Why We Believe with Certainty in the Premillennial View (Part 4)

God Did Make Promises to the Nation Israel

The Abrahamic Covenant will ultimately be fulfilled in Revelation 20 when the Lord comes to establish His Kingdom on this earth. It is introduced in Genesis 12:1-3, actually made in 15:18-21 with the shedding of blood, reaffirmed in 17:1-21, and then renewed to Isaac (26:2-5) and Jacob (28:10-17). As we pointed out, it is an everlasting covenant and it includes four major points.

1. The first is a “seed” of Abraham. Paul does us a great service in his consideration of this word and its use in Genesis 22:17-18. Paul first and foremost defines that this “seed” is not all of Abraham’s descendents, but is singular and is talking about Jesus. (Galatians 3:16). He also in this text of Galatians demonstrates how important it is to take God at His literal word. As you read in Galatians 3:17 you also learn the difference between a conditional and unconditional covenant. We will look at this in the next section.

2. The second point of this covenant is that it involves “land.” God promised Abraham that they would live and control, Forever, a very specific land. (Gen. 15:18-21) Note the promise of forever.

3. The third key point of the covenant is defined by the word “nation.” God promised that he would make of Abraham a great “nation.” (12:2)

4. The last point of the covenant is that it is only based on God’s blessing and protection. It is unconditional in the sense that its fulfillment will occur.


The Second Covenant is most important in how it relates to the first. The Mosaic Covenant was another covenant that God made with Israel, but it was very different in nature.

Exodus 19:3-8 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

I think as you read this covenant you can see the difference. Who/what was this covenant based upon? Obviously, it was based on the people doing something to experience the promise. What is interesting is that the people will even have a shedding of blood ceremony to confirm their promise (Chapter 24). What happens? They fail. So, is that it? The nation did not keep their part, so God is not obligated at all. That is what we would think, but God is much more faithful than we are in his obligations. Paul explains this back in Galatians 3:15-18.

Galatians 3:15-18 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 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.

Based on Paul’s explanation of the covenant God made with Abraham and how it differed from the Mosaic Covenant, did Israel’s disobedience disannul the unconditional covenant? Not in the least. God is faithful even when we are not. Praise and Glory be to Him and only Him.

I want you to go and read a couple of text that demonstrates God’s faithfulness and intention relative to His elected nation of Israel. Read the book Hosea and Ezekiel 16. Tell me with a responded posting, “Who is Israel in these texts and what is the significance of how God presents them?”