Abraham saw Christ’s day and rejoiced. He saw it, and was glad.
John 8:56
Although they are things hoped for, faith grants them an immediate existence in the soul. By faith, they are perceived as currently existing, even if they do not possess such existence in themselves. Faith shares similarities with the nature of God, as it possesses a sort of omnipotent power to create something out of nothing.
Faith has the power to make them appear as if they genuinely exist. Hebrews 11:13 mentions the Fathers, who saw the promises afar off and embraced them. The word used in the original text is “saluted” the promises. When friends salute each other, they must be in close proximity. Their faith made promises that were distant seem as if they were present. Therefore, Abraham saw Christ’s day and rejoiced.
Jeremiah Burroughs. The Saint’s Treasury.
