Your exceedingly great reward
Paul said that Abraham became the heir of the world through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13. This righteousness was revealed when the word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield [of faith], your exceedingly great reward." Gen 15:1.
Abraham received faith to believe that Yahweh the Son would become his Son after the flesh. Furthermore, he believed that the life of the Son of God would become his life, and the life of his children, as an eternal inheritance. The Lord likened the children of Abraham-all the nations of the earth who were blessed in him – to the stars of heaven. They would be numerous, and they would be full of the light of life. Heb 11:12. Abraham"s children would be the citizens of the new heavens and earth. Gen 15:4-5. Because Abraham believed this word of promise, Yahweh accounted it to him for righteousness. Gen 15:6.
These promises were made to Abraham and to his Seed. Further clarifying this point, Paul wrote, "He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ". Gal 3:16.
Contrasting Jesus with the "first man", Paul called Him "the last Adam", and described Him as "a life-giving Spirit". 1Co 15:45. Jesus was not a Son of Adam, for He did not receive His identity through the process of procreation. Neither did He receive His identity from the Father when He was begotten as the Son of God. Christ"s identity preceded His birth as the Son of God, as well as His conception as the Son of Man. This is a most significant point. The Son of Man"s conception and birth occurred through an entirely different process from procreation. It was through incarnation, by the word of God the Father. Joh 1:14.
Abraham received faith to believe that Yahweh the Son would become his Son after the flesh. Furthermore, he believed that the life of the Son of God would become his life, and the life of his children, as an eternal inheritance. The Lord likened the children of Abraham-all the nations of the earth who were blessed in him – to the stars of heaven. They would be numerous, and they would be full of the light of life. Heb 11:12. Abraham"s children would be the citizens of the new heavens and earth. Gen 15:4-5. Because Abraham believed this word of promise, Yahweh accounted it to him for righteousness. Gen 15:6.
These promises were made to Abraham and to his Seed. Further clarifying this point, Paul wrote, "He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ". Gal 3:16.
Contrasting Jesus with the "first man", Paul called Him "the last Adam", and described Him as "a life-giving Spirit". 1Co 15:45. Jesus was not a Son of Adam, for He did not receive His identity through the process of procreation. Neither did He receive His identity from the Father when He was begotten as the Son of God. Christ"s identity preceded His birth as the Son of God, as well as His conception as the Son of Man. This is a most significant point. The Son of Man"s conception and birth occurred through an entirely different process from procreation. It was through incarnation, by the word of God the Father. Joh 1:14.
