Ages have rolled around, yet the seed of Abraham, although a nation and partially possessing Canaan for a time, have never yet had those promises to Abraham FULFILLED.

“I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee.”

“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.”

But Paul shows us how that there was a deeper meaning than the surface promise couched in the utterances of God to the seed of Abraham. Not only the fleshly children but the children of faith have a share.

“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.”…. And if you be Christ’s (if you have been “baptized into Christ, put on Christ,” become “members of His body,”) then (and only then, no other way,) are you Abraham’s SEED and HEIRS; according to promise.” Gal 3:16 and 29.

Please see the: “Two Baptisms“, and “In Christ Jesus” for further insight.

Here again we realize that God’s “little while,” is to man a great while; but surely and steadily the members of the body of Christ are being developed, and in due time they will be united to their Head, and with Him glorified – constituting in the complete sense “the seed” – and then, never fully until then, can it be true of Abraham and his seed: – “In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal 3:8.)

Then “A king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment” – [Christ, our head, the king, and we joint heirs with him“] – and under that righteous reign and rule “all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” for then “the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth.”

But there, are PROMISES TO THE NATURAL SEED, as well as to the spiritual, they never have and do not now possess Canaan as an “everlasting possession.” The prophets tell us that “the Lord shall yet choose Jerusalem.” Zech 1:17. “I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem;” it “shall be called a city of truth.” “The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing.” “If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes, saith the Lord of hosts?” Zech 8:3-6. “At that time…I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem.” “Then shall Jerusalem be holy.” Joel 3:1-17.

James shows that these promises lacked a fulfillment. Acts 15:16 after showing the object of the Gospel age to be the taking out of the Gentiles, a people for His name – the Church – His body, the seed. After recounting this, James says: “To this agree the words of the prophets, [or this is in harmony with prophecy.”] “As it is written, ‘After this’ [after the seed is taken from among the Gentiles,] ‘I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down (cast off), and I will build again the ruins thereof.'” Yes, God has good things in reserve for his ancient people, and as Paul says, though they were “blinded” and “cut off” from the first position of heirs of those promises, yet, “God hath not cast away His people whom He foreknew.”

“For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel.”

How long, Paul?

Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in? [That is, until the entire Church, which James says God is taking out of the Gentiles, have all been taken out, and gathered into full sonship, as the seed of promise.]

And if they are blinded only until that time, it is evident that at that time the blindness will be removed.

But Paul continues, “and so all Israel shall be saved,” [NOT saved eternally as individuals, but saved – rescued nationally – brought back to power and grandeur.] But Paul goes to the prophets as his authority, “as it is written, there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, [the seed, head and body] and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, [fleshly Israel,] for this is my covenant with them.” Paul then gives us his reasons for speaking so confidently, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

God’s giving us the high calling, and the promises on the higher plane, does not interfere with or hinder His keeping his promise to the fleshly seed, but all the more guarantee it.

Then he explains how it is we, who were once Gentiles, had God’s mercy and truth revealed to us when and because natural Israel was blinded; so, we obtained mercy through their unbelief; so, these have not believed that through your mercy they also obtain mercy.

Through whose mercy?

Yours, the Church’s, when the Church is all taken out and glorified, she is with Christ, her head, to mercifully and justly rule the world, and then Israel shall obtain your mercy. Rom 2:2-25.

O, that we could realize that every promise of God is sure, in His own due time; it would give us childlike trust and confidence for everything, and not to accept them as all sure is to make God a liar.

Paul, as he looked forward and realized how in due time every jot and tittle should be fulfilled, and saw the greatness and majesty of God’s plan, breaks forth in ecstasy and exclaims, “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” “Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” [Who knew that God’s plan was so comprehensive and full.] And our hearts can say, Amen.

God knows the end from the beginning, and looking at the great clock of the ages, declares to us that the things we so much desire, shall be “shortly,” “yet a little while.” Let us look at things from his standpoint, and so

“Let the little while between in its golden light be seen.” R11