← Back
1

What did Jesus mean by, "Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day, he saw it and was glad?"

When did Abraham 'see the day' of Jesus? Was it when Abraham was alive on Earth, after his death, or in our future?

John 8:56

ESV - 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.

Clarify Share Report Asked May 25 2015 Data Dan Hamman Supporter

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

8
Q jcryle001 JD Abshire Supporter
There’s no doubt Abraham saw the future day of Christ through the eyes of faith (Hebrews 11:8-13). Job prophesied in 19:25-27: “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: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job knew of the self existing “I am”, the redeemer, that this redeemer would one day visit planet earth. Job also believed in a physical resurrection of his body and one day he would see God with his own eyes.

Consider the account of Abraham’s meeting with Melchisedec / Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18-20 “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

1. Melchizedek was “King of Salem” (location generally accepted as Jerusalem) 2. He brought bread and wine. 3. Priest of the most high God. 4. He blessed Abraham. 5. Abraham reciprocated by giving Melchizedek “tithes of all”. Although the Genesis account doesn’t give us much information about Melchizedek the apostle Paul writes of him considerablly in the book of Hebrews 5, 6 and 7. 

“For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” (Hebrews 7:1-4) 

Who aside from The Lord himself can meet this description? (without father, mother, without descent, no beginning or end, a continual priest). I am convinced that Abraham looked upon, communed with and shared bread and wine with the theophanic Alpha and Omega, the Lord of Hosts, Yahweh, the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ!

Genesis 18:1 records another meeting between The Lord and Abraham. V.1-2 “And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,” Strong’s concordance defines the word LORD in this context as “Yehovah” Jehovah = "the existing One".

“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. (Genesis 18:10). From v. 11-13 we understand that both Abraham and Sarah were old, Sarah was going through menopause, so conception was not a viable option without divine intervention. When Sarah heard this she laughed to herself. In v. 13 The Lord repeated the very thoughts imagined by Sarah to Abram asking why she laughed. “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:14) (See also the fulfillment of this promise which occurred not none months but one year later in Genesis 21).

I believe there is overwhelming evidence that Abraham not only believed in the future coming Messiah but that he was also graced with the very presence of The King of Kings and Lord of Lords during his lifetime. After all, is there anything too hard for The Lord?

May 27 2015 7 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining