4.5 Adventist Dispensationalism
by Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, March 2009
by Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, March 2009
Topics:
Definitions
Mediator of a New Covenant
The “New Covenant” at the Last Supper
Problems with SDA Dispensationalism
Mediator of a New Covenant
The “New Covenant” at the Last Supper
Problems with SDA Dispensationalism
1. Ten Commandment Law
2. Fault in the Old Covenant
3. Ellen White on the New Covenant
4. Restored to the Covenant of Grace
5. Do Christians have an Advantage?
6. Does God have Two Ways to Save People?
7. Behold the Days Come
8. Did Jesus End the Old Covenant?
In Summary:2. Fault in the Old Covenant
3. Ellen White on the New Covenant
4. Restored to the Covenant of Grace
5. Do Christians have an Advantage?
6. Does God have Two Ways to Save People?
7. Behold the Days Come
8. Did Jesus End the Old Covenant?
In this article I am speaking to my own church and to a common belief that appears to be Biblical, but that opens up a number of problems with other Biblical concepts.
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Definitions
Dispensationalism is to believe that Israel in the Old Testament were under the Sinai covenant, which included the ten commandments and the ceremonial law. They were saved by keeping the law. When Jesus came this “old covenant” came to an end and the New Covenant was instituted whereby the law was written on the heart, and men were saved by grace.
Many Adventists believe that Israel in the Old Testament were under the Old Covenant (undefined). They separate the ten commandments from this covenant, saying that God’s law was in force from Eden and is for all men. Men were saved by faith in the promise of the Messiah in the Old Covenant, and by faith in the fact of His coming in the New. At Calvary the New Covenant was instituted and men were given a fuller and more complete revelation of the character of God.
This is a peculiar mix. While promoting an “old covenant” that was “faulty” for the old testament period and a “new covenant” after the cross, they try to hold onto the ten commandment law as applicable to all men in all places and in all time. Admittedly, this concept seems to be supported by a number of passages in the writing of Paul, and especially in Hebrews 8-10. I will quote just one verse:
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Mediator of a New Covenant
“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15 NIV).
“Christ is the mediator of a new covenant.” This is certainly plain enough. Jesus mediates a new covenant! Further it is stated in His death He ransomed those who sinned under a first (old?) covenant. The sacrifices were done to atone for sin under the “old covenant.” These could not be effective until Jesus had provided the real sacrifice at Calvary, which atoned for the sins of all men – those in both the old testament and those in the church age.
This is plain enough. There is no argument. Or is there?
Paul in Hebrews is dealing with perceptions. He is accepting the terms “new, old, first” etc as commonly used in his day. In fact those terms are being used in the same way today. I propose that the terms “new covenant” and “old or first covenant” are descriptive terms, not necessarily representing historical covenants.
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Did Jesus bring to an end the Old Covenant and institute a New Covenant at Calvary?
We need to understand where the covenant came from. The everlasting covenant on which the salvation of human kind is based was formulated within the council of the Godhead before the foundation of this world. The focus of this covenant was for Jesus to come, live among men a sinless life, die a sacrificial death on Calvary, be resurrected and eventually restore all that was lost in Eden. The purpose of this covenant was the salvation of men and the vindication of the justice and mercy of God.
I don’t think there is any argument on this fact. I must add that the above paragraph describes just ONE covenant. No other covenant with these features has ever been made. It is called the “everlasting covenant” or “my covenant.” These terms are used fifteen times and fifty one times respectively in the Bible. They are not obscure terms and can refer to only one thing, the covenant made within the Godhead before the foundation of this world.
It is easy to get bogged down in the details of the “old covenant” and the “new covenant.” Actually, this is important, but let us focus on only one issue: an answer to the above question.
26 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:26-27 KJV).
27 “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:26-27 KJV).
This passage gives the time of the Messiah’s sacrificial death, and what this will do – confirm the covenant and cause sacrifice and oblation to cease. There is some variation in the translation of gabar. Some will translate this as “confirm” and others have used “make a firm covenant.” Here is Strong’s:
Transliteration: gabar
Vine's Words: Hero
English Words used in KJV:
prevail 14, strengthen 3, great 2, confirm 1, exceeded 1, mighty 1, put 1, stronger 1, valiant 1. [Total Count: 25]
a primitive root; to be strong; by implication to prevail, act insolently :- exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty, prevail, put to more [strength], strengthen, be stronger, be valiant.
—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
To apply this term, the covenant is “confirmed” (KJV and NIV) and established. It is not ended. The same covenant is now to continue with even greater authority.
Other translations are “to make a firm covenant” (NASB) or “enter into a strong and firm covenant” (Amplified Bible). Maybe there are others. Do these terms open the door to a “new covenant?” No! No other covenant has ever been made that is comparable with the everlasting covenant, “my covenant” formed in the council of the Godhead before the foundation of this world. If the covenant is made “strong or firm” it is not ended, it is strengthened!
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The “New Covenant” at the Last Supper
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28 KJV).
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 NIV).
“for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 NASB).
“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 Amplified)
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 NIV).
“for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 NASB).
“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 Amplified)
This is the one place where Jesus talks about the “testament” or “covenant.” These verses translate diatheke as either “new covenant (testament)” or as just “covenant.” In each verse the blood is “shed for many for the remission of sins.” There is only one covenant that focuses on the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and that is the everlasting covenant, or my covenant. Here are Strong’s notes on the translation:
Greek Strong's Number: 1242
Transliteration: diatheke
Vine's Words: Covenant
English Words used in KJV: covenant 20, testament 13. [Total Count: 33]
from <G1303> (diatithemai); properly a disposition, i.e. (special) a contract (especially a devisory will) :- covenant, testament.
—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
Greek Strong's Number: 2537
Transliteration: kainos
Vine's Words: New
English Words used in KJV: new 44. [Total Count: 44]
of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while <G3501> (neos) is properly so with respect to age) :- new.
—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
Of the four translations presented, the KJV uses “new covenant,” the NASB and NIV just “covenant,” and the Amplified “new covenant” with the “new” in italics, meaning supplied.
In summary, Jesus confirmed the everlasting covenant by His sinless life, and by His sacrificial death. It was the same covenant held by faith in the Old Testament, and shown by fact in the New Testament.
When we understand what happened at the Cross and what it meant for Jesus to confirm the covenant, we will understand much more about the covenant generally, and a number of other questions will be answered.
Problems with Dispensationalism
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1. Ten Commandment Law
Most Protestants will look on the ten commandment law as a part of the old covenant. And the Bible does equate the covenant with the commandments or tables of stone (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13, 23; 9:9, 11, 15). If this covenant is done away at the cross, the ten commandment law is also done away. If pushed Protestants will say that the law of Christ has been expressed in various parts of the New Testament, but not the Sabbath commandment.
A person needs to realize several things. The historical old covenant lasted but a short time and never resumed official status. The covenant offered by God, “my covenant” is everlasting and was the covenant of Adam and Eve, of Abraham, and of Israel throughout their history.
Second, there is much Bible evidence that the nation of Israel, in rejecting their Messiah, also forfeited their status as the Chosen People. The Christian Church is now the “Israel” of God (Galatians 3:29) and hold the privileges and responsibilities of the covenant – including the ten commandment law. Finally, God is not a respecter of persons. He does not have two means of salvation – only through the name of Jesus and His shed blood are sinners saved.
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2. Fault in the Old Covenant
William Johnsson, a well known Adventist writer, says that there was fault with the response of the people. Many will agree with him. He goes on to admit that the "old covenant" itself was deficient. This requires careful definition as to just what the “old covenant” was.
When God gave the covenant in Exodus 19:4-6 He gave a perfect covenant offering power to live a holy life through grace. God does not have a faulty work, ever! The people responded by their human promises “All that the Lord has said we will do.” This response was faulty because humans cannot keep the law of God without grace through faith. God accepted this as “a covenant” but not as “my covenant.” God will work with people where they are if their intentions are good. Thus, He accepted these promises as “a covenant” and allowed a ratification ceremony with animal sacrifices. This was the classic, historical, old covenant which lasted until the people defied God in their heathen festival at the base of Sinai. My covenant, which was offered by God in Exodus 19:4-6 can be confirmed only by the willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary.
In the perception of Paul, Israel had fallen back into a system of works, manifested by rote keeping of the law, meticulous observation of the sacrifices and rituals (John 5:45, 46; 9:28, 29), and a dependence on their descent from Abraham (John 8:33) as a means of salvation. They had forgotten the Messiah to whom these things pointed. In Hebrews chapters eight to ten Paul shows that salvation comes only through the true sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. The sacrifices of animals can never, of themselves, save from sin.
New Covenant has come to be a descriptive term to describe the covenant of grace. Historically, this covenant was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34. A covenant was not made at that time, and at no time did Jesus formally make a covenant in His time on earth. He did confirm a covenant – a preexisting covenant, “my” covenant. The “New” covenant is a very important concept and this is discussed elsehwere.
Old Covenant has also come to be a descriptive term for all forms of legalism or works-religion. It too has a historical background.
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3. Ellen White on the New Covenant
Ellen White speaks of two covenants. “The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden,.... This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, ‘In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.’.... Though this covenant was made with Adam and renewed to Abraham, it could not be ratified until the death of Christ ... yet when ratified by Christ, it is called a new covenant...” After they broke the covenant in their heathen festival at Sinai, the people “now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant, and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings.... Now they were prepared to appreciate the blessings of the new covenant.” (White EG: Patriarchs and Prophets, 370-373).
Ellen White does not say much about the “old covenant” except that it was formed between God and Israel at Sinai. God accepted their attempt at keeping the commandments as a lesson they needed to learn of their need of grace. This “classic old covenant” lasted “only a few weeks.” This was the historical old covenant. The “experiential old covenant” is a part of the sinful nature of man ever since Eden and will last until Jesus comes again (Skip MacCarty: In Granite or Ingrained). That is another story!
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4. Restored to the Covenant of Grace
After the “old” covenant at Sinai was broken, Moses entered into four intense intercessions with God before "the covenant" was renewed. The broken covenant and the renewed covenant were different. In Exodus 19:4-6 God offered “my covenant” to make of them “a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, an holy nation.” God would do this by grace and the power He showed in delivering them from Egypt.
The people responded by “All that the Lord has said we will do.” This was repeated twice more in Exodus 24 when the old covenant was ratified by animal sacrifice. (“My covenant” can be ratified only by the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary!) This was a response lacking in faith as the people shortly refused to stand in the presence of God, by the separate ratification ceremony they had, and by their failure within 40 days to keep this covenant.
After Moses’ intercessions God renewed the covenant:
“Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee” (Exodus 34:10).
A remarkable verse! The marvels? God would make of them “a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation!” The evidence of God working among the people is not just important, remarkable, inspiring, or miraculous – it is “terrible!” It is something we don’t have a human word for. This was not the “old covenant,” it was again “my covenant” offered by the grace of God.
Did God make a formal covenant with Israel at that time? No! What He did was to restore Israel to the everlasting or “my” covenant which He had offered to them in Exodus 19:3-6.
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5. Do Christians have an Advantage?
Do Christians, having the story of Christ and his life and sacrifice on Calvary and resurrection as a fact, have an advantage over the Old Testament followers of God? No! The Old Testament people had remarkable advantages in the prophets, the Shekinah glory, the Urim and Thummim and other direct manifestations of the power and glory of the living God. Yes, there were understandings that developed with the passage of time that were fully revealed only when Jesus came. An increase of knowledge does not always lead to an increase in spirituality. The Power of God has always been available to save.
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6. Does God have Two Ways to Save People?
Does God have more than one way of Salvation? No! To believe this is to cast a shadow on the character of God. He is not a “respecter of persons.” Was looking forward in faith to the coming Redeemer less than our looking back in faith to the fact of His coming? No! God showed special grace with frequent evidence of His direct intervention in human affairs.
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7. Behold the Days Come
Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of "Behold, the days come." This phrase is repeated three times in this chapter. What days? What is the context? Jeremiah wrote in the early part of the 70 years captivity. The immediate fulfillment was the renewal of the covenant with the restoration.
However, there is more. Daniel 9:24 presents a mandate for Israel to complete her divinely appointed mission – to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. At that time Jesus would Himself bring greater glory to the temple than even that of the temple of Solomon. A number of passages in Isaiah describe a reign of righteousness right here on this earth. The language of Jeremiah 31:31-34 pictures this kind of fulfillment.
When the leaders in Israel refused to accept their Messiah, all this failed to take place. The final and complete fulfillment would not now take place until the Second Coming of Christ when sin and sinners are no more, and the righteous are redeemed to live with Him for ever.
Is this promised covenant “new” having never been made before? Or is it a renewal of “my covenant,” the everlasting covenant of God?
The covenant had been renewed many times during the history of Israel. In some of these covenants, God extended “my” covenant of grace to the people. A number of the covenants were covenants of repentance and dedication initiated by the people. Passages in Jeremiah and Ezekiel encourage the people with promises of restoration.
In this context we can see a renewal of the covenant after the restoration from captivity. It would also point to ratification and confirmation when Jesus came the first time, and a final fulfillment when He comes the second time. “His mercy endureth forever.” The love of God does not change. His arm is not shortened that He cannot save. The plan of salvation has always been open for people to repent and be saved.
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8. Did Jesus End the Old Covenant?
Did Jesus end the old covenant by His sacrifice, and institute a new covenant? Did "to confirm" the covenant mean to end it? No!
Did Jesus institute the inoperative "new covenant" at that time, thus ending the old covenant? Having evidence that the covenant of grace had been given to Adam and Eve and to Abraham in the past introduces a problem if a person believes that the Old covenant was in force until ended by Jesus at Calvary. To believe that the Old Covenant was instituted at Sinai and continued to the Cross poses a special problem for Adventists. The ten commandment law was clearly associated with the Sinai covenant, even called “the covenant.”
To say the Old Covenant was ended at the Cross raises the question as to what happened to the ten commandments. There is evidence that the ten commandment law is the law of God for all eternity, but this evidence is largely implied in the patriarchal age. In my opinion, there is strong evidence that God has just one everlasting covenant which has been renewed many times, and finally ratified by Jesus at the Cross. This covenant continues into the New Earth when the covenant blessing is given,
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
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In Summary:
Did Jesus institute a new covenant with His people while He was on earth? The Bible describes only one covenant of salvation. This covenant was instituted before the foundation of the world, and confirmed by the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. In 1 Peter 2:9 we find language that is similar to the Sinai covenant of Exodus 19:5. And finally, the covenant promise, “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people” is fulfilled in the New Earth (Revelation 21;3).
There is only one everlasting covenant, one covenant of salvation by grace, and only one sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. This is “my” covenant, the “new” covenant – The Plan of Salvation and the Gospel. What God has done for human kind from ages past, He is doing for us today. He is come “to seek and to save the lost” – you and me.
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In Summary:
Did Jesus institute a new covenant with His people while He was on earth? The Bible describes only one covenant of salvation. This covenant was instituted before the foundation of the world, and confirmed by the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. In 1 Peter 2:9 we find language that is similar to the Sinai covenant of Exodus 19:5. And finally, the covenant promise, “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people” is fulfilled in the New Earth (Revelation 21;3).
There is only one everlasting covenant, one covenant of salvation by grace, and only one sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. This is “my” covenant, the “new” covenant – The Plan of Salvation and the Gospel. What God has done for human kind from ages past, He is doing for us today. He is come “to seek and to save the lost” – you and me.
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