This is one of the most difficult subjects I have to tell. Had I not experienced it, I wouldn't dare attempt it.

God's promise is true; he who promised it is faithful, and is being fulfilled in every being in this world and the unnumbered beings to come. The first statement of it, you find in Genesis 17. We are told on the surface that Abraham was 99 and he was promised an heir, a son. If you are familiar with the story, he had a son who was described as a "wild ass" in the 16th chapter. That one was born of a servant of the household of Abraham, born of Hagar, born of a slave; and the Lord said unto her: "You will have a son and his name will be Ishmael ("God hears"). He shall be a wild ass of a man; his hand against every man and every man's hand against him.

Abraham wanted a son born of Sarai. He was 99 and she was 90. This is all symbolism. He was told he would have a son and his name would be Isaac ("he laughs"). Then we are told that God fulfilled his promise, and he who was 99 and she 90 brought into this world a son called Isaac. That is the first suggestion of God's promise to man. Prior to that, everything was preparatory, how to prepare man. To prepare us for this moment in time that we would become receptive enough, sensitive enough, to receive this promise.