Subjected To Hope

It is true that we already have the ability to love, and those of us who truly serve and know God—those who desire to please Him—guard that love with everything we have. We protect our fellowship with the Lord.

Yet, despite possessing this love, we remain in a wicked world, surrounded by forces that seek to destroy us. But God has subjected us to hope—an expectation so powerful that it keeps us from sinning.

This hope is the expectation that, although we have never seen God, one day we will be like Him—we will transcend the limitations of our flesh. This is what He desired for us, and we have indeed inherited it.

This is the great hope we were subjected to, and it is powerful enough to settle us as we wait patiently for the transformation to come. Just as Job declared that he would wait for his change to come, we too can wait. We will not sell our souls to the devil, because doing so would cause us to forfeit that great hope. Any form of darkness that we allow is a lack of love that will bar us from inheriting the very things that we hope for.

Romans 8:18-23

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

God has subjected us to wait for this transition. As Scripture says, the only thing we are waiting for now is the redemption of our bodies. We yearn to be free from this earthly vessel and to become supreme beings—greater than the angels. It is hard to imagine, especially after reading about the mighty exploits of the angels, but this is indeed our hope.

Scripture tells us that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, but the full realization of this will come when the limitations of our flesh are removed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed. When Jesus returns, we will see Him as He is, and we will be like Him. This is our hope—that nothing will be greater than us except for God. For the first thousand years after Christ's return, we will rule the earth in our transformed bodies, free from the limitations of this world.

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Isaiah 11:1-3 outlines what these spiritual senses are. The Holy Ghost has given us the senses of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, the fear of the Lord, and quick understanding (discernment). These senses enable us to manifest God on the earth, even in our mortal bodies. Yet, many saints are unfamiliar with these senses and live as mere men, despite being sons of God.

In contrast, those who hold on to the hope of being glorified purify themselves. We stay attuned to the Holy Spirit, seeking His face and keeping an ear open to His words and instructions. We try the spirits, welcoming those that are of God and rejecting those sent by Satan. As we mature in God and exercise our spiritual senses, we become more and more settled, able to patiently await all that has been promised to us.

EXAMPLES OF OUR INHERITANCE

Imagine walking at the bottom of the ocean without drowning or flying to any destination at will. Our transformed, celestial bodies will be incorruptible—free from pain, sickness, or death. That is the blessed hope I refuse to give away.

I won’t trade it for anything—not for social media fame, nor for fleeting pleasures. Nothing in this world is worth losing that inheritance. Our new bodies will be like Christ's—no longer confined by the flesh, celestial in nature, and capable of things we cannot even imagine right now.

Once we receive our celestial bodies, we will rule over all creation, including animals. Just as it was in the days of Adam, animals will be subject to us. Even lions, tigers, and sharks will have no power over us. I want to swim with sharks and show them I am the boss! They won’t be able to harm me.

Our dominion will extend over everything on the earth, including the people who survive after Christ's return. The Gentiles who are permitted to live will be subject to the sons of God. This is our blessed hope, and it is something we don’t teach enough about.

FIGHTING FOR OUR INHERITANCE

Let us not lose our hope—let us fight for it. We must fight against carnal mindsets and cast down every devilish thought that tries to exalt itself, for these thoughts war against our souls and our inheritance.

When you read the New Testament, the hope we have in our inheritance becomes clear. But we do not talk about our inheritance enough, nor do we fully grasp the purpose of the Church. If we did, we would not be so focused on superficial things. Instead, we would be focused on what the Father wants us to do—bringing souls to Him. Each new soul is another son, another member of the family, someone on whom God can pour out His love.

This is all God desires: to be loved. And we were created to fulfill that purpose. This hope—the inheritance we will receive—is the true purpose of mankind. We were created to love God, to inherit this glorious future, and to reign with Him. We need to talk more about this inheritance because it is the culmination of God's plan for us.