Where we read of `hope' in the New Testament we often find in the context a

reference either to a `promise' or to a `calling'.  For example, Paul before

Agrippa says:

`And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God

unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving

God day and night, hope to come' (Acts 26:6,7).

Here there is no possibility of making a mistake.  Not only is the hope

that is in view the fulfilment of a promise, but it is the fulfilment of a

specific promise `made of God unto our fathers'.  Further, there is no

ambiguity as to those who entertain this hope; the words `our twelve tribes'

are too explicit to permit of spiritualizing.  Other examples will occur to the

reader, and will come before us in the prosecution of our present study.  For

the moment it is sufficient that the principle should be clear, that hope looks

to the fulfilment of a promise.  It is therefore necessary to discover what

promise has been made to any particular company before we can speak with

understanding of their hope.  Another prerequisite is a knowledge of the

`calling' concerned: