Continuing in the Book of Genesis, Abraham’s descendants to receive the covenant are clearly identified as Isaac, Jacob, and Judah.
Now fast forward approximately 1000 years after the time of Abraham where more information is provided regarding his ultimate descendant; the Seed of the woman.
God speaks to King David, a descendant of Abraham, through the prophet Nathan.
“When your days are fulfilled…I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish…the throne of his kingdom forever…” 2 Samuel 7:12-13
Several hundred years after God promised David an eternal kingdom through his seed, the prophet Isaiah provided more detail.
“For unto us a child is born…unto us a Son is given…of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever…” Isaiah 9:6-7
Let’s review the very first words in the New Testament.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah…and Jesse begot David the king….” Matthew 1:1-2, 6
Luke provided more details of the person and deity of the newborn King.
· He was born of a virgin named Mary
· Mary was betrothed to Joseph of the lineage of David
· The child was conceived by the Holy Spirit; thereby being the Son of God
· His name was to be called Jesus
· He would receive the throne of His father David and rule over the house of Jacob forever
The three Monotheistic Abrahamic Faiths have a different perspective of Jesus.
The ‘Church’ embraces Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world; the God/man who paid the redemptive price for mankind’s sins, i.e. the price that could be paid by no other inasmuch as Christ was sinless. Christ was resurrected from the grave as proof of His Father’s acceptance of His vicarious death.
The Church anxiously awaits the return of King Jesus to take possession of all that He paid for on the cross.
To the Jews, their Messiah has not yet appeared. While the church is awaiting the return of the King, the Jews rejected Him at His first coming and are still waiting for His initial appearance. When the King returns, Israel will once again be the light of all nations and Christ will rule them with a rod of iron from Jerusalem.
To Islam, Christ is recognized as a great prophet, but not the object of prophecy.
Let’s again quote Professor Exposito from Georgetown University so as to avoid misrepresenting their view.
“However, Muslims believe that Islam supersedes Judaism and Christianity – that the Quran is the final and complete word of God and that Muhammed is the last of the prophets. In contrast to Christianity, which accepts much of the Hebrew Bible, Muslims believe that what is written in the Old and New Testaments is a corrupted version of the original revelation to Moses and Jesus.”
“Moreover, Christianity’s development of ‘new’ dogmas such as the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and the doctrines of redemption and atonement is seen as admixing God’s revelation with human fabrication.”
Inasmuch as Islam didn’t appear until approximately 600 AD, the Bible doesn’t mention Islam specifically; however, the New Testament does refer to Ishmael.
Paul addressed those who wished to remain under the law with relevant history.
“Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4:28-29
Just as Ishmael scoffed at Isaac when Isaac was a small child, Paul said such persecution continued to the age of the church.
As such, Paul quoted Sarah’s words from Old Testament, i.e. “Cast out the bondwoman and her son…”
The continuing battle is between Ishmael and Isaac. Read the leaves on the fig tree.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free…” Galatians 5:1
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