It should be noted here that we are not discussing what is known as “covenant theology.” Covenant theology is a system that attempts to cover all of Scripture with the theological covenants of works, redemption, and grace. This viewpoint will be discussed later.
THE BASIC PROVISIONS OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT The record of the making of the covenant and the provisions of the covenant with Abraham are found in a number of places in the book of Genesis (see 12:1–7; 13:14–17; 15:1–21; 17:1–27; 18:17–19; 22:15–18). This covenant was established between God and Abraham and his descendants Isaac and Jacob. In Genesis 17 the Lord declared to Abraham, I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. . . . Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. (vv. 7–8, 19) There were three basic areas of provision made in the Abrahamic covenant. First, there were personal blessings for Abraham; second, there were blessings for Abraham’s descendants, or national blessings; and third, there was universal blessing, which would include all people. In these ways, God promised to bless Abraham and to make his name great. The personal blessings included the fact that not only would a great nation come from him but many nations would come from him and kings would come from his line. He was told that God would prosper him and give him the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession. The blessings given to Abraham’s descendants (the national blessings) would come through Isaac and Jacob. Those blessings included the guarantee of national existence as well as the greatness of the nation, the land area of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant as an everlasting covenant. The universal nature of the covenant focused on the reality that all nations would receive blessing through the physical descendants of Abraham. Though the Abrahamic covenant was made with Abraham and his physical descendants, that did not mean that God was abandoning the Gentile nations. Great spiritual blessings have come through the Jewish people. God revealed Himself through the leaders and prophets of Israel. It is through Moses, the prophets, and others in Israel that the inspired Scriptures have come to us. But, of course, the greatest blessing of all has come through Jesus Christ, who in His death on the cross has made salvation available to people of all nations. In all three of these areas of provision in the Abrahamic covenant there has been some fulfillment. And in all three areas there are unfulfilled promises. The fulfilled promises have been fulfilled in a literal way, and that leads to the conclusion that all the promises will have a literal fulfillment. Those parts of the Abrahamic Covenant which have been fulfilled thus far have been fulfilled literally (in accordance with the historical-grammatical method of interpreting the Bible, not in accordance with the allegorical or spiritualizing method). This would seem to indicate that God intends every promise of that covenant to be fulfilled in that manner. It would seem that God’s method of fulfilling His promises would not change from literal to spiritual while the process of fulfillment is going on, and if such a change did take place it would be clearly revealed to those who were the participants in the covenant. This matter of fulfillment will be dealt with later.
Benware, Paul N., 1942- Understanding end times prophecy : a comprehensive approach / Paul N. Benware. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN-13: 978-0-8024-9079-7
Cross Commission Ministries 