GOODNEWSLETTER
____________________________Number 409 February 22. 2012______________________________________________________________________
GOD'S PROMISES
"Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah, for the sake of His servant David,
as He promised him to give a lamp to him and his sons forever," 2 Kings 8:19.
As we all know when studying the Bible, the Old Testament must be understood by the New Testament. We learn the meaning of the New Testament by knowing the Old. Such is thecase with God's promises; for, it a ONE PLAN THAT BEGAN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD AND THEN, REVEALED TO MANKIND.Therefore, in David, we see how God kept Israel ongoing within the promises because of His word He gave to David. We read of many times that the Almighty was ready to destroyIsrael off the map. But, The Lord gave His word - His promise - to David. The WORD OF THE LORD kept the nation alive and within God's grace. It's the same thing today."Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall never pass away," Matthew 24:36. Man! The words of Jesus are huge; even difficult to grasp. That's exactly what is going to takeplace, however. That's what it says and it will be so. When we know God's power – even a little amount, we are brought right before the LORD and His word. The world grows dim; while, theplan of God thrills our hearts. By faith, we know that the future is assured and joy floods the soul. Do you see yourself within the plan that the Father has – just for you, in Christ?Further, Jesus shows what is ahead for us; that is, servants of God. We know that He is and that He "...rewards those who diligently seek Him," Heb. 11:6 b. The Bible is where we seethe plan of God; for it is His promised WORD. As the plan unfolds within the Word, we see that the promises made to Abraham continues until the life of Jesus, the Christ (anointed). We seethis truth of continuation when we read Paul, in Galatians 3;8. He says the covenant is secure; even, a deal between two men. "... Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed,no man annuls, or adds to it."Then, concerning God's Eternal Covenant, Paul explains it as beginning with Abraham. "Now to Abraham and His Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as ofmany, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." Galatians 3:16. Very clear, here. Learn as much as you can about the Covenant and you'll see Abraham and Jesus; that is, man and Godat the start and, at the end.Again, the plan began with Abraham and continued until Jesus. As it unfolded to men, God chose Israel to carry the truth to the world. But, before Israel, we have to go back to Abrahamto see it's beginning; that is, when God begin to deal with men since the Fall of Adam. Through Abraham, we see that God would justify all nations by the gospel - in the same manner as wastold to faithful Abraham. "In you all the nations shall be blessed" (Gal. 3:8.) It's by faith (before circumcision and therefore, before baptism).But then, as New Covenant believers, we never want to think in the terms that Israel used. Sure, Abraham was their father. But, as Jesus taught, "...God is able raise up children toAbraham from these stones," Matthew 3:9. Sure, David was the King that Israel loved but, David's Seed, Jesus, was not received by the majority. In God's beginning New Testament letter,we read "The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham;" Matthew 1:1. However, many within Israel did believe in Jesus saying, "Have mercy on me, o Lord,thou son of David," Matthew. 15:22.For many of the Jews, Jesus had to use strong words; words that we must heed today. "Many will come east and west, and sit down with Abraham ... in the kingdom of heaven,"Matthew 8:11. Then, Jesus said, "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness..." (V 12). A sad day for the Jewish people, for sure. But, it's a day that all of us must looktoward. It is coming. His kingdom is coming to earth; just as the Disciples prayer states: "on earth, as it is in heaven," Matthew 6:10. Look up and see th