We turn therefore to Heb. 12:, which speaks of the second sphere of blessing, for

light upon this question of adoption. The first part of Heb. 12: treats of that which is

common to all children (verses 5-14), and then passes to that which relates particularly to

the firstborn son; in other words, the adoption.

As we are intent on proving every statement before proceeding, we acknowledge that

the actual word "adoption" does not occur in Heb. 12:  Gal. 3: and 4:, however, have

made it clear that those who claim "Jerusalem that is above" have the "adoption", and

until Euclid's maxim can be disproved that "Things which are equal to the same thing are

equal to one another", the logical association of Galatians and Heb. 12: must be

Having made the admission that huiothesia is absent from Heb. 12:, we must, with

equal justice and regard for truth, assert that the ideas of birthright and firstborn are

insisted upon, and that the same argument, namely, the allegorical use of Sinai and Sion,

which we find in Gal. 4: 22-31, is introduced in much the same way in Heb. 12: It

will help if we observe the structure of the passage.

A | 15. | a | Looking diligently.

b | Lest any man fall back.

B | 16, 17. The birthright bartered (prototokia).

C | 18-21. Ye are not come. Six "ands". SINAI.

C | 22, 23. But ye are come. Seven "ands". SION.

B | 23, 24. The birthright enjoyed (prototokos).

A | 25. | a | See.

b | Lest ye refuse.

Esau despised his birthright (prototokia). In the heavenly Jerusalem that birthright is

to be enjoyed (firstborn, prototokos). Here, therefore, we have the adoption in the second

We come now to the prerogative of adoption, namely, some form of ascendancy or

pre-eminence. We shall not expect to find nations subservient to those who have this

exalted position, at least not until the New Jerusalem descends from heaven to earth. In

this second sphere we have an innumerable company of angels (Heb. 12: 22), and angels

are "ministering spirits" who minister to the "heirs" of salvation. Both Peter and Paul,

when speaking of the ascended Christ,  speak of "principalities and powers" being

subject to Him, but Peter adds "angels", a word entirely out of place in the third sphere of

Eph. 1: 19-21 and Col. 1: & 2:  In Heb. 3: 1 those who have position and privilege in

the heavenly city are called "partakers of the heavenly calling". This is the second

But adoption is used once more, and for this third usage we must turn to Eph. 1: 5,

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself". In

case any should think that there is a difference between "adoption", "adoption of