Children of Promise

Introduction

Many would have you believe that being of Jewish descent qualifies someone to be Yahweh’s chosen people, who are to inherit the kingdom of God. Many will also tell you that God’s kingdom includes the physical land of Israel, earthly Jerusalem/temple, etc. But is this really what the word teaches brothers and sisters? Let us strive to be like the faithful Bereans (Acts 17:11), searching the scriptures diligently for ourselves, in order that we will receive only the truth that is taught by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13) and not by man’s wisdom, which is foolishness with God (1 Cor 2:6-16). In this two-part study, we are going to examine a series of key passages and find out who the word establishes as the children of promise.

Some people think the covenant made at Sinai (aka old covenant) was the first one, but this is not true. It was preceded by the covenant between Yahweh and Abraham, which was made because of his faith and obedience. Part 1 will focus primarily on this covenant, and part 2 will bridge the understanding to the new covenant, which is now in effect through Yahshua Messiah. As you read on you will find that both covenants are integrally and forever linked in an amazing way! We will also be looking at the covenant from Sinai, as one of the major points of focus will be contrasting old and new covenants.

Through Yah’s covenant with Abraham, the promises of blessing/people and inheritance/land went to him and his seed (seed = offspring/descendants). Keeping the words faith and obedience in mind is crucial to understanding this study. Moreover, we must keep this question in mind: “Who is the seed of Abraham?” What you will find is that without being identified with the covenant promises of Abraham, we cannot be children of God. And in like fashion, without being identified with Christ through faith and repentance, we cannot be counted as children of Abraham, and neither therefore as children of God. We will also be touching on what is counted as the true promised land, which is the kingdom of Heaven.

Please read all passages carefully and pay particularly close attention to content in all caps, and especially content that is in bold font. All passages are KJV unless otherwise noted. You may notice that all the passages are in order of appearance by book, chapter, and verse (correlating to most Bible versions anyway). I do not always use this method, but rather when it seems to work/flow well, and moreover to aid in understanding. On we go!

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Part 1: The Covenant Promises of Abraham & Circumcision of the Heart

Genesis 12:

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHEW THEE:

2 And I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION, and I WILL BLESS THEE, and MAKE THY NAME GREAT; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and IN THEE SHALL ALL FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.

4 So ABRAM DEPARTED, AS THE LORD HAD SPOKEN UNTO HIM; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and INTO THE LAND OF CANAAN THEY CAME.

6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE THIS LAND: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Abraham (who was still named Abram at this point) obeyed the command to leave his homeland (Haran in Mesopotamia) at the age of 75 for the land of Canaan. We must realize that the covenant promises of Yah are conditional; to receive them we must obey! We see the promises of blessing/people and land first mentioned, as well as the mention of seed/descendants.

Next, we see a covenant confirmation with further significance being placed on seed/descendants, as well as Abraham’s faith.

Genesis 15:

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, WHAT WILT THOU GIVE ME, SEEING I GO CHILDLESS, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, TO ME THOU HAST GIVEN NO SEED: and, lo, ONE BORN IN MY HOUSE IS MINE HEIR.

4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, THIS SHALL NOT BE THINE HEIR; but HE THAT SHALL COME FORTH OUT OF THINE OWN BOWELS SHALL BE THINE HEIR.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and TELL THE STARS, if thou be able to NUMBER THEM: and he said unto him, SO SHALL THY SEED BE.

6 And HE BELIEVED IN THE LORD; and he COUNTED IT TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Abraham was worried he would have no true heir. Yahweh had extended the promises to his descendants, but there was only a steward (Eliezer) in Abraham’s household. But we see that Yah had a specific plan, and that plan did indeed involve bringing forth a true seed/heir, not just a servant of the household. Abraham believed what God told Him, and thus was counted righteous.

If you continue to read in Genesis 15, you will find the event where the covenant is cut/established. While this scene is of great scriptural weight and significance, we will not be focusing on it during this study.

The next passage is clearly a literal event, but it also represents a highly significant “flesh and spirit” contrast, which we will be exploring progressively throughout the study. The passage also shows a major blunder on the parts of both Abraham and Sarah (still currently named Sarai here). Remember that just because he was faithful/righteous doesn’t mean he never sinned or made mistakes!

Genesis 16:

1 Now SARAI Abram’s wife BARE HIM NO CHILDREN: and SHE HAD AN HANDMAID, an Egyptian, whose name was HAGAR.

2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, THE LORD HATH RESTRAINED ME FROM BEARING: I pray thee, GO IN UNTO MY MAID; it may be THAT I MAY OBTAIN CHILDREN BY HER. And ABRAM HEARKENED to the voice of Sarai.

3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

4 And HE WENT IN UNTO HAGAR, and SHE CONCEIVED: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

(moving forward several verses)

15 And HAGAR BARE ABRAM A SON: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, ISHMAEL.

16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Despite Yah previously telling Abraham he would have a true heir, he took it upon himself (at Sarah’s prompting) to bear a child with the handmaid Hagar (also taking her as a wife), and she gave birth to Ishmael when Abraham was 86 years old. In short, they grew tired of waiting on Yah’s promise, and took matters into their own hands. We must realize that this was not at all in keeping with Yah’s plan, as we will shortly see. Moreover, let us mark and remember this: Ishmael was not the true heir/seed. Ishmael was conceived after the will of the flesh, (thus representing flesh/sin), whereas we will find that Isaac is conceived after the will of God, and thus represents spirit. This is the contrast I spoke of, and you will see it clearly illustrated in scripture later in the study.

Next, we will look at another prominent confirmation of the covenant, which occurred 24 years after Abraham was first called out of Haran, when he was 99 years old.

Genesis 17:

1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; WALK BEFORE ME, and BE THOU PERFECT.

2 And I WILL MAKE MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THEE, and will MULTIPLY THEE EXCEEDINGLY.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and THOU SHALT BE A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I WILL MAKE NATIONS OF THEE, and kings shall come out of thee.

7 And I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THEE AND THY SEED after thee in their generations for an EVERLASTING COVENANT, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I WILL GIVE UNTO THEE, and TO THY SEED after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, ALL THE LAND OF CANAAN, for an EVERLASTING POSSESSION; and I will be their God.

9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; EVERY MAN CHILD among you SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED.

11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and IT SHALL BE A TOKEN OF THE COVENANT betwixt me and you.

Abraham is commanded to be perfect (Hebrew word: tamim = mature/complete), again illustrating obedience as a requirement to receive the promises, which are confirmed again, along with the mention of seed/descendants (vs 7). Notice also in this verse (this is a critical point) that the covenant made with Abraham and his seed was called an everlasting covenant.

You will see in part 2 how this is connected to the new covenant, through faith in Yahshua and repentance. You will see that the covenant made at Sinai was different; it is referred to as the old covenant and is no longer valid in Yah’s sight.

We also see that Abram’s name (meaning “exalted father”) was changed to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude”. Additionally, circumcision is commanded, which topic we are going to return to shortly, and which will help us transition into part 2 of the study. For now, let’s skip forward a few verses (past more circumcision details) to find the revealing of the true heir.

Genesis 17:

15 And God said unto Abraham, As for SARAI THY WIFE, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE.

16 And I WILL BLESS HER, and GIVE THEE A SON ALSO OF HER: yea, I will bless her, and SHE SHALL BE A MOTHER OF NATIONS; kings of people shall be of her.

17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

18 And Abraham said unto God, O THAT ISHMAEL MIGHT LIVE BEFORE THEE!

19 And God said, SARAH thy wife SHALL BEAR THEE A SON INDEED; and thou shalt CALL HIS NAME ISAAC: and I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, and WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM.

20 And AS FOR ISHMAEL, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will MAKE HIM FRUITFUL, and will MULTIPLY HIM EXCEEDINGLY; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will MAKE HIM A GREAT NATION.

21 BUT MY COVENANT WILL I ESTABLISH WITH ISAAC, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

We find that Yah has changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, and He revealed that she will indeed bear a son in her old age, and they are to name him Isaac, which means laughter. If you aren’t already familiar with the reason for this name, note verse 18 above, and also read on through chapter 18 (which we’re not covering here). Can you imagine…Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and Sarah was 90! Even considering that life expectancy was longer then, she was still well past child-bearing age. We must realize that Yah works in His timing and His ways, and that will always require continued faith and obedience on our parts (as with Abraham & Sarah).

The real point to focus on with this passage, however, is that Isaac will be counted for the seed (not Ishmael), and therefore the covenant promises will continue through him and his seed. Even still, Yah said He would bless and multiply Ishmael, as Abraham petitioned him to do, obviously not wanting his son to be desolate. We must realize that it was always Yah’s plan to provide an heir of His own choosing, because it was all paramount in bringing about the most important descendant, who would lead His people into the true promised land, the kingdom of Heaven.

As we will soon see verified/explained in the NT passages (part 2), the prophecies about Isaac are also about Yahshua! There are several prophetic parallels between Isaac and Yahshua. Three of the most significant are: they were both “sons of promise”, they both had a miracle birth, and Isaac’s (near) sacrifice was also a parallel to Yahshua’s sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind. It is this prophetic connection between Isaac & Yahshua that is really one of the most critical points of this study. We will be looking at this more in depth in part 2.

As mentioned, Ishmael is not counted for the covenant seed, which (unfortunately for them) means Hagar and Ishmael had to be “cast out”, in other words from the family. Keep our flesh and spirit contrast in mind as you read.

Genesis 21:

9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, CAST OUT THIS BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: for THE SON OF THIS BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH MY SON, even with ISAAC.

11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, HEARKEN UNTO HER VOICE; for IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED.

13 And ALSO OF THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN WILL I MAKE A NATION, because he is thy seed.

14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto HAGAR, putting it on her shoulder, AND THE CHILD, and SENT HER AWAY: and SHE DEPARTED, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Hagar and Ishmael were cast out of the congregation/family, but with a promise confirmed to bless Ishmael. Also, if you were to read on in your Bible (after the above passage), you will find that Yah also helped care for Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness. Again, the critical point to retain here is that it was not for Hagar and Ishmael to partake in the promises/inheritance (with Isaac). We will later see that this is a key parallel/point of understanding in a flesh to spirit allegory that Paul explains in Galatians (which will actually conclude our study). If you have not previously understood it, I think you are in for a real revelation from the word of Yah! Now let’s return to the topic of circumcision.

Circumcision of the Heart

We must realize that many aspects of the old covenant were physical/fleshly (i.e. physical mediator, physical tabernacle/sacrifices, physical promised land), and that these physical aspects all pointed to spiritual matters/realities, most of which came into full effect under the new covenant.

Accordingly, let’s examine the deeper, spiritual meaning behind circumcision. The physical sign of the covenant with Abraham was circumcision for males, in other words cutting away the foreskin (from the genitalia). However, we must understand that without circumcision of the heart, the physical cutting would profit the people nothing, and they would still be dead in their sins. Circumcision of the heart/spirit is what Yah required (and still does), which for those of us under the new covenant is equivalent with repentance, meaning the cutting away of sin from one’s life, which is indeed what physical circumcision pointed to!

Consider the following rebukes/three passages given by Yah (through Moses) regarding circumcision of the heart, after the Israelites had rebelled continually, and wandered in the wilderness many years.

♦Deuteronomy 10:

15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

16 CIRCUMCISE THEREFORE THE FORESKIN OF YOUR HEART, and BE NO MORE STIFFNECKED.

17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

♦Leviticus 26:

40 IF THEY SHALL CONFESS THEIR INIQUITY, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; IF THEN THEIR UNCIRCUMCISED HEARTS BE HUMBLED, and THEY THEN ACCEPT THE PUNISHMENT OF THEIR INIQUITY:

42 THEN I WILL REMEMBER MY COVENANT WITH JACOB, and also my covenant WITH ISAAC, and also my covenant WITH ABRAHAM will I remember; and I WILL REMEMBER THE LAND.

♦Deuteronomy 30:

6 And the LORD thy God WILL CIRCUMCISE THINE HEART, and THE HEART OF THY SEED, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, THAT THOU MAYEST LIVE.

7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

8 And thou shalt RETURN AND OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

So we see that the Israelites were a disobedient people as a whole, in other words their hearts were uncircumcised. Did you know the entire reason/context of the book of Deuteronomy came about because of their continual rebellion? In fact, the word “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek root word “deutero” and “nomos”, meaning second law. As such, the Israelites were brought under much stricter judgements from Yah. That is why all the previous commands were recited to the people (along with some new ones) before entering the land, and were accompanied by a heaping helpful of blessings and curses. We do not have time to delve deeper into this aspect, but the Israelites’ continual rebellion, and ultimate divorce from Yahweh (first Ephraim, later Judah), must be understood to properly align other concepts/studies (like this one), and indeed to understand the progression of prophecy, and of God’s plan for salvation for all nations.

Looking to the Leviticus passage, did you notice the usage of the words “if” and “then”? it is most evident that Yah’s promises are conditional (as discussed earlier), meaning dependent on obedience. Most of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness never entered the physical promised land (Canaan) because of disobedience, meaning their hearts were never truly circumcised. Only Joshua and Caleb (the two spies who gave a faithful report) entered in, along with the succeeding generation of Israelites. And in my understanding, even this generation was allowed to enter solely on the basis of preserving the lineage/seed that would eventually lead to Yahshua.

In fact, Yah was already so grieved with the peoples’ rebellion, that when the golden calf incident occurred, He was ready to destroy them, and start over with Moses (see Exo 32: 9-14). It was Moses’ intercession for them that changed God’s mind, which included (quite tellingly) him reminding Yah of the promises He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Although we are not be looking in-depth at accounts from Isaac and Jacob’s life, it is evident that the covenant promises were confirmed with/through them, in like fashion because they were faithful and obedient. Looking back to Leviticus 26 (above), you will notice there is a verification of this point (vs 42). Also in alignment with this is the fact that Yah is often referred to the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”.

So we see verified thoroughly from the above passages (just as with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) that faith and obedience are required to inherit the promises, in other words to be one of Yah’s people, and to inherit the true spiritual promised land, of which Canaan was a type and a shadow.

To conclude part 1, we are going to look at a prophetic passage that points forward to the new covenant, and those who are born again of the Holy Spirit. I think you will find this is a key connection to the above points about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as an amazing revelation about our true identity as believers.

Isaiah 44:

1 Yet NOW HEAR, O JACOB MY SERVANT; AND ISRAEL, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN:

2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I WILL POUR MY SPIRIT UPON THY SEED, and MY BLESSING UPON THINE OFFSPRING:

4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

5 ONE SHALL SAY, I AM THE LORD’S; and ANOTHER SHALL CALL HIMSELF BY THE NAME OF JACOB; and ANOTHER SHALL SUBSCRIBE WITH HIS HAND UNTO THE LORD, and SURNAME HIMSELF BY THE NAME OF ISRAEL.

6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and HIS REDEEMER the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

The critical understanding of this passage (vs 5) is that everyone who comes into covenant with Yahweh through faith in Yahshua and repentance (turning from sin) receives the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, (vs 3) and is counted as a spiritual descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and is therefore also an inheritor of the covenant promises. As such, you are counted as Yah’s people, which have always been, and will always be known as Israel. That means once we have been saved, we are no longer of the Gentiles (meaning “nations”), but we become spiritual Israelites!

Jacob’s name (meaning “deceiver/supplanter”) was changed to Israel (meaning “overcomer”) at Bethel when He wrestled with the angel of Yahweh, which was in fact Yahshua (Gen 32:24-28). This was a type and foreshadow of everyone that crosses over from death into life through faith in Yahshua’s sacrifice, thereby overcoming sin and death, and gaining their new identity as an Israelite! And with that amazing truth, we will move on to part 2.

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Part 2: Inheriting the Covenant Promises Through Faith in Yahshua

We are going to focus on a series of key passages which explain what is required to be counted as one of Yahweh’s people under the new covenant. I will reiterate once more, it was by faith and obedience that Abraham was able to enter covenant with Yahweh, thereby receiving the promises. We are going to see that it is no different for you and me. What has changed is that there can be no entrance into covenant without faith in Yahshua, who came in the form of man, and lived a perfect life, taking our sins upon Himself, that all who believe and repent might be saved!

Remember how I said the two covenants were connected, not the old and new, but the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the new covenant. We will be delving deeper into the understanding thereof, particularly the connection between Yahshua and Isaac, as well as a couple other key parallels. We will also be looking more in depth at those who do not qualify as children of promise.

We begin with a passage featuring John the Baptist, and (most importantly) his message. Pay close attention to his rebuke to the hypocritical religious leaders who came to gather there, along with the crowds of others. Of importance here is the fact that they were Jewish, in other words physical descendants of Abraham.

Matthew 3:

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were BAPTIZED of him in Jordan, CONFESSING THEIR SINS.

7 But when he saw many of the PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES come to his baptism, he said unto them, O GENERATION OF VIPERS, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 BRING FORTH therefore FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE:

9 And THINK NOT TO SAY WITHIN YOURSELVES, WE HAVE ABRAHAM TO OUR FATHER: for I say unto you, that GOD IS ABLE OF THESE STONES TO RAISE UP CHILDREN UNTO ABRAHAM.

10 And now also THE AXE IS LAID UNTO THE ROOT OF THE TREES: therefore EVERY TREE WHICH BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE.

First and foremost, we see those being baptized confessing their sins. Baptism itself is an outward sign of dying to self/sin and being raised to walk in newness of life (see Rom 6:1-7). John’s rebuke (to the religious leaders) also includes the call to repentance and is followed by a warning to them that having Abraham for their father (meaning by physical/blood lineage) will not save them from being cast into Hell, which is the fire spoken of in verse 10.

It is only by true repentance (which literally means “turning away from sin”) that one can be saved. The “stones” spoken of (vs 9) are referring to those who are redeemed and are built into New Jerusalem (in the kingdom of Heaven) as living stones, being built on the chief cornerstone Yahshua (see 1 Pet 2:4-6 & Rev 21:19-20). We must learn to think spiritually to understand these passages, as this is also true for the word as a whole.

As we move on, we will continue to expand upon the topics covered here, along with the other key requirement for salvation: faith in Yahshua. This brings us to our next passage, which begins speaking of Yahshua.

John 1:

9 That was THE TRUE LIGHT, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 HE CAME UNTO HIS OWN, and HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT.

12 But AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME:

13 WHICH WERE BORN, NOT OF BLOOD, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD.

Notice that verse 11 said “his own received him not”. This was referring to the nation of Judah (aka Jews) as a whole, which is what was left of the physical nation of Israel, as the ten northern tribes had been judged/scattered many years prior (having been taken captive into Samaria), never to be regathered. Judah (which also included the tribe of Benjamin) also rejected Him, particularly those of the religious system that claimed to represent Yah yet hated Him and delivered him up to be crucified.

We must realize that Yahshua is Yahweh come in the flesh, and as such rejecting Him is rejecting Yahweh. Yahshua is the very image of the living God, in other words the only God anyone has ever seen (see John 1:1-3 & Col 1:15-17). He was manifest as the Son in a body flesh, so that He might become the propitiation for our sins.

Therefore, having rejected Messiah, the nation was judged in 70 A.D., and the city and temple were destroyed by the Roman army under the command of General Titus. That was the definitive end of old covenant Israel, and we must realize that overlooking this will subject us to believing Satan’s lies about the current nation of Israel, what happened in 1948, and so on. Kellie has a few excellent studies/blogs on this topic that go into more depth, which I highly encourage you to check out.

• In Their Generation
• The Barren Fig Tree
• The Queen of Harlotry
• Land of Promise

Moreover, verse 13 shows quite clearly that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Having Jewish descent/bloodline does not qualify one to be a son of God, in other words to be one of Yah’s people, nor therefore to gain an inheritance in His kingdom. Only those that believe are counted as sons of God (vs 12), also because they are born of God (vs 13), in other words of the Holy Spirit, as we will now confirm in another well-known passage.

John 3:

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named NICODEMUS, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

It is stated quite clearly that one must be born again to enter the kingdom (vs 3), and even restated (after Nicodemus’ confusion) with further clarification, that one must be born again of the Holy Spirit, otherwise you cannot enter the kingdom of God (vs 5). Remember how we briefly talked about baptism being a sign about dying to self/sin? After Yahshua was baptized by John in the water, the Holy Spirit then descended on Him in the form of a dove. This was a visible sign of the indwelling Spirit that those of faith and repentance would receive when they were born again of water (baptism/death to self) and Spirit (new life/creation).

Now let’s move on to our third and final passage in John, where Yahshua is explaining to the Jews that they must believe on Him and obey His word in order to enter the kingdom. This passage is really a key validation point for this study, regarding how being of Jewish descent does not qualify anyone to enter the kingdom. I have included the portion of the conversation that I deemed to be most relevant for this study, but I encourage you to read the entire passage.

John 8:

31 Then said Jesus TO THOSE JEWS WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED;

32 And YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, and THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.

33 They answered him, WE BE ABRAHAM’S SEED, AND WERE NEVER IN BONDAGE to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN IS THE SERVANT OF SIN.

35 And THE SERVANT ABIDETH NOT IN THE HOUSE FOR EVER: but THE SON ABIDETH FOR EVER.

36 IF THE SON therefore shall MAKE YOU FREE, YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED.

37 I know that YE ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED; but YE SEEK TO KILL ME, because MY WORD HATH NO PLACE IN YOU.

38 I SPEAK THAT WHICH I HAVE SEEN WITH MY FATHER: and YE DO THAT WHICH YE HAVE SEEN WITH YOUR FATHER.

39 They answered and said unto him, ABRAHAM IS OUR FATHER. Jesus saith unto them, IF YE WERE ABRAHAM’S CHILDREN, YE WOULD DO THE WORKS OF ABRAHAM.

40 But now YE SEEK TO KILL ME, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: THIS DID NOT ABRAHAM.

41 YE DO THE DEEDS OF YOUR FATHER. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; WE HAVE ONE FATHER, EVEN GOD.

42 Jesus said unto them, IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER, YE WOULD LOVE ME: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Did you notice the passage began with “if/then” language, illustrating that being Yahshua’s disciple is conditional upon obedience? Remember we talked about this conditional aspect earlier regarding covenant? Hopefully, there are some major pieces starting to connect by now. Disobeying Yahshua is disobeying Yahweh (again, He is Yahweh/God manifest in the flesh), and anyone living in sin is the servant (slave) thereof, and therefore cannot abide in the household/kingdom of God (vs 34 & 35). Only a true son (or daughter) may abide in the household, meaning a spiritual one.

Notice also how Yahshua tells them “the truth will make you free” (vs 32), and then tells them “the son will make you free” (vs 36). Wonderfully, these two verses together illustrate that Yahshua Himself is the truth being spoken of (see also John 14:6). Therefore, because these Jews are rejecting Him (and His teachings), and moreover seeking to kill Him, their claims of being children of Abraham are acknowledged only in the physical sense (vs 37). Yahshua rebukes them and tells them they are not Abraham’s children (meaning spiritually), and moreover that they are not children of God, but of their father the Devil (Satan).

We must realize that although they claim to know the Father (Yahweh/unseen), they have rejected the Son (Yahshua/visible), and as such are counted as part of the synagogue of Satan (spoken of in Rev 2). This is because they have an outward form of religion, but beneath it is the spirit of Antichrist (which denies the Son), and therefore they cannot be Yah’s people or receive His covenant promises (see also 1 John 2:22-23 & 1 John 4:1-3).

With that strong and eye-opening rebuke, let’s transition to several passages from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Remember when we covered circumcision in part 1? This is an excellent tie-in.

Romans 2:

28 For HE IS NOT A JEW, WHICH IS ONE OUTWARDLY, NEITHER IS CIRCUMCISION THAT WHICH IS OUTWARD in the flesh:

29 But HE IS A JEW, WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY; and CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT, and NOT IN THE LETTER; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

This passage shows us that being one of God’s people has always been (and always will be) about circumcision of the heart, in a word…repentance! Moreover, we find that neither physical lineage nor physical circumcision is a valid claim to sonship or inheritance. Indeed, there is no longer any identification with flesh/blood (Jew/Gentile) once we are in the Body of Messiah. We effectively become spiritual Israelites (as discussed earlier) because the promises were given through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), and fully realized in Yahshua, who is the true seed of Abraham (more to come on this aspect). Hence, it is about a spiritual seed, not physical (remember the flesh to spirit contrast). Again, you must be born from above, in other words by the Holy Spirit, just as Yahshua Himself was, when He came into the world as a man, by virgin birth, being conceived of the Holy Spirit!

We also need to mention that the phrase “not in the letter” (vs 29) refers to those still trying to operate under the old covenant (from Sinai), in the “letter of the law”. Those in such a condition may seem to be obeying the law outwardly, but their hearts are still uncircumcised without faith and repentance. Remember in part 1 we said that circumcision of the flesh/genitalia pointed to the cutting away of flesh/sin. I encourage you to read Romans 7:1-12 for further insights in this regard. In short, those still operating under the law at Sinai/old covenant (in the letter) are without Messiah, and therefore cannot operate in the Spirit (under the new covenant). Moreover, those who have not believed in Yahshua’s finished work on the cross cannot effectively put to death their own flesh either, in other words to be crucified with Christ (see Gal 2:20).

Next, we will move forward two chapters, where Paul is speaking of the promise given to Abraham, and how to be an inheritor thereof.

Romans 4:

13 For THE PROMISE, THAT HE SHOULD BE THE HEIR OF THE WORLD, WAS NOT to Abraham, or to his seed, THROUGH THE LAW, BUT THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH.

14 For IF THEY WHICH ARE OF THE LAW BE HEIRS, FAITH IS MADE VOID, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore IT IS OF FAITH, that it might be by grace; to the end the PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE TO ALL THE SEED; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the FAITH OF ABRAHAM, WHO IS THE FATHER OF US ALL,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) BEFORE HIM WHOM HE BELIEVED, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope BELIEVED IN HOPE, that he might become THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS; according to that which was spoken, SO SHALL THY SEED BE.

19 And BEING NOT WEAK IN FAITH, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

20 HE STAGGERED NOT AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF; BUT WAS STRONG IN FAITH, giving glory to God;

The only way you can be declared righteous is by faith in Yahshua. Paul explains that the promise is not inherited through merely striving to obey the law given at Sinai, but one must indeed have faith, as Abraham did. Whereby Paul calls Abraham “the father of us all” (vs 16) because he is the father of all who believe. Hence, we are of his seed (vs 18), which again, is a spiritual seed (not physical).

Remember that the covenant with Abraham preceded the covenant at Sinai, which was a temporary covenant (more to come on that). I by no means advocate not adhering to the ten commands/words, because they are still the basis for obedience under the new covenant. Yet now we are accountable to a higher law, the law of the Spirit, and as such we are to worship (and obey) in Spirit and truth (see John 4:21-24), which encompasses far more than commands written on stone (or on scrolls/paper), but requires an intimate walk with Yah, wherein He writes His commands upon the tablet of our hearts (see Eze 11:19-20 & 36:25-27). This is another key example of flesh to spirit contrast, which concept is absolutely critical in understanding the progression from old to new covenant.

In our next passage from Romans, we will see an amazing connection between the work of both Yahshua and the Holy Spirit, and how that work pertains to sonship/adoption as Yah’s children. It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit is not a separate person, but is the Spirit of Yahshua Himself, and therefore also of the Father. I started with verse 12 (for brevity’s sake), but I highly encourage you to read the first 11 verses, because they include further critical insight into what I just discussed (law, covenant, etc), and Paul also talks about the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (which I mentioned in the paragraph above).

Romans 8:

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE FLESH, YE SHALL LIVE.

14 For AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT of God, they ARE THE SONS OF GOD.

15 For YE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE AGAIN TO FEAR; but YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, whereby we cry, ABBA, FATHER.

16 The SPIRIT itself BEARETH WITNESS with our spirit, that WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD:

17 And IF CHILDREN, THEN HEIRS; heirs of God, and JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Remember earlier (in our John passages) we covered how you must be born again of the Holy Spirit to be sons of God? This is in direct alignment with those passages/concepts. We see that it is only through the indwelling of (and obedience to) the Spirit, that we can put the flesh/sin to death (vs 12-14), and thereby become sons (children) of God. This is the only way to have spiritual life. The spirit of adoption spoken of illustrates wonderfully how we are reconciled to the Father through the sacrifice of the Son, and the indwelling of the Spirit. Moreover, it is also through Yahshua that we gain inheritance in the kingdom, hence we are called “joint-heirs with Christ”, to which the Holy Spirit dwelling within us “bears witness”. HalleluYah!

Now that we have firmly established who are counted as the heirs, let’s take a look at our final passage from Romans, where Paul is speaking of those who do not qualify. You may feel like we have already tread this ground, but my aim is to show you so thoroughly in scripture the truths presented therein, that you have no room left to believe (or retain) the deceptions/lies that have been interwoven into Christianity for so long, regarding those who qualify as Yah’s people.

Romans 9:

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL, WHICH ARE OF ISRAEL:

7 NEITHER, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, ARE THEY ALL CHILDREN: but, IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED.

8 That is, THEY WHICH ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH, these ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD: but THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE ARE COUNTED FOR THE SEED.

9 For THIS IS THE WORD OF PROMISE, AT THIS TIME WILL I COME, and SARA SHALL HAVE A SON.

10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by OUR FATHER ISAAC;

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION MIGHT STAND, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

12 It was said unto her, THE ELDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER.

13 As it is written, JACOB HAVE I LOVED, but ESAU HAVE I HATED.

Just as we read earlier in Yahshua’s rebuke to the Jews (John 8), Paul also shows that being of Abraham’s physical lineage does not qualify anyone to be a child of God (vs 7-8). Critically, he also quotes from Gen 21, which we covered earlier, when he says “In Isaac shall thy seed be called”. This was the passage where we solidified that Isaac was indeed to be the child of promise, and thereafter Hagar and Ishmael were cast out. Though he doesn’t mention them by name here (as he will in our closing passage), Paul is drawing the connection (vs 7 to 8) that Hagar and Ishmael represent those under the old covenant (the “children of the flesh”), and those who are of faith in Yahshua (also being born again of the Spirit) are the “children of promise”. This is a critical point to understand, which will become much clearer in our final passages ahead.

Notice that Paul calls Isaac “our father” here, just as he called Abraham earlier. Again, this is because the covenant promises were established with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As such, I also included a couple verses pertaining to Jacob (vs 12-13), which you can continue reading in chapter 9 if you like. I have not gone into detail about Jacob for brevity’s sake, but there is much we could say about him also. The main point with all three men is that they were chosen by Yahweh (hence “election” in vs 11) and because of their faith and obedience were able to enter covenant with Him, becoming the fathers of the faithful.

To summarize, faith in Yahshua is the only way to enter covenant with God, as Yahshua is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) Therefore, the children of the flesh (Jews without faith) are not counted for the seed, but only those that are of faith in Yahshua (whether Jew or Gentile).

Now let’s move on to our final 2 passages, which are both in Galatians. The next passage is somewhat lengthy and is actually several shorter segments which I have pieced together (notice the dividers/arrows), in order to keep directed on our topic. Stay focused, and you will be well rewarded with the truths presented ahead!

Galatians 3:

6 Even as ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, and IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

7 Know ye therefore that THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, the same ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that GOD WOULD JUSTIFY THE HEATHEN THROUGH FAITH, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, IN THEE SHALL ALL NATIONS BE BLESSED.

9 So then THEY WHICH BE OF FAITH ARE BLESSED WITH FAITHFUL ABRAHAM.

(moving forward several verses)

16 Now TO ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED WERE THE PROMISES MADE. HE SAITH NOT, AND TO SEEDS, AS OF MANY; BUT AS OF ONE, And ⇒ TO THY SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST. ⇐

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, THE LAW, WHICH WAS FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS AFTER, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For IF THE INHERITANCE BE OF THE LAW, IT IS NO MORE OF PROMISE: but GOD GAVE IT TO ABRAHAM BY PROMISE.

(forward several verses)

26 For YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.

29 And IF YE BE CHRIST’S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM’S SEED, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.

In the first segment, it is confirmed that Abraham was declared righteous by his faith. Moreover, we find that it was always Yah’s plan to justify the heathen/nations by faith (vs 8). Thus, those who are of faith in Christ are “blessed with faithful Abraham (vs 9).

*** Segment 2 includes the most important point of this entire study. Paul explains that the “seed” spoken of (in several of our Genesis promises/prophecies) was referring to Yahshua (vs 16). Notice he says those prophecies were in fact only pointing to one descendent (being Yahshua), not many. Remember the spiritual connection between Isaac & Yahshua, and that they are both included in the prophecies of seed. Also, you may recall that we spoke of this in the introduction of the study, in preparation of validating it here. One of our primary goals was to answer this very question: “Who is the seed of Abraham”? Thus, we have now answered that question by confirming it in scripture! ***

Verse 17 is also very important, as it confirms that being under the covenant from Sinai is indeed a disqualifier from inheriting covenant promises. To reiterate, this refers to those who observe the old covenant, but do not profess Yahshua as Messiah, hence they do not truly have faith, and as such cannot be “blessed with faithful Abraham”. In the context of the new covenant writings, this pertains largely to Jews (by physical descent) who are not of faith, but in reality this pertains to anyone (of Jewish descent or otherwise) who claims to obey Yahweh, yet denies Yahshua as Messiah. Any such person is seeking salvation on the basis of works, and we know that salvation (justification from sin) is by grace, and therefore cannot also be of works (see Rom 11:6). I highly encourage you to read the verses in between the above segments in your Bible, as they will bring clarity to the fact that the old covenant was indeed a temporary covenant.

The third segment affirms that we are counted as children of God through faith in Yahshua. Indeed, the descent/identity we held in the flesh (Jew, Gentile) no longer has any significance in God’s kingdom, which we are a part of once born again by the Spirit. You may recall that we mentioned this in Romans chapter 2 earlier. Verse 29 serves well to summarize/close this passage and connects to our key verse (16). By faith we become inheritors of the promises (people/land) originally given to Abraham, yet realized through the “seed”, which is Yahshua. Wonderfully, this also means that the covenant with Abraham and the new covenant (ratified by Yahshua’s blood) are actually one and the same. If you go back and read Gen 17, verses 7 & 19 again, you will see this is true, and moreover this is what’s referred to as the everlasting covenant! We must realize that Yahshua became a servant to confirm the promises made to the fathers of faith Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (see Rom 15:8).

To end the study, let’s look forward one chapter, where Paul explains an amazing allegory to show (one final time) that the only way to be children of Yahweh/God is through faith in Yahshua, not by the works of the law. This allegory will effectively weave together the framework of the entire study, including the two covenants, as well as Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Ishmael, and Hagar.

Galatians 4:

21 Tell me, YE THAT DESIRE TO BE UNDER THE LAW, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that ABRAHAM HAD TWO SONS, THE ONE BY A BONDMAID, THE OTHER BY A FREEWOMAN.

23 But HE WHO WAS OF THE BONDWOMAN WAS BORN AFTER THE FLESH; but HE OF THE FREEWOMAN WAS BY PROMISE.

24 Which things are an ALLEGORY: for THESE ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; THE ONE FROM THE MOUNT SINAI, which GENDERETH TO BONDAGE, which is Agar.

25 For this AGAR IS MOUNT SINAI in Arabia, and ANSWERETH TO JERUSALEM WHICH NOW IS, and IS IN BONDAGE WITH HER CHILDREN.

26 But JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE IS FREE, which is THE MOTHER OF US ALL.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now WE, BRETHREN, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: for the SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREEWOMAN.

31 So then, brethren, WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF THE BONDWOMAN, BUT OF THE FREE.

These types of prophetic parallels are used throughout the word, but this is by far one of the most significant to understanding the two covenants. Let us start by examining Hagar and Ishmael.

Paul likens Hagar (who was a bondwoman) to the old covenant made at Sinai, which was indeed a fleshly covenant (remember physical mediator, temple, sacrifices, circumcision, etc). As such, those who are still under the old covenant (“Jerusalem which now is”) are likened to Hagar’s children, as they are still in bondage to sin, and are therefore associated with Ishmael, the child of the flesh/sin (remember how he was conceived outside Yah’s will/promises). To elaborate a bit more, Ishmael represents Israel/Jews (after the flesh) that don’t believe in the Messiah Yahshua and are still trying to earn salvation by the works of the law. As such, they cannot be counted as the children of Abraham (without faith in the seed/Yahshua) and are therefore Jews after the flesh only, and not born again by the Spirit. Therefore, as the bondwoman and her son were cast out of the family, in like fashion Jews after the flesh who deny Yahshua are cast out from the family of God.

On the other hand, Paul likens Sarah (who was a freewoman) to the new covenant (aka everlasting covenant) and the kingdom of Heaven, which he refers to as Jerusalem above. As such, those who have faith in Yahshua are considered Sarah’s children, and are therefore associated with the eternal covenant, which means they have been freed from sin/death. To elaborate, those who are born again of the Holy Spirit are associated with Isaac, who was considered the child of promise, being born according to the will of God, in other words of Abraham and Sarah. Moreover, remember that we have learned that Isaac was a type/shadow of Yahshua (the true seed of Abraham), the Messiah that the fallen creation was awaiting to redeem mankind from sin and death through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.

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Conclusion

So what’s at stake for those who identify physical Jews (without faith in Messiah) as Yah’s people? I will leave you with something to think about. Satan is considered the god (little ‘g’) of this fallen world, and as such is given temporal authority to reign here, blinding countless people to the light of the gospel of Christ (see 2 Cor 4:3-4). While Satan is a defeated foe, he should not be underestimated, as he is a clever serpent indeed, and has spent centuries crafting his deceptions. Consider this: what does Satan want more than anything else? The answer is that he wants to be worshipped as Yahweh/God. Indeed, that was the very sin that pre-empted his fall from glory (see Isa 14:12-14), and it was that very thing he desired of Yahshua, when he tempted Him in the wilderness (Matt 4:8-9).

If Satan is the god of this world, and wants more than anything to be worshipped as God, where do you think he will set up his throne? What better place than physical Jerusalem, which he has already deceived many into believing is where Yahshua/Jesus will reign?  And what people do you think Satan is using to trick the masses (particularly Christians) into accepting his plans? None other than Jews after the flesh (in other words the physical nation of Israel), who he has already deceived many into believing are God’s people. What I am trying to show you is that the adversary has already set up many “believers” to worship him as Messiah, the final “antichrist” figure (aka man of sin/son of perdition). Realize that those practicing Judaism reject Yahshua as the Messiah, and as such are still waiting for their Messiah to come! As such, those believing the lies of Zionism are under strong delusion, for they also have received lies, and not the truths presented in scripture (see 2 Thess 2:1-12).

I am not going to delve further into the deceptions in this study, as it was my primary purpose to show you the truths presented in scripture above all else. Moreover, Kellie has already covered more on this topic in her last blogpost “Land of Promise”, which I highly encourage you to check out.

In closing, Father/Yahweh knows those who are His, and they have always been (and always will be) those that are faithful and obedient to Him. Moreover, anyone who does not acknowledge/receive Yahshua as the Messiah, cannot be born again of His Spirit. Yahshua is the very image of the triune God, indeed the only manifestation you can ever see. As such, those that deny/reject Him have no right/claim to inheritance as one of His children and are unable to enter His spiritual kingdom (the kingdom of Heaven), which is the true promised land, of which Canaan (the physical promised land) was a type and shadow. As those that belong to Christ, let us set our sights steadfastly on Him, and the promises we have inherited through faith, and His finished work on the cross. Keep the hope of the kingdom in your hearts brothers and sisters…it will be worth every hardship we can ever face here!

Revelation 21:

2 And I John saw the holy city, NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, and HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, and THEY SHALL BE HIS PEOPLE, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be NO MORE DEATH, NEITHER SORROW, NOR CRYING, NEITHER shall there be ANY MORE PAIN: for the former things are passed away.