QA: Difference between the Old and New Covenant?

Biblical faith, Endtime, Messiah

[themify_box style=”green”]Q: “What is the difference between the Old and the New Covenant?
Q: “What has the ‘Blood of Messiah’ to do with Salvation?”
Q: “Why was there a Crucifixion – What does it all mean?”
Q: “What is the purpose and the Link with the Sacred Festivals?”
Q: “Has the Full Law been annulled or only partially?”[/themify_box]

Answer

As believers in the New Testament Messiah and His Sacrificial Accomplishment, many have become accustemed to terms, concepts and ideas which they are often very hesitant to question.

The Christian religious culture which they have grown up in or that they have accepted at some stage in their lives, have eternalized terms like ‘saved by His Blood which washes us clean’, having been ‘freed from the burdensome Laws by His Blood’, etc. Have they ever dared to question it? Are they brave enough to question its true meaning and implications?

What was the purpose of His Sacrifice really? Why did He ‘shed His Blood’ (offered His Life) for us? For WHO did He give this Offering?

This entire discussion resorts under the Main Biblical Topic of ‘Salvation’. Any proposed answer to these questions will no doubt have to address the concept of ‘The Old vs. the New Covenant’ and as such it will all be intrinsuically related to the Divine Purpose and Intent for mankind. This Purpose is clearly defined by the terms of the Ciovenant as documented repeatedly in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible.

Difference between the ‘Old’ and the ‘New’ Covenant?

What has changed from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant?

Has the Old Covenant been done away (in part or total) and replaced by a New (changed) Covenant?

Was this the purpose of the ‘Sacrificial Blood Offering of Messiah’, to CHANGE the Divine Covenant in a ‘New’ dispensation?

When will the New Covenant be inbstalled?

The Time Element involved in the New Covenant

Just clearing the Time element of the New Covenant will already eliminate many of the confusing interpretations presented by long standing relgious culture doctrines based on erroneous timing. Granted, that it is only due to modern recent unveiling virtual evidence of developments that have brought new insight into these vital topics. Such revealing understanding was promised to the Prophert Daiel when he was given insightful visions about the future:

Daniel 12 :4 “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the scroll until the end of time. Many will go back and forth and search anxiously [through the scroll], and knowledge [of the purpose of God as revealed by His prophets] will [greatly] increase.” (Amplified Bible).

The Time element confirmation regardiung when the New Covenant would be established will eliminate most of the standard theological commentaries. It is all woven up in the traumatic historic issue of the Exile from off the Promised Land, of the Nation of Israel. This occurred historically by the year 720 BCE, when the Northern 10-Tribed Kingdom of the ‘House of Israe;’ was exiled into oblivion amongst the nations by God – ‘divorced’ by Him (Jer. 3:*) and cut off from the Covenant. BUT – with the Divine Promise of Return and Restoration. The House of Judah (2 Tribes( survived the demoloition of two Temples in Jerusalem, followed by exile amongst the nations throughout the last 2,000 years – again, with the Promise of return.

Out current generation has been witness to this Returen from 2,000 year exile of Judah since WW2 and the resultant rebirth of the Kingdom of Judah on their historical Homeland, Israel (1948).

Simultaneously, over the last few decades there has been an ever-broadening awakening amongst non-Jews (and notedly amongst Christian Church-geors) of Torah-restoring believers, gradually turning pro-Judaism and even converting to Torah Judaism. This, undoubtedly as promised by the Prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures – in fact, the Main Theme of all Bible Prophecy.

Now even a casual review of the first 30 verses preceding Jer. 31:30, (which defines the establishment of a ‘New’ Covenant by God), should be sufficient to confirm the fact that this ‘New’ Covenant will only be established AFTER the Return of these exiles and their reconciliation into ONE re-united 12-Tribed Kingdom once again. While this phenomenon is currently in process, it is very far from completion – thus, NO New Covenant could yet have been established. Christianity’s claim that the ‘Messianic believers since His appearance 2000 years ago are under the New Covenant (and thus released from Torah obligations) is therefore blatantly in error.

This time setting for the New Covenant only AFTER the ingathereing nd Reconciliation of the Exiles of Israel is repeated in the context readings of Ezek. 37:26 ; Ezek. 11:19; Ezek. 36:27; Ezek. 34:24; Ezek. 39:29

Any conclusions in regard to the Old vs New Covenant should therefore be based on the conclusive fact that the New Covenant is yet future, and dependant on the Return of the exiles of all 12 Tribes to the Land.

Further investigation will prove that the New Covenant is vitally part of the Final Events of this Dispensation, i.e. after the Final Judgment and being foumndationally part of the establishment of the Universal Kingdom of God.

The correct answers to theabove questions will also determine

whether the Law still exists in part or in total;
whether believers should observe the full Law or not;
which is the real True Faith;
whether we should return to Judaism or to a ‘rejuvenated’ type of Christianity based on some form of true Judaism;

The correct answer should tell us what the Divine Purpose truly entails.

The Divine Purpose of ‘Salvation’ as depicted by the Biblical Annual Festive Cycle

The Answer to these questions is contained in the diagramatic representation of the Feasts of YHVH, better known as the ‘Jewish Feasts’, which depict and lay out the overall Purpose and Plan of YHVH for humanity. This diagram (refer furthr down below) forms the BASIS of the ‘Worship Plan’ of the Almighty. It reflects the route of ‘The WAY’ to Eternal Salvation – from bondage of sin and enstrangement with God, thru gradual release of bondage by the practising of His Will (as engraved in His Laws), building of spiritual wisdom and power in our lives, right thru unto eventual atonement with the Most High, to rule with Him in His Eternal Universal Kingdom.

This may sound a ‘mouth full’, but, it is really elementarily displayed in the Diagram (or Site map) of His Great Feasts. This diagram clearly depicts:

the individual believer’s own personal ‘route’ to eventual Eternal Salvation and Atonement (much as some believers would want to ‘prove’ that “they are already saved”);
the route of the nation of Israel in the annals of history and where they are heading;
the Future of humanity and the World.

THE PLAN OF ‘SALVATION’ FOR MANKIND AS DEPICTED BY THE CYCLE OF THE SACRED FEASTS OF YHVH.

This is an overwhelming subject which will merely be summarised here. It entails the WHOLE Plan of YHVH.

Scriptural quotes will be limited to the minimum, because the source is so vastly encompassing. Readers will however be referred to comprehensive additional Pages on this Website.

_____________________

The Bible teaches THREE Feast times in the year. Israel is commanded to “go up to Jerusalem” for these festive times.

All are ‘Sabbaths’ – no work – Holy-days, with some intermittent days. These Feasts fall in the first Biblical month, the fourth and the seventh. The 1st month and 7th month Feasts follow an almost similar pattern, with the Feasts determined for:

1st of the month
10th of the month, and
14 to 21st. of the month

There are minor discrepancies in determining of these dates (as with determining the new Moon also) which accounts for the reasons why these dates differ between Jewish sects, Christianity and Hebraic Roots Restorers.

Months are determined by the new Moons which indicate the 1st. day of the new month, and the Feasts are counted accordingly from there.

The First month falls at the spring equinox (Apr);
The 7th month at the equinox in September.

According to the Traditional (current) Jewish Calendar, the Great Festivals are:

FIRST MONTH

1/1 – New Year (Jewish tradition moved it to the 1st of the 7th Biblical month)
14/1 – Pesach – “The Season of our Freedom”
15/1 to 21/1 – Matzot (Unleavened Bread) (U/B) 1st and last days are Sabbaths.
16/1 Omer (Wave Sheaf Offer) (W/O) used as the 1st day of a 50-day countdown to Shavuot (Pentecost)

4th MONTH

Shavuot (Pentecost) “Season of Giving of our Law” falling on the 50th day of the Omer (W/O).

7th MONTH

1/7 – Rosh HaShanah “Blowing of the Shofar” (Trumpets) – New Year
10/7 – Yom Kippur (Judgement Day)
15/7 to 22/7 – Succot 7 days (Tabernacles) “Season of our Gladness.” The 1st and last days are Sabbaths.
23/7 – Simchat Torah – Rejoicing with Torah – Normal Solemnity waived – dancing with the Torah thru the synagogue and the streets in Israel – The Eighth Day – Last Great Day
“Last Great Day” – (Hebr.: Shemini Atzeret) the final concluding Feast Day of the 7th Month – referred to by Messiah as “The GREATEST Day of the Feasts” (Jo 7:37).

SELECTED SAMPLES OF FULFILMENT OF THESE FEASTS AND THEIR MEANINGS

Pesach = Exodus from Sin (land of Egypt) Sacrifice fulfilled by Messiah on 14/1, the date of the Crucifixion.
Counting of the Omer = “remembrance” of constant fight against sin
Shavuot = Receiving of the Law at Sinai / sealing of the Covenant / conffirmation of the Covenant
7th month = Return of Messiah with Trumpets, Judgement Day, Atonement, 7-day Marriage Celebration in His newly established Universal Kingdom! Eternally with YHVH!

Even a cursory reflection on the ‘chain’ of these events, should indicate a progressive flow in the Salvation Plan: (read thru the above calendar of Feasts again, then refer to the next section):

KEY TO GOD’S SALVATION PLAN

The Cycle of the Sacred Festivals reflect the progressive cycle in God’s Salvation plan for the individual believer.

This cycle proceeds forth from

the Start of the spiritual ‘walk’ , through –
the fleeing from sin;
practising of the Way of Righteousness;
receiving of the Guidelines and ‘rules of the Game’ (The Covenant and Law) as well as the spiritual power thereto;
the return of the King to establish His Kingdom (with Trumpets);
Judgement Day – to elect those who will rule with God in His Universal Kingdom, serving as a Living Temple for Him to dwell in amongst His People;
Atonement with God – becoming perfect in His full Image, imbued fully with His Spirit under a New Covenant Dispensation
Marriage celebration in the New Kingdom with the ancient patriarchs, and the Agelic Hosts!
a New Day / Dispensation!

This is a progressive Salvation Plan, with the Sacred Feasts acting as memorials, commemorations, or reminders – as beacons to guide and inspire us along the Way.

Why do we say it is a “progressive” Salvation Plan? Because though we are ‘saved’ by accepting Messiah’s Sacrificial Offer as our reconciliation, which is simply the entry to God’s Plan and Purposse – there still is a life-long road to walk and to grow in Faith.

[themify_box style=”green”]Q: “What is the role of ‘Messiah’s Blood’ in this Salvation Program?”[/themify_box]

Answer

Christianity teaches that “the Blood Sacrifice by the Messiah has sealed us into the New Covenant – with the Law now written on our hearts’. Thus, ‘the believer in Messiah is now automatically practising the Law of God as required, in a new spiritual Dispensation’. This simply imploies that there is no longer a strict Written Law to be bound to ‘as in the Old Covcenant Dispensation’.

The Truth of the matter is, that the ‘Blood Saxcrifice’ of the Messiah has nothing to do with the establishment of a New Covenant,

What does the Old Covenant entail or stipulate?

“If you obey My Law (all 613 of them), then you shall be blessed above all nations, be My People and inherit the Promised Land” (Summarised conclusion from multiple Scriptures – for a full comprehensive Scriptural analysis, please refer to the full study on The Eternal Covenant)

What does the New Covenant entail or stipulate?

EXACTLY THE SAME!!!

So, what then is the role of ‘The Blood Sacrifice’ of the Messiah in the Plan of Salvation? Simply to restore the de-covenanted exiles of the House of Israel’ (10 Tribes) back into Covenant relationship, i.e. ‘Old’ Covenant relationship, in preparation for the future establishment of the New Covenant. Without the Blood Sacrifice of the Messiah, i.e. the Death of the ‘Bridegroom’, it would be impossible for God to return and re-marry His Divorced, Harlot Wife, the House of 10-Tribed Israel. There would simply remain NO WAY of Return to the Covenant for them! For a full overview of this awesome Topic, refer to our study The One True Gospel.

The Messiah has come for “The lost sheep of the House of Israel” (Matthew 15:24 ).

By accepting this Blood Sacrifice, the Lost souls of the House of Israel ensures their Return to the Covenant and for ranking for the establishing of a New Future Covenant with God to become, in fact, Living Torahs, ruling with God over the Nations

Daniel 7:27 “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’”

Mankind today, in its highly evolved ‘civilized’ status, has an acquired aversion against this ‘blood-thirstiness’ of the ‘Old Testament’ – notwithstanding the fact that this ‘higher evolvement’ allows them to legalise the murder of unborn babies through abortion while protecting the lives of murderers through abolishing the death sentence!. They are thus blinded to the astounding revelation prefigured by this sacrificial atonement, namely that God Himself would reconcile man by the shedding of His Own Blood; by paying the highest penalty Himself – by becoming the ultimate Sacrifice for the unrighteousness (lawlessness) of repentant sinners.

This is what the Crucifixion of Messiah entails – somewhat different to ‘the Gospel’ which is generally preached from Christian pulpits!

ONLY – now you have been “purchased” by the Blood of God – and have the ‘seal’ of Confirmation to this Divine ‘Contract’ in His Blood!!!!

For what purpose? To keep the same Laws in order to inherit the Eternal
Promised Kingdom of YHVH.

Matt 5:18 “Till Heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke shall disappear from the Law …” He then specifies which Law He is talking about, by quoting sections of this ‘Law’ (Matt 5:21-48). Closer analysis reveals in this portion of Scripture that He specifies 2 Laws from the Ten Commands, but FIVE from the “Law of Moses” which so many Christian believers claim have been “annulled with the Old Covenant”. YAHU’SHUAH saw and preached no such annulment!

The 176 verses of the lengthy Ps 119 all sing the praises of the Divine Law of YHVH. The words Law, Commandments, Ordinances, Statutes, Judgements, Decrees, Precepts – are synonymously and intermittently used (and inconsistently in various translations) for the concept of the Laws of God. Who is then to say that the “Ordinances” specifically have been annulled?

Obviously, the only Laws which “have been nailed to the Cross”, are the Laws pertaining to Sacrificial offerings for sin, having been annulled by the “perfect Sacrifice” of Messiah.

Even this, does not mean that there is “no more Sacrifice”. Messiah’s Sacrifice has become our continual Sacrifice! (Dan 9:27).

Incidentally, the influential apostle, Paul, offered ‘Jewish sacrifice’ long after the Crucifixion! (Acts 21:26 & 24:17)

WHO HAS TO BE “BOUGHT” BY HIS BLOOD?

Eph 2:11,12 “…there was a time when you were pagans … [evicted from the Land, de-covenanted, rejected by God] uncircumcised … and were excluded from membership of Israel, aliens with no part in the Covenants with their Promise … without Hope and without God. But now, in YAHU’SHUAH Messiah, you … have been brought very close by the Blood of Messiah.”

Thus, through His Death as a human Manifestation of the Eternal Living Creator God, He made it Lawfully possible according to His Torah Laws (Deut. 24:4) to forgive and receive His Divorced bride (The House of 10-Tribed Israel) BACK into Covenant ref. The One True Gospel.

[themify_box style=”green”]Q: “Are Jews who do not accept the Messiah, eternally lost?”[/themify_box]

Answer

In reviewing the above Salvation Plan of YHVH as depicted in the Sacred Festival Cycle, let the reader take note, that the Covenant which YHVH had made with Judah, has never yet been abrogated or annulled. The Sacrificial Salvation Offering of Messiah was Divinely purposed to restore the ‘OId’ Covenant’ relationship with the 10-Tribed House of Israel who had been de-covenanted by God and exiled 2,700 years ago amongst the nations where they entirely lost their Hebrew identification.

Simultaneously this Phenomenon of the Living God stepping into History of Mankind Himself would now also serve as a channel for non-Israelites (the rst of all mankind) to share in a Covenant relationship with the Creator, virtually as His ‘Bride’.

This process of bringing the pagans into Judaism, is described as a ‘Great Mystery’, which was unknown in previous generations (Eph. 3:5).
Eph. 3:6 “It means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same Body and that the same Promise has been made to them in YAHU’SHUAH Messiah.”

Rom. 11:11 “Their (the Lost Israelite’s) fall, has saved the pagans“.

Clearly, the Sacrifice of Messiah was not to ‘purchase’ Judah, but to bring de-covenanted ‘Lostr Sheep of the House of Israel’ and non-Jews into Judah – the ‘Mascot’ Nation of God who remained identified throughout as ‘His People’. The Jews are still, and have always remained in the Eternal Covenant with YHVH – they needed no renewal of the Covenant – they simply have to abide by its Conditions (which is a different subject all on its own) – the Covenant being an uncancellable Contract, securing Divine Blessings and conditional upon compliance with its terms and requirements – which is Torah (Law) observance – and instilling Divine Penalty for non-compliance, examples of which litter the history of Israel with their blood and tears!

Newcomers (through the Blood Sacrifice of Messiah) to this ‘Jewish’ Covenant, will thus fall under the same terms and conditions as Jews, with the same resultant Blessings and Curses. Once reconciled and partakers of ‘the Covenant and its Promises’, logically, these Promises would also include divine Penalties for non-compliance – just as for Jews! It would be highly unfair to bring pagans into the ‘Jewish Covenant’ and exonerate them permanently from its restrictions and discipline. Christians erroneously believe and teach that the Crucifixion, as a Divine Act of Grace, has released them from Law observance and its negative connotations! They proclaim the Blessings of the Covenant only!

The general conception therefore, as held by mainstream Christianity, that Jews are condemned for “having killed the Messiah”, holds no Scriptural foundation and is directly in contradiction of explicit Scriptures in the New Testament itself, which clearly states thr rxact opposite:

Rom. 11:1 “Is it possible that God has rejected His People? Of course not!”

Rom. 11:11 “Have the Jews fallen for ever or have they just stumbled? Obviously, they have not fallen for ever”

Further Scriptural confirmation that Jews have not been rejected by God for their failure to recognise or accept the New Testament Messiah, is found in Hosea ch 2, where God’s relationship with the twelve tribes of Israel is referred to as a dual Marriage between YHVH and Judah (the 2 Tribes of Judah and Benjamin on the one hand) and Israel (the Ten Northern Tribes) on the other hand. This portion of Scripture in Hosea refers to these two sections into which Israel became split.

Hosea refers to these two sections of Israel as the “Two Brides” of YHVH and poses some spectacular information for purposes of our discussion, namely, whether the Jews (Judah) have been rejected by God or not.

Hosea chapters 2 & 3 confirm that YHVH resultantly, ‘divorced’ Israel. (the Ten Tribes), which is referred to as ‘the harlot’, because of her ‘flirting’ and ‘adultery’ with other religions and her unfaithfulness to YHVH. Yet, He promises to take her back later, when she will choose to return to Him. This reconciliation required the “Blood Sacrifice” (Death) of the Bridegroom, in order to remarry her without breaking His Own Law of Divorce (Deut. 24:4).

Judah (the Jews), on the other hand, had NEVER yet been ‘divorced’, so ‘she’ needs no repurchasing or reconciliation!

This brings us to another question:

[themify_box style=”green”]Q: “Should Jews be evangelised in order to ‘save their souls’?”[/themify_box]

Answer

Scripture is clear that ‘Salvation’ and recognition of the Messiah, for Jews, is yet future – and this has been ordained by Divine Decree:

Rom. 11:8 “The rest were not allowed to see the Truth, as Scripture says (in Deut. 29:3; Isa. 29:10) ‘God has given them (the Jews) a sluggish spirit, unseeing eyes and unattentive ears.”

The evangelistic efforts of Christians and Messianics, to bring Jews to accept the Messiah “without which Jews are doomed”, is therefore nothing more than an arrogant attempt (though unwittingly), to negate the Decree of the Most High.

Paul claims that there is a ‘hidden reason’ underlying their rejection of Messiah:

Rom. 11:25 “One section of Israel has become blind, but this will last only till the whole pagan world [joined by the exiles of the Lost 10 Tribes] has entered, and then after this, the rest of Israel [the House of Judah] will be saved as well. As Scripture says (in Isa. 59:20-21) The Liberator will come from Zion. He will banish Godlessness from Jacob [the 12 Tribes, 10-Israel and Judah] … when He takes their sins away [perfecting them under a New Covenant after Judgment Day – in the Final Resdemption].”

Clearly therefore, Jews will be saved, in a future event when all mankind will be judged and receive their award – Eternal Life or condemnation:

only after all the pagan world has had their opportunity;
By God Himself (the ‘Liberator coming from Zion’ – who will be Messiah Himself at His 2nd Coming);
only at His Coming.

This event is clearly described in Prophecy, in Zech ch.12, as follows:

Zech. 12:2
“Look, I am going to make Jerusalem an intoxicating cup to all the surrounding nations. When that Day comes, I will make Jerusalem a Stone to be lifted by all the peoples. All who try to lift it, will hurt themselves severely. And all the nations of the earth will mass against her.”

Zech. 12:9 “When that Day comes, I shall set Myself to destroy all the nations who advance against Jerusalem. But over the House of David and over the citizens of Jerusalem I will pour out a Spirit of kindness and prayer (The first outpouring over the “remnant” who were allowed to recognize Messiah, i.e. the apostles and the 3000 Jews who were gathered in the Upper Room of the Temple – as referred to in Rom. 11:4 – occurred on the Feast Day of Shavuot (Pentecost) 50 days after His Crucifixion) and they will look on Me (YHVH speaking!) Whom they have pierced! They will mourn for Him as for an Only Son … When that Day comes, there will be great mourning in Judah.”

The Prophecy continues with a description of how the clans will then come for repentance, and
Zech. 12:9 “When that Day comes, a Fountain will be opened for the House of David and the citizens of Jerusalem, for sin and impurity”

This recognition of the Pierced One by the Jews will not happen before that Day, when (reading Prophecy in context), God Himself will appear in order to save Israel from total annihilation in the War of Gog and Magog (Armageddon), at a time when all the nations of the earth will draw up against Jerusalem for Battle! Ref. Zech. ch. 12 & 14; Ezek. 38 & 39; Joel ch. 2)

This Day is now (Feb. 2022)) fast in the making. The ‘Final Status’ discussion in the Battle for Jerusalem, which was left for last on the agenda of the Oslo Peace Accord, because of the explosive nature thereof, has now been put on the table between Israel and the Palestinians, and is structured to be finalised before Sept. 2000 – the festive period of Succot (The Feast of Trumpets!). Several times over the last few decades, voting in the United Nations has proven that all the nations are against Israel and its presence in the Holy Land. The most recent of these votes were passed as recently as 1 Dec. 1999, when all but one nation (being Israel itself) voted that Israel’s imposition of its own laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem is illegal, null and void. (Resolution 54/42)

Let anyone who has eyes to see, observe – listen and take heed! We are approaching the Time of the Culmination of this Era – the next, God’s Kingdom of Peace and Eternal Rule from Jerusalem, is soon to be established.