Let’s begin with the all-encompassing promise made to Abraham in Genesis 22:15-18, “…By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

Promises of the Bible originate with this text. So, is it possible to prove that these promises are sure to be fulfilled? Since Abraham’s literal seed, Isaac, did not bless all the nations of the earth, this must mean something more. This story is also an allegory. Abraham represented God, and Isaac represented Jesus, God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16, 17; Hebrews 11:17). As God spared Abraham from actually slaying his son, and a ram was provided instead, Jesus had to be slain to free the world from sin and be a surety or guarantee of the promises made so long ago. (Hebrews 7:22)

These promises were made sure when Jesus gave his life, his sacrifice was accepted by God, his Father, and God raised him from the dead. (Ephesians 1:19-21; I Corinthians 15:3, 4, 20) This is the condition by which all the promises are fulfilled – in Jesus Christ. (1 John 4:9, 10)

God’s timing is perfect, and it is stated that, “…he (God) hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) In 1 Timothy 2:3-6 it states, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”

These promises will come “in due time” when the works of this present age are complete. Then, because of this great sacrifice of Jesus and his consequent resurrection, all the nations of the earth will be blessed!

(Please also see the question: “As a Christian, why does not God always answer my prayers?”)