The prolonged waiting period must have been quite distressing for Abraham and Sarah. But when the promise was fulfilled it was majestic. Not only was Isaac born, but also a number of other children (by Keturah)—and this from a man past the age of having children. Also, Abraham is the father of all who are part of Jesus Christ. Since it is entirely possible that Christ will continue to increase throughout eternity, the promise will be fulfilled literally that Abraham will have descendants as numerous as the stars and the grains of sand.

The same is true of us. The fulfillment of the promises God makes to us in His Word and also personally will be fulfilled to the same astonishing extent, that is, if we wait personally for God and do not settle for an Ishmael of our own making.

I think it happens that Christians dash forth today to try to do something for God before they get their marching orders from the Lord. We must keep in mind that the promises were fulfilled through Isaac, not Ishmael.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. (Hebrews 11:13—NIV)

"These people were still living by faith when they died." When it says in Thessalonians that the "dead in Christ shall rise," I do not believe this means all who have taken the "four steps of salvation" shall rise. I think "the dead in Christ" refers to those who were still living by faith when they died.

This may not be true of all the believers of today who die. They may never in their lifetime as a churchgoer have really lived by the faith of the patriarchs and apostles, only as a dutiful churchgoer who never did follow the Spirit of God; who never really did deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. Rather his church membership was similar to that of belonging to any other social club or group. A new creation never truly was brought forth. Following Jesus cost him little or nothing.

The believer who has denied himself for the Gospel's sake is the one who has died in the faith. His life has been pointed toward the reward that will be his because of setting aside all for the Lord. Those who have been thus disciplined know well what I am talking about.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:14-16—NIV)

This passage would appear to support the idea that the patriarchs were looking for a country in Heaven. As we pointed out, up to the time of the writing of the Book of Hebrews the people of God were waiting for the heavenly city to come.

To be continued.