Kingdom Nugget No.11
FIRSTBORN — FIRSTFRUITS
This Kingdom Nugget is a part of a trilogy with ‘A People within a people’ (#12) and ‘The 42nd Generation’ (#10).
Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, ISRAEL IS MY SON, EVEN MY FIRSTBORN:
(23) And I say unto thee, LET MY SON GO, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
Exodus 19:6 And ye (Israel) shall be unto me A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, and AN HOLY NATION. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Israel was made up of countless thousands of people and yet God refers to them as ‘HIS SON’. Not only that title but He also referred to them as ‘HIS FIRSTBORN’. Now add to these titles that fact that God also called them, ‘A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS’.
Hb. = firstborn or chief. . . Rt. word = to burst the womb.
Gk. PROTOTOKOS = to produce (one) foremost in order (implying that there are more to come!).
This took place right after they left Egypt . . . which for us equates with ‘being saved’. These promises are to His People for God had a plan that Israel would be the ‘Priesthood’ to the rest of mankind. He did not intend for them to just minister to themselves and within themselves!
Due to ‘the fall’ sin had permeated Israel until they were getting further and further away from being God’s HOLY NATION. Let us observe what happened. While Moses was up Mount Sinai communing with the Lord and receiving the Word of God, the people degenerated into a democracy and took their worship matters into their own hand. Many were naked and they ‘rose up to play’ (Exodus 32:6). Moses returns and is disgusted with what he sees.
Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And ALL THE SONS OF LEVI gathered themselves together unto him.
ALL the sons of Levi were the only ones to declare that they were on the Lord’s side. The others had the opportunity to repent and come also, but they refused.
Now turn to Numbers 8 where God is speaking . . .
(14) Thus shalt thou SEPARATE THE LEVITES from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be
mine.
(16) For THEY ARE WHOLLY GIVEN UNTO ME from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open
every womb,
even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
See again here the ‘people within a people’ principle; Levites within Israel. The whole nation were to be priests; due to sin and no repentance, the Levites were CHOSEN.
(17) For ALL THE FIRSTBORN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE MINE, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
There was a ‘firstborn’ in God’s plan even before Israel failed.
(18) And I have taken THE LEVITES FOR ALL THE FIRSTBORN of the children of Israel.
The Levites were now GOD’s FIRSTBORN.
(19) And I HAVE GIVEN THE LEVITES AS A GIFT TO AARON AND TO HIS SONS from among the children of Israel, TO DO THE SERVICE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE TABERNACLE of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
The Levites were the Firstborn and Priests in place of Israel as a whole. As their history progressed, even the Levites failed. There were few bright spots however, especially in Ezekiel 44 where God still had some Levites that ‘served the house’; there were a few priests, the sons of Zadok, that ministered unto Him.
God was not put out at all. He, being God, knew all things before time began and allowed things to chug along until it was time for the Messiah to come forth.
DAVID - a man after God’s own heart - was chosen to be a pattern of a SINGLE PERSON redeeming the situation which Jesus later fulfilled with a mighty release of power to achieve the original purpose of God.
Psalm 89:19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty;
I have EXALTED ONE CHOSEN OUT OF THE PEOPLE.
(20) I have found David my servant; WITH MY HOLY OIL HAVE I ANOINTED HIM:
(27) Also I WILL MAKE HIM MY FIRSTBORN, higher than the kings of the earth.
David had a special relationship with the Most High God (EL ELYON - see separate study) . . . a progressive step for the Levitical Priesthood related to Jehovah (JAHWEH. . .LORD). Remember that El Elyon’s Priesthood is after the Order of Melchisedec.
David was CHOSEN, anointed and declared to be the FIRSTBORN. All this carries an authority that is higher than anything that stems from the earth.
Jesus came into this world and was groomed by his Father for the calling that was His. His calling was to redeem the whole situation which included HOW God would work. He does not change but the way in which He accomplishes the end result, many times changes.
Jesus is now 30 years of age. Back to the Tabernacle Ministry. God chose from the Levite families of Kohath, Gershon and Merari those that were 30 years of age to perform the special duties in the Tabernacle. The other Levites did the remainder of the duties. Jesus who was not of the tribe of Levi could not be, by birth, a priest. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah and God was about to bring in a new order . . . it was the first step to bringing in the New Covenant.
Jesus had to be made a Priest (just like it is recorded in the book of Hebrews, chapter 7) so that ceremony was to be carried out by a priest who was still functioning as such in the Old Covenant. John the Baptist was such a Priest. So Jesus comes to him in the river Jordan and gets baptized . . . ‘to fulfil all righteousness’. Right there, at the beginning of His ministry as a Priest (Hebrews says ‘after the order of Melchisedec’), He was MADE a Priest. He was the prototype of the new Kingdom of Priests and the Holy Nation that God was going to have.
The Voice of His Father from heaven declared that He was His Son. . .
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,that he might be THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
Jesus was the FIRSTBORN SON among MANY brethren. Always remember that ‘MANY’ is not ‘ALL’. So we see the step that God has in mind that of a people within a people . . . a priesthood to minister to the rest of the nation. . . this time spiritual Israel, the Church.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
This is quoted from Exodus 19:5-6.
Having now introduced to mankind the new priesthood after the order of Melchisedec by becoming its High Priest, we are to learn what it means to become or rather BE MADE a Priest also. If Jesus had to made a Priest, then sure it goes for us in the same way.
Notice the ‘stepping stones’ that went downhill are reversed by Christ.
God’s Firstborn Son was a NATION (a kingdom of Priests) called Israel. Then that was replaced by the TRIBE of Levi as the Firstborn. They were eventually replaced by JESUS, Priest of a new order called the ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC. After His resurrection , Jesus was referred to as our HIGH PRIEST. We are encouraged to move by faith into being a part of the priesthood that flows under the direct control of our High Priest. Going back to what God said about the natural Levitical Priests, He still requires the same standard of surrender. . . ‘They are wholly Mine’. This priesthood will minister in the ‘Tabernacle made without hands’ to bring forth A HOLY NATION who will be the Priesthood to the rest of mankind.
There is a challenge before us of walking in holiness that we might be counted for the FIRSTBORN PRIESTS . . . the FIRSTFRUITS of the Seed, Jesus Christ that was sown in our earth when we were born from above by His grace etc. He is the firstborn among many brethren. Each is to come into His image of the fullness of Himself. Jesus set the standard of expectation and He within us is well able to bring us to that place in Him.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, that he might be THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
There is a need to clarify these two words.
Gr. PROHORIZO = to mark out beforehand . . . selection beforehand because of foreknowledge.
Predestination has nothing to do with ‘salvation’ . . . it has to do with a calling.
ILLUSTRATION:
Let us say for the purpose of this example that the Premier of British Columbia purposed to build a timber Opera House some twenty years from now. He therefore communicated with his designers who in turn talked with the Chief Forestry Officer. The Engineers , knowing the design, gave the Forestry Dept. a list of very special trees to be used for a very special purpose. These trees would be carefully selected and marked. The Engineer would go through the forests and indicate which trees should be marked out as chosen for this project. From experience the Engineer would know which trees would make the grade. There would not be many that he would mark. He knew that twenty years from now, they would be just what was needed. The marked trees would be PREDESTINED to be a part of the Opera House. The skill and training of the Forestry
Engineer would given him a FOREKNOWLEDGE of which trees to select. These trees would be carefully watched and given all that they need to come to maturity because of the expectation that was upon them.
God, being God, has ALL knowledge of all things . Thus He is in a place where He can PUT THE MARK ON BEFOREHAND on any of His sons that He chooses. Grace has been given to all His people but not all His people respond to the call of holiness and obedience.
Gk. PROGINOSKO = to know (in depth) beforehand.
1 Peter 1:2 ELECT ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, UNTO OBEDIENCE and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: GRACE UNTO YOU, AND PEACE, BE MULTIPLIED.
Growth is quicker via ‘multiplication’ than simply ‘adding’. The ‘sprinkling’ denotes application. . . it is simply using the provision that Christ has released at Calvary.
God’s foreknowledge . . .
1 Peter 1:20 (Jesus) WHO VERILY WAS FOREORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, but was manifest in these last times for you.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD:
God’s foreknowledge allows Him to predestinate those he has chosen to come forth as His Firstfruits or His Firstborn Corporate Son . . . those who will be ‘adopted’ and be thus fully equipped to be what He wants them to be. God knows all about their ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ . . . He knows their heart’s desire and knows also that through all the trials set before them, they will draw upon the provision given in Christ to overcome and inherit this high calling of being in His image first. This links up with the fulfilment of the Wave Offering of the Sheaf of Firstfruits of the Passover Feast.
John 14:12. Jesus the Seed cannot help but bring forth the Harvest of Himself in our earth (John 12:24). Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son, lost the privilege of his position because he sinned against his Father.
The position was later given to Ephraim the younger son of Joseph. When Joseph brought his two sons to Jacob for him to bless, Joseph had Ephraim in his right hand and Mannasseh in his left hand. This was so that Jacob could simply stretch out his hands and lay them on the heads of his grandsons with his right hand upon the elder, Mannasseh and the left hand on the younger, Ephraim. The right hand blessing of power and authority would go to the firstborn son. However, the Spirit of God caused Jacob to cross his hands over so that the firstborn blessing and responsibility went on the younger son.
God knew all about such a move . . . Ephraim’s name means DOUBLE FRUIT. This is a picture of God’s natural son called ‘the nation of Israel’ would be replaced by a ‘corporate son’ in the image and likeness of God Himself shown to us in Christ-Jesus. (See study on the ‘Double portion’).
This word in Hb. means first in order or rank or place./. . . Rt. word to burst.
Gk. APARCHE = first away from. ‘AP’= off, away (speaking of separation) and ‘ARCHE’ = first or beginning. This parallels the firstfruits of a harvest THAT IS GOD’S or the firstborn in a family.
The Feast of Pentecost’s other title is the FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS. To become a part of God’s Firstfruit Company, it is essential to partake of God’s provision of this feast.
Prov 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL thine increase:
Even Christ would do that for His Father. . . the Church is the beginning of the increase of Himself. His Kingdom is the full increase but there comes forth first the evidence that there will follow a complete harvest.
144,000 FIRSTFRUITS
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on THE MOUNT SION, and with him AN HUNDRED FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND, having his FATHER’S NAME WRITTEN IN THEIR FOREHEADS.
(2) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters ( corporate voice), and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
(3) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no MAN could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Fully redeemed from earth’s ways and thinking!
(4) These are they which were not defiled with women; for THEY ARE VIRGINS. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, BEING THE FIRSTFRUITS UNTO GOD and to the Lamb.
(5) And in their mouth was found no guile: for THEY ARE WITHOUT FAULT BEFORE THE THRONE of God.
Virgins. . . = untouched by the world: pure and separated. Revelation 3:12 says they are ‘overcomers’.
‘Firstfruit’ qualities are seen clearly here:-144 x 1000. . . 144 = the spirit-filled life (i.e. 100%) and 1000 = the glory of God. The glory of God is the full nature of God manifest in a vessel. These ones have come forth in all the fullness of God just like Paul prayed would happen in Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD.
Note too that they HAVE the Father’s NATURE in their foreheads (minds). With this Mind of Christ operating fully, they easily follow the Lamb wherever HE goes. They are without fault . . perfect through the provision and processings of the Lord and they are in the Throne Room of God which equates with the Holiest of All of the tabernacle Pattern.
1 Cor 15:20 But now IS CHRIST RISEN from the dead, and become THE FIRSTFRUITS of them that slept.
Again, Firstfruits indicate that there are more to follow. Jesus fulfilled the part of the Passover Feast called
‘The waving of the Sheaf of Firstfruits’ — for it depicted the rising of Jesus from the dead.
When Jesus declared that the things He did we would do also . . . did He limit anything from the list ?
Therefore we in him, will come forth in resurrection life. It is worth looking at John 11 where Jesus discussed
this subject with Martha and declared that ‘resurrection’ was not an event but rather HE was it! “I am the
resurrection and the life. . .” It is as we believe into Him, we shall experience what He has provided by His
grace. There will be a company of saints that will experience this change before the majority. This is not a
‘snooty’ position to take for it carries with it a tremendous responsibility for such a release or supply is for the
rest of the family.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; THAT THEY MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION:
This is very much a walk of ‘overcoming’ . . . the carnal mind with the mind of Christ. The carnal
mind will think in a worldly way and thus use worldly means to try to attain it.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS.
Beheaded = separated from their old carnal thinking! They do not receive any ‘outward’ mark of
r show but rather receive the Father’s name IN their forehead as in Revelation 14:1.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. . . . THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION.
This better and first resurrection will be experienced by faith (otherwise such an expression of Him will not please Him!) and it will come forth at the beginning of the seventh day, age or millennium.
Now to link this with the Adoption . . .
Romans 8:23 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.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the ‘firstfruits’ of the Spirit for experiencing the Feast of Pentecost (Feast of firstfruits) will release the FRUIT of the Spirit more as well as the faith to believe into all that Jesus has provided.
The Adoption experience will include a change of form for us . . . we shall be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-3). . . and a new body which can contain all the fullness of God will be ours’.
Phil 3:10 THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
Oh to experientially know Him and to experientially know His resurrection power operating in and through us, must be one of the highlights of our walk and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
(23) To the general assembly and CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
In this list, we see Mt. Sion mentioned first. Sion (O.T. = Zion) is always the higher place in Jerusalem. Spiritual Jerusalem = the Church; Mt. Sion = Overcomers.
The ‘Church of the firstborn’ shows that ALL who are ‘born again’ are eligible to come forth in the overcoming company. It is all by grace available to all . . . although all don’t press towards this high calling. . .
In the harvest of God’s people according to God’s pattern given in the Old Covenant . . . and remember that He does NOT change from His purposes — just in the method of achieving it . . .there must come forth a FIRSTFRUITS COMPANY that is separated away FIRST from the whole just as the sheaf of firstfruits was waved as the evidence that the whole harvest would follow.
All the ‘firsts’ will relate to each other . . . FIRSTborn, FIRSTfruits, FIRST resurrection. Also include the first in many orders or lists of things that appear in the Word. The first shall be last and the last first.§