God's plan of redemption began when he "'put emnity . . . between your seed and her seed'" (Ge 3:15). Moses said, "'The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance'" (Dt 32:9). Israel was the product of Eve's seed because "she was the mother of all the living" (Ge 3:20). Moses said that Israel was "'Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness'" (Dt 9:26). "We [also] have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11). "Since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions . . . those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal promise" (Heb 9:15).
God has "qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints" (Col 1:12) which is an "inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Eph 5:5). We are "to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven" (1Pe 1:4). "The reward of the inheritance . . . is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Col 3:24). We have been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1Pe 1:3). We are therefore to "hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end" (Heb 3:6). "We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end" (:14).
Paul said that the Lord "will award to me on that day [a crown] . . . but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2Ti 4:8). But they had a "need of endurance" (Heb 10:36) in order that they "may receive what was promised" (:36). "Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord . . . [and] strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (Ja 5:7-8). For if the vision "tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay" (Hab 2:3). In a very little while, He who is coming, will come, and will not delay" (Heb 10:37). "Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Nu 23:19). "The Lord is not slow about His promise" (2Pe 3:9).