the "express image" of the Father’s person, making Him the only being sufficient to fully represent the Deity to the universe9MR 126.1+1.

• Mediatorial Priesthood: His priesthood was not an inherited office independent of character; it was inherent in His Sonship, allowing Him to be the exclusive mediator between the Father and the creationSOTW 88.2.

Joint-Heirs to the Inheritance

The wonder of the plan of redemption is that Christ's divine inheritance was the price paid to allow fallen humanity to be adopted into the same family12MR 61.1+1.

• Heirs of God: Through the sacrifice of the Son, believers are brought into a relationship where they become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ to this same immortal inheritance9MR 128.2+1.

• The Gift of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit is given to believers as the "earnest" or pledge of this coming inheritance, working within them to prepare them for the heavenly courts1SM 394.3+1.

• A Crown of Glory: Those who follow the footsteps of the Son will eventually receive a crown of glory that fades not away, entering into the joy of their LordRH August 8, 1912, par. 5+1.

"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death... they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance" Hebrews 9:15BRHC99 315.4. 🕊️