The Finished Word

The “promise of the Spirit” is part of the “blessing of Abraham” for the nations, and those who receive it become the “children of Abraham.”  In his letter to the Galatians , the Apostle Paul referred to the “ promise of the Spirit ,” and he identified with the “ blessing of Abraham .” Jesus came under the “ curse ” of the Law to redeem believers from it, and this was so “ the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith .” - [ Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash ].

With the ascension of Jesus, the gift of the Spirit arrived with blessings for all believers - The “promise of Abraham.”  The “ promise of the Father ” is the gift of the Spirit, and the Apostle Paul linked it to the covenant promises given to Abraham that are now fulfilled in the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus. The bestowal of the Spirit marked the commencement of the messianic age, the era of fulfillment. Moreover, Gentile believers are now equal heirs of those promises - [ Photo by David Brooke Martin on Unsplash ].

Jesus is the promised Davidic King and Messiah sent to “shepherd” the nations into the kingdom of God .  In Revelation , Jesus fulfills the messianic promises of the second Psalm. He is the anointed Son and designated “ ruler of the kings of the earth .” But his sovereignty is based on his past death and resurrection, and unlike many popular expectations, he rules nations and kings by “ shepherding ” them. In the end, both the nations and the “ kings of the earth ” are found worshiping in New Jerusalem - [ Globe Photo by Ben White on Unsplash ].

To the Samaritan woman, Jesus revealed that access to the presence of God is not limited to specific locations or structures – John 4:20-24 . To a Samaritan woman, Jesus revealed the proper form and location for the worship of the Father. With the advent of the Messiah, concepts about holy space and holy time no longer applied, and the arrival of the “ Son of Man ” rendered the historical debate over the location of the Temple moot. From now on, worship must be performed in  truth and in spirit  - [ Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash ].