Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
The arrival on the scene of the Son of God over 2,000 years ago marked the beginning of the end of the old covenant system established by Jehovah God at Mount Sinai and the bringing in of the new covenant. For most of the past 2,000 years plus, Christians have understood that fact. Throughout it's history, the Church has been very careful to keep the distinction between the old and new covenant clear.
However, in recent years there has been a move by many Christians to go back to many of the old covenant practices. In these circles, the lines between the old and new covenant get blurred often times resulting in confusion. On the other end of the spectrum, some Protestants and many Evangelicals have become so leery of mixing old with new that they end up in antinomianism. The misconception about the new covenant is that it is a covenant without law or laws. Those that have this extreme view will call the new covenant a covenant of grace as if grace is antithetical to law. The Christians who have recently ventured into some or many of the old covenant practices are often labeled "Hebrew roots" or "Messianic" or sometimes keep their "Christian" moniker but keep the feasts, food laws and tithing laws, an example would be the various "Churches of God" groups. There are a few groups that have a balanced view of the new covenant, in that they uphold the 10 commandments including the Sabbath but for the most part they get their ecclesiology (Church practice) from the new testament. Such groups would be the Seventh Day Adventists, Seventh Day Baptists and Seventh Day Anabaptists. Seventh Day Adventists keep a few of the old covenant practices that their Anabaptists and Baptists counterparts don't such as tithing and food laws. It is safe to say, that at some level, most Christian groups mix the new and the old in terms of Church practice and to a lesser extent salvation requirements. The two extremes would be the Hebrew roots movement which heavily mix old and new covenant practices confusing the two and the other extreme would be much of modern Evangelicalism that has attempted to strip the new covenant of any law. In this study, I will look into the question "what exactly is the new covenant and what does it consist of in terms of Church practice as a body and for the individual Christian? Also, what are the salvation requirements of the new covenant? Also, what has transferred over from the old covenant to the new if anything? This is an important topic because many Christians have been given false information on both sides of the debate (Hebrew roots vs. Evangelicals). A wrong view of the new covenant could lead one into bondage (Hebrew roots) or lead one into antinomianism (Evangelicalism). Let's begin our journey by going back to the prophet Jeremiah and his prophecy of the coming new covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (ASV) 31Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people:34and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more. So here we learn that the new covenant was in Jehovah's plan long before it came to pass in the time of Jehoshua. Also, this new covenant would be made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. What's noteworthy, is that in verse 32 Jehovah says that the new covenant would not be according to the covenant made with Israel at Mount Sinai. This is important to understand as many today are saying we have to keep the law of Moses which was given at Sina. In verse 33 it says that as essential to the new covenant will be Jehovah's law written in our hearts and placed in our inward parts. This very statement destroys modern Evangelicalism and their antinomian (lawless) understanding of the new covenant. It's important to remember that just because we are not under the law of Moses in the new covenant doesn't mean the new covenant is without law. To the contrary, Jehoshua will reject many self professed Christians who even did wonders in His name for the precise reason that they are lawless. This is a sobering reminder for many Evangelical Christians. Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV) 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Iniquity means lawlessness. Neither a profession of faith, nor ministry, nor supernatural gifts proves one has a place in Messiah's Kingdom, but only repentance of sin (iniquity) and obedience to God's commandments (doeth the will of my Father) based on a relationship of grace with the Son of God. The Messiah will reject unrepentant sinners, sending them to eternal punishment (Matthew 25:41). What we are trying to determine is exactly what law and commandments apply to us in the new covenant. Verse 34 is what trips some people up, they say that this isn't happening now and will only take place in some future millennium on earth. The phrase "for they shall all know me" need not mean that every single person on earth will know and have a relationship with Jehovah but rather that all of His covenant people will know Him (Jehovah) from the least to the greatest. Also, in the old covenant, the mystery of God had not been revealed so there were still blinders of the Gentile nations. In the new covenant the mystery of the gospel hidden from the ages has been manifested in that the Gentiles now have citizenship in the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2). Let's go to Ephesians 3 for a description of what the mystery of God is and how it fits into verse 34 of Jeremiah 31: Ephesians 3:1-12 (KJV) 1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. When Jeremiah 31 says quoting Jehovah that "they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest" it isn't literally saying that every single person during the new covenant administration would know Jehovah but that people from all nations would know Him. Jehovah would have a remnant people made up of all nations as in the new covenant His mystery would no longer be hidden but revealed. In Ephesians 3 Paul tells us what this mystery is. Let's look at Ephesians 3 closer. Verse 2, the mystery of God is also called the dispensation (administration) of grace meaning God's favor which in this particular context is God's favor (grace) on the Gentiles. Verses 3 and 4, God revealed the mystery of the gospel to Paul through His Son Jehoshua Messiah. Paul had already briefly touched on the mystery of God. Verse 5, Paul confirms that in the past ages this mystery was not known but that now (apostolic Church age) Jehovah has revealed it to the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. In the old testament, we see that there prophesies of the Gentiles being brought into the fellowship of Israel but it was only in the new testament do we see and understand the full truth and revelation of this. Verse 6, Paul explains what exactly is this mystery which is that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs (sons of inheritance) with the believing Jews/Israelites in the same body i.e. the Church also known as the Commonwealth of Israel. In this mystery, the Gentiles are to be fellow partakers of God's promise in His Messiah by the good news of the Kingdom. Verses 7 and 8, the meat of the mystery of the gospel is that the riches of Jehovah's Messiah once hidden in view from the Gentiles are now made known to them. In the old testament times, the Messianic king of Israel was often blessed with spiritual and material riches and at these blessings would often overflow to the people (Israel) that the king oversaw. Now in the new covenant, the Gentiles are made known the riches of Jehovah's Messianic King. As followers of Jehovah's Messiah, we now are blessed with every spiritual blessing that has been bestowed upon Jehoshua in the holy of holies in heaven. Verse 9, the fellowship (communication) of the mystery was hid in God from the beginning of the world and revealed to us in the last days. God created all things because of His Son Jehoshua. Verses 10-11, manifold. Literally "plentifully multicolored", with great abundance of variety. Purposed. Performed. God created the world with this eternal purpose: to reveal His complex wisdom to the angelic powers by uniting many nations in Messiah. The angels learn about Jehovah's glory as He saves the Church through Jehoshua Messiah. Verse 12, close and confident friendship with God the Father. Jehovah's plan is to display His glory by lavishing His love upon His multiethnic spiritual family in Messiah. With a better understanding of the mystery of God, we can now see how the terms of the new covenant "for they shall all know me" is not a reference to universal salvation for every single person. Jeremiah the prophet points forward to a future regeneration of both Jews and Gentiles who would believe in the new covenant messenger. The new covenant rests upon Messiah's finished work of redemption by His death on the cross. The word "all" in Jeremiah 31;31-34 is a reference to even the least of the new covenant people knowing Jehovah with a heart knowledge that enriches the soul and transforms the life. The word "all" is also a reference to men and women from "all" nations (Gentiles) being grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel as fellow citizens and being partakers of the covenants of promise (Ephesians 2). Luke 22:20 (KJV) 20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. By His death Jehoshua instituted the new covenant, which promises inner sanctification and covenantal knowledge of Jehovah God based upon forgiveness of sins (Jeremiah 31:31-34). "Shed for you". Jehoshua speaks of His substitutionary death, the only necessary and final sacrifice to be made. Like the passover lamb, He died so that His people might escape God's judgment and live. Let's now go to the two quotations of Jeremiah 31:31-34 in the book of Hebrews that show without a shadow of a doubt that we are already in the new covenant and have been since the death of the Messiah. The book of Hebrews can be looked at as the new testament version of the book of Leviticus. The author of Hebrews wants to make the distinction between the better promises of the new covenant and the imperfect nature of the old covenant. Hebrews 8:1-13 (KJV) 1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.8For finding fault with them, he saith, 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:9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. We are going to look at all of chapter 8 so that we can understand the context in which Jeremiah 31 is quoted. Verse 1 of Hebrews 8, the author is summing up the things which he has just got done talking about for seven chapters. This is why the book of Hebrews is extremely important to understand because it exposes false ideas that are running rampant in the Church concerning the law of Moses in relationship to the new covenant. Here in verse 1 the author is stating what He is about to say in chapter 8 is the summary of the message of Hebrews thus far. What he has to say in chapter 8 is the bottom-line point of the significance of Jehoshua's death and subsequent exaltation at the right hand of God and what the result of this was. Again, this will expose the false understanding that somehow the new covenant hasn't begun yet or that we will somehow go back to the types and shadows of the Levitical/Mosaic system. Verse 2, the emphasis in the new covenant is on the heavenly sanctuary not the earthly one. The author of Hebrews calls this the true tabernacle meaning that Messiah's priesthood in the heavens surpasses the typical tabernacle/temple at which the Levitical priests served. "Lord pitched" the true tabernacle is in heaven and was not built by man but by the hand of God Himself. Verse 3, Every high priest was required to offer something to God. Jehoshua offered Himself up to God on behalf of the sins of His people. Verse 4, the exaltation of Jehoshua to heaven qualifies Him for a different priesthood. "There are priests that offer gifts according to the law" Messiah's priesthood, if it had remained on earth, would have been a priesthood that was not sufficiently greater than the Levitical priesthood. Verse 5, the Levitical priests served a temporary and typological ministry. "According to the pattern shewed thee in the mount (see Exodus 25:40). The old testament witnesses to the surpassing greatness of the Son of God, for He is the substance of the shadowy mystery of the priesthood. Verse 6 of Hebrews 8 "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" "More excellent ministry". The form in which it is ministered. "Mediator". Jehoshua mediates as a better surety (Heb 7:22). Surety is a bond and Jehoshua far exceeds Moses as our bondsman as He gives us assurance of salvation whereas the Mosaic administration couldn't make anyone righteous thereby salvation wasn't assured through it. The new covenant is better than the old covenant. "better promises" there were promises under the old covenant, but the Son of God brings a new covenant which was established upon better promises as the new covenant far exceeds the old covenant in glory as now Jehovah's people have access to the holy of holies and participate in the King of Israel's kingship and priesthood being blessed with every spiritual blessing in Messiah Jehoshua. We now as Gentiles have the Spirit of Messiah living in us which is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:2. The believing Jews have this Messianic Spirit as well. Ephesians 1:2 says that our spiritual blessings in Jehoshua are in the heavenly places i.e. the heavenly sanctuary. This is why the new covenant is better as the heavenly sanctuary is the true tabernacle of Jehovah and the earthly sanctuary and temples pale in comparison and are merely copies of the original one in the glorious city of New Jerusalem. Peter calls those in the Church a Royal Priesthood meaning we are presently kings and priests in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. Verse 7 of Hebrews 8, " For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." The old covenant was not faultless and yet many are seeking to go back to it or trying to mix the old covenant with the new covenant to create some type of hybrid form of Christianity. Yet we are told by Jehoshua Himself that we cannot put new wine into old wineskins in Mark chapter 2: 21No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.22And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. In ancient Palestine, wine was kept in goat skin containers. The new grape juice would ferment over time and stretch the containers. An old bag would not be able to withstand the pressure and would burst; thus a new bag was recommended for new juices. Jehoshua used this illustration to emphasize that His way was new, and would not fit into the old, discredited ways of the Pharisees, or even within some of the limitations of the Mosaic laws. One must wonder why many today are seeking to return to something that had fault when we have a faultless covenant available to us. Many are trying to put the new wine of the new covenant (Jehoshua's way, His law) into the old bottles of the old covenant (the law of Moses). The very fact that a new covenant was instituted shows that the old covenant wasn't perfect and needed to be replaced because it couldn't accomplish Jehovah's plan of salvation. The new covenant without a doubt is superior to the old covenant. 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. I will revisit this passage in more detail later in this study, but I wanted to show that Paul the apostle leaves absolutely no doubt as to the superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant. Let's go back to Hebrews 8 and look at verses 8-12 which quotes Jeremiah 31: 8For finding fault with them, he saith, 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:9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Verse 9 of Hebrews 8 specifically says that the new covenant will not be made according to the old covenant that was made with the fathers when they were brought out of the land of Egypt. From this verse we are to understand that the new covenant is indeed new and distinct from the old covenant. Jehovah instituted this new covenant as a new thing and didn't make it with the house of Israel according to the old covenant He made with them. Verse 13 of Hebrews 8, "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." There is no question that the institution of the new covenant made the old covenant invalid and unnecessary. The new covenant supersedes the old covenant by establishing better promises. The phrase "ready to vanish away" may be alluding to what was about to take place in A.D. 70 when the temple was destroyed for ever doing away with the practice of the old covenant rituals. Of course, prior to the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70, the old covenant was already done away with.
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