The Land Promise To Abraham
ARGUED, the land was 1) promised to Israel, 2) it was an unconditional promise, and 3) it was "forever .
1. As to the first: would agree was to Abraham's "seed".
a. the time: Acts 7:17, when come out of Egypt.
b.fulfilled:
1.Josh. 21:43-45, they received all the land.
2.Josh.23:3-4; go over and possess the land which the Lord hath promised you.
3.Josh.24:14; ALL CAME TO PASS, NOT ONE THING FAILED
4.Neh., THOU HAST PERFORMED THY WORDS, 9:7-8
a.said of land promised
b.even outlines same land as Gen. 15.
5.2 Sam. 8:3, David "RECOVERED" the land.
6.1 Kgs.4:21, Solomon reigned over it,
(again same boundaries as Gen. 15:18)
7.Dt. 19:7-10, there to be SIX cities of refuge when they possess ALL OF THE LAND. Joshua 2O:1-9 we see that they HAD ALL SIX CITIES.
Besides, the TIME FOR THE FULFILLMENT WAS UNDER JOSHUA, WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF EGYPT,(Acts 7:17). IF NOT THEN FULFILLED, IT NEVER WILL BE.
2. WAS THE PROMISE UNCONDITIONAL?
1.the RECEIVING OF IT WAS,
2.the KEEPING IT WAS NOT.
Joshua 23:
1.they have received the land, 3-5
2.there is still danger from the nations, vs.13
3.they have received the land, vs. 14
4.IF THEY TRANSGRESS THEY WILL BE REMOVED FROM IT,15-16.
Judges 2:20-23; conditional
Exodus, 23:31-32; Conditional
Dt. 28-30, CONDITIONAL KEEPING OF THE LAND. (cp.30:17-18)
Jer. 18:1-17, conditioned on "not doing evil"
Jer. 7:1-7, IF YE AMEND YOUR WAYS, THEN DWELL HERE.
EVEN THE RETURN TO THE LAND WAS CONDITIONAL .
Dt. 30:1-10; conditioned upon keeping the law of Moses
(note, this now NOT POSSIBLE, IF ACCEPT CHRIST, Rom.7:6 Gal. 5:6; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:15; Heb. 8:8)
Jer. 12:14-17;
1.After being plucked out of land" (Babylonian Capt.)
2.God will restore, vs. 15.
3.IF THEY . . . . (conditions) THEY WILL BE BUILT, 16
4.IF THEY DID NOT FULFILL CONDITION, THEY WOULD BE PLUCKED UP AND THEIR NATION DESTROYED. (seen in Dest. Of Jerusalem.
Jer. 19:1-11, hence they would be broken like a potters wheel, that NEVER WOULD BE PUT TOGETHER AGAIN.
3. WHAT ABOUT THE PROMISE BEING "FOREVER", OR ETERNAL.
1.Even 1000 years then would not fit this idea!!!!
2.It is then known to be "limited", This in harmony with the biblical usage of such words: Notice:
Gen.17:13, circumcision and everlasting covenant, but it is no longer binding, cp. Gal. 5
Dt. 15:17; "a servant forever", but LIMITED TO LIFE!
Ex. 12:14; the Passover was to be "forever" but only lasted as long as the Old Covenant!
Lev. 16:31; the Day of atonement,
Lev. 24:the statute of shewbread,
Ex. 40:15; the Aaronic priesthood,
Num. 25:13 the Aaronic priesthood,
Jonah 2:6, (NASV, Jonah in belly of whale FOREVER.
THIS THEN MEANS, AS LONG AS GOD DETERMINES. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SO UNDERSTOOD IN ORDER TO LIMIT IT TO 1000 YRS.
Why Reject Literal Restoration
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