The Promise of the Father

A: THE BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM

It is certain we have heard much to do about the church receiving the promises of Abraham. However, I think that it would serve the purpose of God for the church to examine these promises more closely.

Galatians 3:13-18

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

1. First of all, the blessings of Abraham only come by Jesus.

2. The promise to Abraham was the Spirit. Thus, the future establishing of a spiritual kingdom.

3. To Abraham and his seed, which is Christ, were the promises made.

4. The covenant of promise was made before the law. Thus, the law cannot make it of non-effect.

5. The promise provides the saints of God with an inheritence.

It is important to note that Christ and the kingdom are referred to as one. This is due to the fact that the kingdom consists by and in Christ. In Him is the fullness of all things.

THE INHERITANCE

We must understand the method by which one will enter the kingdom of God.

St. John 3:5-6

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The born again experience is a must to enter into the kingdom of God.

St. Luke 24:49

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1:4

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Acts 2:33

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

However, we must look into the kingdom itself to fully understand all the ramifications of our inheritance.

Psalm 37:22

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

Now is the inference that the kingdom of God is also a literal kingdom. Here the psalmist concludes that the blessing of God shall inherit the earth. This is most important. For the most part, the Church does not have any expectation of coming back to the earth after the rapture but this is a promise of the Father. The sons of God will come back to the earth and inherit all things.

B: THE LITERAL KINGDOM

Romans 4:13

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

This is also the promise to Abraham and Christ that they should be heirs of the world. If only the Church would look to the things the Lord has prepared for the children of God.

2 Peter 3:13

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 5:9-10

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 20:6

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

This is the Millennial Kingdom. It is the thousand year reign of Christ and the Church on the Earth. This is the restored kingdom of Earth.

We must seriously consider that the Master is coming back to establish the Earth.

Isaiah 49:5-6

5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.

6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Though Israel was the keepers of the oracles, here we see the Gentiles are being grafted into the kingdom.

Isaiah 49:7-8

7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

The covenant of God with man included the establishing of the Earth as a kingdom of peace and goodwill toward men

Isaiah 49:9-10

9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

Here we see the promise of prosperity in the Millennial Kingdom. This however is contrary to the teaching of inheriting the wealth of the world before the return of Christ. This is the message that has poisoned the Church and taken away the great expectation and hope of the coming kingdom.