“And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:8)

The word “everlasting” means without end, forever and ever. The only things that are forever and ever, without end, are God and His Kingdom; for His is an Everlasting Kingdom.

Notice Ephesians 3:21:

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Paul is saying in this verse,

1. There is no end to God.
2. There is no end to His Glory (His Honor).
3. There is no end to the Church – Christ’s Dwelling Place, His Throne.

What did God say to Abraham and to his seed (his spiritual seed) would be an “everlasting possession”? It was “the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan.”

Is God speaking of a physical land or a spiritual land?

Many today say God spoke of a physical land, what is known today as the State of Israel. But, those who believe this also say the world is coming to an end. If indeed the world ceases as we know it, then how could this be an everlasting possession?

Many contend that God’s Everlasting Covenant was to the Jews only, and that it was all physical.

However, if you review the details of the Everlasting Covenant (please see the previous devotions), Genesis 17:2-5 has to do with “Perception”; a walk of righteousness and holiness, which only comes when a person is regenerated by the Spirit of God – and this process is Spiritual.

The second detail was of “Prophecy”; of Abraham’s being fruitful, “nations of thee, and kings” (Genesis 17:6); which led to King Jesus (Matthew 1:1-21), Who is the King of a Spiritual Kingdom. (See Ephesians 2:20-22; Luke 17:21; Romans 14:17.)

The third detail of the Everlasting Covenant is “Personal”; directed to the individuals. God would be the God of Abraham and of Abraham’s seed (Genesis 17:7). That is Spiritual.

Now comes the fourth detail, it is “the land,” to be “an everlasting possession.”

This must be Spiritual also; for only God and His Kingdom are everlasting. (See Daniel 4:34; 7:27; Luke 1:33; Revelation 1:11, 18.)

So what could “the land” represent?

Read Hebrews 11:8-16; note in verse 8, Abraham was called of God to go out to “a place,” which he would receive as an inheritance. In verse 9, “…he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country…” This is the same as Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs of the same Promise. Continue reading in Hebrews 11:

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

Note in verse 10, Abraham had the land physically, but he “looked for” that city whose builder and maker is God. So he looked for a Spiritual City.

“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)

So what were “the promises”? See Hebrews 11:14, “… they seek a country (a land).” Verse 16 further explains this “country” that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob looked for:

“But now they desire a better country (better than the physical land), that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he (God) hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16)

Therefore, “the land” promised to Abraham and his seed (of faith) was “a city,” prepared by God.

First, that “city” is the Kingdom of God, which is Spiritual:

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Ephesians 2:20)

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:” (Ephesians 2:21)

“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

According to Hebrews 12:22-23, this “city” is: “…mount Sion… the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…” – it is Spiritual.

See also Galatians 4:20-31; especially verses 24-26:

“Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.” (Galatians 4:24)

“For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.” (Galatians 4:25)

“But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:26)

Look in Revelation 21:

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2)

“…Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Revelation 21:9)

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” (Revelation 21:10)

And see in Ephesians:

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32)

Therefore, it is Spiritual.

Second, the Citizens of this City are Spiritual. See Hebrews 12:22-23:

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” (Hebrews 12:22)

“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,” (Hebrews 12:23)

Also see Ephesians 3:1-21; 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 3:25-29; 2 Peter 1:1-4, 11; Revelation 21:27; Ephesians 2:19-22.

Third, the Law of the Kingdom, or of the City, is Love; which is Spiritual. (See Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:11-24; 4:7-21.)

Fourth, the Power of this City, or of this Kingdom, is the Holy Spirit; Who is Spiritual. (See 1 Corinthians 1:24; Philippians 4:13; Romans 1:4.) The Resurrected Christ is the Power of God (Matthew 28:18).

Fifth, the King of this City is Christ (Revelation 21:1-27; Ephesians 3:21; Luke 1:31-35).

There can be no doubt that the Everlasting Covenant was speaking of the City of God, Mount Sion, the Church of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, the Lamb’s Wife.

The Church, Christ’s Body, is our Everlasting Possession. We are one in Him forever and ever. See John 14:3; 17:21-24; especially John 17:24, where Christ is One with the Father. This is where we are – to behold the Glory of God – to be heirs of God, even joint-heirs of Jesus Christ.