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THE PROMISES MADE TO ABRAHAM AND THEIR FULFILLMENT
Introduction: One of the greatest publicized teachings today in the
religious world is the premillennial reign of Christ. One of the basic
teachings of this doctrine is that the land promise to Abraham is yet
to be fulfilled. (see Christ’s Second Coming by John R. Rice p. 9-10.)
Because of this, I would like to take a look at the promises that God
made to Abraham and if they have been fulfilled. Body:
I. Let us begin our study by noticing a number of promises
that God made to Abraham.
A. Scriptures:
1. Genesis 12:7
2. Genesis 13:14-17
3. Genesis 15:7, 18
4. Genesis 17:8
5. Genesis 26:2-5
6. Genesis 18:13-15
B. Thus, we can see four promises in this covenant with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
1. The land promise.
2. The promise to multiply his seed.
3. The promise that all nations (families) of the
earth would be blessed.
4. The promise to protect and bless.II. Has God fulfilled these promise or are they yet to be
fulfilled?
A. Let us note first, their beginning of fulfillment by
a statement of Stephen.
1. Acts 7:2-7, 17, 20
2. This, by Stephen’s statement, we learn that God’s
promise of the numberless descendents was
beginning to be fulfilled about the time they
entered into Egyptian bondage.
B. Now, let us look at some statements by Moses:
1. Exodus 12:25; 13:5
2. Deuteronomy 1:6-10
3. We see the fulfillment of the second promise, and
also the first promise drawing near.
C. Now, let us notice a couple of statements by Joshua:
1. Joshua 21:43-45
2. Joshua 23:14-15
D. Now, let us notice some other passages:
1. 2 Samuel 8:3
2. 1 Kings 4:21
3. Nehemiah 9:7-8
E. Thus, we see that God has fulfilled the land
promise.
1. But someone might ask, “Didn’t God promise them
the land ‘forever’”? Genesis 13:15 Yes, but
again we see the importance of defining words and
noticing how certain words are used in the
scripture.
a. Nelson – “the word can mean ‘into the
indefinite future… Duet.23:3”.
b. Wilson – “everlasting; duration of time that
is concealed or hidden; eternity; ever,
forever; evermore.”
c. Leupold translates “for a long time.” Cf.
Exodus 21:6 “Shall serve him forever.”
d. “With our later knowledge of language we see
the idea of ‘age lasting’ or ‘to the end of
the age’ as being a practical definition of
the term ‘forever’. The proper meaning of it
is ‘age lasting.’ This means further that
when the term is used with reference to the
continuation of a thing, it intends to convey
the thought that it will last through to the
end of the particular age to which it
pertains.” (Bible Commentary by E. M. Zerr) p.
25.
2. Genesis 17:8, 13.
a. Canaan is an “everlasting” possession and
circumcism is an “everlasting” covenant.
b. Galatians 5:3-4
3. At this point, we need to be aware of a warning
given to the children of Israel.
a. Deuteronomy 28:58-64
b. 2 Kings 17:5-6, 16-18
c. Jeremiah 3:8-11
d. Jeremiah 25:11-12
e. Jeremiah 29:10
4. Also, let me point out that fleshly Israel are no
longer God’s chosen people.
a. Galatians 3:28-29
b. Romans 10:20
c. Romans 2:28-29
F. Now, let us notice some statements by Paul.
1. Galatians 3:7-9, 16-19
2. Thus, we see that through Jesus Christ all
nations of the earth shall be blessed.Conclusion: We have seen that God has kept all of His promises
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