The narrative of humanity becomes clear when one fully acknowledges the importance of two pivotal events at the outset. These are, firstly, the creation of humans in God’s image, and secondly, the consequences of consuming the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Without reflecting on these events, it is implausible for anyone to assert an understanding of the Bible. It is a fundamental principle that comprehension is unattainable if one bypasses the necessary steps in learning any subject.
Humanity is distinguished by two archetypes: the sons of man and the Sons of God. Adam’s initial offspring, Cain and Abel, embodied these two personas. Cain represented the son of man, while Abel was the son of God. Subsequently, Adam’s numerous descendants were categorized as either sons of man or Sons of God. This division reflects the dualistic nature of good and evil, epitomized by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The interplay of these two principles gives rise to the wickedness observed in the world.
Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years” (Genesis 6:1-3 NKJV)
In the divine realm the term, “Son of God” encompasses both genders (Galatians 3:26-28). God’s children are not defined by gender, a distinction that applies only to physical entities. Each person encompasses both dimensions: the son of man and the Son of God. Depending on one’s inclination towards the physical or the spiritual, the person would be identified accordingly. Those who are spiritually oriented are termed the sons of God, while those who are materially oriented are called the sons or daughters of man.
The referred scripture discusses the spread of sin, attributed to the prevalent intermarriages between two distinct entities. Sin is characterized as the amalgamation of two opposites: goodness and evilness. Individually, the two entities are harmless, but their union through intermarriage resulted in a blend that was intolerable to God. This blurring of lines between the sons of men and the Sons of God led to a divine decree reducing human lifespan on Earth, ultimately culminating in the demise of that era’s civilization.
God favoured Noah, saving him and his family from the devastating flood. That problem of distinguishing between good and evil persisted, even in the civilization that emerged after the flood. The greatest challenge for this new society was idolatry, possibly stemming from difficulty in grasping spiritual concepts. Humans have grown more aligned with physical rather than spiritual perspectives, owing to the allure of material nature.
They understood the concept of God’s existence but found His spiritual essence elusive. In this divine mystery, God selected Abram. The chronicle from Abraham to the Israelites, leading up to Jesus’ arrival, embodies God’s Law and the prophets. Abram’s sacred calling laid the foundation for humanity’s salvation, a plan that persists in following God’s word, by faith, especially through Jesus. The necessity of faith arises from the state of confusion that surrounds the believer.
Jesus arrived when the concept of the Sons of God had faded, leaving all humans as sons of men. Sin had permeated the Earth, affecting even the descendants of Abraham. Thus, Jesus was recognized as the only begotten Son of God during that era. His status as a begotten Son stemmed from His human birth, symbolizing humanity’s sinfulness. Thus, He would oscillate between being the Son of Man and the Son of God. The term, “Son of Man,” signifies the physical aspect, whereas “Son of God” denotes the spiritual state.
The mission of Jesus is ongoing, culminating in His millennial reign before the ultimate Day of Judgment. This period will witness the distinction between the sons of God, who have persisted throughout the ages, and the Sons of men. In other words, the Sons of God are altruistic, while the sons of men are self-centred. The sins of those recognized as Sons of God will not count against them, not because they would have lived wholly without sin, but because the sacrifice of Jesus will have nullified their sins. Their righteous deeds will be emphasized over any evil they may have done. (Matthew 25:32-46).
As prophesied in Matthew 25:32-46, Jesus is depicted as one distinguishing between the two dichotomies. This event symbolizes the reestablishment of God’s Kingdom. Individuals judged to merit the fiery furnace will be consigned to it, whereas those judged as worthy of God’s Kingdom will be rewarded. The possibility of rebellion following Jesus’ millennial reign indicates that God’s Kingdom might not be universally appealing. The disadvantage of being attracted to physical life is its transient nature, ultimately leading to a destructive end.
While the physical world offers interesting experiences, it is designed for a temporary existence. Its glory is as fleeting as the kingdom of Satan. In this life some individuals, although adopted as sons of God, also live as sons of man. Upon accepting Jesus and the Holy Spirit, they are expected to renounce their status as sons of men and become Sons of God. This remains one of the unknown mysteries to many, except to those whom God chooses to reveal it. The Sons of God should refrain from participating in sinful activities.
Jesus, who was recognized as the Son of God, also willingly embraced the role of the Son of Man. He underwent the natural process of birth from a woman, just like any other human being, yet he did not share in the Adamic lineage. This act was meant to demonstrate the transition to becoming the Son of God. During His time on Earth, Jesus dedicated Himself to teaching and serving humanity, providing a model for His followers to emulate. His earthly journey included enlightening all who sought to become children of God.
During His presence, Jesus was observed as the Son of Man. Only His disciples were being prepared to become Sons of God, having grasped the enigma of Jesus as the Son of God. The Church was, primarily, established to distinguish those recognized as Sons of God on Earth. The zeal of those keen to follow Him was tested by His teachings, which exceeded human norms. His main purpose during His initial arrival was to connect with humanity, teach His followers about divine principles, and announce the imminent establishment of God’s Kingdom.
The sons of men were, indeed, taught about God’s Kingdom but through parables. He intended to have them embrace the principles of God’s Kingdom without understanding the full implications. The one they crucified was recognized as the Son of Man because they were unaware that He was the Son of God. Their sins could not have been forgiven if they had realized that they were crucifying the Son of God. This was one of the reasons He remained unknown to the ordinary people of this world. He was the most distinguished teacher the world had ever seen, yet He went unrecognized by the world until the crucifixion.
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV).
The nature of the Spirit encompasses the Sons of God, whose concealment was essential to prevent blasphemy. Often, ignorance is the cause of this blindness, yet that ignorance is necessary for ordinary humanity to avoid blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. The mysteries of the Kingdom of God are disclosed to those who God wishes them to comprehend. Others may listen but not perceive. While many who read, even this article, may not grasp the spiritual significance, those whom God has chosen will undoubtedly attain a divine understanding.
“I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand” (John 10:32-33 NKJV).
Jesus comes as the Son of Man (Matthew 24:30). One of the profound mysteries is that even during His second coming, Jesus will not be recognized as the Son of God. He will enter this world as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, but to ordinary people, He will not be the Son of God. They will perceive the Son of Man as having assumed control over the world’s governments. This is because His mission will not be complete, even throughout His millennial rule. To those called, the narratives in this text resonate with clarity. Nevertheless, to others, these truths will remain concealed, even during the millennium.
Understanding the concept of being the Son of God is not readily apparent to the average person. Consider the Jews, who were guardians of these significant Scriptures and prophecies, yet they vehemently opposed the Son of God. The declaration in the referred Scripture should have been joyfully accepted as a revelation, but instead, they adopted a contrary position. They assumed the position of being right, casting Jesus as wrong, despite the manifestation of facts. The perplexing enigma of this conduct is encapsulated in that no one can come to Jesus unless His Father draws them (John 6:44).
I’ve lost count of how many people have blocked me from sending them my content. If they were truly considerate, the most logical approach would be to engage with me and point out what they perceive as erroneous. Only God knows what thoughts they harbour. Nevertheless, they are within their rights to block me, just as I reserve the right to block any material that contradicts my understanding of godly principles. This could explain the persistent divisions within Christianity; however, the heart of the issue rests on the readiness to confront the truth.
Scripture continues to be the steadfast datum. Every Christian must correct others and be open to correction, in line with Scriptural teachings. The virtue of humility is unique to Christianity. In matters of faith, no individual can claim authority, for it is Jesus, who is constant through time but faces rejection. I hope those who dismiss God’s truth are not doing so because they find the preacher unworthy. Ultimately, no one can come to Jesus unless drawn by His Father. Even Paul was summoned by God during his zeal to persecute Christians.
The sons of men and the Sons of God do not share a common bond. However, the Sons of God understand the sons of men, thus averting possible conflicts. The Sons of God act as catalysts for change in ongoing disputes, dedicated to the cause of peace. They stand prepared to confront bias, just as Jesus did, up to his crucifixion. Their fortitudes are rooted in their unwavering willingness to forgive and admit their own transgressions, simultaneously.
The notion that the world is ungovernable isn’t just due to those deemed as evil characters. It is, also the simultaneous existence of two opposing forces that renders the world restless. Peace in an environment doesn’t necessarily guarantee the triumph of the Sons of God. Such tranquillity could represent their inaction, perhaps due to cowardice. However, it is conceivable that peace could be achieved if the Sons of God succeed in calming volatile situations and fostering a peaceful environment.
The Sons of God prefer volatile conditions more than conditions of tranquillity. However, the sons of men prefer peaceful environments. They would rather allow evil to reign, in the name of peace, which they mistake as portraying Godliness. They prefer avoiding troubles at all times, while the Sons of God are susceptible to stirring problems, especially in families. This explains one of the reasons that most of Jesus’ listeners could not understand Him.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV).
Jesus’ declaration above was not intended to ensure a prosperous life for the Sons of God. He taught that this world is not meant for their pleasure. Instead, Jesus instructed them to find joy in mistreatment rather than in the praise of worldly individuals. Adulation directed towards them should be met with wariness, as it may indicate a deviation from their calling as the Sons of God (Matthew 5:10-12). Jesus emphasized that they should be joyful in persecution, for that is the only true mark of the Sons of God. The sons of men reflect the opposite, instead. They love praises and wealth, as attainable in this world.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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