The Covenants of Israel

[KUWN]

A definition of covenants

A divine covenant is (1) a disposition of God, whereby he establishes an unconditional or declarative compact with man, obligating himself, in grace, by the formula, “I WILL,” to bring to pass of himself definite blessings for the covenanted ones, or (2) a proposal of God, wherein he promises, in a conditional or mutual compact with man, by the contingent formula “IF YE WILL,” to grant special blessings to man provided he fulfills perfectly certain conditions, and to execute definite punishment in case of his failure

What are the two kinds of covenants:

The kinds of covenants. There are two kinds of covenants into which God entered with Israel: conditional and unconditional. In a conditional covenant that which was covenanted depends for its fulfillment upon the recipient of the covenant, not upon the one making the covenant. Certain obligations or conditions must be fulfilled by the receiver of the covenant before the giver of the covenant is obligated to fulfill that which was promised. It is a covenant with an “if” attached to it. The Mosaic covenant made by God with Israel is such a covenant. In an unconditional covenant that which was covenanted depends upon the one making the covenant alone for its fulfillment. That which was promised is given to the recipient of the covenant on the authority and integrity of the one making the covenant apart from the merit or response of the receiver. It is a covenant with no “if” attached to it whatsoever.

In Scripture there are 4 unconditional covenants, and one conditional (the Mosaic Law).

As opposed to Biblical Covenants, the Covenant Theology people have invented three covenants:
The theological terms, Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace (and the Redemptive Covenant), do not occur in the Sacred Text. If they are to be sustained it must be wholly apart from Biblical authority…Upon this human invention of two covenants Reformed Theology has largely been constructed.

All of Israel’s covenants are called eternal except the Mosaic covenant which is declared to be temporal, i.e., it was to continue only until the coming of the Promised Seed. For this detail see as follows: (1) The Abrahamic Covenant is called“eternal” in Genesis 17:7, 13, 19; I Chronicles 16:17; Psalm 105:10; (2) The Palestinian Covenant is called “eternal” in Ezekiel 16:60; (3) The Davidic Covenant is called “eternal” in II Samuel 23:5; Isaiah 55:3; and Ezekiel 37:25; and (4) The New Covenant is called “eternal” in Isaiah 24:5; 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; 50:5; and Hebrews 13:20.

More to come...

 

[Pleroma]

Excellent and comprehensive, will still be digesting, while waiting for more to come!

 

[covenantee]

A definition of covenants

A divine covenant is (1) a disposition of God, whereby he establishes an unconditional or declarative compact with man, obligating himself, in grace, by the formula, “I WILL,” to bring to pass of himself definite blessings for the covenanted ones, or (2) a proposal of God, wherein he promises, in a conditional or mutual compact with man, by the contingent formula “IF YE WILL,” to grant special blessings to man provided he fulfills perfectly certain conditions, and to execute definite punishment in case of his failure

What are the two kinds of covenants:

The kinds of covenants. There are two kinds of covenants into which God entered with Israel: conditional and unconditional. In a conditional covenant that which was covenanted depends for its fulfillment upon the recipient of the covenant, not upon the one making the covenant. Certain obligations or conditions must be fulfilled by the receiver of the covenant before the giver of the covenant is obligated to fulfill that which was promised. It is a covenant with an “if” attached to it. The Mosaic covenant made by God with Israel is such a covenant. In an unconditional covenant that which was covenanted depends upon the one making the covenant alone for its fulfillment. That which was promised is given to the recipient of the covenant on the authority and integrity of the one making the covenant apart from the merit or response of the receiver. It is a covenant with no “if” attached to it whatsoever.

In Scripture there are 4 unconditional covenants, and one conditional (the Mosaic Law).

As opposed to Biblical Covenants, the Covenant Theology people have invented three covenants:
The theological terms, Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace (and the Redemptive Covenant), do not occur in the Sacred Text. If they are to be sustained it must be wholly apart from Biblical authority…Upon this human invention of two covenants Reformed Theology has largely been constructed.

All of Israel’s covenants are called eternal except the Mosaic covenant which is declared to be temporal, i.e., it was to continue only until the coming of the Promised Seed. For this detail see as follows: (1) The Abrahamic Covenant is called“eternal” in Genesis 17:7, 13, 19; I Chronicles 16:17; Psalm 105:10; (2) The Palestinian Covenant is called “eternal” in Ezekiel 16:60; (3) The Davidic Covenant is called “eternal” in II Samuel 23:5; Isaiah 55:3; and Ezekiel 37:25; and (4) The New Covenant is called “eternal” in Isaiah 24:5; 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; 50:5; and Hebrews 13:20.

More to come...

Seems you've missed some rather applicable Scripture.

Galatians 3
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

That's the Abrahamic Covenant.

It is clearly conditional: "by faith in Christ Jesus", "if ye be Christ's".

Check your Bible again.

 

[KUWN]

Seems you've missed some rather applicable Scripture.

Galatians 3
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

That's the Abrahamic Covenant.

It is clearly conditional: "by faith in Christ Jesus", "if ye be Christ's".

Check your Bible again.

I have you marked as Ignore, so I can't see what you have said. You need not write me again.

 

[covenantee]

I have you marked as Ignore, so I can't see what you have said. You need not write me again.

It's not for you.

It's for the unignorant.

 

[Truth7t7]

I have you marked as Ignore, so I can't see what you have said. You need not write me again.

Your claims have been clearly refuted in post #3 by Covenantee, now what ya gonna do

Jesus Christ fulfilled the covenant made to Abraham "Now What"?

Galatians 3:16KJV
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

A definition of covenants

A divine covenant is (1) a disposition of God, whereby he establishes an unconditional or declarative compact with man, obligating himself, in grace, by the formula, “I WILL,” to bring to pass of himself definite blessings for the covenanted ones, or (2) a proposal of God, wherein he promises, in a conditional or mutual compact with man, by the contingent formula “IF YE WILL,” to grant special blessings to man provided he fulfills perfectly certain conditions, and to execute definite punishment in case of his failure

What are the two kinds of covenants:

The kinds of covenants. There are two kinds of covenants into which God entered with Israel: conditional and unconditional. In a conditional covenant that which was covenanted depends for its fulfillment upon the recipient of the covenant, not upon the one making the covenant. Certain obligations or conditions must be fulfilled by the receiver of the covenant before the giver of the covenant is obligated to fulfill that which was promised. It is a covenant with an “if” attached to it. The Mosaic covenant made by God with Israel is such a covenant. In an unconditional covenant that which was covenanted depends upon the one making the covenant alone for its fulfillment. That which was promised is given to the recipient of the covenant on the authority and integrity of the one making the covenant apart from the merit or response of the receiver. It is a covenant with no “if” attached to it whatsoever.

In Scripture there are 4 unconditional covenants, and one conditional (the Mosaic Law).

As opposed to Biblical Covenants, the Covenant Theology people have invented three covenants:
The theological terms, Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace (and the Redemptive Covenant), do not occur in the Sacred Text. If they are to be sustained it must be wholly apart from Biblical authority…Upon this human invention of two covenants Reformed Theology has largely been constructed.

All of Israel’s covenants are called eternal except the Mosaic covenant which is declared to be temporal, i.e., it was to continue only until the coming of the Promised Seed. For this detail see as follows: (1) The Abrahamic Covenant is called“eternal” in Genesis 17:7, 13, 19; I Chronicles 16:17; Psalm 105:10; (2) The Palestinian Covenant is called “eternal” in Ezekiel 16:60; (3) The Davidic Covenant is called “eternal” in II Samuel 23:5; Isaiah 55:3; and Ezekiel 37:25; and (4) The New Covenant is called “eternal” in Isaiah 24:5; 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; 50:5; and Hebrews 13:20.

More to come...

I like this, and totally agree. If anything, the covenant of grace is an unspoken covenant. And has been around since God first promised a redeemer in Gen 3: 15. And symbolized by the fact God took 2 innocent animals. And sacrificed them (literally the first deaths in creation) to cover the nakedness of adam, in foretelling how he himself would be killed on a Cross. To cover our nakedness of sin.

The covenant of works is in a nutshell the mosaic covenant. The only things that makes each type different is what work needs to be accomplished to cover your own sin, While rejecting the sacrifice of God to cover your sin.

 

[KUWN]

Again, the Abrahamic covenant has an important bearing on the doctrine of resurrection. The promise entailed in the covenant is the basis of the Lord’s refutation of the unbelief of the Sadducees (this group denied the Resurrection) in the fact of resurrection. To those who denied the possibility of resurrection the Lord affirmed that resurrection was not only possible but necessary.

Since God had revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:15),with whom He had entered into covenant relationships, and since these men had died without receiving the fulfillment of the promises (Heb. 11:13), inasmuch as the
covenants could not be broken it was necessary for God to raise these men from the dead in order to fulfill His word. Paul, before Agrippa (Acts 26:6-8), unites “the promise to the fathers” with the resurrection of the dead in his defense of the doctrine. Thus the fact of physical resurrection is proved by the Lord and Paul from the necessity laid upon God to fulfill His covenants, even though it entails physical resurrection to do so. Consequently the fact of the believer’s resurrection is united to the question of the kind of covenant made with Abraham, an unconditional covenant. The eternality of these unconditional covenants also informs us that a physical resurrection is necessary. For example, Abraham was promised a land forever.

These covenants were the responsibility of God to fulfill, he swore with an oath .since there is nothing greater than himself, that he would guarantee these covenants. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and Christ shows them that a resurrection has to occur because God had made a promise about these covenants, that is, these covenants were promised eternal fulfillment.

The essential areas of the Abrahamic covenant, the land, the seed, and the blessing, are enlarged in the subsequent covenants made with Israel.

Thus it may be said that the land promises of the Abrahamic covenant are developed in the Palestinian covenant, the seed promises are developed in the Davidic covenant,and the blessing promises are developed in the new covenant. This covenant, then, determines the whole future program for the nation Israel and is a major factor in Biblical Eschatology.

 

[KUWN]

What are some of the blessings of these Covenants:

The things promised by God are the following: 1. That Abraham’s name shall be great. 2. That a great nation (Israel) should come from him. 3. He should be a blessing so great that in him shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4. To him personally (“to thee”) and to his seed should be given Palestine forever to inherit. 5. The multitude of his seed should be as the dust of the earth. 6. That whoever blessed him should be blessed, and whosoever cursed him should be cursed. 7. He should be the father of many nations. 8. Kings should proceed from him. 9. The covenant shall be perpetual, “an everlasting covenant.” 10. The land of Canaan shall be “an everlasting possession.” 11. God will be a God to him and to his seed. 12. His seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. 13. In his seed (Christ) shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

Just an observation about unconditional covenants:
Personal promises may not be transferred to the nation and promises to Israel may not be transferred to the Gentiles.

Dispensationalist do not accept Replacement Theology because they argue that promises made to Israel are fulfilled by the Church. To them, the Church replaced Israel as God's chosen people. Promises made to Israel are transferred to us, the church. This is a poor understanding of these Covenants. If you ever discuss eschatology with a Replacement Theologian, you can see what is hidden behind the scenes. They have violated one of the rules of covenants, covenants are made between two beings with the Abrahamic covenant replacing the original recipients of Israel to another group transferred to the church. Covenants are non-transferable contracts.

Finally,
Since the Abrahamic covenant deals with Israel’s title deed to the land of Palestine (the Palestinian Covenant), her continuation as a nation to possess that land, and her redemption so that she may enjoy the blessings in the land under her King, it is of utmost importance to determine the method of the fulfillment of this covenant. If it is a literal covenant to be fulfilled literally, then Israel must be preserved, converted and restored. If it is an unconditional covenant, these events in Israel’s national life are inevitable. The answer to these questions determines one’s whole eschatological position.

 

[covenantee]

the kind of covenant made with Abraham, an unconditional covenant.

Debunked.

 

[covenantee]

Just an observation about unconditional covenants:
Personal promises may not be transferred to the nation and promises to Israel may not be transferred to the Gentiles.

Promises to Israel are transcended by promises to Christ.

Promises to Christ can never be usurped by promises to Israel.

2 Corinthians 1
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Galatians 3
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

In God's New Will and Testament, all covenants and promises are fulfilled only in Christ, and in those who are in Christ.

The OT covenants and promises are the promissory clauses of God's Old Will and Testament, and they are both revoked and fulfilled in the promissory clauses of His New Will and Testament, written in the Blood of His Son Jesus Christ, the Divine Testator, coming into full force and effect upon His death.

If you have made your own Will and Testament, you will see that the very first clause states the following or its equivalent:

"I HEREBY REVOKE all former Wills and other testamentary dispositions by me at any time therefore made and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament."

This means that all former wills and testaments, and all of their promissory clauses in their entirety, are completely null and void. In their place, the promissory clauses of the current last new will and testament are the only ones in force and effect. Any promissory clause which appeared in the old will and testament, but does not appear in the new will and testament, is irrevocably null and void unless yet another new will and testament is made which re-includes it.

Thus we see:

Hebrews 9
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Hebrews 10
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 8
13 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.

God`s New Will and Testament is everlasting:

Hebrews 13
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

There is none greater.

We see other new promissory clauses of the New Will and Testament in:

Matthew 21:33-45
In this parable, the son, who is identified as the heir, typifies Christ.

Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Hebrews 1:1,2
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

In them, we see that the Heir and Beneficiary is Christ alone, that all of the promises are affirmed and confirmed in Him, and that He is Heir of all things. All includes the OT land promises, the restoration promises, the blessings promises, and all else. There are no exceptions.

God has appointed His Son alone as heir of all things. Unbelieving Israel is not an heir. Galatians 4:30-31.

His New Will and Testament contains even better promises:

Hebrews 8
6 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.

Such as:

Hebrews 11
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Additional promissory clauses in...:

Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 3:29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

...declare that those who are in Christ are joint heirs with Him.

But it is clear and plain:

There are no promissory clauses for anyone, Jew or Gentile...

Who is not in Christ.

 

[KUWN]

Promises to Israel are transcended by promises to Christ.

One problem with what you wrote, is that the Abrahamic Covenant is an everlasting covenant. I noticed you didn't quote one verse in the OT. I will assume you don't read the OT. But all of the unconditional covenants are still awaiting fulfillment, which initially begins in the Millennium (an OT concept), the Kingdom of God/heaven and continues throughout eternity.

The nation of Israel have been set aside while the Church becomes the chosen people, but Israel will all turn to Christ at the end of the Trib and their covenants will be fulfilled in the Mill. Now, you seem to be referring to the Mosaic Covenant. And yes, that was not an unconditional covenant, it was a temporary covenant until Christ's first coming. Per Hebrews, the Mosaic Covenant was made obsolete by the Covenant being fulfilled by Christ, but no unconditional covenant has been made obsolete.

You wrote:
In them, we see that the Heir and Beneficiary is Christ alone, that all of the promises are affirmed and confirmed in Him, and that He is Heir of all things. All includes the OT land promises, the restoration promises, the blessings promises, and all else. There are no exceptions.

The important thing to see here, and your other verses and comments, is that the Church does not take over the unconditional covenants. The seed mentioned in the Abrahamic covenant is indeed Christ, but that is stated in the OT and because of Progressive Revelation, we know it was Christ. The physical descendants of Abraham are the direct fulfillers of the unconditional covenants. The Church is the spiritual descendants of Abraham by faith in Christ. We (Gentiles) are not physical descendants of Abraham.

Hopefully you have understood that I am a Dispensationalist so we probably wont get that far in a discussion.

 

[covenantee]

One problem with what you wrote, is that the Abrahamic Covenant is an everlasting covenant.

Christ, who is the Recipient and Fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham's seed, is everlasting, as are the covenant promises to Him.

So what is the problem of which you speak?

If you have any Scripture which disproves what I've posted, then please post yours and explain the disproof.

 

[covenantee]

I noticed you didn't quote one verse in the OT. I will assume you don't read the OT.

I certainly do read the OT. It is all about Christ, and the New Will and Testament that He would confirm by His complete and perfect accomplishments through His Death at Calvary. Do you ever read about those in the NT?

What prevents you from understanding that a New Will and Testament completely revokes and transcends an Old Will and Testament?

Have you read the first clause in your own will and testament? What does it say?

Why do you refuse to accept what the writer of Hebrews is telling us?

Hebrews 9
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Hebrews 10
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 8
13 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.

 

[covenantee]

You wrote:
In them, we see that the Heir and Beneficiary is Christ alone, that all of the promises are affirmed and confirmed in Him, and that He is Heir of all things. All includes the OT land promises, the restoration promises, the blessings promises, and all else. There are no exceptions.

The important thing to see here, and your other verses and comments, is that the Church does not take over the unconditional covenants.

These are the verses I quoted:

Matthew 21:33-45
In this parable, the son, who is identified as the heir, typifies Christ.

Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Hebrews 1:1,2
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;


They refer solely and exclusively to Christ.

So you are denying that the promises were made to Him, that all of the promises of God are yes and amen in Him, and that He is the sole and exclusive Heir of all things.

Instead, you are attempting to replace Christ with Israel.

That is what is known as dispensationalism's delusional Replacement Ideology.

It is another gospel, which Paul denounced in no uncertain terms. Galatians 1:8,9

 

[KUWN]

The Davidic Covenant

I apologize for the double spacing of part of this article. I first wrote it in MS Word, then cut and pasted into here.


Thus it may be said that the land promises of the Abrahamic covenant are developed in the Palestinian covenant,

the seed promises are developed in the Davidic covenant, and the blessing promises are developed in the new covenant.

This covenant, then, determines the whole future program for the nation Israel and is a major factor in Biblical Eschatology.



This shows that the Abrahamic Covenant is all inclusive of the other 3 eternal covenants. The Davidic covenant, as stated above, is an

extension of the Abrahamic Covenant. It deals with the seed promises to Abraham. The ultimate seed that will reign on David ‘s Throne is

Christ. Christ will reign as the King of Israel, just like David did. David would be considered the royal seed while Christ is considered the

Final King in the royal line. Solomon was king after David, then other kings followed suit, and finally Christ is the prophesied Seed.



Christ is not reigning now. Christ ultimately fulfills the Davidic Covenant when he reigns in the Millennium. Remember, this is the literal hermeneutic.



In the eternal state, the Son of David will rule from the heavenly city called New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2).



Before censuring the Jews…for believing that Jesus would literally restore the

Davidic throne and Kingdom, we must consider in fairness, that they were justified

in so doing by the very language of the covenant. It is incredible that God should

in the most important matters, affecting the interests and the happiness of man

and nearly touching His own veracity, clothe them in words, which, if not true in

their obvious and common sense, would deceive the pious and God-fearing of

many ages. (Pentecost)



Five things to help understand the covenant:



(1) The words and sentences in their plain grammatical acceptation, do

expressly teach their belief. This is denied by no one, not even by those who then

proceed to spiritualize the language.

(2) The covenant is distinctively associated with the Jewish nation and none other.

(3) It is called a perpetual covenant, i.e. one that shall endure forever.

(4) It was confirmed by oath (Ps. 132:11, and 89:3, 4, 33), thus giving the

strongest possible assurance of its fulfilment.

(5) To leave no doubt whatever, and to render unbelief utterly inexcusable,

God concisely and most forcibly presents His determination (Ps. 89:34): “My

covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”



The above points indicate that Covenant Theology is out of line. It diametrically opposes the literal nature of the David Throne.



If the Davidic throne and Kingdom is to be understood literally, then all other

promises necessarily follow, and as the reception of this literal fulfilment forms the

main difficulty in the minds of many, a statement of reasons why it must be

received, is in place. 1. It is solemnly covenanted, confirmed by oath, and hence

cannot be altered or broken. 2. The grammatical sense alone is becoming a

covenant. 3. The impression made on David, if erroneous, is disparaging to his

prophetical office. 4. The conviction of Solomon (2 Chron. 6:14-16) was that it

referred to the literal throne and Kingdom. 5. Solomon claims that the covenant

was fulfilled in himself, but only in so far that he too as David’s son sat on David’s

throne…6. The language is that ordinarily used to denote the literal throne and

Kingdom of David, as illustrated in Jer. 17:25 and 22:4. 7. The prophets adopt the

same language, and its constant reiteration under Divine guidance is evidence that

the plain grammatical sense is the one intended. 8. The prevailing belief of

centuries, a national faith, engendered by the language, under the teaching of

inspired men, indicates how the language is to be understood. 9. This throne and

Kingdom is one of promise and inheritance and hence refers to the incarnate Christ.

10. The same is distinctively promised to David’s son

“according to the flesh” to be actually realized, and, therefore, He must appear

the Theocratic King as promised. 11. We have not the slightest hint given that it is

to be interpreted in any other way than a literal one; any other is the result of pure

inference…12. Any other view than that of a literal interpretation involves the

grossest self contradiction. 13. The denial of a literal reception of the covenant

robs the heir of His covenanted inheritance…14. No grammatical rule can be laid

down which will make David’s throne to be the Father’s throne in the third heaven.

15. That if the latter is attempted under the notion of “symbolical” or “typical,”

then the credibility and meaning of the covenants are left to the interpretations of

men, and David himself becomes “the symbol” or “type” (creature as he is) of the

Creator. 16. That if David’s throne is the Father’s throne in heaven (the usual

interpretation), then it must have existed forever. 17. If such covenanted promises

are to be received figuratively, it is inconceivable that they should be given in their

present form without some direct affirmation, in some place, of their figurative

nature, God foreseeing (if not literal) that for centuries they would be preeminently

calculated to excite and foster false expectations. 18. God is faithful in His promises,

and deceives no one in the language of His covenants. 19. No necessity existed why,

if this throne promised to David’s Son meant something else, the throne should be so

definitely promised in the form given. 20. The identical throne and Kingdom overthrown

are the ones restored. 21.



But the main, direct reasons for receiving the literal covenanted language [is that]

…David’s throne and Kingdom [are made] a requisite for the display of that

Theocratic ordering which God has already instituted (but now holds in abeyance

until the preparations are completed) for the restoration and exaltation of the

Jewish nation





This whole proposition is supported by certain additional evidence.

1. The portions of the covenant that have been fulfilled have been fulfilled literally.

As has been seen before, the partial fulfillment determines the method to be used in

the unfulfilled portions. Ryrie says:



It is only necessary to mention briefly that David had a son, that David’s throne

was established, that David’s kingdom was established, that Solomon built the

temple, that his throne was established, and that he was punished for

disobedience.



2. Evidence is added from the way in which David was led to understand it. It is

seen that he had no thought but that it was a literal covenant, to be fulfilled literally.

Peters says:



How did David himself understand this covenant? This is best stated in his

own language. Read e.g. Ps. 72, which describes a Son (Descendant) infinitely superior to Solomon;

reflect over Ps. 132, and after noticing that “the Lord hath sworn in truth unto David,

He will not turn from it; of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne” (

which Peter, Acts 2:30, 31, expressly refers to Jesus);



That David himself expected a literal fulfillment of the promise is evident from

his language which follows the giving of the covenant; and in this literal

anticipation of the promise he returns thanks to God and praises Him for thus

selecting his house for honor and in thus establishing it for the ages, even forever

(2 Sam. 7:8, etc., 1 Chron. 17:16, etc.). It is presumption to suppose that David

returned thanks, and thus prayer under a mistaken idea of the nature of the

covenant.



The New Testament has in all 59 references to David. It also has many

references to the present session of Christ. A search of the New Testament reveals

that there is not one reference connecting the present session of Christ with the

Davidic throne…it is almost incredible that in so many references to David and in

so frequent reference to the present session of Christ on the Father’s throne there

should be not one reference connecting the two in any authoritative way. The New

Testament is totally lacking in positive teaching that the throne of the Father in

heaven is to be identified with the Davidic throne. The inference is plain that Christ

is seated on the Father’s throne, but that this is not at all the same as being seated

on the throne of David.


We could go on from here to add more details to this covenant, but all I wanted to accomplish is an introductory article on it.

 

[grafted branch]

(2) The covenant is distinctively associated with the Jewish nation and none other.

(3) It is called a perpetual covenant, i.e. one that shall endure forever.

Can I get your thoughts on Jeremiah 31:35-36?

Jeremiah 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.



The ordinances of the sun, moon, and stars is given in Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

In the new heaven new earth the Genesis 1:14 ordinances are not being obeyed by the sun and moon, as seen in Isaiah 60:20.

Isaiah 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

What this apparently means is that at some point Israel ceases to be a nation forever. How can there be any eternal promises made to the nation of Israel when it ceases once new heaven new earth come?

 

[covenantee]

Christ is not reigning now.

Christ has been reigning since His Resurrection.

Acts 2
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

The physical throne of David was physically destroyed thousands of years ago. It cannot fulfill prophecy.

(2) The covenant is distinctively associated with the Jewish nation and none other.

The covenant is definitively fulfilled by Abraham and Christ and those who are Christ's; and no others.

Galatians 3
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

[KUWN]

What this apparently means is that at some point Israel ceases to be a nation forever. How can there be any eternal promises made to the nation of Israel when it ceases once new heaven new earth come?

That's the exact opposite of what this passage says!

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 Israel cease being a nation before me.”

Of course, only if these decrees vanish, which can never happen, then will Israel cease being a nation. God's decrees can never vanish. These are the decrees that the Trinity decided upon before they created the universe. The nation of Israel is the recipients of many of these decrees. Also, the nation of Israel will never cease being a nation. Remember, God made unconditional, eternal promises to the nation, the Abrahamic covenant is one eternal covenant that God can not bring it to an end. The same with the Land (Palestinian) Covenant, which is also an everlasting covenant, and of course there is the New Covenant and the Davidic Covenant which likewise is called eternal covenants.

The Church or Bride of Christ never ceases to be His Bride. For all eternity, we will be the bride of Christ. For all eternity, Israel will be a chosen nation.

 

[covenantee]

Can I get your thoughts on Jeremiah 31:35-36?

Jeremiah 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.



The ordinances of the sun, moon, and stars is given in Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

In the new heaven new earth the Genesis 1:14 ordinances are not being obeyed by the sun and moon, as seen in Isaiah 60:20.

Isaiah 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

What this apparently means is that at some point Israel ceases to be a nation forever. How can there be any eternal promises made to the nation of Israel when it ceases once new heaven new earth come?

The seed of Israel ceased from being a nation before God multiple times throughout its history, on the occasions when God Himself evicted and exiled it for apathy, pride, unfaithfulness, disobedience, and rebellion.

So that is not the seed of Israel to which Jeremiah is referring.

There is only one seed of Israel that has never ceased, and will never cease, to be a nation before God; and that is His faithful obedient elect remnant (Isaiah 10:22; Romans 9:27; Romans 11:5), also known as His Church.

Peter describes the Church of God as a Holy Nation (1 Peter 2:5,9).

The continuity of the Church of God is as assured and immutable as the continuity of God's celestial and terrestrial ordinances.

It will never cease to be a Nation before Him.