... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house , a holy priesthood - II Peter 2:5a
Our Covenant Relationship
The covenant God made with Abraham and his Seed is the covenant of promise that saves. It is the way that we gain righteousness to justification, and thus, son-ship with God the Father and eternal life. (Galatians 3:15-18)
This slide also illustrates the first Adam BEFORE he sinned, and the last Adam after restoration to God through Jesus Christ. Between them is how we will explain this process of redemption through covenants.
Here we see that righteousness comes as a gift from God, and that we receive it by faith. There was never another way to receive the righteousness from God, not even when the Old Covenant was in place. It is easy to assume that, since the Old Covenant spelled out righteous laws and commandments, it was through perfect obedience to those laws and commandments that righteousness would come. Not so, however. The scriptures tell us clearly that no one, past, present, or future, can measure up to all that is necessary to obtain righteousness - except Jesus Christ did, of course. (And now that His life abides in us, we can live out His righteous life; but it is by Him through us and not us of our own volition.) So how was it that Enoch was so righteous that he was "taken up," or that Noah was considered "righteous"; or, moving forward to the end of the Old Covenant, what about the father of John the Baptist? How was it that he was called "righteous?" All these and many, many more were called righteous because they humbled themselves before God, sought to do His will, but realizing all along that they were frail in their attempts and so would need to ask for His mercy and grace all along the way. This is the attitude of one who is called righteous by God. Abraham simply heard God's call and obeyed Him. His life wasn't perfect in living God's life out perfectly, but he humbled himself before God, demonstrating that he acknowledged his weakness, and God rewarded him with His full righteousness as a gift. Actually, it was a gift that would be made available through the righteousness that Jesus Christ would earn by fulfilling the covenant of laws and commandments and everything involved in the order of the priesthood of Aaron.
This slide also illustrates the first Adam BEFORE he sinned, and the last Adam after restoration to God through Jesus Christ. Between them is how we will explain this process of redemption through covenants.
Here we see that righteousness comes as a gift from God, and that we receive it by faith. There was never another way to receive the righteousness from God, not even when the Old Covenant was in place. It is easy to assume that, since the Old Covenant spelled out righteous laws and commandments, it was through perfect obedience to those laws and commandments that righteousness would come. Not so, however. The scriptures tell us clearly that no one, past, present, or future, can measure up to all that is necessary to obtain righteousness - except Jesus Christ did, of course. (And now that His life abides in us, we can live out His righteous life; but it is by Him through us and not us of our own volition.) So how was it that Enoch was so righteous that he was "taken up," or that Noah was considered "righteous"; or, moving forward to the end of the Old Covenant, what about the father of John the Baptist? How was it that he was called "righteous?" All these and many, many more were called righteous because they humbled themselves before God, sought to do His will, but realizing all along that they were frail in their attempts and so would need to ask for His mercy and grace all along the way. This is the attitude of one who is called righteous by God. Abraham simply heard God's call and obeyed Him. His life wasn't perfect in living God's life out perfectly, but he humbled himself before God, demonstrating that he acknowledged his weakness, and God rewarded him with His full righteousness as a gift. Actually, it was a gift that would be made available through the righteousness that Jesus Christ would earn by fulfilling the covenant of laws and commandments and everything involved in the order of the priesthood of Aaron.
Here we see that Abram simply believed what God said, and obeyed Him by leaving his own country and going to another. It had nothing to do with obedience to righteous laws and commandments, but simply by believing God and doing what God asked him to do he was counted righteousness. What he did was an act of faith. Thus, his faith was accounted to Him as righteousness. Remember, Abram’s righteousness was imputed (awarded) to him some 400 years BEFORE the righteous laws and commandments were even given.
This was what God asked of His Old Covenant people as well. He gave them righteous laws and commandments, and He clearly wanted them to live by them; but realizing that they were not empowered to live by them perfectly, He only required that, like Abraham, they were to humble themselves before Him, honor Him and His will (revealed partly through laws and commandments), and they too would be counted righteous. (Isaiah 66:1-2)
The writer of Hebrews tells us clearly that the children of Israel failed because “they did not mix the Word with faith.” (Hebrews 4:2) This scripture reveals once again, that “the gospel” was preached to them as well, just as to us – and I might add, to Abraham (Galatians 3:6-9), but they refused it and sought a righteousness of their own doing.
This was what God asked of His Old Covenant people as well. He gave them righteous laws and commandments, and He clearly wanted them to live by them; but realizing that they were not empowered to live by them perfectly, He only required that, like Abraham, they were to humble themselves before Him, honor Him and His will (revealed partly through laws and commandments), and they too would be counted righteous. (Isaiah 66:1-2)
The writer of Hebrews tells us clearly that the children of Israel failed because “they did not mix the Word with faith.” (Hebrews 4:2) This scripture reveals once again, that “the gospel” was preached to them as well, just as to us – and I might add, to Abraham (Galatians 3:6-9), but they refused it and sought a righteousness of their own doing.
Here we see that God’s promise to Abraham was indeed a covenant promise. It was given some 400 years BEFORE the covenant to Moses and Israel. Please read through Romans chapters 3 and 4 again.
The same gospel that was delivered to Abram, and to the children of Israel through Moses and the prophets, has been delivered to us. There is no difference whatsoever. Please read Galatians chapter 3 entirely.
Here again, we start back at the beginning layout of the presentation to show that God’s covenant with Abraham/the gospel, is the promise of righteousness that leads to eternal life. It is faith to righteousness.
We see an illustration on the left that represents Adam BEFORE he was separated from God by sin, then to the far right we see a smiley face that represents the last Adam, or Jesus Christ and His Seed, AFTER restoration. The next slides will show the plan of redemption through the covenants more clearly.
We see an illustration on the left that represents Adam BEFORE he was separated from God by sin, then to the far right we see a smiley face that represents the last Adam, or Jesus Christ and His Seed, AFTER restoration. The next slides will show the plan of redemption through the covenants more clearly.
Notice we see the entrance of the covenant God made with between Himself, and Moses and Israel. It had a very clear beginning and a very clear ending. It does not give righteousness, or life, or the power to live life righteously. It was meant to drive men to humility, so that they would simply look to God in the right spirit. Of course, it spelled out God’s basic righteous standards between Him and them, and between them and their fellow man. God also called them to obey perfectly, but not because He thought they could do it, but that in realizing their weakness to do so, they would look to Him.
It was recorded beginning in Exodus 19. It was spelled out with the laws and commandments in the following chapters, Exodus 20-23. It was reiterated and ratified in blood, both parties agreeing to it in Exodus chapter 24; and the Tabernacle was ordered to be constructed in Exodus chapter 25. Here, the ceremonial laws would take place and the priesthood order would officiate and carry out the covenant.
It ended with the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, since it was His life that fulfilled all the whole will of God perfectly, including all the laws and commandments and every single thing involved in the order of the Aaronic Priesthood. This included the fulfillment of all types and shadows that would lead to Him, the “substance” of what God wanted. (Matthew 26:28; John 19:28; Colossians 2:17)
It was recorded beginning in Exodus 19. It was spelled out with the laws and commandments in the following chapters, Exodus 20-23. It was reiterated and ratified in blood, both parties agreeing to it in Exodus chapter 24; and the Tabernacle was ordered to be constructed in Exodus chapter 25. Here, the ceremonial laws would take place and the priesthood order would officiate and carry out the covenant.
It ended with the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, since it was His life that fulfilled all the whole will of God perfectly, including all the laws and commandments and every single thing involved in the order of the Aaronic Priesthood. This included the fulfillment of all types and shadows that would lead to Him, the “substance” of what God wanted. (Matthew 26:28; John 19:28; Colossians 2:17)
Here we see that at the very end of the covenant, Jesus Christ came and fulfilled it. It is interesting and very telling that Jesus said, “Abraham was glad to see His day.” He said this because He was fulfilling the promise God gave to Abraham. He was fulfilling the righteous life necessary to make the gift of righteousness available for God to give Abraham and all his Seed – those who would believe for faith to righteousness.
Notice carefully the process and the four things that were fulfilled from the promise, the perfection, the payment, and the proclamation – all from Abraham through Christ!
Notice carefully the process and the four things that were fulfilled from the promise, the perfection, the payment, and the proclamation – all from Abraham through Christ!
Here we see another way of reviewing the things taught. Study it closely in light of all that we have seen and shared. Remember, even though all people have been called to an obedience that leads to righteousness, it is an obedience of faith in His righteous gift, and not in our own strength.
Yet, we are STILL called to live the righteous life of God, in which case we will obey all the laws and commandments of the Old Covenant… and more besides – even the whole righteous life of God by Jesus Christ. But we are able to do that only by allowing the life of His Spirit to be lived through us. His Spirit cannot disobey Him, since He is God Himself. His Spirit knows all things, even the deep things of God and He has written all that God wants on our hearts. (II Corinthians 2; Hebrews 8-10)
Yet, we are STILL called to live the righteous life of God, in which case we will obey all the laws and commandments of the Old Covenant… and more besides – even the whole righteous life of God by Jesus Christ. But we are able to do that only by allowing the life of His Spirit to be lived through us. His Spirit cannot disobey Him, since He is God Himself. His Spirit knows all things, even the deep things of God and He has written all that God wants on our hearts. (II Corinthians 2; Hebrews 8-10)
Finally, we see an overview of all these things, including the fact that there will be sacrifices restored during the one-thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. (Ezekiel 40-47). I do not fully understand why those sacrifices will be restored; but I do know that they will not represent covering for sin since Jesus Christ has already washed away all sins, and since He will be in the midst of the temple. The Lord will reveal those things in due season. However, the prophet Malachi is inspired to show that in the Last Days, “the sons of Levi will be tried with fire,” SO THAT “they will offer sacrifices in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:1-4) At that time, they will have come through the tribulation period, of course, and they will have had the “Spirit of Supplication” (grace) poured out on them so that many will believe on Jesus as the Christ (Zechariah 12:10). Thus, they will have been made righteousness. Perhaps these sacrifice offerings made again will be the fulfillment of that scripture in Malachi, when in righteousness, the Jews will sacrifice – NOT for a covering for sin, and certainly NOT to magnify the sacrificial system which was MUCH INFERIOR to the sacrifice of Christ Himself – but so that they will fulfill what God wanted them to do all along under the Old Covenant. That is, to carry out their ceremonial priesthood covenant with FAITH.
In summary, we realize that the Old Covenant had a beginning and ending, and why. It was necessary and honorable, but it was also necessary that it should be fulfilled – in which case it would be made “obsolete.” In this way, the new and living way of righteousness by faith could be realized by all those who would believe on the righteous gift given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
To go back and practice Old Covenant ceremonies and/or to try to live righteously through written laws and commandments makes void the work that God has accomplished through faith in Christ for your life (Galatians 3). While we still honor the Old Covenant, and the things that happened there are an example to us for pursuing His walk in righteousness, we live out the righteous life by the Spirit of God who live and abides in us!
In summary, we realize that the Old Covenant had a beginning and ending, and why. It was necessary and honorable, but it was also necessary that it should be fulfilled – in which case it would be made “obsolete.” In this way, the new and living way of righteousness by faith could be realized by all those who would believe on the righteous gift given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
To go back and practice Old Covenant ceremonies and/or to try to live righteously through written laws and commandments makes void the work that God has accomplished through faith in Christ for your life (Galatians 3). While we still honor the Old Covenant, and the things that happened there are an example to us for pursuing His walk in righteousness, we live out the righteous life by the Spirit of God who live and abides in us!
