Types of Promises His promises are of two types: some are unconditional, and others are conditional. An example of an unconditional promise is found in Genesis 9:11 in the words that God spoke to Noah and his sons after the flood: “And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off anymore by the waters of a flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth.” An example of a conditional promise is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” B. Distinction of Promises Some of God’s promises are to be fulfilled in the future, some are being fulfilled now, and some have already been fulfilled. 1. An example of a promise relating to the future is Isaiah 2:4: “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” God, through Isaiah, was speaking of the time following the return of Christ, when Jesus will set up his millennial kingdom--because Jesus said, in Matthew 24:6-7 that until he comes again there will “wars and rumors of wars” and he said that “nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” 2. Isaiah 7:14 is a promise that has already been fulfilled: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” That promise, of course, was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. 3. An example of a promise being fulfilled now, in our present generation, is 2 Timothy 3:1: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” And the verses which follow describe sinful attitudes and actions which are rampant in our day and age. C. Intention of Promises Some of God’s promises were intended only for the specific individuals to whom they were given--such as the promise that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 12:2: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” That applied to Abraham, and Abraham only. But many other promises are intended for all people of all generations--such as Revelation 22:17: “...whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”