“The Everlasting Covenant” -NC

[NetChaplain]

Of the five covenants made between God and man (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic), none were intended to procure fellowship with Him, but were used to prepare and lead men to the one covenant which would procure fellowship with Him, which is the Everlasting Covenant (Heb 13:20). This is the “New Testament or Covenant, as the modern translations read, that Jesus spoke of in His blood (Mat 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20). Nowhere is this Covenant shown to be between us and Christ or us and the Father but rather, we are the recipients of this Covenant.

This is the only Covenant made that was not between God and man because it was made in eternity past—between the Father and the Son. This involved the Father’s promise to raise Jesus from the dead after atoning for the sins of man; “the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ” (Gal 3:17). “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb 9:15).

The purpose of God's dealings with Israel was to reveal to them and the rest of world His desire and plans for fellowship with Him. Jesus’ atonement for sin broke the curse incurred by Adam and Eve (Gen 2:17), which means not only Israel’s redemption “from the curse of the law” but also “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ” for “the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe”. (Gal 3:13, 14, 22).

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Heb 13:20, 21).

 

[jiggyfly]

What do you think about the same words olam or aion being used to describe all of the covenants?

 

[jiggyfly]

What do you think about the same words olam or aion being used to describe all of the covenants?

Just bumping this up in case it was overlooked by NC.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

By definition..All blood covenants are to be everlasting with the exception of those stipulated for a certain period. For example; a marriage between a man and a woman. Its a blood covenant. Duration? Till death do you part. Not everlasting.

 

[NetChaplain]

By definition..All blood covenants are to be everlasting with the exception of those stipulated for a certain period. For example; a marriage between a man and a woman. Its a blood covenant. Duration? Till death do you part. Not everlasting.

Hi EH - There is only one "Blood Covenant" and that is in Christ. For example, "There is no blood of Israel's New Covenant. That covenant, and all other covenants, are based upon the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant! Therefore:

"For this is My Blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:28).

"And He said unto them, This is My Blood of the New [Everlasting] Covenant, which is shed for many" (Mark 14:24).

"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My Blood which is shed for you" (Lu. 22:20).

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16).

"This cup is the new covenant in My Blood: this do in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 11:25). -WN

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Hi EH - There is only one "Blood Covenant" and that is in Christ. For example, "There is no blood of Israel's New Covenant. That covenant, and all other covenants, are based upon the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant! Therefore:

"For this is My Blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:28).

"And He said unto them, This is My Blood of the New [Everlasting] Covenant, which is shed for many" (Mark 14:24).

"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My Blood which is shed for you" (Lu. 22:20).

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16).

"This cup is the new covenant in My Blood: this do in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 11:25). -WN

A series of events are set into motion when two people decide they want to "cut the covenant." It is referred to as the blood covenant ceremony and is considered a most serious and solemn event.


[h=4]

• An animal is sacrificed: Usually a bull, a goat, or a lamb is killed and cut in half down the center. The two halves are separated with a pool of blood between them.
• The exchange of coats: Each participant removes his coat, a sign of the tribe's identity and authority, and gives it to the other participant. By doing so, each is saying, "Everything I am, everything I represent now belongs to you."
• The exchange of weapon belts: Each participant removes his weapon belt, which included his sword and bow. They would exchange these belts and, by so doing, declare to each other, "All my strength now belongs to you. My enemies are now your enemies." It was saying that when an enemy attacked then my blood covenant brother had a responsibility to defend me the same as he would himself.
• The exchange of names: Each participant takes the other's name on himself. A person's name represents his individuality. This exchange of names demonstrated a death to being an "individual." Remember that covenant is the union of two people. In covenant you are no longer concerned only with yourself. Your concern now includes your blood covenant brother. You care for your blood brother the same as you care for yourself because the two of you are now one.
• The walk of blood: Each participant walks a path in the shape of a figure "8" between the halves of the slain animal, then stops in the middle in the midst of the pool of blood to pronounce the blessings and the curses of the covenant. The curses would be brought to bear upon the one who broke the blood covenant. It basically said, "the one who breaks this covenant will die just like this animal has died." A pledge was also made that said, "Just as this animal gave its life so I will give my life for you if necessary."
• The cut of the covenant: A knife is used to make an incision in either the palms or the wrists of each participant. This was to allow blood to freely flow. The Bible teaches that life is in the blood. The two participants then engage in a handshake allowing the free flowing blood to intermingle. This symbolized the two bloods, the two lives, being joined into one blood and one life. In some cultures, the blood from each participant is mixed into a cup of wine. Each would drink from the cup demonstrating their union. The actual practice of "cutting the covenant" varies in its methods depending on the culture. When this event was finished, a substance would be rubbed into the wounds so they would never heal cleanly. This was done so that a permanent "mark" would be left. Wherever these men would go, they would be identified as a "covenant man" by the visible mark on their bodies.
• The covenant meal: This is usually a meal of bread and wine. Each fed the other signifying that "all that I am is coming into you." The covenant meal usually ended the blood covenant ceremony. At this point a new relationship is born. It is a love relationship. This kind of love is called "Hesed" in Hebrew and "Agape'" in the Greek. It is a love that says, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

[/h]
Genesis 15 When God cut covenant with Abraham God walked between the halfs of the animals sacrificed. The blood is poured on the ground between the animal halves. Walking though the blood is symbolic that it is a life changing event. Unbreakable, for if the one breaks it he must die.

How is a covenant cut?

Seven steps
A series of events are set into motion when two people decide they want to "cut the covenant." It is referred to as the blood covenant ceremony and is considered a most serious and solemn event.


[h=4]

• An animal is sacrificed: Usually a bull, a goat, or a lamb is killed and cut in half down the center. The two halves are separated with a pool of blood between them.
• The exchange of coats: Each participant removes his coat, a sign of the tribe's identity and authority, and gives it to the other participant. By doing so, each is saying, "Everything I am, everything I represent now belongs to you."
• The exchange of weapon belts: Each participant removes his weapon belt, which included his sword and bow. They would exchange these belts and, by so doing, declare to each other, "All my strength now belongs to you. My enemies are now your enemies." It was saying that when an enemy attacked then my blood covenant brother had a responsibility to defend me the same as he would himself.
• The exchange of names: Each participant takes the other's name on himself. A person's name represents his individuality. This exchange of names demonstrated a death to being an "individual." Remember that covenant is the union of two people. In covenant you are no longer concerned only with yourself. Your concern now includes your blood covenant brother. You care for your blood brother the same as you care for yourself because the two of you are now one.
• The walk of blood: Each participant walks a path in the shape of a figure "8" between the halves of the slain animal, then stops in the middle in the midst of the pool of blood to pronounce the blessings and the curses of the covenant. The curses would be brought to bear upon the one who broke the blood covenant. It basically said, "the one who breaks this covenant will die just like this animal has died." A pledge was also made that said, "Just as this animal gave its life so I will give my life for you if necessary."
• The cut of the covenant: A knife is used to make an incision in either the palms or the wrists of each participant. This was to allow blood to freely flow. The Bible teaches that life is in the blood. The two participants then engage in a handshake allowing the free flowing blood to intermingle. This symbolized the two bloods, the two lives, being joined into one blood and one life. In some cultures, the blood from each participant is mixed into a cup of wine. Each would drink from the cup demonstrating their union. The actual practice of "cutting the covenant" varies in its methods depending on the culture. When this event was finished, a substance would be rubbed into the wounds so they would never heal cleanly. This was done so that a permanent "mark" would be left. Wherever these men would go, they would be identified as a "covenant man" by the visible mark on their bodies.
• The covenant meal: This is usually a meal of bread and wine. Each fed the other signifying that "all that I am is coming into you." The covenant meal usually ended the blood covenant ceremony. At this point a new relationship is born. It is a love relationship. This kind of love is called "Hesed" in Hebrew and "Agape'" in the Greek. It is a love that says, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

LOL I'll bet you didn't notice I cut and pasted there.[/h]

 

[El Hombre viejo]

When Abram obeyed God, leaving the land of his and upon arriving in the land God showed him, he erected and altar, lifted up his hand and worshiped God. A famine in the land caused Abram to go into Egypt and later returned to this same altar. God blessed Abram and his nephew Lot with such riches the land could not contain them both, so Lot chose to dwell in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and Abram remained in Canaan.

After Abram separated from Lot, God spoke to him and promised him the land and a great multitude of progeny. Abram pitched his tent at Mamre and built an altar. It is important to note when one is called of God, worship is most vital... even erecting altars before pitching tents. There the Lord appeared to him in a vision and gave the commandment for a blood sacrifice. When God instructed Abram to take a heifer, she goat, and a ram of three years, a turtle dove and young pigeon; dividing the animals and leaving the fowls whole. He placed them in a figure eight, and a deep sleep fell on Abram and a great darkness. God spoke from the darkness and promised Abram long life, and a 400 year bondage for his children; their deliverance from bondage and a return to this place. As the sun went down a smoking furnace and a burning lamp passed through the sacrificial pieces. A local Rabbi and I discussed this passage and I asked him if in the original reading of this passage God said "Take for me, until I come", and he was very surprised, as he knew I did not read Hebrew. The Tanakh (Hebrew Testament - same as our Old Testament) says exactly that. I have a Tanakh (in the English translation). Rabbi was so very excited that the Spirit would reveal the entire meaning to me. So we read Psalms 25 and had such a wonderful discussion. God bless my Hebrew friends and allow them to see Messiah is come already. You see any Hebrew would tell you the Godhead walked the covenant walk, when cutting covenant with Abraham. This is God's first Blood covenant with mankind.
Abram tried to produce an heir through his wife's handmaiden, an Egyptian named Hagar given to Abram to be his wife, because she was barren. Space does not allow this complete teaching..but study Ishmael and see how "flesh actions" never bring forth the promise. In His divine Love, God did not even acknowledge Abram and Sara's "flesh" effort, opmly saying "In Isaac shall thy seed be called."
When Abram was ninety years old the Lord appeared to him commanding Abram to walk before Him perfectly, and gave him the promises of the covenant
1. You shall be the father of many nations.
2. Your name will be changed to Abraham.
3. You will be exceedingly fruitful.
4. Kings shall come out of your lineage.
God gave Abraham commandment of circumscion for covenant identification and promised him that from his seed the Messiah would come forth. Not seeds, as of many...just seed.
When God gave Abraham a portion of His Own Name, he told Abraham's name and was known by all Israel as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The covenant was ratified in each of these birthed to him and they walked in the same covenant of their father. Abraham totally agreed and committed himself to God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Children, covenant is a commitment, not a mental assent. When we commit to God, we must forsake all else and follow Him. The idea that we can accept Jesus as Savior and later accept Him as Master and Lord is a dangerous fallacy. Baptism does not save, Constantine baptized an entire army; believing doesn't save... it is believing and receiving that allows us to become sons of God. And saints, when He is in our lives He is Lord... we don't make Him Lord... that is WHO HE IS.
WhenAbrahamresponded to covenant, he became one with God. In chapter 18, God came to the tent at Mamre and ate the covenant meal (theologians agree this was an appearance of the Son of God prior to His being born of the virgin); promised Isaac, revealed His intention to destroy Sodom (He always make known His acts to His covenant people.

 

[NetChaplain]

Thanks EHV for your labors in the Word and God's blessings to your Family!

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Thanks EHV for your labors in the Word and God's blessings to your Family!

GOD Blessed you too my friend...