Chapter a

The sons of God are those being enlightened.

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It is now time that we examined the relativity of other expressions in the Holy Bible, on the topic that preoccupies us. We shall examine how the Holy Bible gives yet another name to the "sons of God"; i.e., "the sons of the light" or "the enlightened ones". 

John the Baptist had testified to this, as described by John the Evangelist in his first chapter:

"...6  There was a man sent by God, whose name was John.  7  He came to witness, to testify about the Light, so that everyone might believe through him. 8  He himself was not the Light, but was to testify about the Light.

9  The true Light (the Logos) was the one that illuminates every man who comes into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through Him, but the world knew Him not. 11 He came unto His like, and His like did not receive Him. 12But whoever did receive Him, He gave them the power to become children of God; to those who believed in His name: 13 to those who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but who were born of God.  14 And the Logos became flesh and camped within us....."

From this passage, we see that Jesus Christ (the Logos) "was the true Light". Consequently, "whoever did receive Him", received the Light.  They are the ones who have the power to become "sons of God", "with faith", as we have seen when examining the Epistle to Galatians, 3:22-29.  These "sons of God" were "born of God.".  Therefore they are the ones who have been born "out of water and Spirit".

Therefore, the reborn sons of God receive the Logos (Jesus Christ) within them, and because the Logos is "the true Light", they are the ones who become illuminated/enlightened.

"ENLIGHTENED" THEREFORE IS THE CHRISTIAN WHO - APART FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT - ALSO RECEIVES JESUS CHRIST INSIDE HIM.

 

 

Chapter b

The sons of God:  sons of the Light.

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One other way of reaching the same conclusion is also the following:

The Holy Bible frequently mentions that God is Light.

"God… who has shone within our hearts for enlightenment in the knowledge of the glory of God, in the person of Jesus Christ..."   [2 Corinthians 4: 6]

 

"God is light… for, if we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus cleanses us of all sin".  [1 John 1:5-7]

Thus, if one is a son of God, he is also a son of the light:

"you brethren are not in the dark… you are sons of the light and sons of the daytime… let us not sleep like the others do... therefore, being of the daytime, let us be sober…"  [1 Thessalonians 5:4-8]

"Believe in the light, so that you may become sons of the light".  [John 12: 35,36]

"you once used to be darkness, but now you are light, in the Lord; walk as children of the light - for the fruit of the light .....- do not commune with the fruitless labours of darkness… for, everything that is revealed is light, which is why it says:  'get up, you who are asleep and be resurrected from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon (illuminate) you' …but be filled in the Spirit… spiritual odes…"     [Ephesians 5:7-20]

 

 

Chapter c

The son with the cleansed heart becomes enlightened

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A third way to relate the term "enlightened" with the term "son of God" is also the following:

We have noticed earlier along that with the death of the old self during Baptism the new self is born, in order to live a new, cleansed life and to no longer be led by the law of the flesh, but of the Holy Spirit.  The verses below will show us how "enlightenment" is manifested in those cleansed people - that is, in the reborn sons of God.

"....during the time that the heir is an infant, he does not differ from a servant, ..... Likewise, we also - when we were infants - were subjugated to the elements of the world; ..."   [Galatians 4:1-7]

"Whosoever of us has been baptized in Christ Jesus has been baptized unto His death. We have therefore buried ourselves with Him through Baptism, to the death, so that just as Christ rose from the dead through the glory of the Father, thus shall we also walk, in a newness of life. For if we have become congenital to the likeness of His death, so we shall likewise be, to His resurrection.  Being aware of this, that our old self was co-crucified in order to abolish the body of sin, so that it never again labours for us in sin. The one who (thus) dies, is vindicated of sin."    [Romans 6:3-8]

The above two verses are characteristic, in that the reborn Christian is the one who has been resurrected out of the "liquid grave" of Baptism, into a new life without sins and not enslaved by the elements of the world. Consequently, he is a son and not a servant.

The above verse indicates how, following one's spiritual sleep, this new course is enlightenment, for which, verse 18 uses the characterization of "in the spirit", which we have noted is the characteristic sign of the charismatic "sons of God."

"...you once used to be darkness, but now you are light, in the Lord; walk as children of the light... testing what is pleasing to the Lord, and do not commune with the fruitless labours of darkness… for, everything that is revealed is light, which is why it says:  'get up, you who are asleep and be resurrected from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon (illuminate) you' …but be filled in the Spirit…"     [Ephesians 5:7-20]

The verse we just mentioned names this new, sin-free life as "enlightenment", and the works of sin as "works of darkness".

The following verses likewise refer to the same point:

"you brethren are not in the dark… you are sons of the light and sons of the daytime… let us not sleep like the others do... therefore, being of the daytime, let us be sober…"  [1 Thessalonians 5:4-8]

"The night is spent, daytime has arrived; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk decorously, as (we do) in the daytime..."      [Romans 13:12,13]

 "... that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.... but if we walk in the light, just as He is in the light ... and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from every sin...."   [1 John 1:5-7]

"He who says he is in the light but hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.  He who loves his brother remains in the light.... he who hates...walks in darkness and does not know where he is going, for the darkness has blinded his eyes."     [1 John 2:8-11]

"Enlightened" therefore is the one who is vigilant, who ceases the dark works of sin, and is living as a son of light.

In the above two passages of 1 John, the Apostle John refers as "sons of light" all those who have ceased to sin. A little further down in his Epistle, he mentions them as "sons of God":

"Behold what love the Father has bestowed on us, so that we may be called 'sons of God', and we (indeed) are... Beloved ones, we are now children of God, for we shall see Him as He is. And whosoever has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.... whosoever sinned has not seen Him, nor has known Him.... whosoever is born of God does not commit sin.... for he is born of God.... whosoever does not prefer righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." 

"and the one who keeps His commandments within himself also remains in Him; and in this we know that He remains within us: in that He has given us of His Spirit."     [1 John 3:1-10, 24, 4:13]

In closing this segment, we would mention the very words of the Lord, regarding those who through cleansing see the light of God:

"Blessed are the pure at heart, for they shall see God."    [Matthew 5:8]

 

 

Chapter d

"Enlightenment" takes place in the hearts where the Holy Spirit dwells, in the sons of God.

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A fourth proof that the expression "enlightened" is the same as the expression "son of God", is that enlightenment takes places inside the heart of the "in-the-Spirit" faithful.

"God… Who has shone within our hearts, to enlighten us on the knowledge of God's glory, in the Person of Jesus Christ".  [2 Corinthians 4:6]

"…until the dawn of the day comes, and the morning star rises within our hearts."  [2 Peter 1:19]

The following verses below especially relate "enlightenment" to the term "species of tongues" which the "in-the-Spirit" faithful possess:

"...you once used to be darkness, but now you are light, in the Lord; walk as children of the light... 'get up, you who are asleep and be resurrected from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon (illuminate) you' …but be filled in the Spirit… singing and chanting with your heart for the Lord, always giving thanks..."     [Ephesians 5:7-20]

 

 

 

Chapter e

The "enlightened" ones are the "inheritors"; that is, the "sons of God"

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We saw in the previous chapters that the "sons of God" are the "inheritors" of the kingdom. Let us recall those verses:

"...For, those who are led by the Spirit of God, they.... are sons of God... you have received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry out 'Abba, the Father'.  This is the Spirit that co-testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. So if we are children, we are also inheritors. Inheritors of God, and co-inheritors with Christ if we indeed suffer with Him, so that we can be co-glorified with Him."  [Romans  8:14-17]

(Note: As we shall see in section 18h, to be "co-glorified" means to be "co-enlightened". This is yet another proof that the "enlightened" ones are the "inheritors", on the basis of this verse.)

"If then you are of Christ, you are therefore of Abraham's seed - inheritors according to the promise... during the time that the heir is an infant, he does not differ from a servant, albeit being the master of all; rather, he is under guardians and stewards, up until the time appointed by the father. Likewise, we also - when we were infants - were subjugated to the elements of the world; however when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son ....in order to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might savour the adoption. Because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, which cries out 'Abba, the Father'.  So that he is no longer a servant, but a son; and if he is a son, then he is also an inheritor of God, through Christ..."   [Galatians 3:29 4:7].

But, according to the above, one cannot say that he has a share in the inheritance (the "lot") of the sons of God, unless he partakes of enlightenment:

"....to the Father, who made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints, in the light. Who has also delivered us from the power of darkness and has removed us to the kingdom of the Son..."  [Colossians 1:12,13.

The kingdom of God, therefore, is the kingdom of light; the inheritance of the sons of God.  But we shall see more, further along. 

 

 

Chapter f

Enlightenment is: the Promise given to Abraham for his inheritors, and the Realm of the Saints.

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Those whom God has invited, have been invited into the light, as the Apostle Peter had also said to the Christians:

"He has invited you from the darkness, into His wondrous light".         [1 Peter 2:9]

This is the same as what we read  in Colossians 1:12,13, where the Apostle Paul says that "the kingdom of the sons of God", is the "lot" (the inheritance) "of the saints, in the light".

The "saints" therefore are the "enlightened" Christians, the "inheritors of the kingdom".

The same apostle tells us that:

"...For, those who are led by the Spirit of God, they.... are sons of God... if we are children, we are also inheritors. Inheritors of God, and co-inheritors with Christ if we indeed suffer with Him, so that we can be co-glorified with Him."  [Romans  8:14-17]

On the same point, we have also noted in Galatians 3: 29:

".... you are therefore of Abraham's seed - inheritors according to the promise..."

And what do the children of Abraham inherit?

According to Jesus Christ, the kingdom of heaven:

"...many will come from east and west and will be seated with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven..."   [Matthew 8:11]

"...come.....and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world".   [Matthew 25:34]

This kingdom is not something of the future; it is something that is already occurring, for all those who are reborn by Baptism, according to the Apostle Paul:

"...and, albeit dead on account of your misdemeanors and your sins..... and albeit we are dead, He has co-revived us through Christ... and has co-resurrected and co-seated us in the heavens, in Christ Jesus..."

The "kingdom of God" is "rebirth"; it is the "first resurrection":

"Blessed and holy is he who has a part in the first resurrection. On these, the second death has no power; but rather, they shall be priests of God and of Christ and they shall reign with Him for the 1000 years..." [Revelation 20:6].

The passage that we just read does not speak of a supposed future, 1000-year-long kingdom, but about a present participation in the enlightenment of rebirth.

God's "invitation" and the "gift of the Holy Spirit" aspire to precisely that "kingdom":

"...and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the Promise is to you... whosoever the Lord our God shall invite..."  [Acts 2:38,39]

 

 

 

Chapter g

Enlightenment is:  the "Life" that the Lord gives.

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The Apostle John provides us with the definition of life:

"Life is in Him, and Life is the light of mankind".     [John 1:4]

This life that God gives is the spiritual resurrection that takes place during Baptism:

"...has co-revived through Christ... and has co-resurrected and co-seated in the heavens..."  [Ephesians 2:5,6]

We have noted in the previous segment that "enlightenment" is the "kingdom of God". Now we note that this "kingdom" is the "life" that God gives.

The Apostle Paul tells us about this kingdom of life, in his Epistle to Romans:

"…and Grace shall reign through righteousness unto life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord".   [Romans 5:21]

"…those who have received the excess of Grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through the one Jesus Christ."  [Romans 5:17]

Both of these verses also prove that those who enter the kingdom of God are those who have been privileged with rebirth - that is, with enlightenment. [John 3:5]

 

 

 

Chapter h

Enlightenment is:   "God's glory".

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The word "glory" in the Holy Bible has a meaning akin to the words "light", "luminance", "brightness, "brilliance". Let us see a few examples:

"After these things, I saw another angel descending from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was lit up by his glory..."    [Revelation 18:1]

"....and not being able to see on account of the glory of that light, but being led by hand...I entered Damascus..."  [Acts 22:11]

"...for, another is the glory of celestial things, and another of terrestrial ones. Another is the glory of the sun, and another is the glory of the moon, and another is the glory of stars.  A star from a star differs in glory................." [1 Corinthians 15:40,41]

It is in the same manner that Christ - in His pre-incarnate existence - is referred to as the "glow (radiance) of the glory of God":

"...Who, being the radiance of His glory and the character of His hypostasis..."  [Hebrews 1:3]

Similarly, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Romans - after referring to the adopted "in-the-Spirit" sons of God - says of them:

"…those whom He has vindicated, those He has also glorified".   [Romans 8:30]

"Glorified" here is equivalent to "enlightened" or "brightened", given that we are talking about "sons of God".

The same Apostle says elsewhere:  

"God...Who has shone within our hearts for the enlightenment of our knowledge of God's glory in the Person of Jesus Christ..."     [2 Corinthians 4:6]

The "glory of God" therefore illuminates!

We need to clarify here that the term "knowledge" in the Holy Bible also signifies "union", because one acquires knowledge of another person when one unites with it.  This - for example - is evident in the following verse:

"...and Adam knew his woman, Eve.... and she conceived and gave birth to Cain... "  [Genesis 4:1]

Similarly, the word "επίγνωσις" (epi-gnosis) in the Holy Bible signifies "complete knowledge of", or "additional knowledge of", or "knowledge upon knowledge", as we shall see in another section.  Verse 4:6 of 2 Corinthians that we saw above therefore means that the "enlightened" Christian has that "knowledge" as a product of his "union" with the "glory" of God.