The Connection between Abraham and Paul (Part.1)

The Connection between Abraham and Paul (Part.1)

Setting the scene

There are 2 programs in God's PLAN of redemption; an earthly program and a heavenly program. We all know that Genesis 1:1 reads,

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Heaven and earth are two separate realms that make up God's creation. We should also be aware that both these realms are corrupt and need 'cleansing'. 

• The heavens were corrupted when God cast Satan out of the 3rd heaven as we read in Isaiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 28:16, and the result of  this is confirmed in Job 15,

Job 15:15 Behold, He [God] puts no trust in his saints [angels, see Job 4:18]; yes, the heavens are not clean in His sight.

• The earth and everything in it is corrupt and under a curse as we read in,

Genesis 3. 

The conclusion of this is that God predestined two programs in his great redemption plan. A program to cleanse the heavens and a program to cleanse the earth.

Abrahams descendants

It is my conviction that the covenant that God made with Abraham started the process and it is in the following verse that we see how God hinted (very subtly) regarding to the 2 parts of His plan.

Genesis 22:15-17 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the STARS of the heaven AND as the SAND which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 

See also: Genesis 13:14 (sand), Genesis 15:4 (stars), Genesis 26:4 (stars), Genesis 28:14 (sand) and Hebrews 11:12, Romans 9:27

In this key verse above we can see that Abrahams descendants are described as being as numerous as the stars and the sea sand. It is interesting to note that the word 'AND' is used instead of the word 'OR'. If 'OR' were to be used in the verse, it would indicate that only one (singular) group of descendants was being described in two different ways. The fact that 'AND' was used means that Abrahams descendant were seen as two separate people groups, one being compared to the number of STARS in the sky and the second being compared to the number of SAND grains on the seashore. The STARS are the group representing the body of Christ, who will inherit the heavenly places, and the SAND are the second group representing the Jews who will inherit the earth (the earthly Kingdom).

The above verse is incredible in itself, but in our next part, we will have a look at some even more incredible connections (similarities or parallels) within these two people groups and tie up the connection between Abraham and Paul.

Click here to continue to part 2