THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM

Intro:

One of the major premises of premillennial theory is the fact that the promise to Abraham has not been completely fulfilled. The premillennialist is still looking for a fulfillment of the promise. Consider these statements by premillennial writers:

1. "The crucial issues in relation to premillennialism are two-fold: (1) Does the Abrahamic covenant promise Israel a permanent existence as a nation? IF it does, then the church is not fulfilling Israel's promises, but rather Israel as a nation has a future yet in prospect; and (2) Does the Abrahamic covenant promise Israel permanent possession of the promised land? If it does, then Israel must yet come into possession of the promised land, for she has never fully possessed it in her history." (The Basis for Premillennial Faith, Charles C. Ryrie, p. 53-56)

2. "The Abrahamic covenant required that Israel continue as a nation forever in order to fulfill the everlasting covenant (Gen. 17:7) and in order to have the land as an everlasting possession (Gen. 17:8). All the facts… that Israel continues as a nation forever, is not disinherited, is not supplanted by the church, and that Israel's basic covenants are dependent upon God's faithfulness alone for fulfillment, combine to require Israel's restoration after these centuries of dispersion and chastening." (The Millennial Kingdom, John F. Walvoord, p. 184)

3. "God unconditionally promised Abraham's descendants a literal world-wide kingdom over which they would rule through their Messiah who would reign on King David's throne." (The Late Great Planet Earth, Hal Lindsey, p. 176)

What does the Bible really say about the promise to Abraham?

I. Notice The Promise.

A. Given to Abraham. (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:5,18; 17:4-5)

1. The Promise was two-fold:

a. A land given to a nation. (Physical)

b. All nations blessed by Seed. (Spiritual)

2. The Promise was conditional upon Abraham obeying God. (cf. Gen. 26:5)

B. The Promise was renewed to Isaac. (Gen. 26:1-5)

C. It was also renewed to Jacob. (Gen. 28:1-5)

II. This Promise Was Fulfilled Many Years Ago.

A. Abraham was made a great nation and given the land that was promised.

1. Jacob took his children into Egypt where they grew into a great nation. (Gen. 46:1-7; Deut.10:22)

2. This great nation left Egypt under the leadership of Moses. (Ex. 12:31 ff)

3. The people began to possess the promised land under Joshua's leadership. (Joshua 1: 10-11 ff)

4. The promise of land to a great nation was completely fulfilled. (Joshua 21:43-45)

5. "But," some object, "they never possessed all the land, from Egypt to the River Euphrates." (Gen. 15:18) - Notice, however, what land was possessed by them in the days of Solomon. (2 Chron. 9:26; 1 Kings 4:21) Israel, therefore, possessed all of the land that was promised.

6. Others object, "They didn't possess the land always. It was taken away, so it needed to be fulfilled again." - But once something is fulfilled, there is no need for it to be fulfilled again. Also, the promise was conditional upon their obedience. (Joshua 23:14-16; Deut. 30:15-20)

B. All nations were blessed by His Seed.

1. Christ was the Seed through which all nations would be blessed. (Gal. 3:16)

2. In the Old Testament, only one nation was truly blessed of God. Now all nations are blessed through Christ.

a. The blessing involves forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

b. It first came to the Jews. (Acts 3:17-26)

c. Then the Gentiles were also blessed - all nations. (Eph. 3:6; Gal. 3:26-29)

d. We can now see how Gentiles also are truly blessed of God. (Eph. 2:11-18)

(1) Condition of Gentiles before obedience to Christ - Alien, Strangers, No Hope, Without God.

(2) Condition of Gentiles after obedience to Christ - Made Near, Reconciled, Peace.

Concl:

All the promises to Abraham have been fulfilled totally.