God Himself Deeded the Land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

God Himself Deeded the Land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

God’s promises are so sure that as we progress through the Old Testament, you’ll see that all of God’s dealings with Israel are to bring this covenant to reality and make Israel a distinct, separate, and different nation. God will give them a promised land.

In Chapter 15, God deeds Abraham a specific geographical area of land according to the ancient customs of that time. It is absolutely crucial to understand that this was God’s promise to Abraham. This was not a mutual agreement. God literally deeded the land to Abraham and the nation of Israel. So it will happen. God said it; believe it.

 

Get Your Bible Out and Study the Bible Verses Below

 

In Genesis 12:1-3, God makes a covenant with Abraham, also known as the Abrahamic Covenant, in which He promises to bless Abraham and make him a great nation, and in turn Abraham’s descendants will be a blessing to all nations. As a part of this covenant, God also promises to give Abraham and his descendants a specific land:

 

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'” (Genesis 12:1-3)

 

This promise of land is further specified in Genesis 15:18-21, where God outlines the specific borders of the land He promised to give to the nation of Israel:

 

“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.'” (Genesis 15:18-21)

 

This verse lays out the specific boundaries of the land that God promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, which includes the land from the river of Egypt (likely the Nile) to the great river, the Euphrates, and the land of various ancient tribes, including the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.

 

This is the designated land God promised to Abraham and the nation of Israel. Genesis 15:18-21.

 

Today, the Nile river is located in Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea. The Euphrates river runs through Turkey, Syria and Iraq. This land today is part of Israel, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait.

It’s worth noting that the promise of land is the first part of the Abrahamic covenant, and it is a fundamental aspect of the relationship between God and the nation of Israel. This promise of land to the descendants of Abraham is reinforced throughout the Bible, and it is often cited as the reason for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, interpretation of these promise and it’s application today is a subject of ongoing debate and there are different perspectives on what it means for modern nation-states.

 

Additional Support for the Promised Land

 

This promise of the land to the nation of Israel is reinforced throughout the Bible. Here are a few additional verses that mention the promised land and its borders:

 

“And the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.'”

(Genesis 12:7)

 

“And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

(Genesis 17:8)

 

“See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.”

(Deuteronomy 1:8)

 

“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.”

(Joshua 1:3-4)

 

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-9)

 

Takeaway

 

It is clear that throughout the Bible, God repeatedly promises to give the descendants of Abraham the specific land outlined in Genesis 15:18–21 as an eternal possession. This promise is an integral part of the Abrahamic Covenant and is reinforced throughout the Scriptures; as such, it is a fundamental aspect of the relationship between God and the nation of Israel.

What is often overlooked is that it is God who will fulfill this promise because it was God who promised the nation of Israel. It was not a mutual covenant. God deeded the land. During the ceremony highlighted in Genesis 15:9–21, it was God who made the promises to Abraham. Remember Abraham was asleep.

 

The bottom line is that God will fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. No people, no nation on earth will stop God from fulfilling His promise to Israel about giving them a geographical area of land. As stands now the entire world is against the nation of Israel even our beloved America is turning against Israel.

 

 

Adam and Eve Were Not Saved by Believing the Gospel of the Grace of God – But Yet They Were “By Faith”

Adam and Eve Were Not Saved by Believing the Gospel of the Grace of God – But Yet They Were “By Faith”

Faith has always been the most important aspect of salvation. God’s amazing grace, love, and mercy were on full display when He sought out Adam and Eve to redeem them after their disobedience and, in their place, sacrificed an animal to cover their nakedness. So it was Adam and Eve’s faith in what God did on their behalf that saved them. Just like it is our faith that saves us today.

 

Adam and Eve Were Not Saved by Believing the Gospel of Grace

 

They were saved on the merits of the cross

 

Adam and Eve were not saved because they believed Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross, died, was buried, and rose three days later! Noah and his family were not saved by the gospel of grace. Not one person in the Old Testament was saved by believing the gospel of the grace of God. Nor were the apostles, or any other person for that matter, saved during the Lord’s earthly ministry by believing that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later.

Again, salvation, whether in the Old or New Testament, is based on the merits of the cross. The shed blood, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus three days later is the culmination of all that God does. But what God instructed mankind to do for salvation and doctrine has changed considerably since Adam and Eve. In other words, it is ludicrous to say that Adam and Eve were saved because they believed that Christ died for their sins and was buried only to rise from the dead three days later.

 

The shed blood, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus three days later are the culmination of all that God does

 

For example, in the garden, what were God’s instructions for Adam and Eve? You have dominion over everything; just don’t eat from that one tree. Is that our gospel today? What happened when they disobeyed God? Did they repent? Did they walk down the aisle and believe wholeheartedly that they were sinners? Did they believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead three days later? Of course not! But what the Lord did by killing an animal to make clothing for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness was a foreshadowing of what He Himself would accomplish at the cross, reconciling the whole world back to Himself thousands of years into the future.

So what did Adam and Eve believe? What saved them? By faith, they believe what the Lord did by killing an animal, shedding its blood, and making clothing to cover their nakedness brought them back into fellowship with the Lord.

 

The revelation of the gospel of grace

God did not reveal the gospel of grace that saves mankind today until around 40 AD. To say otherwise is unscriptural and the antithesis of a sound hermeneutic approach to God’s word. It is crucial to grasp the concept that the Bible is a progressive revelation. God’s plan of redemption has never changed, but how God dealt with mankind and what He revealed did.

 

Salvation Today is By the Gospel of the Grace of God

 

‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ‘

I Corinthians 15:1-4

 

The good news of the gospel of grace is that all mankind can be saved by believing in the finished work of the cross (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) alone, by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8,9), apart from the Mosaic law or temple worship (Romans 3:21). This good news is the culmination of all that God does and is the basis for salvation for all mankind since Adam. But what God instructed mankind to do for salvation has changed significantly from Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses and the Old Testament saints to the Lord’s earthly ministry. Today we have the gospel of grace, which has been the means of salvation for all mankind for the past 1900+ years.

 

Takeaway

God’s plan of redemption has never changed, but how God dealt with mankind and what He revealed for salvation did. The Bible is a progressive revelation, and the good news of the gospel of grace is the culmination of all that God does, past, present, and future. The gospel of grace has been the means of salvation for all mankind for the past 1900+ years, and it is by Paul’s gospel, the gospel of grace, that all mankind will be saved and judged. It is crucial that we as believers understand, and are able to share with the lost world, “the good news” that salvation is by faith alone in the gospel of grace alone.

 

Get out your Bible and read, pray, meditate and study these verses. Don’t just glibly read over them. The power is in God’s words.

 

‘But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ‘

Hebrews 11:6

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ‘

Romans 1:16

‘even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ‘

Romans 3:22

‘to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.’

Romans 3:26

‘But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, ‘

Romans 4:5

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

– Romans 2:16

 

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began…”

– Romans 16:25

 

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:”

– 2 Timothy 2:8

 

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward…to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

– Ephesians 3:2-9

 

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.”

– 1 Corinthians 3:10

 

 

 

Victory in Christ: The Assurance of Our Resurrection – The Rapture

Victory in Christ: The Assurance of Our Resurrection – The Rapture

There will come a moment in human history when all who have believed the gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) by faith alone will be caught up on “our resurrection day” to be with the Lord in the clouds, and we will be with the Lord Jesus in heaven forever. Believe it because the Bible says so.

 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the incredible hope of being united with Him in heaven one day. This event, known as the Rapture of the Church, is described in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 as “we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

 

This passage, along with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, reminds us that the Rapture is a time of great joy and reunion. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we read “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again (the gospel), even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this, we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

 

The Rapture is Not the Lord’s Second Coming

 

This passage gives us a detailed picture of the rapture event and the blessed hope that we have as believers. The Lord Himself will come with a shout to the clouds, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And we will always be with the Lord.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul reminds us that “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As believers, we can have confidence that we will not face God’s wrath, but instead will be united with Him in heaven. God’s wrath is for the Christ-rejecting world, and to pay off the mortgage on the planet held by Satan. The seven-year tribulation is the time when God will pour out His wrath. God did not pour out His love, mercy, and grace by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His blood, die on the cross for our sins, then be buried, and raised from the dead three days later for the salvation of those who believe by faith alone in that “good news” or gospel. Only to turn around and pour out His wrath and judgments on the same. Ridiculous!

 

Our Blessed Hope

 

As we contemplate this blessed hope, let us remember the words of 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Jesus, we have victory over sin and death and the assurance of eternal life with Him.

 

In light of this wonderful truth, let us live a life that is pleasing to God, always looking forward to the day when we will be united with Him. Let us encourage one another with this hope and strive to be ready for His return.

 

Get out your Bible and read, pray, meditate and study these verses. Don’t just glibly read over them. The power is in God’s words.

 

 

 

Our Hope Is Eternal with the Lord Jesus Forever – Don’t Be Discouraged

Our Hope Is Eternal with the Lord Jesus Forever – Don’t Be Discouraged

‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’

II Corinthians 4:16-18

 

As believers, we all experience loss in different ways. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or even a dream, it can be difficult to find hope in the midst of our pain and grief. But as Christians, we are reminded that our hope is not found in the things of this world, but in the eternal things of God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, by faith, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The Lord reminds us that even though we may be going through difficult times, our troubles are only temporary. The eternal glory that awaits us far outweighs any pain or suffering we may experience in this life.

Get out your Bible and read, pray, meditate and study these verses. Don’t just glibly read over them. The power is in God’s words.

 

Mercy for All: Unpacking the Mystery of Romans 11:32

Mercy for All: Unpacking the Mystery of Romans 11:32

‘For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.’

Romans 11:32

 

In Romans 11:32, the apostle Paul is emphasizing the sovereignty of God in His dealings with His chosen people, the nation of Israel. Paul is addressing the Gentile believers in Rome and is highlighting the fact that God has chosen to commit all of Israel to disobedience, not all men. This is a significant point in the book of Romans, (in all of Scripture) as Paul is laying out the theological foundations of the mystery or the secret of the gospel of the grace of God and the role of both Jew and Gentile in God’s plan of salvation.

It’s also crucial to understand the time element. Paul wrote the book of Romans around 57-58 AD. Prior to Paul writing Romans God never revealed these truths.

 

This was a Secret Hid in the Mind of God

 

In the context of Romans 11, Paul is discussing the blinding of Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation. He states in verse 11:25 “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a blindness in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” This passage explicitly shows that God has temporarily set aside the nation of Israel in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles. With a new gospel message based on faith alone apart from law and works.

 

Furthermore, in Romans 11:15 Paul states “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their (Israel’s) acceptance be but life from the dead?” This verse highlights the fact that through the rejection of God’s chosen people, the Jews, God is able to bring salvation to all mankind. But God hasn’t forgotten The promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

 

Has God Cast Away His People?

 

When you think about Israel’s restoration, think of Ezekiel 37. The “Dry Bones” chapter. In verse 7, God told Ezekiel, “Prophecy on those bones,” and they began to tremble, rattle, and roll. All of that was an image of the Nation of Israel, who had been out of the land of promise, away from their temple worship, away from God, and blinded, but God would restore them back to life. For the past 70 years, we’ve been witnessing the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37, culminating in the Lord’s second coming.

Thus, Israel has been shaking and emerging from every nation under heaven. As predicted in Ezekiel 37:6, they have muscle and skin, but no spiritual life. They remain spiritually dead. In Romans 11, Paul uses the same example as Ezekiel in Chapter 37. That this is the entire nation of Israel returning to their country, resurrecting, and awaiting the Second Coming.

 

Takeaways

 

In summary, Romans 11:32 is a key verse in the book of Romans (and all of Scripture) that emphasizes the sovereignty and faithfulness of God in His dealings with Israel. Paul reveals God’s temporary blinding of His chosen people so that He can pour out His mercy (in the form of the gospel of grace) on all mankind, which was a secret hidden in the mind of God.

 

 

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