God's Promises
by Dr. Ken Matto
 
(2 Cor 1:20 KJV) For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Have you ever promised somebody something and then failed to keep that promise, even though you were still able to keep it? I think in the course of life we have all done that. The problem is that we do not place ourselves in the shoes of the person we promised. They were counting on us and we let them down. In fact, we can plainly state that we just abandoned them. Making a promise is a noble and friendly gesture but for it to remain that way, it must be carried out. Now sometimes we may make a promise and then we are providentially hindered from keeping that promise and when there are circumstances beyond our control, it can be understood why the promise could not be kept. However, if possible, a rescheduling should take place.

We read much about the promises of God in the Bible. In the above verse we read that in Christ all the promises of God are yea and amen. The word “yea” carries with it the meaning of “truly and assuredly.” The word “amen” carries with it the meaning of “of a truth or so be it.” In the Lord Jesus Christ, every promise of God is assured and that is final. Now we must be realistic. God did not promise that He is going to give us perfect health, much wealth, or basically anything else which is on this earth. Many Christians in different denominations continually seek God for increased wealth and health. As God’s children, we can take any request to the Lord that is on our heart. He will know how to answer based on one major principle and one minor principle. The major principle is that God answers our requests according to His divine will for each Christian. The minor principle is our attitude and the reason we are asking for something.

You see, we can sound very religious when we are praying for something and we can fool others around us but we cannot fool God. He knows our true motives. We can even quote all the promises that God has made in a certain area and if we are being deceitful, then God is under no obligation to answer according to our requests. Keep in mind that no is an answer. So when we read the promises of God in Scripture, we must realize that our attitudes may be hindering our prayers. For example, two Christians are praying for $10,000, one is praying for that money because there is a need for a large generator on the mission field. The other Christian is praying for $10,000 for a new car. Which prayer do you think God will answer? Well, He may answer both if both are prayed with the right motives. Living in the suburbs I need a car to get around and the Lord knows my desires for a good car. I have no problem asking the Lord for a good car as long as it is done with proper motives. Now suppose I was using it to go to Atlantic City to gamble or was using it for other wrong purposes. God may choose to refine my lifestyle before He grants the request.

Now when we look at the promises of God in Scripture, what promises does God make to us that is dependent on Him and not us? When we look at the promises of God, do we look at them on a short term basis or do we look at them on a long term basis? God’s promises are strictly for His children and not for the unbeliever. The only promise that God gives to an unbeliever is that they will be judged for their sins and cast into eternal Hell on the last day and according to the signs, we are almost there. Since God’s promises are for His children, then we need to view them as long term promises AKA eternal promises. The Bible teaches that this world is passing away and all the sinful contents with it but we look for a better home with the fulfillment of the eternal promises. Let us examine four of them.

An Abundant Entrance
(2 Pet 1:11 KJV) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

God has promised that every redeemed believer will have an abundant entrance made for them when they enter Heaven. I have no idea about the splendor of that entrance but if God promises it to His children, then it must be glorious indeed.

Promised Inheritance
(Heb 9:15 KJV) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The redeemed of God are promised an eternal inheritance in heaven. In Romans 8:17 we are told that we are going to be “co-heirs with Christ.” The word “co-heirs” in the Greek carries with it the meaning of “joint ownership.” Since God has elevated His redeemed children to the position of Princes and Princesses, that means we are going to have authority in Heaven. What that authority is and what we will rule over is still a mystery but when we arrive there we will know.

The Promise of the Return of Christ
(2 Pet 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, an angel told the disciples that He would be returning in the same manner that He went up. It seems that He is waiting a long time or even that He forgot to come back. The reason that it seems so long is because His return will not take place until the last of God’s Elect is saved. As God was patient with the world while Noah was building the Ark, He is patient until the last one is saved in His timing. Then all those who have mocked believing that there is no return will be caught by surprise like the antediluvians of Noah’s time. You see God’s promises are not given to us with a timetable attached. Only God knows when He is returning to gather His Elect and bring them to Heaven. This verse definitely is speaking to the believers but is also a warning to the unbelievers that the day will come when God’s longsuffering with this world will end.

New Heavens and New Earth
(2 Pet 3:13 KJV) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

One of the greatest promises in the Bible is that of the creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth where there will be no sin or temptation. The unbelievers will have been judged and sentenced and there will only be purity and righteousness in Glory. When we look at the condition the world is in today, we wonder if it is out of control but we know better that God is getting the world ready for final judgment.

These four promises are among many hundreds which are written in the pages of Scripture. When God makes a promise, it is as if He has already done it. (Rom 4:17 KJV) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. God calls those things which are not yet as though they have been accomplished. We can make a promise and then break it but when God makes a promise it is as if it has already happened. It is just a matter of when and not if. (Num 23:19 KJV) God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? So when friends or family let you down, know that God will never let you down.
 
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