Biblical Promises Series - Part 1 - Children of Promise
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
August 1, 2021





C. R. Oliver





ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
August 1, 2021

Biblical Promises Series

Part 1
Children of Promise


You may watch this Newsletter in a video HERE.

Romans 9:8

"It is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring."

Introduction:

Because of the times, it seems saints are quoting more of the "promises" in Scripture than in former times. It is not unusual to hear Psalms 91 quoted in regard to protection against infection. Often, Isaiah 55 is signaled for its two areas: "Call on the Lord when He is near" and God's own assurance that His Word will not return void but will accomplish its task.

How wonderful for the saints to be able to enlist these "precious promises (as described by Simon)" as their own and rely on their efficacy. When the saints use the word of faith to accompany them in their life situations, they become "overcomers."

2 Peter 1:2-4:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
NKJV

So, Simon was saying the promises of the Lord actually liberate us and give us victory in life's situations. But that is not all, for Paul also has something to convey about the power of the promises of God.

Hebrews 8:6:
6 But now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Those who follow Jesus have all the old covenant promises and the new covenant promises (which are better). Most of the old covenant promises revolved around Abraham. The apostles, writing about matters of import, continually referenced this fact.

Galatians 4:28:
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

When Simon Peter addressed the three thousand, he referenced, "the promise."

Acts 2:38-39:
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

At Antioch, Paul preached the crucified, risen Lord as being raised from the dead and the answer to God's promise to Israel.

Acts 13:32-33:
And we declare to you glad tidings - that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

          'You are My Son,

          Today I have begotten You.'

Hauled before Agrippa, Paul cited "the Promise" as his defense.

Acts 26:5-8:
(A)ccording to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul defined the recipients of "the Promise" to be both Jew and Gentile.

Romans 4:13-22:
For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed - God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Believers who take the promises of God in faith are like Abraham — they call things that be not as though they were—they stand on His promises and do not waver!

Paul waded through the genealogies of the Jews, who counted themselves the fleshly descendants of Abraham and comforted themselves as the keepers of the Law. Paul showed them there was no Law in Abraham's day and the lineage of Abraham included all who were of the household of faith. Israel was however a special people through whom God chose to reveal His plan. The promise brought about attendant promises and all of them are found in Jesus.

Romans 9:3-5:
For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Notice the list of what belonged to the people of Israel, one aspect being the "covenants." Think about the covenants, starting with Adam and Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus. Spiritual wealth covered them; Israel had it all and missed it! Is it possible the church is guilty of the same?

Clearly, Paul explained, with candor, the plan of the promise.

Galatians 3:13-29:
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Changeless Promise:

(cf. Genesis 12:1-3)

Galatians 3:15ff:
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Verses 26-29 affirm "the Promise" belongs to us as do all the attendant promises-now we can point to the Biblical promise and say, "Bless God, we claim the promise as ours through faith."

Galatians 4:28-29:
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

The primary promise given to Abraham is complete in Christ as are all the other "promises." Some have claimed there are seven thousand promises in the word of God.

Psalms 105:40-45:
40 The people asked, and He brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river. 42 For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant. 43 people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. 44 He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, and they inherited the labor of the nations, 45 That they might observe His statutes and keep His laws.

How beautifully put is this passage: "He remembered His Holy Promise." He still does!

"The Promise" can be viewed in four parts: Abraham, the Cross and resurrection, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the soon return of Christ.

Luke 24:46-49 : Jesus is speaking to His disciples.
46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Notice the capitalization of Promise, setting it apart as Divine interaction between God and Man. When the Lord God spoke blessing to Abraham, it included all the faith promises packaged in that blessing.

Genesis 12:2-3:
2 "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Quoting Genesis 22:17, Paul exults in the blessing of Abraham and shows how he became a picture of God sacrificing His Son.

Hebrews 6:13-20:
For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Now consider the balance of the aforementioned Romans 9 passage.

Romans 9:6-9:
6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son."

Over the next several months, we will show the connection between this master promise and all the other "promises" in Scripture.

It is appropriate at this time to source Abraham's blessing as being before the world was made. There, in the midst of Glory, stood a Man in the middle between the Father and the Spirit. He already embodied all history and was one "slain before the foundation of the world." In Him all the blessings reside, and it was revealed to Abraham and to us.

Now is the time to review Galatians 3.

Galatians 3:5-8:
Therefore, He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? — 6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."

Galatians 3:9:
9 So then, those who are people of faith are blessed and made happy and favored by God [as partners in fellowship] with the believing and trusting Abraham.
AMP

The Good News (Gospel) of a Messiah (Jesus) was preached to Abraham, so his faith embodied the whole plan of the Father. Wrapped in that "preachment" was every attendant promise that God ever made to man, so that the master promise was pregnant with precious promises-including the enduement of the Spirit.

Verse 9 takes on new meaning with this understanding. When we take Jesus by faith, we inherit all the promises, just like righteous Abraham. No wonder Paul calls it, "an anchor of the soul."

NOTE: As a reader would you share the Scriptures you hold as "promises?" For example: if you often quote I John 1:9, what other verses do you quote? If you use Psalm 91 and others, then include the reference. I think it would be meaningful to see what promises are your favorites.

Email: croliver@zadokpublications.com

Until Next Month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.






MISSIONS REPORT:

From Patton and Mary Lynn Franks:

Reaching The World From The Heart Of The Mountains

Contact Information:

Harvest Highlights June 2021

A simple "Thank You" always seems woefully inadequate when we try to express our gratitude to friends, family and all our Harvest Partners for helping us minister to the people of Cuba. Your generosity and faithfulness have made it possible for us to meet the needs of so many suffering people during a terrible time. We have continued to help the Pastors and even expanded our list to include some that were not part of the original group. We have also added about twenty children with special needs, abandoned or orphaned. And we have continued to help the churches with bicycles, musical instruments and other items necesary for ministry as well. Thank You and God Bless You!

Our friends David and his Wife Dailys have been taking care of his aging parents for several months. His brother who lives in close proximity was recently diagnosed with Covid and sent to a hospital. He and Dailys were sent to an isolation camp even though they have not as yet tested positive and have no symptoms. They are very concerned about his parents! His father is very weak and unable to help himself and his mother is exhausted from taking care of him and the other chores around the family compound. It doesn't seem logical but "This is Cuba!"



Our friend Alternan has been our host on many occasions, we have stayed in his home and had many meals at his table. He has printed and distributed many books with my name on them. He is a good friend. Alternan recently fell on a wet floor in his home. The family managed to get him to a Doctor who determined his fibula was broken. The Doctor had no material for a cast and wrapped his leg up in a cardboard box and secured it as much as he could and sent him home. "This is Cuba!"




Our friends Frank and Greisi are a wonderful young couple dedicated to the Glory of God. He is the Director of the Advanced Certification Program at Elim Bible Institute. She is one of the Instructors and they are both first generation Christians. The first people in their families to receive Christ. She was diagnosed several months ago with Hpylori and has undergone treatment with antibiotics and diet. She is still sick and the Doctors have discontinued treatment until she can have endoscopy. They have searched far and wide and found no place where the test is available. No hospitals, no Doctors offices, no place. "This is Cuba!"




Our young friends Yaniel and Marioly are very adept at finding supplies, food medicine etc.. To quote our daughter Terina, "If there's an egg on that island anywhere, Marioly will find it!" They have been helping us minister to the needs of the people in the area close to their home. The price of rice has risen ten fold since the pandemic, it is no longer available in the stores, only in the black market.

They have raised a few vegetables and fruit trees and have obtained a few chickens and purchased what imperishable items they could. However, with food becoming so expensive and unavailable in the markets they have used up most of their supplies and started eating the chickens for lack of food to feed them. "This is Cuba!"


As of this writing we have received correspondence from each of these people within the last three days and each has reported "God is Faithful!" Regardless of the difficult situations they are facing their Faith and Commitment are Strong. We have been encouraged by them. They are the kind of Christians we aspire to be. The Living Bible states in Matthew 10:41, "If vou welcome good and godlv men because of their godliness, you will be given a reward like theirs." Thank you friends for touching the lives of these Good and Godly People. You will be given a reward like theirs! Your Generosity and Faithfulness is surely marked by Heaven and will be returned to you many times over. Thank you and God Bless You.

Sincerely,

Patton & Mary Lynn Franks

We exist to:
  1. Promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God around the world.
  2. Support missionaries and National workers in their efforts to teach and preach the word of God.
  3. Provide training, materials, help and encouragement the national workers.
  4. Help with construction of churches, schools and other necessary buildings related to the mission effort.
  5. Evangelize non-christians by use of all appropriate tools.
  6. Strengthen the existing Christian Community in every way possible.
  7. Network the church in the United States with the church and the foreign field.



Note: Thanks to our many donors, Oliver Evangelistic Association has supported 5 Cuban pastors for the last two years - last year and again this year.

We have sent $1,000 each year since it only takes $200 to sustain a pastor and his family for one year.)




From Larry and Marla Johnston in Guatemala:



Contact Information:
          Web: https://www.flamesoffireministry.org/
          Email: flamesoffireguatemala@hotmail.com

FaceBook Web Page


Praise the Lord, what an exciting month we have had. There is so much going on and we want to share it with you. But first, we just want to say thank you to every one of our partners and friends of Flames of Fire Ministry. We could not do it without you. You are making a big difference in so many lives. For that we are incredibly grateful. In the last part of Matt. 25:40 it says: In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Again, thank you for being the catalyst of what we do.

The children are so happy now that they can come back to the feeding centers to eat their meals and receive bible classes. It has been over a year since they acatually ate food in the feeding centers. During all this time the mothers diligently came 3 days per week to take the food home to their children because the government had the children on lockdown due to covid. They walked to the feeding centers to get the food and bible story along with the craft.

While they were not able to come to the feeding centers we took advantage of that to do some work on three in particular. Some much needed improvements and renovation has transformed 4 centers into a much better facility. We only have a couple pics on the 4th feeding center in Canon! They got a new covered area to protect the kitchen and enlarged cemented area outside of the kitchen.

We would like to give a huge shout out to all the faithful friends at Gainesville Church of God and Pastor Chris Chrisopolus! Gainesville Church of God has an amazing vision for raising up these precious children in the light of the gospel. It is not just a "feeding center" in the natural. It's not just a place to come and eat, that's a restaurant. These are spiritual feeding centers as well, providing life giving spiritual food to the children and mothers alike.

GCOG took on the task of enlarging the Naranjo feeding center. They also recently bumped the number of children to 100, then 150 and now we can feed and disciple 250 children! They didn't stop there, they are unstoppable! They also upped the total in La Prensa from 50 to 100! We had enough materials to do the enlarging in those 2 centers and even add a covered area in Canon! In Nueva Esperanza we were able to stucco the walls of the kitchen and the eating area.


Naranjo







(right) New Kitchen


3 Stoves.....New Bathroom


The Kiddos Love It!!



La Prensa

Eating Area ...... New Floor




(Right)...Double Stove



Nueva Esperanza

New Kitchen ...... Eating Area





Canon



This year the Bush Bible school in the South Coast of Kenya has 2 classes going at the same time. Between the two classes there are 39 students. After starting the classes the director told us that most of the students didn't have a bible. Thanks to some very special people we were able to get them all bibles. We mentioned on FB that there was a need and you responded! Thank you to each one who gave! We don't have pics of everyone, but here are a few!

Also we had planned to go to the North coast of Kenya to the city of Malindi and teach the classes ourselves to kick off the first classes for the north coast. But we were not able to go because parts of Kenya were closed. We arranged for Bishop Douglas who was helping us start teaching the classes. He is watching the teachings that we have in English on video and subsequently teaching 12 students. We were also able to make sure that all of these students have bibles.

Here are Pics of some of the students, the students on north coast are not in these pictures.




From Marla:

Our great grand daughter Arabella was born this morning. I am officially a Great GiGi! Arabella we love you so much - you have the best parents ever! Congrats Charlie and Kayla!

Arabella Flores 7/9/21 at 3:39 am 8lbs 7ozs. 21.5 inches.









Request For Prayer:

Dr. Oliver received the following request from one of the ministries supported by Oliver Evangelistic Association. Your prayers are very much appreciated:

Greetings from India!

Glory be to our Savior Jesus Christ. We are thanking you for the blessed partnership in the Lord's Indian vineyard and wonderful fellowship as friend, and brother in Christ. As we seek the Lord and as He is coming soon, many of the scripture are being fulfilled.

One of our pastors, Pastor Prasad Paul and his believers about 13 families (about 50 members) faced persecution from Sikarapai village (one among many villages where he is ministering), Rayagada district, Odisha. They were attacked by the religious fanatics and villagers because they came to Christ and gathering as a house church. Several times fanatics and villagers attacked them with breaking of their house doors and beatings. But this time they caught all these believers and locked in a small house smoked all of them with red chilly powder on fiery coals and after chased them out from the village to a jungle.

They were given opportunity by the fanatics to stay in the village if they deny Christ as Lord and Savior. But we thank God, these 13 families with a great faith and forbearance hugged Christ and eternal bliss even at the point of costing their lives. We tried to help them directly but the government officials and police strictly warned us and official orders passed by the district collectorate not to help them. We are praying and planning how to help. Kindly keep them in your prayers.

We are praying,
Yours in Christ,
Ps. Joshuva
India.







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