The Everlasting Covenant - 1.0 Covenants Explained

1.0 Covenants Explained

by Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, September 1, 2010

Topics:

A Covenant Before Sin?
Covenants Explained
What Made Up the Abrahamic Covenant?

A Covenant Before Sin?
There are uncounted millions of angels in Heaven (Revelation 5:11). God has created many other earths and populated them with men and women, too (Job 1:6). What was it like with all these angels and human beings before sin came? Before sin there was only perfection, peace, love and praise -- in heaven and in earth. To keep order in the universe God had a law, built on the principles of the Ten Commandment law, a law that is “holy, just and good.” It is a transcript of the character of God Himself (1).

In the wisdom of a loving God, men and angels were given free will (2). This would allow interest, creativity and praise. God desired a love that is chosen and not by instinct. Free will also provided the ability for character development and progress in each of His creatures.

Adam and Eve in Eden were also given instructions and responsibilities. Since there were just two people, the whole earth was theirs to enjoy and take care of. They were given just one restriction: They were to show their loyalty and obedience to God in not eating of one certain tree in the garden (3,10).

Did Adam and Eve know about this law? Maybe yes and maybe no. In the atmosphere of love, peace, and enthusiastic interest in sinless Eden -- and in sinless Heaven, they followed the example of the One they loved the most. God Himself was enthroned in the nature of each man and each angel and His law was written on their hearts. They did not focus on law, but rather on how best to praise and honor their Creator! In this they went far beyond the law and surpassed even its “minimum requirements” (4).

Knowing that the responsibilities of family and daily life would occupy their attention, God set aside a day each week and made it holy. It was to be a day of fellowship whereby created beings would remember their Creator, learn of Him, and fellowship with Him. It was to be a day of rest from daily work to allow time for worship and praise (5). God made this the seal in His law.

To answer the question: Was there a covenant before sin occurred? God gave the people His law and they had the strength to obey it. The Ten Commandment law is in a sense, a covenant. However, the Everlasting Covenant with the promise of Redemption was not needed, and existed only as a mystery from the foundation of the world (6). Only after sin was it made effective.

Covenants Explained

The “Everlasting Covenant” is a formal commitment made BY God and FOR man. It is to show the incredible love of the Creator, Who was willing to live on this sinful earth, and to die that we might live! In New Testament times we talk more about the Plan of Salvation and the Everlasting Gospel to express the same ideas. When we understand the Covenant, it brings the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation into sharp focus, and helps our understanding.

All doctrines lead into the Covenant of God; and all blessings flow out of His Covenant.

In His foreknowledge, God is never surprised. In His love He is always prepared. The Covenant of God was made in the council of the Godhead before the Creation of this world (See article #2.0, The Council Before Creation). His Covenant cannot be broken by men as men had no part in making this covenant (7). In the promise of God we can trust, and in this we have assurance.

A narrow view of “covenant” would limit the covenant of God to only those instances where the word “covenant” or “testament” is used in the Bible. In the Old Testament, covenants were given by God to Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Israel at Sinai, David, and the New covenant. There were also a number of other covenants whereby men would re-dedicate themselves to the true worship of God.

Several terms are used to describe agreements between parties. An “intent” to do something is often unspoken and subject to the whims of the individual. A “promise” is spoken and expectations are raised that it will be done. To break a promise lessens the credibility of the person who promised. A “vow” is a more serious commitment and usually includes a consequence if it is not fulfilled.

A “Covenant” includes all of these, is formal, and includes stipulations and consequences. Covenants in ancient times were often sealed by blood -- of both parties, one party, or by animals representing the parties. A covenant may be one-sided or binding on both sides. In modern times we use the term Contract which in frontier societies were binding by a firm handshake, but are now often many pages of fine print. To break a contract will usually result in monetary loss.

In the Bible, the promises of God are sure. Covenant is used to inspire assurance to human recipients as to the purpose of God and to the permanence of this purpose.

One must differentiate between the covenant of God and the covenants of men or else there is confusion. (See article #11 on the New Covenant with its references.) The articles on this web site focus on the Everlasting Covenant of God, and will mention the covenants of men where needed for understanding. Since the word “covenant” is not always used, we must identify the Everlasting Covenant by it’s focus on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary (8) and by the specific Covenant Promise, “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people” (Hebrews 8:10)(9).

What Made Up the Abrahamic Covenant?

1. The Ten Commandment law is a “transcript of the character of God.” The government of God for all sinless beings throughout the universe is based on this law (See article #9.1, References TTC). With sinless beings, their lives were patterned on what they saw of the loving merciful God. There was no focus on law until after sin came.

2. For sinless beings, God is enthroned within, and the law of God is written on the heart.

3. After sin men must now choose to serve God, and consent to the work of grace in his life. The Covenant of God given to Adam provided a new probation, time, for men to again choose God. An enmity against evil was given them, in essence the Law was written on their hearts. A Redeemer-Messiah was promised who would destroy sin and Satan, but only by suffering (Genesis 3:15).

4. At Sinai, the Ten Commandments were spoken by God, and written on stone by His finger. The people responded with self-confidence, “All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do.” They had been steeped in Heathenism for 215 years and they did not understand the holiness of God or the sinfulness of man. God mercifully accepted this covenant that they might learn these lessons. This was the historical “Old Covenant” requiring strict obedience through the promises made by the people. It was ratified at Sinai but was temporary, being broken within 40 days.

5. After Moses’ intercession the Abrahamic Covenant was renewed, and remained in force until Calvary. The Ten Commandments were written on new tables of stone by God (Exodus 34).

6. The classic promise of the covenant is: “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people” (Hebrews 8:10).

7. Descendants were promised through whom Messiah would come.

8. Messiah, the only begotten of the Father, would come to earth, fulfill the law, and give His life to meet the penalty for the broken law of God. In doing this He is your substitute before the judgment bar of God. Through His work on the cross, evil will be destroyed and all that was lost in Eden will be restored.

9. Supporting promises vary with each presentation of the covenant, according to the needs of the people at that time.

10. Some covenants are made by the people and are ratified at the time made. Such covenants are not ratified at Calvary and are different from the everlasting covenant of God.

11. Worship by the patriarchs was relatively simple, consisting of burnt offerings. At Sinai a more detailed worship form was established. There was the tabernacle and its furniture, priests were appointed, special feasts were scheduled throughout the year, and a system of sacrifices and rituals were planned. These were supported by the ceremonial law, and other laws to a lesser extent. These worship forms were related to the covenant and an illustration of the covenant; but were not a part of the covenant.

12. The sanctuary and all that related to pointed forward to the prophesied Messiah. As time went on the people began to focus more and more on the sacrifices and rituals, and on their lineage from Abraham as the sum and substance of their religion. Eventually the mission of the Messiah was forgotten, and even the meaning of the sacrifices were known by only a few (the remnant). This was the experiential Old Covenant.

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Articles In this section:

1.0 Covenants Explained
   1.1 References CEx
   1.5 General Terms
   1.6 Covenant Terms
   1.7 Theological Terms
2.0 Council from Eternity
   2.1 References CFE
3.0 Adam and Eve in Eden
   3.1 References AEE