children of our heavenly Father, his sons and daughters (cf. Rom 8:14, 16; 9:8, 26; Gal 3:26; John 1:12; 11:52; 2 Cor 6:18; Heb 2:10, 13; 1 John 3:1–2, 10; Rev 21:7). Though we must be careful not to treat it flippantly, Christ regards us as his friends (John 15:13–15), and brethren (Mark 3:34; Rom 8:29; Heb 2:11). It is sublime and wonderful that God calls us to be his children, friends, and brethren. Yet the preeminent relationship, affirmed gloriously here in the book of Revelation and elsewhere
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