The Blessing of Abraham: Our Identity, Inheritance, and Dominion in Christ

The Blessing of Abraham: Our Identity, Inheritance, and Dominion in Christ

This segment of our communion profoundly unveils the believer's glorious identity as Abraham's seed and heir, the vastness of their inheritance, and the divine authority granted to them to effectuate God's will in this world. It emphasizes that this is not a shallow understanding but a deep, life-transforming truth meant to be lived out.

I. Our Identity as Abraham's Seed and Heir to the World

The foundation of our understanding rests in Galatians 3:29 (KJV):

"> And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

This verse, central to our identity, reveals profound truths:

• "If ye be Christ's": To be "Christ's" means to belong to Him, to be in union with Him. Many translations, such as the NIV and CJB, clarify this as "if you belong to Christ" or "if you belong to the Messiah."
• "Abraham's seed" (Greek: `sperma`): The original Greek word `sperma` distinctly means "seed," not merely "descendants." This distinction is critical, as it speaks to a singular, specific lineage—the lineage of Christ.
• This is not a casual synonym but a precise theological term, emphasizing a direct spiritual connection, not just a broad ancestral tie.
• "Heirs according to the promise": This declares our rightful claim to an inheritance rooted in a divine promise. The crucial question then arises: "What promise?"

The answer is found in Romans 4:13 (KJV):

"> For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."

• Inheritance of the World: This verse reveals the extraordinary nature of the promise: Abraham and his seed were destined to be "the heir of the world." This signifies that the entire world was divinely willed to Abraham. The Complete Jewish Bible accurately translates "righteousness of faith" as "righteousness that trust produces," highlighting the Old Testament concept of Abraham's `trust` in God as the basis of his righteousness.
• Not by Law, but by Promise: The inheritance was not obtained through the works of the Law, which is conditional, but "through the righteousness of faith" (or trust), which is unconditional. This reinforces the principle of grace.

The Singular Seed: Christ

Galatians 3:16 (KJV) unequivocally identifies the singular "Seed":

"> Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

• Christ is the Seed: This is a definitive declaration that the promise was made to Christ. The singular form `seed` (`sperma`) refers to Christ, not a multitude of physical descendants.
• The Law's Temporal Role: Galatians 3:17-19 (KJV) further explains that the Law, given 430 years after the promise, could not annul or disannul the Abrahamic covenant. The inheritance is "no more of promise" if it were of the Law; rather, "God gave it to Abraham by promise," without conditions. The Law "was added because of transgressions, till the seed shall come to whom the promise was made"—that Seed being Christ.
• Righteousness by Belief, Not Conditions: Galatians 3:22 (KJV) concludes: "> But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." Salvation and the promise are for "them that believe," not those who fulfill conditions. As with Abraham, who "believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3), belief from the heart is the pathway.

The Law as a Schoolmaster

Galatians 3:23-25 (KJV) describes the Law's function:

"> But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

• `Pedagogus`: The "schoolmaster" (Greek: `paidagogos`) was not a teacher but a guardian who led the child to the teacher. The Law served to expose sin (Romans 7:7-13), highlight humanity's inability to achieve righteousness by works, and thereby lead humanity to Christ, who is the end of the Law for righteousness.
• Freedom from the Law: With the coming of faith in Christ, we are no longer under the Law's tutelage.

Unity and Joint-Heirship in Christ

Galatians 3:26-28 (KJV) proclaims our new status:

"> For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

• Children of God by Faith: Our sonship is established through faith in Christ, not by racial, social, or gender distinctions.
• One in Christ: All believers are made one in Christ, possessing the "same rights, same inheritance, same love of God." This unity underscores the universal nature of the Blessing of Abraham.

II. The Oath-Bound Promise and Christ's Priestly Forerunner Role

The promise of the world to Abraham and his seed was sealed by God's own oath, making it immutable.

God's Oath to Abraham

Genesis 22:16-18 (KJV) records God's oath after Abraham's obedience:

"> By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord... that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven... 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."

• God Swore by Himself: Because there was no one greater, God swore by Himself, confirming the promise with an unshakeable oath (Hebrews 6:13-18). This underscores the absolute certainty and immutability of His covenant.
• "Thy Seed Shall Possess the Gate of His Enemies": This is a powerful declaration for Christ. The word "gate" in Hebrew can mean "city" or "marketplace," signifying taking over the very strongholds and economic systems of the enemy. This applies to Christ and, through Him, to us.
• All Nations Blessed in Christ: The blessing extends to "all the nations of the earth" through the singular "Seed," Christ.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: Priests and Prophets

The early patriarchs functioned as priests, a precursor to the nation of Israel being a "kingdom of priests":

• Priestly Ministry: Abraham built altars and offered sacrifices, demonstrating priestly functions (2 Samuel 9:3 mentions showing "the kindness of God," which is `cassid` or covenant kindness). Isaac and Jacob followed this pattern.
• Melchizedek: Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the "king-priest," who blessed him. Jesus is later identified as a High Priest "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 6:20), indicating a superior, eternal priesthood.
• Kingdom of Priests: God promised Israel they would be "a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6), meaning "royal priests," like Melchizedek. This promise was rooted in their connection to Abraham's seed.

Jesus, Our Forerunner and High Priest

Our access to God's presence is secured by Jesus, our High Priest:

• Forerunner into the Veil: Hebrews 6:19-20 (KJV) states: "> Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Jesus entered the Most Holy Place, the very presence of God, as our "forerunner"—the one who goes ahead, clearing the way for those who follow. This is where the mercy seat was, illuminated by God's presence, not by natural light.
• Bold Access to the Throne of Grace: Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV) exhorts us: "> Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession... Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The Greek word for "come" (προσέρχομαι - `proserchomai`) means to "draw near" or "approach" with the heart, signifying worship, not a physical journey.
• Through Christ, we now have direct "access" to the very place where only the high priest could go under the Old Covenant. We are not meant to merely visit but to "live from there," making our home in His presence.

III. The Holy Spirit: Seal and Guarantee of Our Inheritance

The Holy Spirit is the divine proof and empowerment for our inheritance.

• Sealed by the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 1:13 (KJV) declares: "> In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." This sealing is a divine, unremovable mark of God's ownership, protecting us from Satan's claims. It is not a tattoo but an indelible spiritual emblem.
• Earnest (Deposit) of Our Inheritance: Ephesians 1:14 (KJV) states: "> Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
• The Holy Spirit is the "earnest," "deposit," or "down payment" of our full inheritance. This is a divine guarantee that everything Christ acquired for us is ours.
• The Amplified Classic Version (AMPC) expands on this: "That Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance... the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring complete possession of it."
• Empowerment for Acquisition: The Holy Ghost empowers us to "lay hold on the rest of the acquisitions" and to "redeem" or "collect" our full inheritance in this present world.

IV. Growing Up to Possess Our Inheritance

Our spiritual maturity determines our appropriation of this vast inheritance.

• Heir as a Child (Nepios): Galatians 4:1-2 (KJV) illustrates a crucial truth: "> Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all. But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father."
• The Greek word for "child" here is `nepios`, referring to an infant who cannot yet speak articulately or function independently.
• Even though a `nepios` heir legally owns everything, they are effectively no different from a servant because they lack the maturity to manage and utilize their inheritance.
• Need for Growth: We must "grow up" (Galatians 4:3) to fully appropriate our inheritance. A lack of spiritual maturity can lead to "toy testimonies" or being in "bondage under the elements of the world" (Galatians 4:3, 9), such as fear of illness or worldly circumstances, as seen during the COVID pandemic.
• We Are the Solution: As believers, we are the solution to the world's problems, equipped with divine power. Mark 16:17-18 affirms: "> And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
• Grow in Grace and Knowledge: 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) commands us: "> But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Deepening our knowledge of Christ and His finished work is essential for spiritual growth and effective living.

V. Our Kingdom and Dominion Over the Cosmos

We belong to a new kingdom, distinct from, yet invading, the kingdoms of this world.

• Christ is Universal Head of the Church: Ephesians 1:22-23 (KJV) reveals Christ's supreme authority: "> And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." The term "universal head" means "Catholic head" (from the Greek `katholikos`, meaning "general, universal"), signifying Christ's overarching, all-encompassing headship over His body, the Church, which "fills all in all."
• Alive Together with Christ and Joint-Seated: Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV) declares our union with Christ: "> But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ... And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." We are not only made alive but "joint-seated" with Christ, empowering us as "decision makers" in the heavenly sphere by virtue of our union with Him.
• Purpose of the Abrahamic Covenant: The Abrahamic covenant was God's legal means to re-enter man's world and restore dominion after Adam's fall.
• The World (Aion of the Cosmos): Ephesians 2:1-2 (KJV) describes our past state: "> Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air..." The "course of this world" refers to the `aion` (system, age, era) of the `cosmos` (the created order). Man, through sin, established corrupt `aions` within God's `cosmos`.
• Kingdoms of this World vs. Kingdom of Heaven:
• Revelation 11:15 (KJV): "> The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." This prophesies the future submission of all earthly kingdoms to Christ.
• Satan's Claim: Luke 4:5-7 (KJV) shows Satan offering Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world... and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it," if Jesus would worship him. Jesus' response was unequivocal: "> Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
• Jesus Bought the Field (World): Matthew 13:38 and 13:44 reveal Jesus' parables: "> The field is the world... The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field... and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Jesus, seeing the Church as the treasure, bought the whole "field"—the entire world/cosmos.
• My Kingdom is Not From Here (John 18:36): Jesus stated, "> My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight... but now is my kingdom not from hence." This means His kingdom does not originate from earthly systems or power structures, nor is it run from here, but it is established and operative within this cosmos.
• Not of This World, But in It: John 15:19 (KJV): "> If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." We are chosen out of the world, yet operate within it.
• Translated into the Kingdom of Light: Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV): "> Giving thanks unto the Father... Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." We have already been transferred into this kingdom and live in it now, operating with its authority.
• Toppling the Aions of This World: As Abraham's seed, co-heirs with Christ, and citizens of His kingdom, we have legal authority to "topple the aions of this world."

VI. Corporate Responsibility and the Power of Prayer

The full manifestation of God's glory requires collective action and spiritual maturity within the Church.

• The Cost of the Gospel: The present availability of the Bible and the freedom to worship came at an immense cost—the persecution, suffering, and martyrdom of saints throughout history. This sacrifice should not be treated lightly.
• No Compromise with Worldly Systems: The Church must refuse to be swayed by ungodly governmental mandates that seek to suppress spiritual activity (e.g., closing churches during the COVID pandemic), recognizing the immense price paid for our spiritual freedom.
• Importance of Corporate Prayer: True revival and effective dominion require "corporate prayer," not just individual efforts. Churches and leaders must gather to pray, fast, and declare God's Word with boldness.
• Historical revivals were always preceded and accompanied by intense prayer. When prayer dwindled, spiritual activity faded.
• The purpose of church gatherings is primarily for prayer and praise, not just sermons. Minimizing these leads to ineffectiveness.
• Prophecy with Prayer: Prophesying without being a person of prayer only attracts trouble. Boldness in the spirit comes from prayer.
• Authentic Praise: True praise is not about "ballet dance" or "human celebration" that lacks spiritual power; it is about worship that moves the Spirit of God and strikes fear into the enemy.
• Dominion is Our Mandate: We must finish our work, live in dominion, and demonstrate Christ's glory. This will lead to massive "harvests of souls by the power of the Holy Ghost."

This profound instruction urges believers to fully embrace their identity as Abraham's seed, recognize the vastness of their inheritance in Christ, activate the power of the Holy Spirit within them through spiritual growth, and collectively exercise their dominion to impact the world, demonstrating God's glory and bringing forth His kingdom.