The Spiritual Anointing and 'Born Again' Experience in the Bible
According to the Bible, the concept of being 'born again' or baptized/aneointed by the Holy Spirit is reserved for a very select few on earth. This anointing or appointment is exclusively for those chosen by God Almighty to serve as kings and priests alongside Jesus Christ. These chosen individuals are assured of adoption as God's children, and the number is fixed at exactly 144,000.
Revelation 14:1-3 (New King James Version)
ldquo;Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters and like the voice of loud thunder, and I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.rdquo;
Revelation 5:9-10 (King James Version)
ldquo;And they sang a new song, saying, ldquo;Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing! For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood OUT OF EVERY TRIBE AND TONGUE AND PEOPLE AND NATION; and have made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign ON EARTH.rdquo;
These individuals, known as the '144,000,' are the ones who are 'born again' or are 'in Christ.' This birth into a new spiritual existence is a transformative experience that leads to eternal life as immortal spirit beings. These individuals will rule alongside Jesus Christ in the 1,000-year reign over the earth and mankind.
Galatians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
ldquo;And because you are Sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir of God through Christ.rdquo;
Romans 8:14-17 (New King James Version)
ldquo;For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the Spirit of bondage to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs—Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified together.rdquo;
It is these individuals, and these alone, who are considered 'born again.' When they die, they leave behind their earthly bodies and are 'born again' as immortal spirit beings. Their ultimate destiny is to rule with Christ in the 1,000-year reign over the earth and mankind.
For the great majority of mankind that are not 'born again,' there is still hope. Those who are preserved alive during the Tribulation and Armageddon, as described in Revelation 7:9-14, and all those who are resurrected and conform to God's will in the new world, will gain everlasting life here on the restored paradise earth. The promise of eternal life and a life free from war, poverty, corruption, sickness, old age, and death is extended to all who love and obey God, as promised by Jesus in Matthew 24:31 and John 3:16.
The biblical scriptures referenced above support this concept of 'born again' and the resurrection, without influencing or expecting agreement as personal beliefs are respected. This comment is for biblical teaching purposes only.