Lessons from the Allegory

This is the allegory. To use such an allegory to show our relationship to God and our future prospects is entirely justified by the scriptures. There are so many texts that clearly identify us as sons of God. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” (1 John 3:2) “Ye are the sons of the living God.” (Hosea 1:10) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” (John 1:12) “For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (1 John 3:1) “God dealeth with you as sons.” (Hebrews 12:7)

Of course no allegory is perfect. In the world only one royal prince, the eldest son, is in line for the throne. In God’s arrangement there is associated with the eldest son many other sons who are also heirs of the kingdom. We read:

“For it became him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory.” Hebrews 2:10

“The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint- heirs with Christ.” Romans 8:16,17

We are the heirs of no ordinary king. It is the Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who is our Heavenly Father and King, and to whom we are the sons and heirs. The kings of earth are as nothing compared to Him. Each of His heirs is far more important than the crown prince of the greatest empire of this world. Consider these words from Isaiah: “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance.” (In other words, not enough weight to be detected, not enough to sway the balance one way or the other.) “Behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” (This could refer to the mighty British Empire.) “All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity.” (Can you imagine how small less than nothing is?) “It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in; that bringeth the princes to nothing.” (Isaiah 40:15,17,22,23) Yes, compared with His heirs, the princes of this world are as nothing and less than nothing.

How is it possible that we are really heirs of the Almighty God? We are of the fallen human nature, the lowest order of intelligent creation. We are poor and lowly. The psalmist says that “we are dust.” (Psalms 103:14) How can such an honor be ours? Is it just another vain hope that will fade away? No, because we have the wonderful assurance:

“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes , and to make them inherit the throne of glory.” 1 Samuel 2:8

Words from Peter confirm it beyond a doubt:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God.”1 Peter 1:3-5

So we are assured that this is a high hope “that fadeth not away,” as so many human hopes do. This is a hope that will not disappoint us, but will be ours in all its richness.

Applying the Allegory to Ourselves

Let us draw lessons from the allegory. When an heir is born to a throne of this world, there are great demonstrations of joy in the nation. Yet human joy has its limitations. It is of short duration. The pains and cares of this life soon dampen and quench exuberance of human spirit even over the birth of a prince. But how different are the heavenly joys! In Job 38:7 after reference is made to the creation of the earth and man upon it, we are told that “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” By this demonstration the angels exhibited a deep interest in mankind and they have watched the affairs of earth with a fascinated interest ever since. You may be sure they were saddened by the fall of Adam, then rejoiced at every promise that was given of future redemption.

They did not always understand these prophecies, but were tremendously interested just the same and wished they could understand. We know this because in 1 Peter 1:10-12 there is a reference to the prophecies, and then the statement, “Which things the angels desire to look into” or, as the Diaglott renders it, “Into which things angels earnestly desire to look.”

For a long time there was not too much for the heavenly host to rejoice over on this earth as the race sank deeper into sin and death. Then one still night they eagerly gathered near a country place called Bethlehem:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward man.” Luke 2:8-14

Yes, once again they could sing and shout for joy! The great Prince had been born on earth. The only begotten son, the Heir of God, had come. The Savior of man had at last appeared!