Hebrews 9:16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Since a testament is in force, like all good last will and testaments, an executor of the estate must be named. Since these promises we are looking at are from God then the only one who has the power to enforce those promises is God Himself. We see this to be true in the naming of the Holy Spirit as the executor of the estate.

John 15:26, 16:7 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

As executor the Holy Spirit has the power and authority to execute the terms and conditions of the last will and testament. What, wait, there are terms and conditions? Well yes, because Jesus Christ is God and perfect in performance, His estate planning thinks of everything. See this in a worldly sense, would it be sensible to leave a six million dollar home to a son who could not pay the taxes on the property?

Beneficiaries have a fiduciary responsibility to the estate to be good stewards to that which is bequeathed to them. The executor has the power to oversee and intercede on the behalf of the estate to bring stewards into compliance.

Perhaps that would be better understood in viewing the promises themselves. In this, because we named one in the opening of this series, let us address this one first. The remission of sins as identified in Matthew 26:28.

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The Greek word in use here for testament is dietheke Strong’s number G1241 which has a primary definition of a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will.

Now here is the man Jesus Christ who has no home, no wife, no children, no property, and no earthly possessions. This begs me to ask what can He bequeath and who is named in the will?

Since the man Jesus Christ had nothing of earthly value, then that only leaves the Son of God to bequeath anything. This series will identify the disposition of His will, His last will and testament, the new testament.

Because Jesus revealed His blood as being the offering for the remission of sin here in the opening verse, we should examine that verse to identify what is listed in that will. The first thing I noticed there is the use of the word many. This denotes conditional acceptance into the list of beneficiaries, not everyone will be named.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We find the qualifying statement in the best known bible scripture. You see just “John 3:16” at the football game, it does not have to be quoted, it is that well known. So we have the qualifying statement for beneficiaries, but what do they get Johnny?

Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Our inheritance is, you guessed it, the promises.