Author: Bill

From Bill & Mel —Information Borrowed from Compelling Truth and Got Questions websites. Covenant theology examines the Bible within the context of the Bible’s covenants. The two covenants typically of focus include the covenant of works & the covenant of grace. These two covenants are seen as extensions of the seven covenants in Scripture (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Palestinian/Land, Mosaic, Davidic, and New). Covenant theology simply explained begins with the covenant of works that began in the Garden of Eden. Adam & Eve were given one command, with a clear consequence for disobedience. When Adam & Eve failed to keep God’s commandment, God established the covenant of grace. This covenant of grace is seen clearly in Jesus Christ, with salvation offered as a free gift of grace by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Other covenants are similarly broken by humans yet kept by God’s grace. Abraham failed God at times, yet God’s grace was sufficient. The Davidic Covenant was fulfilled despite David’s sins. In the New Covenant, Jesus fulfills the law & offers salvation to those who turn to Him. He fulfills the covenant both as a human & as God. All the earlier covenants find fulfillment in Jesus, who claims not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). —For by Grace we have been saved! Grace is the love from our God because He is love & not based on our behavior! How great would it be if we learned to love like that! Now That is & would be worth celebrating! Love Mel

Information Borrowed from Compelling Truth & Got Questions websites. The Davidic Covenant was an unconditional covenant, found in 2 Samuel 7:8-16, which promised to bless David’s family line & assure an everlasting kingdom. Jesus is from that family line of David (Luke 1:32-33) & as the Son of David (Mark 10:47), is the fulfillment of this covenant. It amplifies the “seed” aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant. The promises to David in this passage are significant. God is always using His power to bring about wholeness for His people eternally.
THE NEW COVENANT found in Jeremiah 31:31-34,  promised that God would forgive sin & allow a close, unbroken relationship with His people. The promise was first made to Israel & then extended to everyone who comes to Jesus Christ in faith (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:15). Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) & create a new covenant between God & His children. Now that we are under the New Covenant, both Jews & Gentiles can be free from the penalty of the Law. We are now given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Praise the Lord & believe that He is working out all that is wrong in this world! Preparing the way to a better one! Love Mel

From Bill & Mel —Information Borrowed from Compelling Truth and Got Questions websites. Palestinian (or Land) Covenant amplifies the land aspect that was detailed in the Abrahamic Covenant. This unconditional covenant is found in Deuteronomy 30:1-10. It shows God’s promise to scatter Israel for disobeying God & to restore them at a later time to their land. This covenant has been fulfilled twice, with the Babylonian Captivity & subsequent rebuilding of Jerusalem under Cyrus the Great; & with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., followed by the reinstatement of the nation of Israel in 1948. —The Mosaic Covenant – “The Law” WAS a conditional covenant, found in Deuteronomy 11 & elsewhere which promised the Israelites a blessing for obedience & a curse for disobedience. Much of the Old Testament describes the fulfillment of God’s judgment for sin & blessing when God’s people repented & returned to God. Part of the Mosaic Covenant was Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) & the rest of the Law, which contained over 600 commands—roughly 300 positive & 300 negative. — Our God loves it when we seek Him & do what He asks!! Now that sounds like most parents!! Along with obedience comes blessings, so in my mind that is worth pursuing! Stay tuned for “The Best Covenant” is coming!! Love Mel

A covenant is a union in which two parties make binding promises to each other & work together to keep the agreements made. Our God loves covenants! From Bill — Information Borrowed from Compelling Truth & Got Questions websites. Seven specific covenants are revealed in Scripture. These seven covenants fall into three categories—conditional, unconditional, & general. With conditional covenants if the requirements are not fulfilled, the covenant is broken. Unconditional covenants will be kept regardless of the other party’s faithfulness. General covenants involve a wide range of people. The only conditional covenant mentioned in Scripture is the Mosaic Covenant which depends upon Israel’s adherence to the Law. The unconditional covenants mentioned in the Bible are the Abrahamic, Palestinian (Land), & Davidic Covenants which God promises to fulfill regardless. The general covenants mentioned are the Adamic, Noahic, & New Covenants, which apply to everyone. We will spend a few days outlining these covenants. The Adamic Covenant is general & is found in Genesis 1:26-30, 2:16-17, & Genesis 3:15. The Adamic Covenant can be thought of in two parts: the Edenic Covenant (innocence) & the Adamic Covenant (grace) (Genesis 3:16-19). The Edenic Covenant outlined man’s responsibility toward creation & God’s directive regarding the tree of the knowledge of good & evil. The Adamic Covenant included the curses pronounced against mankind for the sin of Adam & Eve, as well as God’s provision for that sin, His redemption. (Genesis 3:15). —As we learn about God’s covenants, May we become covenant keepers! Love Mel

From Bill —Psalm 132 (NKJV) For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 14 “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There I will make the horn of David grow”.  The Lord loves all of His creation and all the people of the world Equally. But He has a special role for Jerusalem in the future. One day, the Bible tells us, He will rule the world from Jerusalem for 1000 years. Rev 20 says “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” This is referred to as the Millenium. After that comes eternity where we will live in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Rev 21 (NIV) says: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Those who believe in Jesus as savior with child-like faith have much to look forward to. Just keep trusting & believing. Love Mel