The Christian religion is based on promises - Christ rose from the dead, He will come back again, we will be made immortal, the wicked will be punished, Satan will be put away, we look for a new heaven & earth (2Pet. 3:13). We have been given very great and precious promises (2Pet. 1:2-4). By these promises we escape the evil of this world.

God has made many promises: to Noah (Gen. 8 & 9), to Abraham (Gen 12:2,7); to David (2Sam. 7:12-13, 28; 1Kings. 2:24); to Israel about the Messiah, about a new covenant, about the outpouring of the Spirit, about a new kingdom (Isa. 2:2-5; 4:2; 55:5; Jer. 31:31-34; 33:14; Ezek. 36:22-31; 37:11-12; 39:25-26).

The word translated “promise” in Hebrew most often is “dabar” which means to speak, or speech, or speaking. It assumes that when God speaks a word it is absolute and faithful. Therefore any word spoken by God would be equated with a promise! In the Greek New Testament the word is “epangelia” which means “an understanding to do or give something, a promise. With one exception it is used only of the promises of God!

It frequently stands for the thing that is promised. For example in Gal. 3:14, “the promise of the Spirit” could also be “the promised Spirit.” See also Acts 1:4; Eph.1:13; Luke 24:49.

The promise of a Savior coming from the seed of David is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Acts 13:23, 32; 26:6; Rom. 1:2; 4:13; 9:4). The Apostle Paul argues that the promises to Abraham were before circumcision and therefore not confined to Israel but to all who are of the faith of Abraham (Rom. 4:13-16; Gal. 3:16, 19, 29).

In the New Testament promises are founded on and regarded as having their true fulfillment in Christ and those that are His (2 Cor. 1:20; Eph. 3:6). All of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ! It is because of Him that we will have those promises. Those who are in Him will inherit the promises made to Abraham and can be recipients of the blessings, hopes and eternal life.

In the next Sabbath Thoughts we will continue with those promises and the special significance that the books of Hebrews gives to them.

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From David L. Antion, drdaveca@earthlink.net, www.guardian-ministries.org Subscribe to free monthly letters offering sermon tape without charge.