The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 4: The Unfolding of Time, Part 1 • 131

This prophecy, as Irenaeus called the passage, explained the delay in the fulfillment of God’s promises, and foretold future blessings. Through their faith in Christ, he explained, believers would become co-heirs of the promises of God. “Although God promised Abraham the inheritance of the land,” explained Irenaeus, “he did not receive it during the time of his sojourn there. Yet, together with his seed—those who fear God and believe in Him—he shall receive it at the resurrection of the just.” 26 “For it is necessary,” Irenaeus continued, “for the righteous first to receive the promise of the inheritance which God promised to the fathers, and later to reign in it, when they rise again to behold God in this creation which is renovated, after which the judgment takes place.” 27 “It is only right,” he concluded, “that in that same creation in which they toiled or were afflicted, being proven by their suffering, they should receive the reward of their suffering; and that in the creation in which they were slain because of their love of God, in that they should be raised again; and that in the creation in which they endured slavery—there they should reign. For God is rich in all things, and all things are His. It is fitting, therefore, that the creation itself, being restored to its original condition, should be ruled by the righteous with none to oppose them.” 28 Irenaeus’s hearers were silent, and I wondered if they were permitted to ask questions. Perhaps they did not

26 Irenaeus, Against Heresies , V.XXXII (ANF 1, 561).

27 See previous note.

28 See previous note.