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ENCOURAGEMENT TO ETERNAL FOCUS IN UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOSPEL

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Blessing To All Nations

10

What was the blessing God brought through Abraham and his descendants?

• Myth: Blessing of eternal life by faith was new to the New Testament

• Myth: Blessing of eternal life was by works to please the Father

• Myth: There are other ways to the Father besides faith in this blessing

• Myth: Blessing of eternal life was restricted to the national Jews

• Myth: Blessing of eternal life has been completed for some saints

God from a dimensional distance reaches out to every person of this earthly separated creation with a loving offer of eternal life in His immediate fellowship. He seeks for every person to live with Him with an inheritance in  a world that cannot now be seen. As all creations of God it is a very real world  consisting of space, time and matter glowing with Light of God the Father and His Son much more compact than this stretched dark creation. 

As seen in chapter God Blesses With a Loving Plan man as a special distinct creation in God's image was chosen by  loving favor before the very foundations of this dark creation for the promise of eternal life with Himself through His Son. In the plan this Son after creating man would literally come into the world as God in the flesh of a man as seen in the next chapter Word Made Flesh. Yet before elaborating on the details of God incarnate as man consider for a moment the blessing and intent of the promises that such would happen. This knowledge of God's intentions for a way to enter into His presence of the eternal heavens was shared over and over to the peoples of the earth. From God's Word we shall see many by faith in looking for this Kingdom not seen longed for a place with the Father more than comforts of this world. Some of these who believed were even chosen by God to be a part of this special linage that would bring the "Son of man" into the world in fulfillment of the Messianic promise.

Sadly Scripture also shows many misunderstood God's promise following the example of Satan as adulterers and adulteresses in friendship with the religion, politics, power and self fulfillment of this world system. Cain was the first and his ways and error are discussed further in chapter Worship In Spirit and In Truth. Since the early formation of man even among followers has existed a "world view" rather than a "heaven view." So many are deceived by many false teachings in this world missing the fullness of the intent of God's rich blessings misapplying them to this earth. Popular Christianity even now comes very close to being more worldly minded than heavenly minded often appearing to desire a Christian kingdom on earth rather than the coming Kingdom of the promise. While these believers should always be "salt" and "light" in Godly influence of the world the message should always share the hope in in a Kingdom to come in Jesus Christ.

So what was the intent of God's purpose of the promise of  redemption? Who of all the earth was it given? As this promise was verbally shared from generation to generation from the days of Adam and Eve what did God want them to understand throughout the past? The answers to these questions became much clearer to dwellers on earth when in God extended His grace to a man included in the linage of the Son of promise named Abram who we know better as Abraham when God changed his name. Through Abraham flowed a ...

Blessing to All Nations

Genesis 12:1-3
12:1 Now the Lord said to Abram,

"Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father's house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. " NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

The Blessing A Covenant

God by His grace chose a man by the name of Abraham to bring forth his special promised blessing to all the world. Abraham as seen later in the inspired documentation of genealogic lineages was a descendant of Adam and Eve. At a unique calling God gives Abraham a six fold promise in return of compliance with His purpose. As one sees above there were special blessings to Abraham in God's offer. He would be a great nation, receive the blessings of God, have a great name, and experience special protection in that God's treatment of others was based on how they interacted with Abraham. Yet the promise was not just for Abraham. By his acceptance of God's offer all the world would be blessed.

 From historical research^[2,3] and the Scriptures the area and life of Abraham in Mesopotamia was not much different than that of today short of a few modern technologies. His life and future outlook was very prosperous there. At the time Mesopotamia was occupied by a people now called the Sumerians. The term Chaldea was a later designation for people who occupied the region during Moses day when writing the history of Genesis. Recent archeology and excavation shows the people at the time was culturally and educationally advanced. Children went to school to learn language, mathematics and science. A monetary exchange system organized the existing economy for trade. The region was divided into a city-state form of government. Laws were in the form of a written code to govern actions of citizens. Popular religion of the day was mainly mythology in many gods to explain the events of everyday life around them. This area was but a short distance and just two hundred years after the tower of Babel of Genesis 11 where God speaks of man's intellectual ability to do anything imagined. While God had confused the languages the ingenuity of the scattered peoples continued. It was here that Abraham's Father, Terah, served other gods in idolatry as he raised his family in this prosperous region of Ur between the two rivers of Euphrates and Tigris.

Joshua 24:2
2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. NASB

Just like the well known conversion of the Apostle Paul of the New Testament God appeared in a special way to Abraham in His glory. In this place of probable prosperity God makes Abraham an offer of eternal life in a place not seen in this world.

Acts 7:2
2 And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Hebrews 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. NASB (Emphasis mine)

God often reminded Abraham and those of his linage of this special promise to come through his seed. As Abraham journeyed the Lord would occasionally have Abraham look about and repeat the promise. Even later in life when fulfillment looked impossible the Lord still reminded Abraham that he would have a linage as the number of the stars seen in the sky that would occupy the land of the Nile of Egypt to the River Euphrates.

Genesis 12:6-7
6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. KJV (Emphasis mine)

Genesis 13:14-18
14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord. KJV (Emphasis mine)

Genesis 15
15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. 7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. KJV (Emphasis mine)

At first Abraham only partially obeyed as he grew in his faith in God. When he first left Mesopotamia  he took his Father and nephew Lot and dwelt in Haran until his father died. Later God allows conflict to motivate obedience in finally separating from Lot. Yet Abraham continues to experience several failures. One that effects the peace of earth today in the Middle East was the decision to attempt to fulfill the promise with Hagar who was Sarah's maid leading to the birth of Ishmael.

Genesis 16:7-14
7 Now the angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from and where are you going?" And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai." 9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority." 10 Moreover, the angel of the Lord said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they shall be too many to count." 11 The angel of the Lord said to her further,

"Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son;
And you shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has given heed to your affliction.
12 "And he will be a wild donkey of a man,
His hand will be against everyone,
And everyone's hand will be against him;
And he will live to the east of all his brothers."

13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "Thou art a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" 14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.  NASB (Emphasis mine)

Throughout his life Abraham continued to live with constant doubts and even made offers to God to use Ishmael. At one hundred years  of age with Sarah ninety God again reminds him of his promise and rejects his offer of Ishmael and his descendants for the linage of this promise.

Genesis 17:17-21
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" 18 And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!" 19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year." NASB (Emphasis mine)

Scripture says Abraham believed God and thus God blessed with a miraculous birth of Isaac.  Abraham later matures in his faith understanding that God's promises were not in this world but in his power to resurrect to eternal life. This maturity of faith was greatly demonstrated on the mountains of the land of Moriah where he was willing to offer up in sacrifice his promised son Isaac in obedience to God.

Hebrews 11:11

11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; 12 therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

 

Hebrews 11:17-19
17 By faith Abraham , when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, "In Isaac your descendants shall be called." 19 He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type. NASB (Emphasis mine)

1 John 2:25
25 And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. NASB

Since in the stretched creation man cannot see God or His Kingdom of the heavens God shares and teaches man by earthly types. God's organization of creation and religions rites commanded all picture in many ways this world not seen. The casual reader might think Abraham was to receive God's blessing in this world and  the promise was not fulfilled since he died without actually being a great nation. Everything God did was a reminder the blessing of the promise was not on this for this world. While he would have many descendants the number of the stars who would occupy the land Abraham journeyed his descendant was a type of the One to come as the promised Messiah.

The Blessing A Promise of Christ

Abraham, by God's patience of allowing the decay of old age and dreams of the captivity of his descendants, came to recognize the fulfillment of God's promise was not in this life but a  resurrected life. He began to understand the worldly events he experienced were a type or picture of activities in a heavenly realm not seen. As was seen in chapter Worship In Spirit and In Truth this spiritual discernment is the faith the Father seeks. As will be discussed more in the chapter The First Thousand Years Abraham and his descendents will by faith in the promise of Christ sit in the land he observed. They partaking in the first resurrection with other saints  will judge national Israel while Israel preaches the gospel in harvest of the earth for 1000 years. Scripture is clear that the physical seed of Abraham on earth pictures the spiritual seed of God to those who believe and accept His offer of eternal life in Christ. Both are chosen and serve their purpose. As seen in chapter Messiah Revealed - The Salvation of Israel national earthly Israel has not been rejected from God's promised covenant. So with Abraham as our example believers today should recognize the hope is in the resurrected life - not the believer's conquering this world.

Galatians 3:15-16
15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. (Emphasis mine)

 

Romans 9:6-8
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "through Isaac your descendants will be named." 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. NASB (Emphasis mine)

God's Word validates by three genealogies the import of the Messiah as a seed of Abraham in fulfillment of this covenant. Matthew traces the generations from Abraham to Jesus Christ, "the son of David, the son of Abraham" revealing his royal heritage as King. Luke shows Jesus as the "son of Adam, the son of God" picturing Him as "the son of Man." John makes it clear Jesus is nothing short of God as flesh as seen in the next chapter Word Made Flesh.

Matthew 1:1-17
1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 To Abraham was born Isaac; and to Isaac, Jacob; and to Jacob, Judah and his brothers; 3 and to Judah were born Perez and Zerah by Tamar; and to Perez was born Hezron; and to Hezron, Ram; 4 and to Ram was born Amminadab; and to Amminadab, Nahshon; and to Nahshon, Salmon; 5 and to Salmon was born Boaz by Rahab; and to Boaz was born Obed by Ruth; and to Obed, Jesse; 6 and to Jesse was born David the king.

And to David was born Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah; 7 and to Solomon was born Rehoboam; and to Rehoboam, Abijah; and to Abijah, Asa; 8 and to Asa was born Jehoshaphat; and to Jehoshaphat, Joram; and to Joram, Uzziah; 9 and to Uzziah was born Jotham; and to Jotham, Ahaz; and to Ahaz, Hezekiah; 10 and to Hezekiah was born Manasseh; and to Manasseh, Amon; and to Amon, Josiah; 11 and to Josiah were born Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 And after the deportation to Babylon, to Jeconiah was born Shealtiel; and to Shealtiel, Zerubbabel; 13 and to Zerubbabel was born Abihud; and to Abihud, Eliakim; and to Eliakim, Azor; 14 and to Azor was born Zadok; and to Zadok, Achim; and to Achim, Eliud; 15 and to Eliud was born Eleazar; and to Eleazar, Matthan; and to Matthan, Jacob; 16 and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the time of Christ fourteen generations. NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Luke 3:23-38
23 And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being supposedly the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. NASB (Emphasis mine)

The Blessing A Continuance

The blessing of promise of Messiah to Abraham was not new. It was a continuance and expansion of the promise first made to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15 and passed to succeeding generations. By faith in God's provision for nearly two thousand years before Abraham men looked forward to a Messianic promise of a New Kingdom in a resurrected life after death.

As seen in chapter God Blesses With a Loving Plan Scripture reveals God's plan of redemption was set in motion even before the foundation of the world. God foreknew Adam and Eve would fail falling into sin as no match for Satan's wiles. Yet God would use this for a greater good in His battle over the separated creation against the forces of darkness. For a week of God's time the material creation was stretched out in darkness under the dominion of the prince and ruler of this world. Satan knew it was so valuable to God he offered it prematurely to Jesus in temptation if Jesus would only follow him. Apparently it was destined to go with him to the eternal Lake of Fire at the appointed time at the end of seven days of God's time. No doubt Satan has felt he had proven in man's failure another great victory over God in the superiority of his philosophy of self will before the will of the Creator. Yet God promised to the first couple and Satan an "enmity" would come. The battle was not over.

Genesis 3:13-19
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." 14 And the Lord God said to the serpent,
"Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly shall you go, And dust shall you eat All the days of your life; 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. "
16 To the woman He said,
"I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall bring forth children; Yet your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."
17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it';
Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 "Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field; 19 By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return. " NASB (Emphasis mine)

God promised from the seed of the woman an "enmity"^[1] that would be wounded by Satan saying "and you shall bruise him on the heal." Yet this enmity would still inflict a mortal wound upon the purposes of Satan saying "He shall bruise you on the head." God promised the person of a Savior to stop Satan's plan of continued ruin of the creation separated from worship and glory of God. The seed promised from Adam and Eve was that of a  Messiah Who would come through their linage. Paul even tells us the woman was preserved in God's plan to populate the creation in bringing forth this great blessing.

1 Timothy 2:13-15
13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. NASB

Thus from Adam to Abraham then down through the ages many of mankind have held to this promise of Messiah that began with Adam and Eve and was promised in God's wisdom before the foundations of the world. The writer of Hebrews records such faith in this Kingdom of promise not seen was the heart felt motivation of many saints in the actions of their lives. As we read this lengthy portion of God's Word we should keep in mind they did not look for an improvement of this temporary world back to Eden like existence. They longed for that Kingdom of the Father not seen through His provision of a Messiah.

Hebrews 11
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; 12 therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, "In Isaac your descendants shall be called." 19 He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38(men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. NASB (Emphasis mine)

Over and over one finds the witness of faith in God's promises through out the Bible. For example Job who lived sometime before Abraham believed he would be resurrected by a Redeemer. He had heard, understood by God's convicting spirit and believed in God's power to act long before the Tabernacle, the Law of Moses, the deliverance of Egypt and so much more that revealed more truth about the heavens not seen.

Job 19:25-27
25 "And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
26 "Even after my skin is destroyed,
Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
27 Whom I myself shall behold,
And whom my eyes shall see and not another.
My heart faints within me.  NASB (Emphasis mine)

This gospel of Messianic promise was believed by many in other nations. It was not restricted to just the Jews. In the flesh man likes that which is special to be exclusive so as to increase personal value. As such Jonah refused to go to the evil Gentile city of Nineveh that God loved and wanted to hear his message of repentance and faith.  The gospel of the Messiah was passed from believers to others all over the world in the days from Adam to the time of Jesus Christ just as today. Abraham's blessing was not just for national Israel but for all the families of the earth. Even the angels announcing the birth of Christ reminded those outcasts of society the shepherds "I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people."

Matthew 2:1-2
2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Acts 10:43
43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Luke 2:6-14
7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." NASB (Emphasis mine)

The Blessing Controversial

From the earliest days when man began to populate the earth this promise has created great controversy. When one shares the message of a Messiah Who would deliver from the evil that separates from God it implies the hearer has a need due to sin. Many of the world do not want to admit or hear of the short comings of sin. Admitting such deters from the fulfillment of self will and pleasures of this world. As such when the desires of many are threatened great anger and even violence explodes against those who share the message of promise. As will be seen in chapter Worship in Spirit and In Truth this persecution by the world of those who share the eternal hope in Christ began with Cain murdering his brother Able. Since those whose hopes rest in this world struggle in many ways persecuting those who would offer them the greatest blessing ever known in Christ.

The Apostle Paul was constantly hounded by the popular religions and sects of the world system. When before King Agrippa defending himself from the accusations of the Jews he shares the root reasons for his persecution.

Acts 26:6-7
6 "And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. NASB

In the early church Stephen debated in great wisdom of the Spirit showing how Jesus was the Messiah of promise. The men could not answer his statements so they made false accusations against him and drug him before their Council and High Priest. Stephen in his declaration to those in Jerusalem reminded his listeners of their hardness of heart in following the examples of their fathers in rejection of the message of Christ for sin. In their rejection they often persecuted the prophets that brought it.

Acts 7:51-60
51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 "Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it. "

54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one impulse. 58 And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" 60 And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And having said this, he fell asleep. NASB (Emphasis mine)

Jesus spoke of the constant persecution of those who share the message. Believers are to view such persecution as a great blessing. While not realized in this world God will reward such in the world to come. 

John 16:33
33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Matthew 5:10-12
10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NASB

Popular Christianity due to several hundred years of freedom of religion in America proclaims vehemently that somehow God will not allow such persecution again by the world from those who reject the message of eternal hope in Christ for sin. Leaders tickle ears of listeners with promises that a God of love will deliver from any persecution future. As will be seen later in chapters The Gathering Together and Judgment Scrolls Opened - Labor Contractions the probability of great persecution before the Lord's Second Coming of those who hold to the message of the Word of God is high. God promises to keep His children from His wrath^[4] - not worldly persecution in rejection of his message. The wrath of God is contained in the judgments of the sixth seal as seen in Appendix 4 - Last Days Chronology. While we pray it might not be true believers may still serve as God's witnesses up through the completion of the fifth seal when nearly persecuted out of existence. After the fourth seal, where one fourth of the world dies in famine, pestilence and war; in the world the teachings of Christianity of man's sinfulness and the Second Coming will be denied and grounds for beheading. It is noteworthy that the descendants of Ishmael in the Middle East as prophesied by the Lord to Hagar will be untamable and against everyone's work but their own. Beheading of "infidels" is a common practice by these religions that will make up Babylon of the Tribulation. America will fall as a superpower in this world war. Often forgotten is that the message of a Messiah come for sin and eternal life in a New Kingdom is only a small portion of the world religious system.

Revelation 6:9-11
9 And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long , O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, should be completed also. NASB (Emphasis mine)

Genesis 16:11-12

The angel of the Lord said to her further,
"Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son;
And you shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has given heed to your affliction.
12 "And he will be a wild donkey of a man,
His hand will be against everyone,
And everyone's hand will be against him;
And he will live to the east of all his brothers." NASB (Emphasis mine)

The Blessing Is Not Completed

As will be seen in the next chapter Word Made Flesh this Messiah has come and even though wounded by Satan resurrected from the dead. Yet even though He has come and ascended to the right hand of the Father the promises of the eternal Kingdom are not yet given to any saints as seen in the previous chapter Tabernacle Not Made With Hands. While the earthly covenant to Abraham and saints is fulfilled after the first resurrection of all believers in Christ 1000 year reign it is not until after that 1000 years when the end comes that all is one again with the Father in the New Heaven and New Earth. All believers who accept by faith God's offer of eternal life including those of the great harvest of the millennium will be presented by Jesus to the Father together at the end of the age.

Hebrews 6:9-20
9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you." 15 And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. 17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

2 Peter 3:13
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. NASB

 

1 Corinthians 15:20-28
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 And when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all. NASB (Emphasis mine)

The Blessing All Comprehensive

No person to ever live was left out of the offer to eternal life. Abraham's blessing was for "all the families of the earth." God over and over shows His offer was to all no matter how sinful or how different from others of mankind. Note how above in the documented linage of the Messiah David was the great great great grandson of a Gentile known as Rahab the Harlot who by faith hid the spies when Israel came for the land of promise. She is in the lineage of the Messiah and mentioned by inspiration in the faith chapter above of Hebrews 11. Ruth was a Gentile the daughter in law of Naomi a Jew. She by God's providence marries Boaz the son of Rahab and gives birth to Obed in this linage to Christ. Also the linage included conception by adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite. God sent the Messiah of promise to save sinners of all families of the earth. In God's loving desire His callings for use in His service are always of grace rather than merit.

Romans 9:6-8
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "through Isaac your descendants will be named." 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Ephesians 3:4-6
4 And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. NASB (Emphasis mine)

The Blessing Conditional

So what is man's part in the great plan of God? What are the families of the earth to do to receive the promise of eternal life through the promise given? This promise of the resurrection to eternal life is for those who believe and accept by faith God's provision.

Acts 13:32-41
32 "And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm,' Thou art My Son; today I have begotten Thee.' 34 "And as for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no more to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm, 'Thou wilt not allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.' 36 "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers, and underwent decay; 37 but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 "Take heed therefore, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:

41'Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish;
For I am accomplishing a work in your days,
A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.' "  NASB (Emphasis mine)

The works of the law given by God after Abraham 430 years later by Moses we are told only showed more clearly the need for a Savior from sin. God blessed by justifying those who recognized themselves "ungodly" and "his faith is reckoned as righteousness."

Romans 4:1-8
4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:

7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
8 "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account."  NASB (Emphasis mine)

 

Romans 4:13-25
13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17(as it is written, "A father of many nations have I made you") in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. NASB (Emphasis mine)
 

Galatians 3:15-22
15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. NASB (Emphasis mine)

If you have not prayed to the Father and accepted His gift He even now through the Holy Spirit calls you. As you learn about God sin is always recognized bringing inner guilt for the decisions and actions of self will of our lives against God's will. This conviction is a normal response that God desires. We must see our need due to sin and ungodliness before we can in faith accept His offer in the promise. As seen in the chapter God Blesses With A Loving Plan section Blessing of Guaranteeing Our Inheritance there are just a few simple orderly steps God desires of you to become His child and possess the promise of eternal life in His presence at the end of the age in the New Heaven and New Earth. God's offer is for all regardless of heritage, cultural status, kinds of offenses, nationality, or wealth. In the next chapter Word Made Flesh we shall consider in depth the wonder of God coming in the likeness of sinful flesh in this provision of grace extended to all.

Chapter 9       Chapter 11   Chapter Time Link Map

End Notes

[1] enmity OT:342 OT:342 hb*ya@ 'eybah (ay-baw'); from OT:340; hostility:KJV - emnity, hatred. OT:340 OT:340 by^a* 'ayab (aw-yab'); a primitive root; to hate (as one of an opposite tribe or party); hence to be hostile: KJV - be an enemy. Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary, 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.

[2] Time Line of Ancient Mesopotamia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Ancient_Mesopotamia

[3] Sumer at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerians

[4] The possible time position of the gathering or what popular Christianity calls the "rapture" in use of the truth of the promises of a protection from God's wrath is very distinguished from what is now being called the new three-quarter Tribulation view also called the "Pre-Wrath Rapture View" by proponents. This major difference is described more thoroughly in chapters The Gathering and Judgment Scrolls Opened -Labor Contractions.

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