Double Portion

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Birthright of the firstborn

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     "But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his."  {Deuteronomy 21:17}. The Scripture teaches that the inheritance of the firstborn is a double portion of that compared to all the other siblings. This birthright of the firstborn typifies the birthright of the Son of Man "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." {Colossians 1:15}. 

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How can this double portion be quantified?

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     While the Savior was walking upon this earth, He had ever the company of two angels by His side, ministering to Him. The double portion of God's spirit can be quantified by the presence of these two angels working all the miracles in His life. Consider the following quotes:

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1. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. {John 20:12}

2. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel. {Acts 1:10}

3. These angels were of the company that had been waiting in a shining cloud to escort Jesus to His heavenly home. The most exalted of the angel throng, they were the two who had come to the tomb at Christ's resurrection, and they had been with Him throughout His life on earth. With eager desire all heaven had waited for the end of His tarrying in a world marred by the curse of sin. The time had now come for the heavenly universe to receive their King. Did not the two angels long to join the throng that welcomed Jesus? But in sympathy and love for those whom He had left, they waited to give them comfort. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14. {Desire of Ages 832.1}

4. The angels of God are ever moving up and down from earth to Heaven, and from Heaven to earth. All the miracles of Christ performed for the afflicted and suffering were, by the power of God, through the ministration of angels. {The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 67.2}

 

Who are the other recipients of this birthright blessing?

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1) Elisha

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"And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." {2 King 2:9}​

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• Following Elijah, Elisha's ministry were signified by double portion of the Spirit.

• Similarly, following John the Baptist (the 2nd Elijah), Christ also received double portion of the Spirit.

• And so following the 3rd Elijah, the 144,000 will also receive double portion of the Spirit that is quantified by the presence of 2 guardian angels. "The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet." {Early Writings 270.4}. More on this later.

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2) Joseph

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"Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)" {1 Chronicles 5:1-2}

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• Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. {Ezekiel 47:13}

• By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. {Hebrews 11:21}

• Joseph also represents the 144,000: 

  • Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. {Genesis 49:22}​

  • 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. {Revelation 14:4}

• When the 144,000 are grieved for the affliction of Joseph, they shall receive double portion of the spirit of Elijah, which is quantified by the presence of two guardian angels. ​

  • That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. {Amos 6:6}​

  • "I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them...Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy. {Early Writings 270.4}

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3) Parable of the 10 servants (Luke 19:12-24)

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"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds... Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds...And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds... And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin...And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds." {1 Chronicles 5:1-2}

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• The first servant that came forward to the nobleman represents the 144,000 that began their work in the Lord's vineyard last. For it is written: "So the last shall be first, and the first last" {Matthew 20:16}. This group began with 1 pound, gained 10 pounds through labor and received 1 pound from the third servant that came forth. So in total he has 12 pounds from his master.

• The second servant that came forward to the nobleman represents all the servants of God that do not pass through the time of trouble. This group began with 1 pound and gain 5 pounds through labor and ended with 6 pounds from his master. 

• The first group were given double portion of the blessings. 

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Who is the 3rd Elijah?

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"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." {Malachi 4:5-6}

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• Many reformers of the past came in the spirit of Elijah, and those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ's first advent.

• In addition, God shall send an end time prophet Elijah, a singular man, like John the Baptist was a singular man, to prepare the way. The ministry of this end time prophet shall come just before the 144,000 receive the double portion of Elijah's spirit. For the spirit of this end time prophet shall rest upon the 144,000. For it is written: "...The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him." {2 King 2:15}

• The Jews tried to stop the proclamation of the message that had been predicted in the word of God; but prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says, “Behold, I send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.” {The Review and Herald, February 18, 1890}