The first six promises of the Abrahamic promise/covenant (Gen 12:2-3a) all pertain primarily to national blessing for Abraham’s descendants who are counted through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the nation of Israel – and will be fulfilled in an entirely still yet future way through the covenants (land, Davidic, and new) in those people who are both of faith and of the physical lineage of Abraham (Rom 4:12) – believing Jews alive at the time of fulfillment. The church, on the other hand (which, of course, includes many Jewish people) is seeing blessing rooted in the seventh aspect of the Abrahamic promise/covenant – that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him (Gen 12:3b). While this last aspect speaks of gentile blessing ultimately through the Messiah, the church age coincides with (at least the present era of) the times of the gentiles.
In a very real sense one could say that the first six promises will find their fulfillment through the One who paid for the new covenant, will rule in the Davidic covenant, and who will raise and rule Israel victorious in the land promised in the land covenant.
The seventh promise of blessing for those not physically descended from Abraham but spiritually descended (Rom 4:16) is likewise realized in that same Messiah. Consequently, present day blessings enjoyed by the church are more related to the seventh promise, and not the first six, though God is using the seventh to help bring about the other six (i.e., Rom 11).
While there are present and future elements of fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise/covenant in all seven of its aspects, the first six will find their ultimate fulfillment in three covenants (land, Davidic, new) that are not currently being fulfilled in any way, but the arrangements of each have already been made and communicated.
The land boundaries of future fulfillment have been stated (Gen 15), and the conditions for Israel’s possession of these lands includes the context of a lasting Davidic kingdom (2 Sam 7:16), a tenure in the land which will never be interrupted (2 Sam 7:10) once fulfillment takes place, and further, Israel’s possession coincides with a spiritual renewal accomplished by God, which is the fulfillment of the new covenant (Deut 30:5-6, Jer 31:31-34).
That God will keep all of these covenants in a very literal way in the future is a basis of great hope for believers today. If God has a grand plan throughout history of accomplishing His promises, and He works intricately through history to fulfill that plan, then when He makes promises to you and I, we have further assurance (by His plan of covenant fulfillment) that He intends to fulfill His promises to us and that He has the power to do it.
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. –Romans 11:33-36
