The Covenant and covenants

[The Biblicist]

I believe the "everlasting covenant" is the covenant of redemption purposed before the foundation of the world and is climaxed in the new heaven and new earth. In between these two points from eternity past to eternity future (that is why it is called the "everlasting" covenant) there is a progressive revelation of this everlasting covenant through more or less conditional and unconditional covenants on earth in time and space. All the covenants on earth either place more emphasize upon the holiness of God ultimately fulfilled in the Person and works of Jesus Christ or the grace of God obtained by the Person and works of Jesus Christ so that Christ is the "Amen" and fulfillment of all the promises of God found in both conditional and unconditional covenants.

The Adamic conditional covenant or Pre-fall covenant is the RACE covenant made between God and MANKIND in the person of Adam wherein consisted in reality the whole human race in one person. Adam was sinless and the condition to remain in the Garden was based upon his obedience to the singular command not to violate God's law (Gen. 2:17). When Adam, the whole human race acted and thus died spiritually and made sinners by that one act. Human ability to keep God's covenant was forfeited by that one act. Responsibility of the human race to obey future conditions is based upon inherent ability obtained and lost in Adam.

The Post-fall unconditional covenant made with Adam in Genesis 3:15 is the INDIVIDUAL covenant application in time and space of the "everlasting covenant" which is made between God and His elect wherein the "lamb slain from the foundation of the world" is the unconditional basis for redemption manifested in the institution of the sacrificial system first introduced by God in the slaying of animals to cloth Adam and Eve in what symbolized the righteousness of Christ or the skins of lambs without spot or blemish. This visual symbolism of "the blood of the everlasting covenant" is then presented in the sacrifice by Abel the first prophet of God who thereby preached the gospel of Christ for remission of sins (Acts 10:43) not obtained by literal sacrifice but obtained by faith and only expressed visually and symbolically by literal sacrifice that he was already righteous and sins remitted by faith (Heb. 11:4; Acts 10:43). This sacrificial institution then progressed as an outward symbol until it climaxes in the Levitical rites which in turn find their symbolism fulfilled in the Person and works of Christ which completed all sacrificial administrative systems.

This Post-fall unconditional covenant application of the "the blood of the everlasting covenant" in time and space is the INDIVIDUAL application of the everlasting covenant for all the elect and elect nation of Israel from Adam to the salvation of national Israel at the Second Advent.

All other covenants between Adam and the Second coming are progressive revelations of the everlasting covenant which emphasize either the holiness of God by obedience to Gods commands OR the grace of God as illustrated in the sacrificial system. All of these covenants contain both aspects but not all place equal emphasis on both. The "old" covenant under Moses is the most complete covenant that places emphasis on the conditions of holiness first introduced in the garded with Adam. However, all covenants that emphasis conditions of holiness are not designed to obtain that holiness in man but to only instruct them in the nature of holiness in order to lead them to the grace of God revealed in the sacrificial aspect of the same covenant.

All unconditional covenants beginning with the Post-fallen unconditional covenant with Adam in Genesis 3:15 and progressively revealed in covenants made with individuals (Noah, Abraham, David, Isaiah, etc.) find their greatest fulfillment as unconditional covenants in the "new" covenant instituted by Christ at His first Advent and climaxed by the redemption of elect Israel at His Second Advent in regard to a SPIRITUAL kingdom. In regard to a PHYSICAL kingdom, it is begun by Christ on earth as King of kings throughout the millennial until the last enemy is vanquished, and then His PHYSICAL kingdom is turned over to the Father who ushers in an eternal SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL kingdom as a new heaven and earth which fulfills the "everlasting covenant" of redemption.

This present "new" covenant is a temporal earthly covenant during this present age that epitomizes the unconditional character of the "blood of the everlasting covenant."

All covenants between Genesis and the creation of the new heavens and earth progressively reveal the two different aspects of the "everlasting covenant" which are the (1) Holiness of God and the (2) grace of God. Some emphasize one over the other but none are without both. The conditional covenants are never designed to obtain the demands of holiness but only to instruct the covenant keepers of their inability (lost in Adam) to obtain the holiness demanded and point them to faith in Christ as visualized in the sacrifical aspect of the covenant. Hence, the conditional aspect of all covenants made between God and man in time and space between the fall of Adam to the ushering in of a new heaven and earth are designed by God so that the conditional aspects of the covenants are meant to drive the covenant keeper to the unconditional aspect where fulfillment of the conditions are met in the person and works of jesus Christ. The "old" covenant under Moses was progressively the most complete conditional covenant that placed emphasis upon the holiness of God driving the covenant keepers to the gospel revealed in the sacrificial aspect. The "new" covenant under Christ's first advent was progressively the most complete unconditional covenant to manifest the grace of God in the Person and works of Jesus Christ while at the same time demanding personal holiness driving the covenant children to the Person and work of Christ to manifest that holiness.

The "new" covenant is not the "everlasting covenant" but is progressively the greatest revelation in time and space of the everlasting covenant that is better than the most progressive revelation of conditional covenants found in the "old" covenant. Both covenants are EARTHLY ADMINISTRATIONS established around an earthly "house of God" where a qualified ministry and ordinances are admnistered for public worship (Heb. 9:1). Both are temporal. The "new" replaces the "old" but the "new" is restricted to this age in time and space but only part of the progressive revelation in time and space of the "everlasting covenant" which finds it only completion in the New heaven and earth.

 

[Getting it Right]

In other words, God talked to Adam, then Noah, then Abram, then Moses, then arrived in Jesus, who talked to the Hebrew folk, and then told Saul to speak to everyone.

 

[The Biblicist]

In other words, God talked to Adam, then Noah, then Abram, then Moses, then arrived in Jesus, who talked to the Hebrew folk, and then told Saul to speak to everyone.

Salvation has always been by grace through faith in Christ (Acts 10:43; Heb. 4:2) from Adam to present under the "blood of the everlasting covenant" (Heb. 13:20). However, the covenants between Adam and Present have not always been the same.

 

[percho]

Is the following, the everlasting covenant?

God determined, that Christ (Anointed), as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, would shed his precious blood, for the purpose of redemption.

Is there more to the everlasting covenant than that?

 

[OldRegular]

I agree in principle with much of what you present in the OP. I would choose the Name Covenant of Grace for the Everlasting Covenant rather than the Covenant of Redemption. Many Biblical scholars do not differentiate between the two, some do.

I believe that the only conditional covenant was the covenant with Adam, sometimes called the Covenant of Works. Genesis 3:15 is the initial revelation in time of the Covenant of Grace and I believe that all succeeding covenants were unconditional; unconditional in the sense that they were either granted or imposed by God.

I disagree with the following statement:

This Post-fall unconditional covenant application of the "the blood of the everlasting covenant" in time and space is the INDIVIDUAL application of the everlasting covenant for all the elect and elect nation of Israel from Adam to the salvation of national Israel at the Second Advent.

i believe that the "everlasting covenant" or the Covenant of Grace is an individual covenant because God saves people as individuals. The statement above seems to imply that the nation Israel are all among the Elect. I disagree and so does Scripture. The nation Israel was chosen for the purpose of bringing the Redeemer promised in Genesis 3:15 into the world. Once that was accomplished and Israel conspired in His Crucifixion their part in Gods purpose of Redemption was complete. I reject the idea which seems implied in the above statement of

the salvation of national Israel at the Second Advent.

God saves people as individuals. The Elect among Israel will be saved now and in the future as individuals.

Otherwise I believe you have presented a very worthwhile OP and I hope it will initiate a much needed exchange of thought.

 

[percho]

I agree in principle with much of what you present in the OP. I would choose the Name Covenant of Grace for the Everlasting Covenant rather than the Covenant of Redemption. Many Biblical scholars do not differentiate between the two, some do.

I believe that the only conditional covenant was the covenant with Adam, sometimes called the Covenant of Works. Genesis 3:15 is the initial revelation in time of the Covenant of Grace and I believe that all succeeding covenants were unconditional; unconditional in the sense that they were either granted or imposed by God.

I disagree with the following statement:



i believe that the "everlasting covenant" or the Covenant of Grace is an individual covenant because God saves people as individuals. The statement above seems to imply that the nation Israel are all among the Elect. I disagree and so does Scripture. The nation Israel was chosen for the purpose of bringing the Redeemer promised in Genesis 3:15 into the world. Once that was accomplished and Israel conspired in His Crucifixion their part in Gods purpose of Redemption was complete. I reject the idea which seems implied in the above statement of God saves people as individuals. The Elect among Israel will be saved now and in the future as individuals.

Otherwise I believe you have presented a very worthwhile OP and I hope it will initiate a much needed exchange of thought.

I believe the covenant with Adam (man) was that he was created, carnal sold under sin Rom 7:14 that is the creation from the creation was subjected to vanity in hope Rom 8:20, that hope being, Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot by obedience shedding his blood for redemption having received after the shedding of that blood the promise of God. The hope of eternal life. The everlasting covenant in full.

Consider the blood of Christ would not have redeemed us had not Christ been raised from the dead.

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1 Cor 15:17

The faith of God was Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot shedding his blood. The grace of God is, the grace of life that is inherited. The Son of God is the heir of God Heb 1:1,2 and he inherited the promise of God. Life see Gal 3:19-21 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The grace of God is the resurrection of the Son of God.

That is the reason for me asking is the blood was all of the covenant.

 

[The Biblicist]

Is the following, the everlasting covenant?

God determined, that Christ (Anointed), as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, would shed his precious blood, for the purpose of redemption.

Is there more to the everlasting covenant than that?

That is one part of the covenant as the very concept of a covenant requires two or more parties involved and you have just one participant (Jesus Christ and his committments). This is the "everlasting" covenant and so the only parties involved are the Three Persons of the Godhead. This covenant and its parties are spelled out in Ephesians 1:4-13.

 

[The Biblicist]

I agree in principle with much of what you present in the OP. I would choose the Name Covenant of Grace for the Everlasting Covenant rather than the Covenant of Redemption. Many Biblical scholars do not differentiate between the two, some do.

All of creation has been leavened by the fall and therefore the whole creation benefits from the redemption of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:18-24). However, I believe you are technically correct, as the everlasting covenant by its very nature is more than just one party (Jesus Christ) committment, but a "covenant" by its very nature is at least two or more participants. It is the "everlasting covenant" and therefore the only other participants are the Father and the Holy Spirit as summarized in Ephesians 1:4-13. Hence, it is a covenant of grace that includes the redemption work and goals.

I believe that the only conditional covenant was the covenant with Adam, sometimes called the Covenant of Works.

The Mosaic Covenant is also a covenant of works as the emphasis is upon personal obedience to the Law. Of course, God never designed the Mosaic Law to obtain eternal life, but rather the dual nature of the covenant (Law and sacrifices) was designed by God to drive those attempting to keep the law to seek satisfaction of the law's demands in Christ as presented in the sacrifices, thus lead them to faith in a "lamb without spot or blemish" as complete satisfaction of the penal and righteous demands of the Law.

Genesis 3:15 is the initial revelation in time of the Covenant of Grace and I believe that all succeeding covenants were unconditional; unconditional in the sense that they were either granted or imposed by God.

Of course the Law of Moses cannot fall in your "unconditional" covenants.

I disagree with the following statement:

The elect ethnic nation of Israel is an individual elect nation among many nations. Moreover, the ultimate salvation of ethnic elect Israel at the coming of Christ will be first individualized salvation but not finished until "all Israel" as a nation is saved (Rom. 11:25-28) and that is the very same Israel that is now "the enemy of the gospel FOR YOUR SAKES" the "enemy" that had been "cut off" but will be "grafted back in again."

 

[OldRegular]

The Mosaic Covenant is also a covenant of works as the emphasis is upon personal obedience to the Law. Of course, God never designed the Mosaic Law to obtain eternal life, but rather the dual nature of the covenant (Law and sacrifices) was designed by God to drive those attempting to keep the law to seek satisfaction of the law's demands in Christ as presented in the sacrifices, thus lead them to faith in a "lamb without spot or blemish" as complete satisfaction of the penal and righteous demands of the Law.

Of course the Law of Moses cannot fall in your "unconditional" covenants.

I realize that many in the pre-trib-dispensational camp say that Israel gave up grace for the law when they accepted the Mosaic Covenant. I don't believe the children of Israel, as a nation, were given a choice. The Law and the temple/tabernacle worship was imposed upon the Nation of Israel. As individuals they could rebel but the penalty was severe. Therefore, I believe the covenant was unconditional. God doesn't really bargain with man does He.

The elect ethnic nation of Israel is an individual elect nation among many nations. Moreover, the ultimate salvation of ethnic elect Israel at the coming of Christ will be first individualized salvation but not finished until "all Israel" as a nation is saved (Rom. 11:25-28) and that is the very same Israel that is now "the enemy of the gospel FOR YOUR SAKES" the "enemy" that had been "cut off" but will be "grafted back in again."

Of course Paul says that: For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: {Romans 9:6}