Eternal Promises Only Fulfilled in the Eternal Spirit

The promises of an eternal nature could only be fulfilled in the eternal Spirit. Although Joshua and Solomon both declared the material promises fulfilled, they were not eternally and ultimately fulfilled until Christ came and conquered the Flesh and arose to the eternal throne:
“And these all, (the heroes of faith mentioned in the foregoing verses), having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” (Hebrews 11:39)

Faith That Inherits The Promise

The ultimate and eternal fulfillment was of a spiritual nature, that is, by faith: Romans 4:13-16; 9:8. It is those who keep the faith that are truly the heirs. The entire remnant of the fleshly lineage who kept the faith of Abraham accepted Christ: Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:16-29. This remnant was elected by grace: Romans 11:5, 7.

All who did not accept Christ were blinded and cut off: Romans 11:17-19. Those broken-off branches still had hope, but only in Christ, that they might be grafted back into the vine of God’s people: Romans 11:23. Only if they were grafted back in were they eligible for the inheritance of the promises, and that only in the Spirit. They had no right to call themselves “Israel” unless they were in Christ: Romans 9:6-8, 27.

Even though God promised David that his seed would succeed him on the throne “for ever,” the Lord told Solomon that his reign depended upon his obedience, 1 Chronicles 28:9, and that if he forsook the Lord, he would be cast off “for ever.” Indeed, Psalm 37:28-9 promises that the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. It is the righteous only who will inherit the land. Indeed, the nation was taken captive to Babylon for their sins and disobedience, Nehemiah 1:5-11. Only a small remnant of faithful ones returned. The unrepentant were cast off forever.

Isaiah prophesies of a time when God’s people will be all righteous, chapter 60:21. Daniel prophesied that “the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever,” (7:18). These are only fulfilled in the ultimate, eternal kingdom of Christ.

Luke 1:33, 54-55:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end…. 54. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy… 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

Revelation sums it up thus:
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5)

The same things that are true of the promises of the land and the kingdom are also true of the promises concerning the Temple, or “House,” and the city, Jerusalem. Joel prophesied: “Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation,” (3:20).

Jeremiah also said that the Temple and the city would “remain for ever,” (7:1-7). But this was conditional, see also Jeremiah 17:21-27. In this context it is clear that the temporal city would be destroyed if it fell into sin, idolatry and disobedience. The subsequent history confirms that God did indeed fulfill His promise both of good and of bad.

In the time of Christ’s ministry in His fleshly body, the Pharisees were teaching that the material city, and land were an irrevocable promise to the fleshly descendants of Abraham. Christ refuted this teaching: John 8:33-59. Paul refuted the teaching that the earthly, material city was eternal: Galatians 4:22-31.

The writer to the Hebrews says also:
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. (Hebrews 12)

We are admonished to leave the earthly city of destruction:
“Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:13)

The eternal City that can never be destroyed was revealed to John the Revelator:
“And 1 John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2)

Those who refused to accept Christ but rather trusted in fleshly lineage, legal practices, the material land and city, were destroyed in the wars and captivity of the AD 70 era. Let us be warned by their example that the geographical land called “Israel” and those pretending a fleshly lineage are doomed to a similar destruction. Only Christ and those in Him are “alive forevermore”.

This lesson is an edited excerpt from my book, Revelation in Context, available locally at the Living Word Bookstore in Shawnee, Oklahoma or www.Amazon.com, or www.XulonPress.com.
Free downloads are also available at www.revelationincontext.sermon.net.