God guarantees the unchangeable character of his purpose by an oath, Hebrews 6: 17. God cannot fail on his oath which he has made on himself unlike human beings who swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation put an end to all dispute, Hebrews 6: 16.
Paul says in Hebrews 6: 18 that through two unchangeable things, it is impossible that God would prove false: first, God’s guarantee of his oath on himself, and second, the unchangeable character of God’s purpose. Paul says having hope in the certainty of God’s promise is a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, Hebrews 6: 19. Jesus reiterated and expounded God’s promises to mankind.
Instantaneous fulfillments
Promises have also been made in the name of Jesus by his disciples or himself. It is promised in Acts 2: 21; Romans 10: 13 that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 1 John 1: 9 says if we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28, come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. The instantaneous nature of fulfillment shows the degree of their importance because God has not guaranteed our physical lives tomorrow.
Jesus said in John 11: 25, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live. Jesus said in John 14: 6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. The promises are real because of God’s power in his name. Jesus said in Mark 6: 17, using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.
Snakes mean evil deceit; deadly things (poison) mean ungodly doctrine; and the hands mean God’s power through Christ Jesus in man. In effect, God has given us the power to overcome the devil’s deceit through ungodly doctrines, philosophies and teachings of men. This is typical of God’s way of speaking in parables. The passage is not to be read with literal meaning as a whole.
The categories of promises
There are three main categories of promises: past promises, current promises, future promises and generational promises. The examples to cite are unlimited so we will cite a few:
Past promises
Before God, there is nothing such as a past promise. Past promise means God has failed to honour his promise and this is not founded in scripture. God does not breach his promise rather we obstruct the fulfillment of the promise when we breach our relationship with him through sin because God does not associate with sin. Micah 3: 4 says, then they will cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have acted wickedly.
Every promise is contingent upon an occurrence of a future event as a condition precedent. ‘Unfulfilled’ promises are rather obstructed or delayed promises because of sin which may be realized upon our repentance. The bible says in Isaiah 59: 1-2 see, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Rather your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. We are simply enjoined to play our part of the deal and leave the fulfillment of the promise to the God who never fails.
Current promises
Some promises take immediate effect upon fulfillment of the condition. Examples are the salvation promises of Christ Jesus. Jesus said in John 15: 7 if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 1 John 1: 9 says if we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus said in Revelation 3: 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you and you with me. 2 Corinthians 5: 17, so if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; See, everything has become new! Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12: 9, my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.
Future promises
Some promises are only for the immediate or distant future. Examples of God’s future promise include the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12: 2-3 that I will make of you a great nation, etc. Jesus said in Revelation 2: 10, be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 22: 12 says See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to pay according to everyone’s work. Jesus said in Mark 8: 38 those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Generational promises
To every generation, God makes promises. In the generation of Abraham, God promised a new nation under his protection, Genesis 12: 1-2; Acts 7: 3. In the generation of Noah, God promised the flood and warned against it, Genesis 6: 14, 18. The floods came and Noah and his family who were obedient got saved, Genesis 7: 18; 8: 16. In the generation of Moses, God promised the Israelites deliverance from Egyptian slavery, Exodus 3: 7-8. This was fulfilled when Pharaoh and his army perished, Exodus 15: 4.
In this generation, God has promised his salvation through Christ Jesus for all, both for the living and the dead. Romans 14: 9 says Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. God has also fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by Christ whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead, Acts 17: 31. He has gone to prepare a place for us and will come again and take his elect with him, John 14: 2-3.
Jesus has promised in Revelation 22: 20, surely I am coming soon. The day of the Lord will come like a thief, 2 Peter 3; 10. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, Matthew 13: 49-50. Unless we repent, we shall face worse judgment than that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Matthew 10: 15.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding us of your promises and the ways by which we will realize them. Your promises will always come true according to your plan. Teach us to apply ourselves to your promises by waiting on you rather than embracing sin to enhance the time for fulfillment and we are very sorry. Help us to trust you knowing that you are true. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
