A Biography Of Abraham: Abrahamic Religions

As we've explained in detail in this series, Abraham lived long before Israelites, Jews and many of the Arab nations existed - Abraham was not one of them, genetically or religiously, but rather they were descendants of Abraham. As revealed in the quotes below, much of the Israelite, Jewish, Arab and Christian world, who differ greatly in their politics and religion, nevertheless each claim Abraham as their genetic, political and religious patriarch (the English word "patriotism" originated from the same root word as "patriarch" i.e. "patriotism" means political and/or religious faithfulness to the father).

To get some idea of the present "Babylon" (see also What And Where Is Babylon Today?) world's conflicting and error-riddled views of, and claims to, Abraham, consider these summaries from an online encyclopedia (the choice of verse references are their own):

A "Jewish" View:

"For Jews, Abraham is, through Isaac and Jacob, the founding patriarch of the children of Israel. God promised Abraham: "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you."[Gen. 12:2] With Abraham, God entered into "an everlasting covenant throughout the ages to be God to you and to your offspring to come."[Gen. 17:7]

Abraham is primarily a revered ancestor or patriarch (referred to as Avraham Avinu in Hebrew - "Abraham our father") to whom God made several promises: chiefly, that he would have numberless descendants, who would receive the land of Canaan (the "Promised Land"). According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was the first post-Flood prophet to reject idolatry through rational analysis, although Shem and Eber carried on the tradition from Noah." (A brief excerpt from the Wikipedia article "Abrahamic Religions" on June 23 2012).

A "Christian" View:

"Christians view Abraham as an important exemplar of faith, and a spiritual, as well as physical, ancestor of Jesus - a Jew considered the Son of God through whom God promised to bless all the families of the earth. For Christians, Abraham is a spiritual forebear as well as/rather than a direct ancestor depending on the individual's interpretation of Paul the Apostle, [Rom. 4:9-12] with the Abrahamic Covenant "reinterpreted so as to be defined by faith in Christ rather than biological descent" or both by faith as well as a direct ancestor; in any case, the emphasis is placed on faith being the only requirement for the Abrahamic Covenant to apply. In Christian belief, Abraham is a role model of faith, [Heb. 11:8-10] and his obedience to God by offering Isaac is seen as a foreshadowing of God's offering of his son Jesus. [Rom. 8:32].

The tendency of Christian commentators to interpret God's promises to Abraham as applying to Christianity rather than Judaism, whose adherents rejected Jesus, is derived from Paul's interpretation of all descendants who believe in God as being spiritual descendants of Abraham. [Rom. 4:20] [Gal. 4:9]. However, in both cases he refers to these spiritual descendants as the "sons of God" [Gal. 4:26] rather than "children of Abraham." (A brief excerpt from the Wikipedia article "Abrahamic Religions" on June 23 2012)

A "Muslim" View:

"For Muslims, Abraham is a prophet, the "messenger of God" who stands in the line from Noah to Muhammad, to whom Allah gave revelations, [Quran 4:163], who "raised the foundations of the House" (i.e. the Kaaba)[Quran 2:127] with his first son, Isma'il, a symbol of which is every mosque. Ibrahim (Abraham) is the first in a genealogy for Muhammad. Islam considers Abraham to be "one of the first Muslims" (Surah 3) - the first monotheist in a world where monotheism was lost, and the community of those faithful to God, thus being referred to as "Our Father Abraham", as well as Ibrahim al-Hanif or "Abraham the Monotheist". Islam holds that it was Ishmael, (Isma'il, Muhammad's ancestor) rather than Isaac, whom Ibrahim was instructed to sacrifice. In addition to this spiritual lineage, the northern Adnani Arab tribes trace their lineage to Isma'il, and thus to Abraham. Abraham is also recalled in certain details of Muslim Hajj (pilgrimage)." (A brief excerpt from the Wikipedia article "Abrahamic Religions" on June 23 2012).

"Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham"

The Holy Scriptures provide two genealogical listings for the Messiah - one by Matthew, who was a Jew, and one by Luke, who was a Gentile. Matthew's listing begins with Abraham - the typical and customary Jewish reckoning of the Messiah's ancestry.

"^1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

^1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; ^1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar [see Who Were The First Jews?]; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; ^1:4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; ^1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth [see The Messianic Role Of Naomi, Ruth And Boaz]; and Obed begat Jesse; ^1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; ^1:7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; ^1:8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; ^1:9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; ^1:10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; ^1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

^1:12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; ^1:13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; ^1:14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; ^1:15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; ^1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

^1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David [see A History Of Jerusalem: The City Of David] are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." (Matthew 1:1-17 KJV)

Luke, who was a Gentile, wrote two books of the Bible - the Gospel book of Luke and the Book of Acts, both of which were actually epistles, letters, to a man named Theophilus (Luke 1:1-3, Acts 1:1; see The Gospel By The Gentile). Luke, a Gentile, didn't list the ancestry of Jesus Christ as merely the Jewish reckoning from Abraham. Luke went beyond Abraham, right to Adam, then to God - just as Abraham himself would have done.

"^3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph [see Primogeniture and Descent], which was the son of Heli, ^3:24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, ^3:25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, ^3:26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, ^3:27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, ^3:28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, ^3:29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, ^3:30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, ^3:31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, ^3:32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, ^3:33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, ^3:34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, ^3:35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, ^3:36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, ^3:37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, ^3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam [see The Church In The Garden], which was the son of God." (Luke 3:23-38 KJV)

"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"

Many people regard themselves as "the chosen people" (i.e. one of the three major "Abrahamic" religions) merely because of their happenstance birth; they base their supposed favor in the eyes of God solely on ancestry or nationality - something that Abraham never did. All of the three major "Abrahamic" religions do it. But the warning is the same to all of them: "think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."

"^3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea [see The Ministries Of The Two Greatest Prophets], ^3:2 And saying, Repent ye [see Christ Died For Repentant Sinners]: for the kingdom of heaven [see The Constitution Of The Kingdom Of God] is at hand. ^3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

^3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey [see What Was Strange About John The Baptist?]. ^3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, ^3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

^3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ^3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance [see The Manner Of Fruit]: ^3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. ^3:10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

^3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire [see Moriah: Separating The Wheat From The Chaff; also David's Altar]: ^3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:1-12 KJV)

Salvation is open to anyone who truly obeys the true Word of God. Invented religions, or perversions of the true religion, are worthless in the eyes of the LORD.

"^8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum [see Why Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth And Capernaum?; also The Cities Of Lake Galilee], there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, ^8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

^8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

^8:8 The centurion [see also Legions Of Men And Angels] answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. ^8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

^8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ^8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven [see When And Where Your Eternal Life Will Begin]. ^8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

^8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." (Matthew 8:5-13 KJV)

The reason that the religious authorities rejected the Messiah was because He truly obeyed the Word of God - not their self-worshipping traditions and political sycophantism.

"^22:15 Then went the Pharisees [see also The Passed Over Pharisees], and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. ^22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians [see A History Of Jerusalem: The Herodian Dynasty], saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. ^22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

^22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? ^22:19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. ^22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

^22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's [see A History Of Jerusalem: Pompey And The Caesars].

Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

^22:22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

^22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, ^22:24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. ^22:25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: ^22:26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. ^22:27 And last of all the woman died also. ^22:28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

^22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. ^22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. ^22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, ^22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living [see The Church: Mission Accomplished].

^22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine." (Matthew 22:15-33 KJV)

Many of the parables of the Messiah were warnings that the only way to salvation is the Way that the LORD declares it to be. The parable of "Lazarus and the rich man" is moreover about everyone who ignores God's Law when they otherwise could have understood and obeyed it (see Parables Of Jesus Christ: Lazarus And The Rich Man).

"^16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: ^16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, ^16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

^16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; ^16:23 And in hell [see Hell Fire Of The Past And Future] he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ^16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

^16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. ^16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

^16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: ^16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

^16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

^16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

^16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31 KJV)

Many of the teachings of the Messiah are actually a progression of a single point. Notice how the incident of Zacchaeus in Jericho flowed into a lesson about the Kingdom of God - and how, like Zacchaeus, people must follow the LORD as Abraham did.

"^19:1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ^19:2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. ^19:3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. ^19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

^19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. ^19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

^19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

^19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

^19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. ^19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

^19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. ^19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return [see The Seals Of Prophecy and Parables Of The Messiah's Return]. ^19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

^19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

^19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

^19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

^19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

^19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

^19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

^19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: ^19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

^19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: ^19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

^19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

^19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

^19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. ^19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke 19:1-27 KJV)

As we've covered in this series, Abraham understood that "far country" parable/prophecy because he lived it.

"^11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. ^11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: ^11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10 KJV)

"If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham"

Many of the people of Judah (just as many of the people of the other "Abrahamic" religions) claim to be "saved" by means of nothing more than their birth. But the Messiah rebuked all of the Abrahamic religions with the statement "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." Abraham wouldn't recognize the religions of "Judaism," "Islam," or Christ-rejected "Christianity."

"^8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ^8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

^8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

^8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ^8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. ^8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. ^8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. ^8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

^8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father.

Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. ^8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. ^8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." (John 8:31-41 KJV)

When the LORD spoke with Abraham, he got humility and obedience in return. When He spoke to those who make their own religions, in Abraham's name (including those who make their own religions in Christ's Name), He got defiance and rebellion.

"^8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. ^8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. ^8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. ^8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. ^8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? ^8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." (John 8:42-47 KJV)

When the Messiah told them plainly "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (see Appearances Of The LORD God) - they tried to murder Him.

"^8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

^8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. ^8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. ^8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

^8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. ^8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

^8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: ^8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. ^8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

^8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

^8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am [see What Does Word of God Mean To You? and Appearances Of The LORD God]. ^8:59 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 8:48-59 KJV)

Consider the vast difference between Abraham, and the religions that claim Abraham as their "father."

"^3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ^3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. ^3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. ^3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (Galatians 3:6-9 KJV)

People become true followers of God in the same way that Abraham did. If Abraham were alive today, he would have nothing to do with "Judaism," "Islam," or Christ-rejecting "Christianity.

"^3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ^3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ^3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. ^3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29 KJV)

Some have even perverted Abraham's faith into a doctrine of lawlessness.

"^6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ^6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ^6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ^6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life [see Christ Died For Repentant Sinners].

^6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ^6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Romans 6:1-6 KJV)

Abraham was born in Babylon. His father Terah was an idol worshipper. But when the LORD revealed the Truth to Abraham, Abraham began a journey of obedience to the LORD. Abraham did not create a religion for himself.

"^11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went [see The Journey From Ur Of The Chaldees]. ^11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: ^11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God [see The Constitution Of The Kingdom Of God]." (Hebrews 11:8-10 KJV)

The very basis of the "faith chapter" of the Bible, Hebrews 11, is perseverance in obedience (see Lessons Of Perseverance And Faith).

"^11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised [see A Biography Of Abraham: Sarah]. ^11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

^11:13 These all died [see What Does The Bible Really Say About Your Soul?] 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. ^11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. ^11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. ^11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

^11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac [see A Biography Of Abraham: Isaac]: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. ^11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: ^11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." (Hebrews 11:11-19 KJV)

The statement from the Wikipedia article quoted above, "faith being the only requirement for the Abrahamic Covenant to apply," is incorrect. Abraham was a man of obedient faith in the True Word of God.

"^2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone [see Works Means Obedience].

^2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

^2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

^2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ^2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? ^2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ^2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. ^2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:17-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: (a) Who invented the present-day Church of Rome/Protestant churches? (b) Who invented the Muslim religion? (c) Who invented the present-day Jewish religion?
(a) See Constantine's Crusades In History And Prophecy
(b) See A History Of Jerusalem: Constantine and Muhammad
(c) See How Did The Messiah's Levite Priesthood Change?

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This Day In History, June 24

79: Vespasian, Roman emperor from 69-79 and founder of the Flavian dynasty, died (see A History Of Jerusalem: Pompey And The Caesars; also Whatever Happened To Those Romans?).

109: The Aqua Traiana was inaugurated by Roman Emperor Trajan. The aqueduct delivers water from Lake Bracciano, 40 kilometers / 25 miles from Rome.

637: The Battle of Moira, the largest battle in the history of Ireland. The High King of Ireland fought the Kings of Ulster and Dalriada.

1292: Adolf of Nassau was crowned as German king at Aachen.

1310: Solomon ben Abraham Adret died at age 75. The religious leader of Spanish Jews of his time, he is remembered partly for his 1305 decree threatening to excommunicate all Jews under 30 (except medical students) who studied philosophy or science.

1322: Jews were expelled from France.

1340: During the Hundred Years war, the British fleet battled the French at Sluys.

1441: Eton College in England was founded by King Henry VI.

1497: John Cabot, navigator and explorer, sighted Cape Breton Island and claimed North America for England.

1509: Henry VIII was crowned king of England, the second monarch from the House of Tudor.

1527: King Gustavus of Sweden assembled the Diet of Wester's for the purpose of carrying through the Protestant Reformation in Sweden.

1534: French explorer Jacques Cartier landed on what is today Prince Edward Island, Canada.

1604: Samuel de Champlain discovered the mouth of the Saint John River, site of Reversing Falls and the present day city of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

1611: Henry Hudson, his son, and several sick men were set adrift in present-day Hudson Bay by mutineers. After more than a year at sea, the crew of Hudson's ship, the Discovery, were afraid of going any further. Nothing is known of Hudson's fate. The only record of the voyage and mutiny is an account by Abacuk Pricket, a survivor of the Discovery.

1664: New Jersey, named after the Isle of Jersey in Britain's Channel Islands, was founded.

1812: During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon's Grande Armée crossed the Neman River, thereby beginning the invasion of Russia.

1813: The Battle of Beaver Dams during the War of 1812 (1812-1814). After being warned by Laura Secord of an impending U.S. attack on a British outpost at Beaver Dams, about 500 U.S. invaders, including their commander, were taken prisoner after a firefight. The site of the battle was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1921.

1916: During the First World War (listen to our Sermon The European World Wars), the First Battle of the Somme began. More than 1 million men were killed during the five-month battle.

1947: U.S. pilot Ken Arnold reported seeing strange objects in the sky over Mount Rainier (in Washington State) looking like "saucers skipping across the water." The incident led to the first use of the term "flying saucers."

1948: The Soviet Union began the Berlin Blockade.

1985: Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud became the first Arab, and first Muslim, in space, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

1994: The European Union and Russia signed a landmark friendship accord in Corfu, Greece.

2002: The Igandu train disaster in Tanzania killed 281 people, the worst train accident in African history.