The Bible contains many “I will” statements spoken by God. The first “I will” shows God’s great love for mankind. When God created Adam, he was the only human. There were many animals, but Adam was alone. God saw his loneliness, and it was then that God established the relationship between a man and a woman:

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18).

The marriage relationship between a man and woman is ordained by God. Marriage is so important that God uses it to symbolize the relationship between Christ and His followers…His Bride. After this first “I will” things went wrong; Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

Satan lied to Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit. Adam did too. God’s judgment came and they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Sin entered, death became real, and mankind was separated from God. God directed an “I will” at Satan too:

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

This was a promise of the coming Messiah who would defeat Satan. Satan has done his best to destroy mankind, but he was defeated at the Cross.

The next “I will” was directed at Eve.

“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16).

Eve would have sorrow in childbearing, but because of women bearing children we have hope. Because Mary was obedient to God, she gave birth to our Lord Jesus.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Satan has tormented humanity since the Garden of Eden, but he has never defeated us because of the love that God has for us. Jesus went to the cross and crushed Satan’s head. Satan still tries to defeat humanity, but he has no power over Christians because “God so loved the world” that He bought our redemption with His own blood.

Mankind didn’t learn from the mistakes of Adam and Eve. The rebellion kept going and all flesh became corrupted. Once again the choices of mankind forced God’s judgment.

“And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them” (Genesis 6:7).

Once again, Satan tried to destroy mankind and all flesh was corrupted. This time God’s judgment would come in the form of a flood. Satan’s plan to corrupt all flesh was thwarted because there were still a few who were genetically pure.

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9).

Noah was one who was genetically pure (“perfect in his generations”). Choices that his forefathers had made to walk with God had protected Noah’s genes and the corruption that afflicted the rest of humanity was not in Noah. Jesus told His disciples:

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37).

We see many things today that are comparable to Noah’s day. Violence is escalating, demons are growing more aggressive, genetic manipulation is tainting all flesh, and most people are blind to what’s happening around them.

Throughout this judgment by flood, Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives were in the Ark and were protected because they obeyed God. The good news is that God promised never again destroy the world by flood.

“And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth” (Genesis 9:11).

The flood of Noah was worldwide and worse than any local flooding seen since. The bad news is that God will judge the world again, but by fire.

“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:6-7).

When mankind chooses to sin against God, judgment will come, and all out rebellion is happening today. By studying prophecy we know that our time is running out. Judgment is near. Only faith in Jesus Christ will save you from the coming judgment.

You see, prior to this judgment Christians will be taken Home (raptured) and will not face God’s wrath. The Old Testament gives us a “picture” of this in the person of Noah’s great-grandfather Enoch.

“And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years; and Enoch walked with God: and he was not: for God took him” (Genesis 5:23-24).

Enoch was raptured prior to God’s judgment. This is confirmed by the writer of Hebrews.
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5)

We can please God and avoid His wrath only if our faith is in Jesus Christ.

God made an everlasting promise to Abram (later known as Abraham).

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” Genesis 12:1-3.

The land that God showed him was the land we call Israel. Every day we see news reports of anger and hatred toward God’s chosen people, and know that Satan is still working his evil. Many people are ignorantly willing to curse the children of Abraham for no good reason.

God’s promise that “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” was fulfilled when Jesus stepped into His creation to offer all people salvation through Him. In one of many confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus upset them because He claimed to be God.

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).

By saying He was before Abraham and making the statement “I am”, Jesus proclaimed His deity. Because the Pharisees saw this as blasphemy (claiming to be God), they took up stones to stone Him.

“Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).

Jesus was, is, and always will be God.

The Bible contains numerous “I will” statements from God and we can learn from each one, but we can also learn from the ones Satan made.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou has said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:12-14).

Pride caused Lucifer to fall. For one thing, there is no person or entity who is like “the most High.” Satan’s pride will bring God’s final judgment against him and anyone who follows him.

“Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” (Isaiah 14:15-17).

One day the devil/Satan/Lucifer will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

You might think that he gets what he deserves, and you’d be correct. But there are more who will spend eternity in the lake of fire. All those who have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will one day face God’s Great White Throne judgment.

Anyone who thinks they are good enough on their own merit to enter heaven will be judged by their works. No human can possibly be “good enough” to enter heaven on their own merit. If you think you are good enough, Satan has deceived you. Only the blood of Jesus makes anyone worthy.

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:13-14).

You have a choice as to where you will spend eternity. You can say. “I will follow Christ” and live with Him for eternity or you can say, “I will follow Lucifer” and spend eternity regretting your decision. It’s your choice, but it is an eternal choice. I would suggest following Christ.

Jesus made many “I will” statements. The first was to a couple of fishermen, Peter and Andrew.

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

They did follow Him and He certainly did make them fishers of men. Jesus also wants us to be fishers of men and spread His gospel. A few years later Jesus was approached by a leper who asked for healing.

“And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him” (Luke 5:12-13).

Jesus wants to cleanse all of us and make us whole. He will if we ask Him.

Studying the “I will” statements in the Bible can teach us many lessons, including humility and submission to God. Jesus is God the Son and He entered His creation for a specific purpose. He is our only way of salvation. Even though He was fully God, He was also fully human. He felt pain and knew all that would happen to Him. He would be arrested, brutalized, and crucified. He loved us so much that He was willing to face that torture. The night of His arrest He spent time talking to God the Father.

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39).

Jesus would not have had to face the cross if salvation could be accomplished by any other means. If we could be “good enough,” He wouldn’t have had to shed His blood for us. If following the Law of Moses could save us, then He wouldn’t have had to be our sacrifice.

If being baptized, knocking on doors, attending Mass, or anything other than faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ could offer us salvation — then our Lord would not have had to be crucified for us.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.

There is no other way. Give Him your life right now.

Only a few of the “I will” statements have been looked at here; it would be good to make a proper study of each one. The last one we’ll look at is a promise from Jesus.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

Faith. That isn’t an easy thing to define. But the writer of Hebrews puts it this way:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

The verses which follow this one name some of the people who heard God’s voice and by faith obeyed Him. We read of Abel who gave a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, Enoch whose faith pleased God, Noah who by faith built an Ark and was protected through God’s judgment, Abraham who left his home to go to the land God promised to him, and Sara who gave birth to Isaac even though she was well past her prime.

There are more names on this list and the great things that were accomplished by faith are very impressive. These men and women are examples of how to live out our faith. They all looked forward to something greater that was ahead.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

These men and women were pioneers on a road that would eventually lead to the birth of Jesus Christ. Did those people know that God was more than a mere idol made of wood? Yes. Did they know of God’s plan of salvation? They looked forward to their redemption and were obedient to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us:
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26).

Moses was born to Hebrew parents but raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to leave the riches of Egypt in order to live among his own people. Why? He esteemed “the reproach of Christ” greater than anything in Egypt, yet at his time of history the Messiah was a promise that had yet to be fulfilled. All those listed in the Hall of Faith looked forward to the Messiah’s appearing and believed the promise.

Another person who looked forward to the coming Redeemer was Job. Job is described as a man who was wealthy and loved his children. Job offered burnt sacrifices on their behalf in case they had cursed God. Suddenly Job’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. He lost his wealth, all of his children died, his wife turned on him and he had boils from head to toe. He also had friends who gave him all kinds of bad advice. Job eventually tired of their advice and made this statement:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26).

That’s quite a statement from a man who lived around 2000 BC. Job didn’t think or hope that his Redeemer lived, but he knew. He also knew that one day after he died that he would see God. That’s faith. How did Job know? He paid attention to the invisible things that are clearly seen. Paul wrote to the Romans:

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Although Job lived many centuries before Jesus was born, he had no doubt that his Redeemer lived and he looked forward to seeing God.

The Old Testament contains many prophecies. Some of these prophecies concern the birth, life, and crucifixion of the Messiah. Every one of them was fulfilled by Jesus. In a prophecy in which God directed Isaiah to give to the very wicked King Ahaz, the virgin birth is foretold.

“And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:13-14).

This was told to King Ahaz but directed to the entire House of David. Looking forward we find the fulfillment of this when Mary was obedient to God.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18).

A woman who became pregnant prior to marriage was to be stoned, and Joseph was understandably upset.
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:20-25).

Joseph and Mary would eventually have children together, but until she gave birth to Jesus, she remained a virgin. Bethlehem is where prophecy foretold that the Messiah would be born. There were two cities named Bethlehem but prophecy is specific as to which one would be the birthplace of our Lord.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

This was the City of David near Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but both were descendents of King David. When Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world would be taxed everyone had to return to his own city.

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child” (Luke 2:4-5).

Because all the inns were full, Joseph and Mary stayed in a stable and laid the newborn Savior in a manger. These are but a few of the prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth. There are many more that foretell that Joseph would take Him and Mary to Egypt, that there would be a massive murder of children because Herod wanted to kill the King of kings, that Messiah’s earthly lineage would be through the Tribe of Judah and specifically the line of King David.

All of these prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. The men and women listed Hebrews chapter 11 and the many prophets who were given prophecy from God all looked forward to the coming Messiah. The disciples followed Jesus and wrote eyewitness accounts of what they saw and learned from Him. Peter was a witness to the Transfiguration, which was an amazing thing to see and hear, but he writes that prophecy is more sure.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” ( 2 Peter 1:19-21).

It would have been wonderful to be with Jesus when, after His resurrection, He joined two disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they discussed the events of His death and the empty tomb, Jesus joined them. They didn’t recognize Him, but He listened as they recounted the events of the past week and how they tried to make sense of it all.

The thing they had forgotten to do was to look back into the prophecies that looked forward to the Messiah. The prophecies of His birth were fulfilled, so they should have known that those that foretold His death and resurrection would also be fulfilled. They needed to study the “pictures” God used to show the plan of salvation (the whole book of Ruth, the obedience of Abraham when he went to sacrifice his only son, and many more).

They had looked forward to the Messiah, but couldn’t comprehend that prophecy had been fulfilled before their eyes. Are we any different? Today we see end time prophecies being fulfilled but cannot comprehend that we are living in times foretold.

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25

Prophecy is given to mankind in order to help us understand the future…or to understand the times in which we live.

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

What a Bible study that must have been! The thing is this: It is available to us today. All we have to do is look back into Scripture and study. There is no excuse for not believing that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, our Redeemer, God incarnate. There is no excuse for being blind to the times in which we live.
“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45).

Philip recognized Him because he had understood the Law and the prophets. Then he shared his discovery with Nathanael. Have you found Him? If so, share Him with others. Jesus’ words to His disciples just before He ascended need to be heeded by each Christian today.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We are His witnesses. It is up to each one of us to look back and study: “Moses in the law, and the prophets” and tell others that we found Him. We also need to study prophecy and look forward to His calling us in the Rapture, and warn those who reject Jesus what they will face (according to prophecy during Daniel’s 70th week).

Study that prophecy and Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse. Study the book of the Revelation and warn those who are lost. God does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to redemption through Jesus. There is no other way.

Look back into prophecy in order to look forward and know what is soon to take place.

God bless you all,
Nathele Graham