Manifest Sons of God
An Apologetics Index research resource

Part of Neo-Pentecostalism.

The teaching that in the last days, a "new breed" of Christians will arise - the "Manifest Sons of God" - who will have super-natural spiritual power and be instrumental in subduing the earth. This movement is also referred to as "Joel's Army."

'Subduing the earth' means that a militant church (Joel's Army) will arise, take over and rule the world politically and spiritually.

It is claimed that the 'Manifest Sons of God' will be perfected into their "glorified bodies" prior to Christ's return. That perfection will allow them to subdue the earth for Jesus. Proponents of this doctrine also claim Christians, having a "divine nature," become "gods." They say Christ came into us as a "seed" and grows into a "prophet." Thus Christ does not physically return, but returns within us. The rapture, according to this doctrine, will be of the wicked - not of believers.

See also: New Apostolic Reformation

The doctrine also includes the idea that Jesus was sent as a "pattern" for the corporate church (Corporate church in this context means that the church becomes Christ. Christ is considered not complete without us because he is the head and we are the body).

The current church, according this this view, has the "spirit of the anti-Christ."

This teaching is akin to gnosticism

This teaching is promoted in some of today's controversial Renewal and Revival Movements (e.g. by Paul Cain).

The Manifest Sons of God Teaching (Contra) Overview by Mike Oppenheimer

Strange Fire - The Rise of Gnosticism In The Church Deals extensively with the Manifest Sons of God movement. By Travers and Jewel van der Merwe

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