THE PROMISE OF A NEW COVENANT
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in
the day that I took them out of the land of Egypt; which my
covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith
the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with
the house of Israel. After those days, saith the Lord, I will put
my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and
will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah
31:31-33).
WHY WAS A NEW COVENANT NEEDED?
Why do we need a new covenant with a testament? What was wrong
with the Old Covenant? Now we will see why a new agreement or
covenant was necessary.
A BETTER COVENANT
"But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was
established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). Here we find the
apostle Paul stating why the new covenant is a better one. He
states that the primary reason is because it is based upon better
promises (i.e. terms, conditions and benefits). And as we will
see, these promises are far better than those given to the
physical nation of Israel.
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no
place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with
them, he saith, Behold, the days come, with the Lord, when I will
make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house
of Judah" (Hebrews 8:7-8).
The fault was not with the covenant; it was with the people
themselves. The covenant could be performed: God could perform
His part, and many individuals did perform their part. But for
Israel to perform her part on a national scale was extremely
difficult, as their history indicates. Even to perform it on an
individual basis IS extremely hard and few could accomplish
this task and reap the blessings that were promised.
(It was hard to perform because their heart was not right, and as
we have seen God did not call and give His Spirit to the MANY but
to the relatively few [Numbers 11]. So trying to perform the Old Covenant in
the flesh, on ones on steam, was then indeed hard to do - Keith
Hunt).
A PERFECT SACRIFICE NEEDED
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the
very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which
they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto
perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered?
because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more
conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a
remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible
that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins"
(Hebrews 10:14).
In verse 1, we read that the sacrifices were given year after
year but could never save the people from their sins. Verse 4
says it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take
away sins. One reason for this is that an inferior animal cannot
take away the sins of a superior being, and man is superior to
any animal. Man has the potential to become as God; animals do
not have this potential. The inadequacy of the sacrifices is
another reason the Old Covenant is inferior to the New Covenant.
It could only cover the sins of men, but not remove them. God was
not satisfied with these sacrifices because they could not TAKE
AWAY sins. So the first thing that is needed is the perfect
sacrifice.
(Ah yes, glad to see the writers did see that physical sacrifices
did NOT take away sins, only reminded the people, in no uncertain
way I may say, that they were sinners, and needed a perfect
sacrifice to forgive and remove sins - Keith Hunt).
THE OLD COVENANT IS CANCELLED
"Wherefore, when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and
offering you would (want) not, but a body have you prepared me:
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no
pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it
is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said,
Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin
you would (want) not, neither had pleasure therein; which are
offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O
God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:5-10 quoted by
Paul from Psalm 40:6-8).
Verse 5 shows that Christ is the supreme sacrifice; verse 9 shows
that Christ will cancel the first system in favor of a far better
one. Verse 10 shows that under the new plan or agreement, we can
now be forgiven of our sins and made clean by Christ's sacrifice
for us, a perfect sacrifice which can and does remove our sins.
Verse 14 says: "For by one offering he has perfected forever them
that are sanctified." So by His perfect sacrifice we can now
stand before God as righteous sinless individuals.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and
in their minds will I write them" (Hebrews 10:16). Notice again
that He is going to write His laws into our minds. The reason He
does this is so we will always know His will.
After we receive the Holy Spirit, we have a desire to obey Him.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest
by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he has
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh"
(Hebrews 10:19-20).
A NEW HIGH PRIEST
Hebrews 10:19 says that now, because of the new agreement or
covenant and because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may go
right into the very Holy of Holies where God is. Verse 20 tells
us that now there is a fresh, new, life-giving way which Christ
has opened up for us by tearing the curtain (His human body) to
let us into the very presence of God. This new life-giving way is
the New Covenant and Testament. Verse 23 tells us that now there
is no longer any room for doubt because of what Christ has done.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
for he is faithful that promised" (Hebrews 10:23).
WHY THE NEW COVENANT IS A BETTER COVENANT
HEBREWS 10 GIVES THE ANSWER
No.1 God suspended the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and
sacrificed Himself for us.
No.2 He also suspended the Levitical priesthood and established
Himself as High Priest.
No.3 He also put His Spirit into our hearts. So He is changing
man to want to obey His Commandments because of the change of
heart (mind).
These are the three basic tools that God has given to man that
were not available under the Old Covenant. Now they are available
to all those God is calling under the New Covenant.
BLESSINGS OR CURSINGS - WHICH?
Under the Old Covenant God said the people would have tremendous
physical blessings if they would keep their part of the bargain:
"And it shall come to pass, if you shall harken diligently unto
the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and to do all his
commandments which I command you this day, that the Lord your God
will set you on high above all nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy
28:1. Note verses 2-14 ). He also said: "But it shall come to
pass, it you will not harken unto the voice of the Lord your
God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which
I command you this day; that all these curses shall come upon
you, and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 28:15. Note verses 16-68).
If they would not obey, they would not only miss out on these
wonderful blessings, but they would receive terrible curses in
their place. Their Creator and benefactor summed up the choices
He had given them by saving: "See, I have set before you this day
life and good, and death, and in that I command you this day to
love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his
commandments, and his statutes and his judgments, that you may
live and multiply: and the Lord your God shall bless you in the
land where you go to possess it. But if your heart turn away, so
that you not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other
gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that you
shall surely perish, and that you shall not prolong your days
upon the land, where you pass over Jordan to go to possess it. I
call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have
set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore
choose life, that both you and your seed may live:" (Deuteronomy
30:15-19).
It was God's earnest desire that they would choose life above
death.
NEW COVENANT BLESSINGS
Under the new Covenant He tells us we can receive all the
blessings He offered to ancient Israel: "And if you be Christ's,
then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise"
(Galatians 3:29). We likewise can become a son in the family of
God just as many who lived under the Old Covenant - Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, to name a few. "For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The Spirit itself bears
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together" (Romans 8:14,16-17). And also inherit eternal life:
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have
right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates
into the city" (Revelation 22:14. Also see 1 Thessalonians
4:1317; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; and Revelation 20:4-6).
The blessings and benefits of the New Covenant over the Old are
so great and wonderful that it is really impossible to compare
the two. The first had a physical value, and the second has a
physical, spiritual, and eternal value.
REWARDS FAR SUPERIOR
Since the rewards of the New Covenant are far superior to the Old
one, so then are the penalties for non-compliance: "For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted
of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world
to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks
in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth herbs meet
for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: But
that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto
cursing; whose end is to be burned" (Hebrews 6:4-8).
Once this contract is entered into by God and an individual,
there is no turning back: "For if we sin wilfully after that we
have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more
sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment
and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He
that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be
thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and
has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit
of grace? For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto
me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall
judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of
the living God" (Hebrews 10:26-31).
If an individual wilfully refuses to honor his contract with God,
God cannot bless him, but must instead curse him under the terms
and conditions of the contract. The choice each one of us makes
under the New Covenant is exactly the same choice God gave to the
ancient Israelites, and our Creator desires above all else that
we make the right choice, and CHOOSE LIFE (Deuteronomy 30:1519).
WHAT ARE THE BETTER PROMISES OF HEBREWS 8:6?
"But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was
established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).
What are the promises under the New Covenant, or agreement, that
are better than those of the Old Covenant? (1) The perfect
sacrifice of Christ. (2) The perfect High Priest who is a true
bridge builder between God and man. And, (3) the Holy Spirit to
help us, strengthen us and give us a new heart so that we will
WANT to obey God.
WHY THE OLD COVENANT FAILED
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no
place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with
THEM, he said, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will
make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house
of Judah" (Hebrews 8:7-8).
Verse 7 says that the old agreement did not work. Why? Because it
lacked the three things mentioned above. If it had worked, then
there would have been no need for another covenant to replace it.
So the Old Covenant has been replaced by the New Covenant.
Verse 8 says God found fault with the people of the Old Covenant
because they didn't have a heart in them to be able, or even have
a desire, to worship Him. So He cancelled the Old Covenant. He
changed what was wrong with the Old Covenant - the people - and
now places a new heart or mind in them.
The fault was NOT with the COVENANT; it was with THE PEOPLE
themselves. The covenant could be performed; God could perform
His part, and many individuals performed their part. But for
Israel to perform her part on a national scale was extremely
difficult, as their history indicates. Even to perform it on an
individual basis was extremely hard, and few could accomplish
this task and reap the blessings that were promised.
(On an individual basis the person did have God's Spirit (see
again Number 11), hence it was no harder to serve God and obey
Him than it is for Christians today to serve God and obey Him -
Keith hunt).
One reason it was so difficult was because of the sacrificial
system. Each time they knew they had sinned, they had to offer a
sacrifice. They also had to offer a sacrifice to cover the sins
they did in ignorance. This was extremely difficult compared to
those of us who live under the New Covenant, who only have to ASK
God to use the sacrifice to Christ to take away our sins.
(Well not really that difficult, for sacrifices could only be
done where God placed His name, first in Shilo, then later in
Jerusalem. The people only went up to "the place where God placed
His name" at Festival times, and then many or most did not
go up for all three seasonal pilgrim festivals. Even if they did,
they sacrificed then only three times a year.
It was not as if they were doing DAILY sacrifices, that was impossible
for those who lived a long way from Jerusalem and the Temple rituals - Keith Hunt).
What we have in Hebrews 8 are the same conditions that are
contained in the Old Covenant because God found no fault with His
part of the agreement - His commandments, statutes and judgments.
God gave them the laws that were good for them. It could have
made them a prosperous, happy, and contented people. The terms
and conditions that God gave were good and were never done away
with. They are the same terms and conditions that we have under
the New Covenant.
Now we not only have a New Covenant, but we also have the tools
that enable us to keep the terms and conditions of that covenant,
the Ten Commandments and the spiritual laws of God.
(We have the Holy Spirit as a divine "begettal" united with our
spirit, which then is a greater power of the Spirit in us, than
was for those called under the Old Covenant. But then on the
other hand the New Covenant covers the DEEPER spiritual aspect of
the laws of God, see Jesus' amplification of the laws in Matthew
5, 6, 7. So a deeper spiritual New Covenant, but also a deeper
giving of God's Spirit to those called under the New Covenant -
Keith Hunt).
.............
TO BE CONTINUED
The Old and New Covenants #3The Glory of the New
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NEW COVENANT AND TESTAMENT
What are the requirements necessary to become an heir? What do we
have to do? Mark 1:14-15: "Now after that John was put in prison,
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of
God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is
at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel." So we find that the
first thing we have to do is REPENT of our sins and BELIEVE the
gospel concerning Christ.
John 6:53: "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say into
you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his
blood, you have no life in you." This verse shows that we must go
through Jesus Christ to receive eternal life at the resurrection.
As Jesus went on, it was His words that were life. We eat His words.
Acts 2:38 tells us to REPENT and be BAPTIZED for the forgiveness
of sins and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So, you must
(1) Believe in Christ, (2) Repent, (3) Be baptized - and then you
can receive the Holy Spirit.
We know that when we receive the Holy Spirit we become a son of
God, and it (the Spirit) is the power that will resurrect us. So
it is this Spirit from God that makes you an heir so you can
receive your inheritance at the resurrection of the just (Romans
8:1114).
THE TESTAMENT
Since the New Covenant has conditions that the people must meet
before they can inherit the promises, it could also be called a
testament or agreement.
Now the reason for a will or testament is to make sure the heirs
get what the testor (the one making the will) wants them to
receive. This is why a will or testament is made.
The requirements of a will or testament are as follows:
(a) The person making the will should have something to leave the
heirs and he must have heirs to inherit whatever is left.
(b) There should be an administrator of the will or the testament
or the estate.
(c) Sometimes there are conditions to a will or testament that
the heir must meet before he can inherit his part of the will.
This is the case in the New Testament or Will.
(d) Then there must be the death of the one making the will.
(e) When the death occurs, the will begins to take effect.
WHAT IS THE INHERITANCE?
The first question is: "What did Christ have to give his heirs?"
In Galatians 3:39 it says that if you are Christ's, then are you
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Now what
promises was Paul talking about?
Genesis 26:4 says: "And in your seed (singular, meaning Christ)
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" - blessed with the
salvation God had to offer through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
It is interesting to note one of the reasons Abraham received
these promises was because he kept God's commandments, statutes
and laws (Genesis 26:7). In Romans 4:13 we find that Abraham was
to be heir of the whole world, not just a few countries.
Romans 8:14-15: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of
adoption [sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Notice verse 15: we can
now call God our father because we have received the Spirit which
comes through Abraham's seed - Christ.
Romans 8:16-17: "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs;
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." These
verses tell us that we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ, who
has already received His inheritance as the firstborn son.
ETERNAL LIFE!
So we see that the gift of eternal life is what Christ has to
offer. Who can be the heirs of Christ's will or testament? That
is the important question. Who are the ones that can inherit
eternal life at the resurrection? Can all people be His heirs at
this time? No!
Hebrews 9:15 says: "They which are called might receive the
promise of eternal inheritance." This shows that our inheritance
will be for eternity because it is an eternal inheritance. Romans
8:28-29 says: "To them who are called according to his promise."
John 10:27 says: "My sheep hear my voice." At this time God is
opening the minds of the ones He is calling to receive His truth.
God has opened the minds of only a few and is giving them a
chance to receive His inheritance. So the heirs or the called-out
ones are the ones who have answered the call, because "many are
called, but few are chosen." Many who are called will not humble
themselves and repent of their sins, even though God has called
them to inherit this great gift of eternal life.
THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE WILL
Now the question is, "Who will administer the estate of Jesus
Christ?" We, the called-out ones, are the ones He has chosen to
execute His will. We are the administrators of the will of
Christ! Christ's Will.
How is this done? Matthew 28:19-20 tells us that the follower of
Christ is commanded or charged to execute His will. "Go you,
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them
to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I
am with you always, even unto the end of the age." Every time a
Christian preaches Christ and Him crucified, he is relaying the
offer of eternal life to those who hear and believe and answer
the call. He is, in essence, saying: "Did you know Christ died
for you?" The Christian is administering God's will.
Yes, it's true: if you will believe in Christ (belief in His
blood to take away sins), repent from breaking God's law, and are
baptized and live an overcoming life, then you, too, can become
an heir of Christ and receive eternal life.
This then is the most important job God has ever given to
mankind, far greater than any ruler who ever lived. If we
overcome we will also be the administrators of His will in the
Kingdom when every one living in the world will be offered the
opportunity to inherit eternity.
DEATH OF THE TESTOR
2 Corinthians 3:6 tells us who the administrators of the New
Testament are: "Who has made us able ministers of the New
Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter
kills, but the spirit gives life." Christ as the testor had to
die for us (1 Corinthians 15:3). At Christ's death, the will or
testament began to go into effect.
AFTER REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM, WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT?
The vast majority of today's professing Christians believe that
all or at least most of the laws of God were cancelled by the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ even though He said: "Think not that I
am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am come not to
destroy but to fulfil" (Matthew 5:17). Christ, through the Bible,
says to these professing Christians of today the same thing He
said to the professing righteous of His day: "... You do err, not
knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).
People do not understand the truth of God because they refuse to
obey the laws which God has created for humanity's benefit. To
obey them will bring understanding. "O how love I your law! it is
my meditation all the day. You through your commandments have
made me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me. I have
more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are
my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I
keep your precepts" (Psalm 119:97-100).
A careful study of the scriptures will reveal that all of the
terms and conditions that were in the Old Covenant are a part of
the New Covenant, with the only exception being those items
specifically deleted or changed by Christ (among these are the
Passover, temple worship, and sacrifices). Many other items (such
as the commandments, holy days, health laws, etc.) are still a
part of the New Covenant and are binding upon Christians of
today.
"For finding fault with them, he said, Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah?" (Hebrews 8:8-10). Since God
has only one set of laws He created for the benefit of all
mankind, logic should tell us that these laws being spoken of
here are the same set of laws that He gave to the Israelites as a
part of the original covenant. Notice God is going to write His
laws in the hearts and minds of people. In other words He will
write them in their very being, thereby making these laws a part
of the thinking process of those individuals God is calling in
this age.
MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW CONTRACTS
1. FORGIVENESS OF SIN
BY A PERFECT SACRIFICE
"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall
come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness
from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take
away their sins" (Romans 11:26-27).
"And every priest stands daily ministering and offering
oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for
ever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:11-12).
"If the plan that leads to doom was glorious, much more glorious
is the plan that makes men right with God" (2 Corinthians 3:9,
Living Bible).
The reason that it led to doom and death was because of the fault
of the people, that fault now being corrected under the new
agreement. The Ten Commandments showed them their sins. But the
flesh was weak and they couldn't keep them. Since they knew what
sin was, but were not able to keep the Ten Commandments, they
were doomed to death because the penalty for breaking the Ten
Commandments was death. So much more glorious is the plan or
covenant that makes men right with God. (Man is made right with
God through the perfect sacrifice of Christ).
Deuteronomy 6:25 says: "And it shall be our righteousness, if we
observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as
he has commanded us." That old system failed because the people
were weak and there was not a heart in them to want to obey God's
laws. The New Covenant offers Jesus Christ, the Righteous, as its
atoning power. If we believe in Jesus Christ to take away our
sins, then we are justified (declared righteous) in the eyes of
God and our sins are forgiven forever. So we are justified and
put in contact with God by the death of His Son, Jesus Christ,
the Righteous (Romans 5), as opposed to the system of
justification under the Old Covenant.
(There really was only justification under the Old Covenant for
those called and given God's Spirit [Numbers 11]. As we have seen MOST did not
have the heart, hence they were never justified - Keith Hunt).
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and
in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities
will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there
is no more offering for sin" (Hebrews 10:16-18).
The perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ not only takes away the
sins of those under the New Covenant, but because of Christ's
sacrifice, God the Father forgets our sins forever and the
Christian stands before Him as a righteous individual.....
2. A PERFECT HIGH PRIEST
"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for
under it the people received the law,) what further need was
there that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the
priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change
also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertains
to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which
tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet
far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek
there arises another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a
carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life"
(Hebrews 7:11-16).
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest
by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he has
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having a high priest over the house of God" (Hebrews
10:1921).
These verses show a change in the conditions of the covenant and
this change allows a Christian to go directly before God the
Father without going to a physical man, and having him go to God
for us as the priest did for the Israelites.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT
2 Corinthians 3:6-10 talks about God's new agreement or covenant
to save man. Paul says we do not tell them that they must obey
every law of God or die, which was the case under the Old
Covenant laws. James also says that if your break one of the Ten
Commandments you are guilty of breaking them all. But we tell
them that there is life for them from the Holy Spirit (Romans
8:11). The old way of trying to be saved (justified) by keeping
the Ten Commandments ends in death, because all have fallen short
of the mark and sinned (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22). But in the
new way, the Holy Spirit gives them life, because the Holy Spirit
gives man the desire to want to obey God, and also helps his
infirmities.
Verse 7 states that the old system (covenant) of law, which
included the Ten Commandments, that led to death, began with such
glory that the people could not bear to look at Moses' face as he
gave them God's law to obey. His face shone with the very glory
of God.
Now when did Moses' face shine, and what laws did he have in his
hand when it was shining? Read Exodus 34:27-35. Verse 27 says:
"And the Lord said unto Moses, write these words; for after the
tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with
Israel." Verse 28: "And he was there with the Lord forty days and
forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he
wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Command-
ments. Verse 29: "And it came to pass, when Moses came down from
Mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when
he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of
his face shone while he talked with him."
There is no doubt that the law being spoken of included the Ten
Commandments. In 2 Corinthians 3:8-18 (Living Bible), verse 8
says: "Shall we not expect far greater glory in these days when
the Holy Spirit is giving life?" Because when we have the Holy
Spirit we have the seed that will resurrect us. It is this seed
or Holy Spirit that makes us a part of the God Family, a son of
God. Therefore the glory which is made possible under the New
Covenant is much greater than Moses' glory - his face shining.
Our glory will be manifested when we are resurrected and receive
the very glory that God has as a spiritual being. The reason the
New Covenant will end in this type of glory is because under the
New Covenant God is giving us the necessary tools to do His will.
Verse 9 says: "If the plan that leads to doom was glorious, much
more glorious is the plan that makes men right with God." The
reason it led to doom and death was because of the fault of the
people, that fault is now being corrected under the new
agreement. The Ten Commandments showed them their sins. But the
flesh was weak and they couldn't keep them. Since they knew what
sin was but were not able to keep the Ten Commandments, they were
doomed to death because the penalty for breaking the law was
death. So, much more glorious is the plan or covenant that makes
men right with God (man is made right with God through the
perfect sacrifice of Christ).
The New Testament has Jesus Christ, the Righteous, to offer as
its atoning power. If we believe in Jesus Christ's atoning blood
to cover our sins, then we are justified or declared righteous in
the eyes of God and our sins are forgiven forever. We are
justified and put in contact with God by the death of His Son
Jesus Christ (Romans 5) as opposed to the system of justification
under the Old Covenant. Deuteronomy 6:25 says: "And it shall be
our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments
before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us." That system
failed because the people were weak and there was not a heart in
them that wanted to obey God's laws. So all under the Old
Covenant were doomed to death because of their refusal to keep
God's laws, commandments, statutes, judgments and sacrificial
system.(All except those called and given the heart and given
God's spirit [Numbers 11}- Keith Hunt).
2 Corinthians 3:10 (Living New Testament) says: "In fact that
first glory as it shone from Moses' face is worth nothing at all
in comparison with the overwhelming glory of the new agreement."
Why was the first glory worth nothing when compared to the New
Covenant or Testament? Because it only showed them what sin was
and there was no way found, under the first covenant, to take
away sins (the sacrifice of animals could not take away sin).
Also the fact that they had a stony heart and didn't have the
desire to keep God's Commandments....
When you compare the two covenants, the old and the new side by
side, the new one has an overwhelming glory because it contains
the tools necessary for success which the Old Covenant did not.
These tools are (1) the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, (2) a
High Priest able to understand man's imperfections (Hebrews 2),
and (3) the Holy Spirit available to be placed within man,
creating in him the desire to obey God's commandments, statutes
and judgments. (As we have seen, the Holy spirit was given to
SOME under the Old covenant - Keith Hunt).
2 Corinthians 3:11 says: "So if the old system that faded into
nothing was full of heavenly glory, the glory of God's new plan
for salvation is certainly far greater, for it is eternal." The
New Covenant will never fade away, but wilt culminate in eternal
life and the glory of becoming a son of God, born into the Family
of God, having the same kind of glory and power of God himself.
So it is apparent that the Holy Spirit is a vital tool in overcoming.
4. A NEW TEMPLE
"Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit
of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him
shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple
you are" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
"What! know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not
your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Why was the apostle Paul so strong in this admonition to the
Corinthians? Acts 2:1-4 gives the answer: "And when the day of
Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of
fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance."
Each time God moved his dwelling place within the nation of
Israel, He did so with the sign of fire. As proof of His placing
of His Holy Spirit within Christians, He used the same sign He
had used before, that of fire. Paul was telling the Corinthian
Christians to straighten out their lives because the Holy Spirit
of God dwelled in each of them.
This will also be true after the return of Jesus Christ. Everyone
in Israel will have an opportunity to receive the Spirit of God
and the strength needed to obey His laws as well as the desire to
want to obey them. Jeremiah 50:19-20: "And I will bring Israel
again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan,
and his soul shall be satisfied upon Mount Ephraim and Gilead. In
those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of
Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none, and the sins
of Judah, and they shall not be found; for I will pardon them
whom I reserve."
THE NEW COVENANT EXTENDED TO GENTILES
"For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in
Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's
seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:26-29).
All who are baptized and have truly accepted Christ as their
savior are now God's children.
"Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the
circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time you
were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no
hope, and without God in the world: But now, in Christ Jesus, you
who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ"
(Ephesians 2:11-13).
"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father. Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God"
(Ephesians 2:18-19).
Here again we see it is possible for Gentiles to have access to
God the Father and to have the opportunity to acquire the
blessings from this association because all who are called to
repentance and baptism, and respond, become spiritual Israelites.
Just as Gentiles have an opportunity to become heirs in this age,
so will the Gentile nations have the opportunity for eternal life
during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ: "At that time they
shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord, and all the nations
shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem;
neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their
evil heart" (Jeremiah 3:17).
NEW COVENANT TO BE MADE WITH REGATHERED ISRAEL
As we see in Hebrews 8, the New Covenant we are under now is
similar to the covenant that the nation of Israel will be under
in the millennial reign of Christ. They will be given the Spirit
of God, one of the tools of the New Covenant (Ezekiel 36:2428).
They will have the King-Priest, Jesus Christ, dwelling there in
Jerusalem. They, too, will repent after the return of Christ as
King. When they repent, they will then be given the Spirit of the
Father. Romans 8:11 tells us this is the power that will make us
a son of God.
Since it is similar to the covenant we have now, then it follows
they, too, will then have the Spirit of begettal as a son of God.
And after overcoming, they will also be born into the Family of
God. So the conditions of the covenant are similar for those
living today and those who will be living in the Kingdom. They,
too, will have the necessary tools to be overcomers. (Please see
my studies on my Website called "Overcoming" - for the truth on
that subject - Keith Hunt).
Now let's take a look at Romans 11 where we find the entire
nation of Israel will be saved. Please read the entire chapter.
Note in verse 15 of Romans 11 the fate of the nation of Israel
will be complete restitution. Verse 26: "And so all Israel shall
be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the
Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Israel)."
The question is - when does He do this? There are many scriptures
in the Old Testament that tell us God is going to make a New
Covenant with regathered Israel in the last days. So this
scripture is no doubt talking about the regathering of Israel.
Note what he says in verse 27: "For this is my covenant unto them
(regathered Israel) when I shall take away their sins." God is
going to call Israel to repentance at the time He regathers them.
..............
TO BE CONTINUED
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