Posted by Sherwood on Fri - Jul 11 - 09:46am:
Who are the Joint Heirs with Christ? A favorably disposed christian is a joint heir with christ and their reward is that which was promised to Abraham. That reward was the Promise Land in an Earthly abode, not a Heavenly abode. In the bible there is NO SUCH SAYING as "Going To Heaven" when you die. It is a false teaching to say christians will "go to heaven," "get to heaven," "reside in heaven" or "rule in heaven." The scriptures do not ever promise a existence in heaven for any humans. We are made for the earth and the scriptures promise the faithful to christ, everlasting life on the earth. You have the opportunity to intimately call Jehovah (english), "Abba, Father!”
The "International Critical Commentary on Romans" (pp. 109, 111) states regarding the Apostle Paul expressions toward Abraham:
"The promise made to Abraham and his descendants of worldwide Messianic rule..." "The promise is that through Christ Abraham should enjoy worldwide dominion...the right to universal dominion." That promise is extended to all who accept the terms of the Gospel (Act 8:12).
The central doctrine or expression of faith to Israel is seen in the promise Jehovah gave to Abraham. That central doctrine is seen in the promised seed whom is Christ. Christ, the seed, offers the faithful the Kingdom of God (synonym for Kingdom of the Heavens). It is a universal promise for all mankind to have the opportunity to live on earth forever.
Note that none of these scripture references offer heaven as the inheritance or reward for being a 'heir' with the promise seed, Jesus Christ.
Romans 4:13-14
13 For it was not through law that Abraham or his seed had the promise that he should be heir of a world, but it was through the righteousness by faith. 14 For if those who adhere to law are heirs, faith has been made useless and the promise has been abolished.
Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons. 15 For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together.
Galatians 3:26-29
26 YOU are all, in fact, sons of God through YOUR faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.
Ephesians 1:8-14
This he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and good sense, 9 in that he made known to us the sacred secret of his will. It is according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself 10 for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. [Yes,] in him, 11 in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels, 12 that we should serve for the praise of his glory, we who have been first to hope in the Christ. 13 But YOU also hoped in him after YOU heard the word of truth, the good news about YOUR salvation. By means of him also, after YOU believed, YOU were sealed with the promised holy spirit, 14 which is a token in advance of our inheritance, for the purpose of releasing by a ransom [God’s] own possession, to his glorious praise.
Titus 3:4-7
4 However, when the kindness and the love for man on the part of our Savior, God, was manifested, 5 owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit. 6 This [spirit] he poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that, after being declared righteous by virtue of the undeserved kindness of that one, we might become heirs according to a hope of everlasting life.
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 For when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could not swear by anyone greater, he swore by himself, 14 saying: “Assuredly in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And thus after [Abraham] had shown patience, he obtained [this] promise. 16 For men swear by the one greater, and their oath is the end of every dispute, as it is a legal guarantee to them. 17 In this manner God, when he purposed to demonstrate more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his counsel, stepped in with an oath, 18 in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to lay hold on the hope set before us. 19 This [hope] we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm, and it enters in within the curtain, 20 where a forerunner has entered in our behalf, Jesus, who has become a high priest according to the manner of Mel·chiz'e·dek forever.
James 2:5
5 Listen, my beloved brothers. God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to those who love him, did he not?
1 Peter 3:7
7 YOU husbands, continue dwelling in like manner with them according to knowledge, assigning them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one, since YOU are also heirs with them of the undeserved favor of life, in order for YOUR prayers not to be hindered.
The promise to Abraham can be yours. - Posted by Sherwood - Fri - Jul 11 - 09:46am