Zech 14:5. “Then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! ” Zech 14: 9 “And the Lord will be king over all the earth…”
I. Introduction. Prophecies Of Messiah – 7 – The New Covenant.
A. This Eternity study focuses on a study of the Bible, which takes place through a consistent, literal, historical, grammatical and contextual interpretation of God’s Inspired Word. The result of this study is accomplished through a systematic exposition of Israel and the End Times, which includes Scripture that is contained in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
B. The contents in this article rely heavily on my study of the commentaries, articles, and discussions of many highly respected theological scholars, It is important to know that before I draw a conclusion on any subject, that I must first have found agreement on the conclusion from the works of such reputable theologians.
C. For a view of other trusted theological scholars, of whom I have chosen for reference, please click on my Page, “About My References.”
D. Dates that are provided in this article come from the Scofield Study Bible (1909 A.D.) and the Ryrie Study Bible (1986 A.D.).
II. Prophecies Of Messiah – 7 – The New Covenant. – The Promises of the New Covenant with Israel.
A. The New Testament by its very name proclaims the universal recognition that a new covenant was made by our Lord Jesus Christ. The title, applied to all the books of the Bible written after Christ, stands in contrast to the Old Testament or Old Covenant. In common discourse, the term “New Testament” has become almost a cliché, used to represent the books as such, rather than their content. The term is, however, Biblical and filled with great significance. Its interpretation bears on soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology in particular, and it colors theology as a whole.
B. The particular aspect of the new covenant is the relation of the new covenant to Israel, specifically, the question of whether the new covenant promised Israel in the Old Testament will have literal fulfillment. In the hours of Israel’s apostasy and departure from God, the prophets mingled their predictions of dire judgment with glowing promises of a future in which Israel would have spiritual and temporal well-being (Temporal refers to things related to the physical world or practical matters, as opposed to spiritual ones).
C. The major passage in the Old Testament, and the only one to use the specific term “new covenant,” is found in Jeremiah 31:31-34:“Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, says Yahweh. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, “know Yahweh”; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.”
D. The issue being considered is whether these promises are now being fulfilled to the church, or to the Jews in the church in this age. In this light, the provisions of the covenant are to be noted in the following particulars: (1) It is specifically a covenant with “the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” (2) It is contrasted with the Mosaic covenant which also was with Israel only and not with any other people. (3) The covenant will be fulfilled “after those days,” i.e., after the days of judgment and affliction described in the preceding context, also Jeremiah 30:7. (4) The Law is to be written in their hearts, in their “inward parts,” in contrast to the Mosaic law which was written in tables of stone. (5) Yahweh will be their God and Israel will be His people; this relationship will be mutually and publicly recognized by both parties. (6) There will be no need to proclaim the truth concerning Yahweh as all will know Him, “from the least of them unto the greatest of them.” (7) Their sins will be forgiven and remembered no more.
E. While certain aspects of this covenant correspond to spiritual blessings realized by the people of God in this age, it is not difficult to see that the provisions of the covenant are not fulfilled in any literal sense in this age. The covenant is specifically made with Israel, a name which is never used in the New Testament in reference to Gentiles, as brought out in many articles on eschatological problems. The New Covenant provides that God will be their God, and Israel shall be His people. Obviously this involves more than ever existed in the Old Testament. It is a relationship to Israel “as a group ,” and premises a public manifestation of God’s blessing on them. Certainly this has no fulfillment in the present day or in any period since apostolic times. A most distinctive promise is that “all” will know Yahweh. This has never been true of the world and is not true today. The church in the world is given a commission to proclaim the Gospel to a world that” knows not God,” to teach the truth to those who have believed in Him. There is no evidence, whatever, that the day will ever come when all will know Yahweh until the full revelation is given by the personal return of Christ (Mt 24:29-30). The argument that this covenant is fulfilled in the present age hinges then on spiritualizing the key word, “Israel,” and ignoring some of the most striking aspects of the covenant.
F. While Jeremiah 31:-34 is the only reference specifically to the new covenant with Israel in the Old Testament, it cannot be doubted that many other passages refer to the same covenant, particularly the expression “everlasting covenant.” In this description its character as unconditional and eternal is emphasized instead of its difference in quality to the Mosaic covenant. All of God’s covenants with Israel except the Mosaic are described as “everlasting,” and it is necessary to consider the context to determine the reference in each case. In most instances the reference is clear.
G. In Isaiah 61:8-9, certain aspects of the new covenant are emphasized and enlarged: “…I will make an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Yahweh has blessed.” Here is confirmed and enlarged what is revealed later, chronologically, by Jeremiah. Israel is to be publicly blessed before all the peoples of the world. As in the Jeremiah passage, these promises follow the predictions of judgment and are associated with Israel’s restoration as a nation and restoration to their land.
H. Jeremiah himself adds to the new covenant in 32:37-40 of his prophecy. The same features as appear in the new covenant are reiterated: (1) Israel is to be God’s people; (2) a changed heart; (3) God will do them good forever. Some additions to the covenant are also brought out clearly. The fulfillment of the new covenant is conditioned on the regathering of Israel from their world-wide dispersion (Jer 32:37) and their permanent establishing in their ancient land . These additions are important because there is nothing in the present age which fulfills these prophecies even, spiritually.
I. The key to understanding the New Covenant, is to understanding that this Covenant of Promise:
a. Is between Yahweh and Jews (Jer 31:31, Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah”).
b. Will be fulfilled at the second coming of Christ to physically stand on Earth, to rule and reign for 1,000 years in the literal, earthly, Messianic Kingdom of God (Mt 24:29-31; Zech 14:1-4, 9; Rev 19:11-20:6:).
c. Resurrected and raptured pre kingdom Jews and Gentiles will rule and reign with Christ in the future earthly Kingdom (OT Jews: Daniel 12:2-3; Matt 19:28; Saved Jews and Gentiles 1 Cor 6:2; Matt 20:4-6).
J. The above information comes from an article that was written by Dr. John F. Walvoord, B.A., M.A., Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., D. Div., Lit. D. (Dr. Walvoord taught at Dallas Theological Seminary for 50 years, during which time he was President for 34 years, dying at age 92.)
III. Worship. Rodney Brooks, “The Anchor Holds,” FBC/JAX, 1998. John 10:27-30.