Most Christians believe the New Covenant promised to Israel was transferred to spiritual Israel, the Church. Yet if God made an unconditional promise to natural Israel, to break it would make him a liar. It is impossible for God to lie (Heb 6:18). Without realizing it, many well meaning Christians have made God out to be a liar.
Jer 31:31-34 says, “31 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: 32 Not 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 an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 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. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (KJV)
This text can only apply to natural Israel, not the Christian church.
- Vrs. 31: Covenant made with house of Israel and house of Judah.
- Vrs. 32: Won’t be like covenant they broke after coming out of Egypt [Not true of Christian church. The Christian church never came out of Egypt].
- Context verifies natural Israel is being spoken of…
Jer 31:27-28: 27 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. 28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD. (KJV)
The Christian church was never plucked up and thrown down and destroyed by the Lord. These words can only apply to natural Israel.
Jer 31:35-37: 35 This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar– the LORD Almighty is his name: 36 “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.” 37 This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the LORD. (NIV)
Israel will never cease to be a nation as long as the sun, moon and stars shine. God will never reject Israel since on Paradise Earth, the sun, moon and stars will continue to shine.
I Agree pearl the word of God didnt fail he chose gentiles to become a nation of Kings and priest. the nation of Israel lost this opportunity apart from the faithful remnant. but Romans 11 v 28 says Jehovah still loves the blinded ones because his promises are irrevocable the promise made to Abraham about the land will be. fulfilled Gen 13 v 15. Romans 11 v 26 lets us know that all Israel will be saved Romans 11 v 26 – 27 do you believe this or is God liar
one of the questions you asked me pear was this
Do you not understand that your eternal future depends on your knowledge of the scriptures, and not on your opinion?
are you saying even if someone is a honest hearted person who searches the scriptures daily will be smited by God just because they didnt understand the bible fully. at the end of the day we are all searchers of truth doing our best to understand the word of God. if what you say is true then we must all approach the word of God with fear because if we don’t understand the scriptures as clearly as someone else God is angry with us. to be honest i don’t think this is the case Jehovah searches the hearts not head knowledge
God is not a liar,
nor has his promise failed……
6 However, it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who [spring] from Israel are really “Israel.” Rom.9:6
This one verse tells us,
that just because “Israel”, is no longer Israel in a fleshly sense,
that does not infer that God’s word and promise has failed.
Do you believe this verse?
The scriptures tell us that the “seed” is by means of Issac, Sarah’s son.
Gal.4 tells us that Sarah is the New Covenant.
“Isaac” is her first son, Christ.
He is the firstborn from the dead, by means of that new Covenant.
“by means of Isaac” (Christ) the rest of the seed is begotten.
The books of Romans and Hebrews tell us, that the nations are taken into the New Covenant, and become the seed.
Therefore, God’s word and promise has not failed.
He has taken the seed from those producing their fruits,
and circumcised in heart.
Are you saying He doesn’t have a right to create this justice?
Hi Pearl thank you for getting back to me. i think keeping in context with scripture galatians 3 & 4 are not talking about the new covenant. yes it says two covenants but it doesn’t say new covenant. but it does talk about the promised seed of abraham. so i would say its talking about the law covenant and the abrahamic covenant. as regards jeremiah 31 v 34 at the time this was written the church didnt exist its talking about the nation of Israel all of them had the opportunity to be in the new covenant not just a 144000. what scripture says that all Israel means the church ? the way you view the nation of Israel is very similar to the way the christian congration in Rome viewed Israel and that is that there insignificant they have been replaced. but what does Paul say Romans 11 v 15 -24 the gentiles did not replace Israel they were just grafted in to the promises of Israel. Israel are in a blinded state. but s they are still loved By Jehovah Romans 11 v 28.
there are many Good articles on this website that you may benefit from pearl. do you have a Email Address i can send you something on the new covenant. Take care bro phill
read the scriptures as to who the seed of Abraham are.
Please read Galatians again.
Sarah is Jerusalem above.
This is a symbol.
Who then is Abraham?
Yes, the promises to Abraham have had the Nations “grafted in”…
but remember,
the natural branches were “lopped off”.
Jehovah loves the whole world.
That does not mean that they are all in the new covenant.
It is not until that covenant “New Jerusalem”
comes down out of heaven,
that the rest of mankind benefit from it.
Only then will death and sin, cease,
and the “Nations will bless themselves, by means of the seed”.
Pearl – The natural branches were not permanently lopped off.
* In Rom 11:7, 8 shows that the nation of Israel did not obtain what it sought. Paul goes on in verses 9 and 10 showing that their eyes were darkened so they would not see the truth.
* Paul continues his thought in verse 11 showing that Israel did not stumble so as to fall. The purpose of their stumbling is so the Gentiles would also have an opportunity to be anointed and be part of the 144,000, but even so, verse 1 says that “God has not rejected His people” Israel.
* Not only did they not utterly fall, but there was a purpose to the fall. Their disobedience was for a purpose, which is to bless all. This is where it gets really exciting! Verse 15 begins a section which shows the true purpose of Israel being blinded, and allowed to fall for a time is the “reconciling of the whole world.”
* In verse 12, Paul shows that their rejection results in the “reconciliation of the world” and their future acceptance (“fullness”) will mark the time of “life from the dead.”
* All Israel will be saved (verse 26), both fleshly and spiritual.
* Verses 25-29 is so beautiful. It shows that Israel was “blinded UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles comes in,” that is until the 144,000 are complete. And then the blindness and their sins will be removed (verse 27). Verse 28 shows this that they are enemies for the sake of the Anointed, but beloved for the sake of the fathers – God still keeps them in His plan and will help them.
Romans 11:28 says, ” From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers”
How can Romans 11:28 be speaking of anything other than the nation of Israel, when it specifically says:
1. They are enemies for the Gospel’s sake
2. They are beloved for the father’s sake
Are the anointed enemies for the Gospels sake? I should hope not. So this group of enemies is natural Israel who are “beloved for the fathers’ sake.”
Moses told natural Israel that Jehovah loved them in Deut 7:6-8, “For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God: Jehovah thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples: but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Rom 11:29 tells us that, “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” What are the gifts and calling of God to the natural nation of Israel that are irrevocable?
* God will bless all the nations of the world through them (Gen 12:3)
* They will own the land of Israel forever (Gen 13:15)
* They will eventually be planted in their land and never again plucked up out of it (Amos 9:15)
In Luke 21:24 (NASV) Jesus said, “they (the Jews) will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Notice that the time of Jerusalem’s trampling ended in 1914 with the end of the Gentile times. WWI which began in 1914 produced the Balfour Declaration through which the British Empire set aside land in Palestine for a Jewish nation, which became a reality in 1948. So the early Watchtower (C.T. Russell) was then correct in connecting the reestablishment of the nation of Israel with the end of the Gentile Times. Here is what the early Watchtower wrote about Israel: http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/volumes/C08.asp
I just noticed these comments above…..
“This text can only apply to natural Israel, not the Christian church.
Vrs. 31: Covenant made with house of Israel and house of Judah.
Vrs. 32: Won’t be like covenant they broke after coming out of Egypt [Not true of Christian church. The Christian church never came out of Egypt].
Context verifies natural Israel is being spoken of…
Jer 31:27-28: 27 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. 28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD. (KJV)
The Christian church was never plucked up and thrown down and destroyed by the Lord. These words can only apply to natural Israel.
Jer 31:35-37: 35 This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar– the LORD Almighty is his name: 36 “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.” 37 This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the LORD. (NIV)”
I am amazed to read these verses that I never before considered applying to the “Israel of God”. You have no idea how these things fully apply today, to Anointed Christians!
Coming out of Egypt?
To be “thrown down” and “built up”?
To be sown with the seed of man and beast?
the sun, moon, stars, and the sea?
You must not think physically.
You must walk by faith, and not by sight.
All these things are being spiritually fulfilled,
not with fleshly Jews,
but by means of the true tribes……
Rev.5:9,10:
9 And they sing a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God **out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation**, 10 and you made them **to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth**.”
14:3,4
. 3 And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth. 4 These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought **from among mankind** as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb,”
Rev.7:4
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:”
Clearly these ones are from all Nations, yet, considered the tribes of Israel.
Rather than having the literal sons of Jacob as the fathers of these tribes,
they have the 12 apostles as the fathers of these new tribes, of new Israel, of NEW Jerusalem.
NEW Jerusalem, is not old Jerusalem.
Rev.21:9-14:
“Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 So he carried me away in [the power of the] spirit to a great and lofty mountain, and he showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God 11 and having the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious stone, as a jasper stone shining crystal-clear. 12 It had a great and lofty wall and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names were inscribed which are those of THE TWELVE TRIBES OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL. 13 On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 The wall of the city also **had twelve foundation stones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb**.
The apostles are the 12 “foundation stones” of the Holy City.
Upon each of them are 12,000 sealed.
These sealed ones are the “living stones” “built upon the foundation of the apostles”.
Upon these 12 foundation stones,
are the 144,000 of the entire Holy City, New Jerusalem,
the “mother” of the anointed (Gal4)
the children of this promise…
“Jerusalem above”.
Hello humbleman,
Sorry for the delay. I just found this. I rarely troll the internet.
Your question:
i don’t agree the new covenant was established in the first century. but lets just say it was and that the first opportunity of this new covenant was given to Israel. its says in the above quoted scripture that all Israel would be part of the new covenant from the least of them to the greatest so my questions why all of a sudden did it shrink to just include 144000 people ?
I’ll take it in pieces, and let the Bible answer you. It is superior to what any of us think.:
“i don’t agree the new covenant was established in the first century.”
Luke 22:20:
“the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: “This cup means the *new covenant by virtue of my blood*, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf.”
Heb.9:16:
“For where there is a covenant, the death of the [human] covenanter needs to be furnished.”
If this “new covenant” was not the new covenant Jesus was speaking of when he initiated the Lord’s Evening Meal and established by means of his own blood; then please explain to me whose blood will be poured out to establish the one you refer to (“and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant”), when it finally is established. Also, can you please back up your views with the backing Scriptures.
Next,
“but lets just say it was and that the first opportunity of this new covenant was given to Israel”
Matt.10:5,6:
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, giving them these orders: “Do not go off into the road of the nations, and do not enter into a Sa·mar´i·tan city; 6 but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matt.15:24:
“In answer Jesus said: “I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Rom.2:10,11:
“but glory and honor and peace for everyone who works what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.”
Acts 10:28,34,45:
“and he said to them: “YOU well know how unlawful it is for a Jew to join himself to or approach a man of another race; and yet God has shown me I should call no man defiled or unclean; 34 At this Peter opened his mouth and said: “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him; 45 And the faithful ones that had come with Peter who were of those circumcised were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also upon people of the nations”.
Here we see established, that during the time of Jesus’ ministry, the new covenant was being offered to Jews first. After Jesus ascended and “gift offering ceased”…meaning that the Jewish system of the forgiveness of sins expired…then this new covenant was offered the Nations.
These facts however, do not relate to your next points as you imagine.
Next you said:
“its says in the above quoted scripture that all Israel would be part of the new covenant from the least of them to the greatest”.
Yes it does. So, if we have already seen that the Nations were taken into this new covenant, then why does Jehovah speak of it as being only for “all Israel”. And secondly, if it is for “all Israe”l, why is it for 144,000, when “all Israel” would seem to refer to the entire Nation of the Jews.
The answer to both questions comes when we discern who “all Israel” is.
It would seem that “all Israel” to you, means all of the Jews by means of fleshly genetics.
Again, what does the Bible say?
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and [his] circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code. The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God.
Rom.9:6 “However, it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who [spring] from Israel are really “Israel.” 7 Neither because they are Abraham’s seed are they all children, but: “What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.” 8 That is, the children in the flesh are not really the children of God, but *the children by the promise are counted as the seed*. 9 For the word of promise was as follows: “At this time I will come and Sarah will have a son.”
We see here that the ones whom GOD considers “Israel”, are not fleshly Israel.
Who then, are those spoken here as:
–“circumcision of the heart by spirit”
–praised by God
–the “seed” through Isaac
–children of the promise
–Sarah’s son
To refer back to your cited scripture,
33“For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, AND IN THEIR HEART I SHALL WRITE IT. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.”
We see that the laws of this new covenant, are written on the hearts of this “Israel”. That causes a “circumcision of the heart by spirit”. Can you see that?
Regarding the “children of the promise”…
Gal.3:28,29
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, HEIRS with reference to a promise.”
Once again, the “seed of Abraham”, the “Heirs with reference to a PROMISE”, are the true “Israel” of God. These are the “children of the promise”. That promise IS the New Covenant. The “children of the promise” are the “heirs”.
This is made plain, as well as it’s connection to “Sarah’s son” (the last trait of “all Israel”.), at Gal.4:23,24,26,28,31….
23 but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman THROUGH A PROMISE. 24 These things stand as a symbolic drama; forTHESE WOMEN MEAN TWO COVENANTS, the one from Mount Si´nai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Ha´gar. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 28 Now we, brothers, are children belonging to the promise the same as Isaac was. 31 Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.”
Can you see here the plain symbolism?….the “Sarah” is the new covenant;
and that her children belong to “Jerusalem above”?
These children of hers are the “heirs with reference to a promise”…
yes, with reference to Sarah.
These five points:
–“circumcision of the heart by spirit”
–praised by God
–the “seed” through Isaac
–children of the promise
–Sarah’s son
all have scriptures to identify these traits with the 144,000…
the “Israel of God”.
“For neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision (being a fleshly Jew), but a new creation [is something]. 16 And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God”. Gal.6:15,16
This clearly points out that the “Israel of God”, as stated before, is not due to literal circumcision (or being a Jew), but rather by walking “orderly by” the “rule of conduct”…the law, written on the heart. These are “Israel of God”.
Would any of these spiritual Israelites (Both of the Jewish nation and the other nations), not be included in having this law written on their hearts?
If every one of the 144,000 taken into this covenant, has had God write his laws of love on their hearts by means of spirit, then of course,
“ALL ISRAEL” would be part of the new covenant….
Just as all in the new covenant, would now be considered “Israel”.
It is natural to see
that all those in the new covenant, belong to this new “Israel of God”, which is made of all nations;
as well as
that all of this “Israel of God”, is in the new covenant.
Both traits are inseparable.
If you did not receive this circumcision of the heart,
then you would not belong to “Israel”
If you were not part of this “Israel” (child of promise/covenant/Sarah)
then you are not in the new covenant.
All scriptures referring to these subjects are in harmony and support each other.
What I wonder, is why you believe these things….
*i don’t agree the new covenant was established in the first century.
*why all of a sudden did (all “Israel”) shrink to just include 144000 people ?
*that fleshly Israel are in the new covenant
*that the new covenant is not for the 144,000
Do you also have scriptures to show these things?
If not, why do you believe them?
Do you not understand that your eternal future depends on your knowledge of the scriptures, and not on your opinion?
John 17:3,17:
3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. 17 Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth.”
You may benefit from this article:
pearl-newcovenant.blogspot.com
4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com
Pearl – I do not believe that Jesus makes the New Covenant with the anointed. Let me explain why.
WHEN DOES A COVENANT GO INTO EFFECT?
A covenant can go into effect, only after it has been ratified. To ratify a covenant means to confirm it or to guarantee it. Today we ratify a contract with a signature. In Old Testament times a covenant was often ratified by animal sacrifices.
An example of ratifying a covenant is illustrated in Gen 21:22-34. Here Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech that the well at Beersheba would belong to Abraham and that Abimelech’s servants would no longer use it. The two parties sacrificed sheep and oxen to ratify the covenant.
Gen 21:27: And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and they two made a covenant.
The Hebrew word for “made” in this verse is “karath”. Strong’s gives the following definition:
Strong’s 3772: a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication to destroy or consume; specifically to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces).
Often the sacrificed animal would be cut in parts; each half was laid on the ground with some space between them. The covenant makers would then walk between the cut parts, thereby ratifying the covenant. This was also how God ratified the Covenant with Abraham as recorded in Gen 15:9, 10, 17, 18.
Jeremiah speaks in figurative terms of ratifying the Law Covenant:
Jer 34:18: … the covenant which they made before me, when they cut the calf in twain and passed between the parts thereof…”
Again, the thought of animal sacrifices is associated with ratifying a covenant. The New Covenant too must be ratified by sacrifices.
Heb 9:16, 17: For where a Covenant exists, the Death of that which has RATIFIED it is necessary to be produced; because a Covenant is firm over dead victims, since it is never valid when that which ratifies it is alive. – Wilson’s Diaglott. (See also Rotherham and Young’s Literal Translation)
The “victims” plural here are Christ and the Church whose joint sacrifice ratifies the New Covenant.
So, in order for a covenant to go into effect, it must be ratified by sacrifices. In order for the New Covenant to go into effect, it must first be ratified by Christ and His body members.
The expression “to be produced” is from Strong’s 5342 and is in the present tense, according to Baker’s Analytical Greek New Testament. Present tense indicates that this sacrifice, which includes the Church, was in process (not complete) at the time the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Hebrews. Consequently, the New Covenant cannot have gone into operation since the sacrifice that will ratify it is in process.
DOES DRINKING THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT MEAN WE ARE UNDER IT?
Matt 26:27,28 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. NASV
This text has thoroughly convinced many that the Church is under the New Covenant. Notice though, this text nowhere states that God will make the New Covenant with the Church. The conclusion some draw is that since the Church drinks of the blood of the New Covenant, this means they are under it. Yet, we ask, where does the Bible show that drinking blood represents being under a covenant?
Quite to the contrary, drinking blood represents participation in Christ’s sacrifice. This text therefore does not prove that we are under the New Covenant, but rather, it shows our participation in the sacrifice that ratifies the New Covenant.
Let’s look at scriptures which support the view that drinking blood represents participation in sacrifice.
Mk 10:38: But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Jn 18:11: Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Matt 26:39: And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me! nevertheless, not as I will, but as though will.
All three of the texts reveal that drinking of the cup represents Christ’s sacrifice or our participation with Christ in His sacrifice. The common rebuttal to this conclusion is that none of these verses have anything at all to do with the cup drank at our Lord’s memorial supper. However the last two texts quoted occurred within hours of the memorial supper and if they do not all relate to each other, we might as well throw out the window the concept of scripture interpreting scripture.
We find further support in..
1 Cor 10:16: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
The word “communion” has the thought in the Greek of sharing or common participation. It’s the same Greek word used in Phil 3:10 where Paul speaks of having a “fellowship” or common participation in Christ’s sufferings.
Phil 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; NASV
So in all four of the texts quoted, drinking of the cup represents participation in sacrifice. 1 Cor 10:16 directly ties in this thought of common participation with the memorial cup.
Our drinking of the cup proves that our relationship to the New Covenant is that of sacrificers. Since sacrifices ratify covenants, the Church’s sacrifice (as a part of Christ’s body), with their head, is what ratifies the New Covenant.
DID JESUS DRINK THE CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT?
This question may seem trivial, but it is quite important to our discussion. Those who believe that the Church is under the New Covenant strongly argue that Jesus definitely did not drink of the cup. Why do they take such a strong position?
Think about it. If our drinking of the cup is used as proof that we are under the New Covenant, then that must mean Jesus is under the New Covenant too if he drank of the cup. Jesus of course cannot be under the New Covenant, therefore they conclude that the Church drinks the cup, but Jesus did not.
What do the scriptures say?
Mk 14:25: Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. KJV
Notice two points from this scripture. First, Christ says he will drink no more of the cup. The fact that he won’t drink any more until the kingdom indicates that had already drank of the cup, else how could he drink of it no more.
Second, Christ says he won’t drink with them again until he drinks the cup new with them. If he promises to drink it new, there must have been a time when he drank it old. Therefore, Jesus did indeed drink of the cup on the Passover night. This is in harmony with his clear statement.
Mk 10:38: But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what he ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I DRINK OF? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? (See also John 18:11)
Since drinking the cup does not place Jesus under the New Covenant, but rather makes him the sacrifice that ratifies it. So likewise with us. The Church is not under the New Covenant, but as a part of the body of Christ, we participate in ratifying that covenant.
[It was Jesus’ cup of which he drank, which he gave to his disciples to finish. R4475:1 204475]
In Matt 26:39,42 when Jesus prayed that this cup pass from him, he was praying that His sacrifice be successful that that the cup could pass from him over to his disciples, so that they too could drink from His cup and become body members with Him. Jesus drank the cup and through his successful sacrifice, the cup passed from Him to His body members.
IS THE CHURCHES ROLE IN RELATION TO THE NEW COVENANT THE SAME AS JESUS’ ROLE?
To find the answer, let’s take a careful look at Luke 22.
Luke 22:20 – Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” NKJV
Luke 22:29 – And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; KJV
The word “appoint” is not accurate. It is the same word mistranslated Testator in Hebrews 9:16 (Strong’s 1303) and the real meaning of the word is “covenant sacrifice.” That’s what we are; covenant sacrificers with Christ, who ratify the New Covenant.
Rotherham translates closer to the real meaning:
Luke 22:29 And, I, covenant (Strong’s 1303) unto you—as my Father hath covenanted (Strong’s 1303) unto me—a kingdom,
(Supported by Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
So the Church’s role in relation to the new Covenant is the same as Christ’s role. Luke 22:29 says that Christ has covenanted unto us, just in the same way as the Father has covenanted unto Him. Christ’s relationship to the New Covenant is the same as our relationship to the New Covenant.
In other words as covenant sacrificers, ratifying the New Covenant, Christ and His body members make possible the Kingdom, through the New Covenant arrangement.
Hello Rus!!!
😀
Thank you Jacqueline. I myself do not have knowledge. I only speak from the things that I receive from the One who has all knowledge.
1Cor.4:7 “For who makes you to differ from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive?”
I will follow your advice about the postings, thank you.
Love,
Pearl
When God speaks of “Israel”, can he mean the nations who have had their heart circumcised?
Romans 2:13-15
13 “For the hearers of law are not the ones righteous before God, but the doers of law will be declared righteous. 14 For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law, these people, although not having law, are a law to themselves. 15 They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts”
Romans 9:6-9
“For not all who [spring] from Israel are really “Israel.” 7 Neither because they are Abraham’s seed are they all children, but: “What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.” 8 That is, the children in the flesh are not really the children of God, but the children by the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For the word of promise was as follows: “At this time I will come and Sarah will have a son.”
Who is “Sarah”? Who are her children?
Gal.4:22-26
22 “For example, it is written that Abraham acquired two sons, one by the servant girl and one by the free woman; 23 but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman through a promise. 24 These things stand as a symbolic drama; for these [women] mean two covenants, the one from Mount Si´nai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Ha´gar. 25 Now this Ha´gar means Si´nai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”
Sarah is the New Covenant, Jerusalem Above. Her children are those in that Covenant…those bound for Jerusalem above…heaven.
Pearl – Regarding your previous posts, we discourage numerous large copy and paste posts all at once. With so much material, this doesn’t give readers a chance to digest what you are saying.
HELLO Pearl ! Glad to see you !
http://bibleforum.reslight.net/index.php/topic,130.0.html
Hi Pearl, I am going to read this over the weekend. But welcome, I have blogged with you on another site. You have incredible knowledge, we just hope it does not get lost as mor comments come in. Maybe you could just put the web-page address for reference. Godspeed and love Jacqueline
Hello Jacqueline,
here is a good place where to find Pearl’s blogs/articles
http://www.blogger.com/profile/13281232149590681155
Anyway, the time is coming when the entire BODY of Christ
will attain “to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13
What a blessed time will be then !
Greeting in Christ
Hi Pearl. please read the following scripture
31“Look! There are days coming,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant; 32not one like the covenant that I concluded with their forefathers in the day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, ‘which covenant of mine they themselves broke, although I myself had husbandly ownership of them,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.”
33“For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I shall write it. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.”
34“And they will no more teach each one his companion and each one his brother, saying, ‘KNOW Jehovah!’ for they will ALL OF THEM know me, from the LEAST one of them even to the GREATEST one of them,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “For I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more
i don’t agree the new covenant was established in the first century. but lets just say it was and that the first opportunity of this new covenant was given to Israel. its says in the above quoted scripture that all Israel would be part of the new covenant from the least of them to the greatest so my questions why all of a sudden did it shrink to just include 144000 people ?
God never broke His covenant…His people did.
Just as when an innocent marriage mate is free to leave a marriage and re-marry after their mate proves unfaithful; Jehovah is no longer bound by His perfect Justice to remain in a covenant with the unfaithful, adulterous nation of Israel.
Jer.31:31,32
31 “Look! There are days coming,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant; 32 not one like the covenant that I concluded with their forefathers in the day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, ‘which covenant of mine they themselves broke, although I myself had husbandly ownership of them,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.”
Any people joined to God must prove holy, for God does not remain in union with that which becomes unclean.
Lev.19:2
2“Speak to the entire assembly of the sons of Israel, and you must say to them, ‘YOU should prove yourselves holy, because I Jehovah YOUR God am holy.”
In rejecting both John the Baptist’s call for repentance, as well as rejecting and murdering the Son of God, Israel did not prove itself “holy”.
Due to these things, God removed the blessings and promises offered in the Old Covenant, and decided to bestow these on those who would be obedient from the heart.
See Jer.31:33
33 “For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I shall write it. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.”
Despite the Nation of Israel’s gross lack of appreciation for the favor and future God promised them, Jehovah’s undeserved kindness moved Him to give fleshly Israel the first offer of Kingdom Rule.
Matt.10:6; 15:24
5 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, giving them these orders: “Do not go off into the road of the nations, and do not enter into a Sa·mar´i·tan city; 6 but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
24 “In answer he said: ‘I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”
It was only after the great majority of these rejected both the offer, and the Son through whom this offer was extended; that God turned to the “Nations” to complete this group of ruling heirs.
Acts 15:14-17a
14 “Sym´e·on has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 ‘After these things I shall return and rebuild the booth of David that is fallen down; and I shall rebuild its ruins and erect it again, 17 in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations”.
He was then divorced from this Nation.
Matt.23:37,38
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her,—how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But YOU people did not want it. 38 Look! YOUR house is abandoned to YOU.”
It was prophesied long ago, that the “fathers” would be replaced by the “sons”.
Psalm 45:16
16 “In place of your forefathers there will come to be your sons,
Whom you will appoint as princes in all the earth.”
These sons would be Christ’s “partners” who are anointed with Holy Spirit, the “oil of exultation”.
Psalm 45:7
7 “You have loved righteousness and you hate wickedness.
That is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your partners.”
pearl-newcovenant.blogspot.com
Jesus said to them: “Did YOU never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone that the builders rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone. From Jehovah this has come to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 This is why I say to YOU, The kingdom of God will be taken from YOU and be given to a nation producing its fruits. 44 Also, the person falling upon this stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will pulverize him.”
So who was the nation to whom the kingdom of God would be taken away from and which nation would be the one who would recieve the kingdom of God?
Hi Robin – good question. Here’s my take on it.
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Jehovah gave the opportunity to Israel to become the priests and the holy nation to be used to bless all the families of the earth provided they would obey Him, but since they didn’t, these opportunity was passed to the ‘bride’ of Christ – the close followers of Jesus from among all the nations who are faithful to the end.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
But even though they lost the opportunity to be the Holy nation that will reign with Jesus for a thousand years over the nations of the earth, they will be “saved” on earth, once the Bride is complete, as we see in Romans 11:
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”
27 “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”
28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;