THE ABRAHAMIC PROMISES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 164, 6 April 1940, Page 18

THE ABRAHAMIC PROMISES

Christadclphian Lecture

A Christadelphi.'in lecture oti Bible l truth was delivered last .Sunday evening in the 1.0.0. F. Hall. Allen Street. Wellington, the subject being “The Abrahutnie Promises.” The speaker said iliut in the early chapters of Genesis were recorded some remarkable promises made by God to Abraham, hence the title "The Abrnhninii: .Promises.’’ As a result of a study of these promises, which would be found in Gen. 12: 1-3. Gen. 13: 14-17. Gen. 15: 18. Gen. 17: 1-8. and Gen. 22: 16-IS, it would be seen (1) that God promised Abraham and his seed all the land between the rivers Nile and Euphrates jl.r ever, (2) that Abraham’s seed would become. "a great nation," (.”•> that bis seed would possess the gate of hi.- enemies. (41 that in Abraham's seed would all the nations of the earlh be blessed, and (5) that his seed would become “as the stars of heaven" for multitude.

Though such definite promises had been made they were never .fulfilled in the lifetime of Abraham. Hence the Apostle Paul in referring to Abraham, and also to Isaac and Jacob, "heirs with him of the same promise." said. "These all died in faith not. hating received the promises.” (Hob. 11: 13). Further evidence in this connexion would be found in Elebs. 11: 39, Acts 7: 1-6. and Acts 26: 6-7. Though these promises had never been fulfilled the Scriptures clearly revealed that their fulfilment was certain at the second coming of Jesus Christ. The promises really ggntred in Christ, for the Apostle Paul made it clear in Gals. 3: 16. that Christ -was the particular “seed” of Abraham (Matt: 1: 1) contemplated by God iu making these promises.

It was shown from the Scriptures how the various features of the Abrahamic promises would receive fulfilment at the return of Christ to earth. In order that Abraham might become possessed of “the land of promise’’ f_or ever he would at Christ’s second coming be raised from the dead and immortalized (Dan. 12: 2, Rev. 11 : 18, I Cor. 15 : 52-54. Luk' 13: 28). His natural seed (the Jewish nation) now scattered among the nations of the earth, would at the same time be regathered to Palestine, which country in teijns of God’s promise to Abraham they would possess (Jer. 31:10, Jer. 30: 3. Eze. 37 : 21-28). Christ would become their King (Matt. 2: 6), and the apostles His co-rulers. “upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19: 2'B). The Jewish nation, then, would undoubtedly- be “the great nation” contemplated by God in His promise to Abraham, indeed “the first dominion” of Christ’s universal Kingdom (Micah 4 0-7. Micah 7: 16. Zepli. 3: 10-20, Zech. 8: 23). God had also promised Abraham that diis seed would possess the gate of “his” enemies, and that through this “seed” would “all the nations of the earth be blessed.” The seed here would not be the natural seed, not “seeds as of many,” but “one” even Christ (Gals. 3:16). The Scriptures revealed that Christ —“the heir of all things" (Ilebs. .1:2) —would at His return to earth 'be given “the nations for His inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession” (Psa. 2:8), becoming universal King (Zcch. 9:10, Zech. 14:9, Dan. 7:14, Acts 17:31). Thus would Christ —.Abraham’s seed—become possessed of the “gate of His enemies” and obviously under His wise and benevolent rule would “all the nations of Hie earth be •blessed,” as God promised Abraham. Finally, the Almighty promised Abraham that his seed would become “as the stars of heaven” for multitude. This would receive fulfilment during Christ's millennial reign, for then the peoples of all nations would, become related to , Abraham nlwougli Christ. Even now Gentiles could through Christ become Abraham's seed (Gals. 3:27-29, Roms, 1.1:13-25). Feiw, however, in this age availed themselves of this great privilege, but in the age to come, in view of the ehanged conditions upon earth, all will “be Christ’s.” and it is written: “If ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed.” (Gals. 3:29.) Thus in the age to come when “at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow” and “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is I.ord” (Phil. 2:10-11). would the seed of Abraham have become “as the stars of heaven” for multitude. In concluding, the speaker said that what Lad been advanced was the very foundation of the Gospel of Christ. The Apostle Paul had said that Christ was a minister to “confirm the promises made unto 'the fathers” (Roms. 15:8). This Christ did' by preaching “the Gospel o' the Kingdom of God” (Matt. 4:23, Luke 8:1). a belief of which wa« essential to an understanding of “The Abrahamic Promises.”

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCHES

•'Reality'' was rite subject of tlte lessou-sormon in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, on Sunday hist. The Golden Text was .Tames 1:17. “Every good gift ami every (perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, witli whom is no variableness. neither shadow of turning.” Among the citations which compriseil the lesson-sermon were the following from rhe Bible: “Commit: thy works unto tlte Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." (t’rov. 16:3.)

Also cited were the following passages from the Christian Science " textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy. "Reality is spiritual, harmonious, immutable, immortal, divine, eternal. Nothing utispiritnal can be real, harmonious. or eternal. Sin. sickness, and mortality are the suppositional antipodes of spirit and must be contradictions of reality.” (p. 335.)