The Eight Covenants of the Bible-Noahic

Last week, (04/25/10), we looked at the 3rd of the 8 Covenants: the Noahic Covenant.
The Scriptural text of the Covenant was read and is found in Genesis 9:1-17, with the participants being God and Noah. Noah, here, stood as the representative head for all of the human race, as Adam did.
There were seven provisions of the Covenant:

1. Man, again, was to repopulate the earth, with only 8 survivors after the flood.
2. The fear of man was put into animals, giving them a sense of self-preservation, (see #3 below).
3. Man's diet changed from vegetarian to every moving thing and the green herb.
4. Man was forbidden to eat blood. We see this reiterated in the Book of Acts 15:29 through a different covenant.
5. Capital punishment was introduced, (all murderers were to be executed).
6. God promised never again to destroy the earth by flood.
7. The sign or token of the covenant was the rainbow.

The status of the covenant is that it's still in effect. As  Arnold mentions: "The judgments of the Tribulation against the Gentiles will come because of violations of the Noahic Covenant. According to Isaiah 24:5–6, the judgment comes because humanity has violated the everlasting covenant, a name given to the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9:16. For that reason, the prophet used the Noahic Flood motif, the windows on high and foundations of the earth in Isaiah 24:18. But next time, God will destroy the masses of humanity by fire."


Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). Vol. 21: The Messianic Bible Study Collection (13). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.
We also discussed the different dispensations associated with the previously mentioned covenants.
The Edenic Covenant was the basis for the Dispensation of Innocence.
The Adamic Covenant; the Dispensation of Conscience.
The Noahic Covenant; the Dispensation of Human Government.
Hope you have a great week and give Him the praise in all things.
Be blessed,
Your Chrbrotherist
George

This is the second of 8 covenants of the Bible class that we began last Sunday, (04/17/10).
The main body of Scripture can be found in Genesis 3:14-19.
The participants are God and Adam, where Adam is again representing the entire human race. We see that God addresses the serpent, Satan, Eve, and Adam.

There were three provisions concerning the serpent:

He was cursed above all other creatures.

He was to crawl on his belly, (which implies that he previously moved in an upright position).

He was to eat dust as his food. This was a Hebrew idiom that simply meant that he was especially cursed, (see Micah 7:17 and Isaiah 65:25).

There were four provisions concerning Satan:

Perpetual hatred between Satan and the woman.

The hatred was especially between Satan's seed, the Antichrist, and the woman's seed, the Messiah.

The serpent would bruise the heel of the woman's seed, (at the Crucifixion).

The woman's seed will crush Satan's head, (initially at the Resurrection-Hebrews 2:14-15), but finally with the Lake of fire, (Revelation 20:10).

Quoting from Dr. Fruchtenbaum:

The main point of this prophecy is that the Messiah would be of the Seed of woman. This goes against the biblical norm that teaches that genealogy is traced through the male line, not through the female line. The reason for this exception will not be known for centuries until Isaiah 7:14 revealed that the Messiah will be conceived and born of a virgin. The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 led to the events of Genesis 6:1–4 when Satan tried to corrupt the seed of the woman and will lead to the future supernatural conception of the Antichrist.

Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). Vol. 21: The Messianic Bible Study Collection (10). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.

Three provisions were given to the woman:

There would be intensification of menstrual pain and conception.

She would to give birth in pain.

The wife was to in subjection to the husband.

Dr. Fruchtenbaum adds: "This was already true before the Fall, but the new element was that she would now have a desire to rebel against that subjection and choose to try to rule him." See Genesis 4:7 for context.

There were five provisions for the man:

Since Adam was the representative of the human race, these judgments pass on to us all. Therefore, Adam, not Eve, is held responsible for the human condition.

The Earth was cursed, (as anyone who gardens can attest).

The human diet continues to be vegetarian.

Hard labor was implemented.

Physical death was introduced.

The status of the Adamic Covenant is that it is still in effect today.

Have a great weekend!

Your Chrbrotherist
George Haven

The Eight Covenants of the Bible-Edenic

This is a new study that we began on 04/11/10-enjoy.

Positional Truths 31-33

We've reached the end of this study on "33 Positional Truths." The final three truths are as follows:
31: United to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit-2 Corinthians 6:16 and has six facets:
a. The Believer is in God the Father-2 Thessalonians 1:1
b. The Father is in the Believer-Ephesians 4:6
c. The Believer is in the Son-John 14:20
d. The Son is in the Believer-Colossians 1:27
e. The Believer is in the Holy Spirit-Romans 8:9, Ephesians 2:22
f. The Holy Spirit is in the Believer-1 Corinthians 3:16
32: Access to God-Four things are true concerning access:
a. The Believer has access to God according to Romans 5:2 and can boldly approach the throne of grace according to Hebrews 4:14-16. Arnold reminds us that if a Believer stumbles, it's not because he/she doesn't have sufficient grace available, but have not appropriated the grace that's available to them to get through any temptation, any suffering, any trial or tribulation.
b. The Believer has access to God the Father according to Ephesians 2:18.
c. The Believer has assurance of his/her salvation-Hebrews 10:19, 22.
d. This access provides fellowship with God-1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 1:3.
33. Within the "much more" Care of God-According to Luke 12:24. This position has seven facets:
a. The Believer is the object of God's divine love according to Romans 5:8.
b. The Believer is the object of God's grace-John 6:27, Ephesians 2: 7-9.
c. The Believer is the object of God's power-Ephesians 1:19.
d. The Believer is the object of God's faithfulness-1 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 13:5.
e. The Believer is the object of God's peace-Romans 5:1, Philippeans 4:7.
f. The Believer is the object of God's consolation and comfort-2 Corinthians 1:3-4
g. The Believer is the object of God's intercession-Romans 8:27, Hebrews 7:25.
The following is Dr. Fruchtenbaum's conclusion of this study:

These are the thirty three things that happen to every believer at the moment he is saved. They happen instantaneously; they are not a process. It is very important that the believer grasp his position in Jesus the Messiah, because until the believer clearly understands what his position is, he will not fully understand what his authority is in that position. Not knowing what his authority is, he will not be able to exercise that authority. So it is very important that the believer understands his position, because this is his best defense in fighting the satanic and demonic front in spiritual warfare.
There are three fronts to spiritual warfare: the flesh, the world, and the devil and his demonic forces. As in any war, each has to be fought in different ways, in different styles, and by using different weapons. As far as the front against Satan and the demonic forces is concerned, the best defense is understanding positional truth, understanding what the believer’s position is in Yeshua the Messiah, understanding the authority that comes with it, and then exercising that authority. When Satan starts accusing and attacking the believer, the believer is able to stand on the basis of the Word of God. The believer never stands on the basis of his own merit; he never stands against Satan on the basis of his own righteousness. The believer stands on the basis of his position in the Messiah and on the fact that he has the righteousness of the Messiah imputed to him.
Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). The Messianic Bible Study Collection (110:19-20). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.

We will not be meeting for the next two weeks because of the musical celebration of His Resurrection. We will be resuming with, (what I believe, is), perhaps the most important study that a Biblically literate Disciple can undertake. The study of the eight covenants of the Bible. I personally don't think that one can properly discern between Biblical truth and much of what the modern church teaches without a working knowledge of the covenants that God has given us in His Word.
Be blessed, have a wonderful Passover season.
Your Chrbrotherist

Positional Truths 25-30

Last Sunday, (03/14/10), we covered the next six truths:

1. In Possession of Every Spiritual Blessing-We as Believers don't have to wait, pray for, or agonize over spiritual blessings because of Ephesians 1:3.
2. Believers are a Gift from God the Father to God the Son-We looked at John 6:37-40 and John 17:6 and discussed the eternal security aspect also in John 10:28-29.
3. Believers are the Messiah's Inheritance-according to Ephesians 1:18 and as Arnold states: "Yeshua has inherited the believer; because of this, the believer is the peculiar, private, individual possession of the Messiah."
   Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). The Messianic Bible Study Collection (110:16). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.
4. Believers are heirs-not only heirs, but co-heirs with the Messiah according to Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7, and Titus 3:7.
5. Freed from the Law-this is particularly true of Jewish Believers. They and we are freed from the Mosaic Law according to Romans 6:14 and 10:4. Hebrews 7:11-12 gives us the theological reason for freedom from the Law. We also discussed that if someone wants to observe some aspects of the Law, (a Kosher kitchen, for example), that the Believer can certainly do so. It becomes improper when that person begins to demand that others do the same and becomes a point of legalism, especially if it becomes a sanctifying "works" issue.
6. The Judgment of the Old Man Unto a New Walk-Galatians 2:20 tells us that the old man has been co-crucified with Christ and the old man no longer has any binding legal authority over the Believer and no longer has any obligation to obey the old nature. Therefore the Believer has the power to walk in newness of life.

Have a blessed week. We'll finish up with the final 3 positional truths next Sunday and then begin looking at the 8 covenants of the Bible.

Your Chrbrotherist

Truths 22-24

We met last week, (03/07/10), and continued with the 33 positional truths as taught by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum:

1. Light in the World-According to Ephesians 5:8, we are not only light in the world, but light in the Lord and we should be walking in that light. We listed an application that comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9. The wrath in verse 9 is a time of darkness is the Great Tribulation, and because Believers are of the light and of the day, we will not go through the Tribulation. Stated another way,
   "Because of this position of being light in the Lord, believers will not go through the Tribulation."
   Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). The Messianic Bible Study Collection (110:15). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.
2. Heavenly Associations-I listed 7 facets to this positional truth:
   a) The Believer is now a partner with the Messiah in life-Colossians 3:3-4

b) A partner in position-Ephesians 2:6

c) A partner in service and "co-serves" with Him as a servant-John 17:18, 20:21

d) A partaker with the Messiah in sufferings-Romans 8:17, (so much for the health and wealth teachings by modern progressive preachers)!

e) A partner with the Messiah in prayer-John 16:23-24 and we must not forget this important Scripture, 1 John 5:14-15. This is one of the reasons why we pray in the name of Yeshua, (Jesus).

f) A partner in betrothal where the Messiah is the groom and Believers are the Bride-Ephesians 5:25-27.

g) A partner with the Messiah in expectation of His return-Titus 2:3 and Hebrews 9:28.

3. Completion- The Believer is complete or, according to Colossians 2:10, been made full. In practice there are many things lacking in our lives, but because of the Believer's position, he are complete.

Don't forget to set the clocks ahead by one hour tonight, (03/13/10).

Be blessed,

Your Chrbrotherist

Truths 19-21

We met on 02/21/10 and discussed the next 3 positional truths:

1. Adoption- according to Romans 8:15, 23 and Galatians 4:5. God chose to love us, because we were adopted into His family. The next position logically follows;
2. The Children of God- according to John 1:12 and Romans 8:16. Arnold tells us that there are four facets: the Believer has been begotten-1 John 5:1; made alive by Him-Ephesians 2:5 and Colossians 2:13; we are now "sons" or "followers" of God-Romans 8:14; the Believer is now a new creation-2 Corinthians 5:17. At this point, we discussed the ramifications that come with being the children and the fact that Gentiles now enjoy the spiritual blessings of the Jewish Covenants according to Ephesians 2:12-13 and 3:6.
3. Part of the Fellowship of the Saints- according to 1 John 1:3, 7 meaning that it is the basis for unity among Believers.

We didn't meet the following Sunday, but met again on March 7th, 2010.

In the meantime, be blessed,

Your Chrbrotherist,

George