THEOLOGY LESSON 30

ANGELOLOGY AND SATANOLOGY

LESSON 30 – ANGELS AND THEIR ROLE

Matthew 22:30, 13:39,

Matthew 25:31

1 Corinthians 4:9

1 Peter 1:10-12

INTRODUCTION

We are not alone we have other creatures who are rarely seen called angels. Who are they? What is their destiny? How do they relate to us? This is a very important study. It is one of the more difficult ones because of its reflection on Satan, and many students find when they study him they have troubles!.

Many seminaries do not cover this subject at all. They believe in flying saucers but do not believe in angels at all. However this is countered in our world by an ever more obvious demonstration of the work of the operative fallen angels called demons.  Satan’s forces are less subtle in their work as we draw closer to the end of time, so more people are speaking of these things today.

The angelic conflict is something in which we are involved and as it is a ‘spiritual fight’ we must know our enemy fully, if we are to make a difference in the Lords work he has assigned for us. This is the power struggle between God and Satan that began long before man’s creation; but God will be victorious.  If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ it is important that you know where you stand.

There is an increasing awareness of another dimension which has been brought forward by the New Age Movement and by the Spielberg movies. From Star Wars and the like, the theology of many unbelievers takes a form that some sort of force is with them, a force of good. There is also a great expectation by a large number of unbelievers of extra-terrestrials making contact with humanity.   We must counter this new age belief with the biblical truth.  Many big celebrities have become involved with these groups and it has gained a lot of Media coverage in recent times. 

A DVD and book by the name of the ‘Secret’ has infiltrated ‘Christianity’ and is being promoted as a total answer to mankind’s health, wealth and happiness.  This ideology promotes the ‘lie’ that we are really masters of our ‘own destiny’ and that teachers such as Jesus, Buddha and others were merely showing us the way to all truth.  In effect New Age teaches that we are really ‘gods’ and can achieve whatever we want to attract into our lives.  Especially since the beginning of the 21^st Century, ‘angels’ have become very ‘fashionable and prominent’ amongst many people.    

So we will now look at the subjects of angelology, demonology and eschatology. What we see on the move around us in the changing belief systems of our neighbours is a significant trend. Satan has a huge propaganda machine going at the moment, and those involved are preparing the world for something. In this regard it is important to teach proper biblical eschatology, or prophecy.

This area of theology will also be attacked by covenant theologians who will look down on it and sadly in their beliefs will tend towards liberalism. While people may deny angels the bible makes it clear by their reported activity that they exist.

BIBLICAL STATEMENTS ON THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS

There are over 300 verses in the Scriptures that refer to angels in 34 separate books ranging from Genesis to Revelation. There are 65 references to angels in Revelation alone and 100 in the Old Testament. If you believe in the Scriptures you have to believe in angels as creatures. Do not take your theology from the painter Rubens; who showed angels as fat pink babies with wings, or from your own cultures pictures of them, but take your views from the bible and let it correct your views.

Some of the angels are seen helping the servants of the Lord, opening prison doors etc. How commentators deal with angels often will give you an indication as to what theological viewpoint they have. A good verse to check out commentators on is Matthew 22:30. If you believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the God man, he will not tell you anything false. He refers to something that must be true, that the angels neither marry nor are given in marriage.   The Lord believes in them do you?

GREEK AND HEBREW NAMES

Angels is from the Greek word "aggelos" which means messenger. In the Hebrew it is "Malak", meaning my messenger from which the word Malachi is formed. In the Scriptures the angel or messengers can be either human or angels.

OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament which speaks of angels over 100 times always presents them as real creatures. In the 34 occurrences of angels in the Torah they do things in character with their service as messengers.  As examples Abraham met and ate with angels Genesis 18, an angel executed judgment on Israel 2 Samuel 24:16, Isaiah refers to a seraphim, Isaiah 6:2, Ezekiel to a cherubim Ezekiel 10:1-3, Daniel mentions Gabriel 9:20-27, and Michael 10:13, 12:1, Zechariah mentions angels as agents of God  [chapter 1] and in the Psalms 34:7, 91:11, 103:20 they are shown as the servants of God.

NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament speaks of angels some 165 times with 65 references in the Book of the Revelation alone. This is more than any other book in the Bible.

The gospels attest to the ministry of the angels to Christ in His birth, life, resurrection, ascension Matthew 2:19, Mark 1:13, Luke 2:13, John 20:12, Acts 1:10-11

In the book of Acts we have them opening prison doors 5:19, 12:5-11, directing Philip and Cornelius in ministry 8:26, 10:1-7, encouraging Paul during a storm on his voyage to Rome. 27:23-25

There is also clear references to angels in the writings of Paul -Galatians 3:19, 1 Timothy 5:21 the writer to the Hebrews 1:4, Peter 1 Peter 1:12 and in Jude 6

THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST

Angels were present to assist Jesus Christ after his temptation in the wilderness Matthew 4. He taught that human beings after the resurrection would, like the angels do not procreate. Matthew 22:30, and that they would separate the good and wicked, Matthew 13:39, and will accompany the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent, Matthew 25:31.

Even with this overwhelming Biblical evidence many different commentators will adopt the concepts that Jesus Christ either,

[a] was accommodating people's primitive beliefs,

[b] was a liar,

[c] really did not know

[d] was telling the truth, which of course is the fact of the matter.

It is of note that some, otherwise reasonably good commentators, will take one or other of the above four concepts. It really separates good commentators from the other ones.

ARE ANGELS RELEVANT TODAY?

Are the angels still active? Is it important for us to study them? “Yes”, is the answer to both questions. With the media you see modern man's fixation with super creatures so it is important to study the real super creatures.

1 Corinthians 4:9 - Paul says we are here, upon the earth, on the stage; we are a spectacle for men and angels. Both are watching us. 1 Peter 1:10-12 mentions, that these things, with which we are involved, the angels are interested in and are getting to know things through us. The angels are enthusiastically interested in all the features of God's plan. As Peter and Paul are discovering things, so are the angels.

DOCTRINES

ANGELS

1. There are two kinds of angels:

a) Elect Angels (1 Timothy 5:21) - those which have chosen to remain with God.

b) Fallen angels - those which have rebelled against God and followed Satan:                     i) imprisoned ones (Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4) - apparently active on earth prior to the  Flood (Genesis 6)

ii) demons, currently active on earth (1 Corinthians 10:20,21, Mark 5:1-20)

2. There are various orders in the angelic realm.

a) Cherubim (highest order) -. (Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:19-20) Cherubs were originally the defenders of divine holiness. Lucifer (Satan) was a cherub (Ezekiel 28:14)

b) Seraphim - (Isaiah 6:2). Seraph means burning ones.

c) Rulers, Principalities and Powers - can refer to human authorities, but usually refers to angels (and generally to fallen angels).  (Ephesians 3:10, 6:12, Colossians 1:16). They control certain segments of the human race, they can control the voice and the mind. (Mark 5:1-20).

d) Ministering Angels

i) Guardian angels. (Hebrews 1:14).  Protect and assist believers.

ii) Angels of the waters. (Revelation 16:5). Water is used as a prison. Abyss (Greek), refers to an underwater prison.

iii) Angels of the abyss. (Revelation 9:1, 11 ).  An angel which has a special responsibility for the abyss.

iv) Angel of fire. (Revelation 14:18).

v) Angels of judgment. (Revelation 8:2, ch 15, 16) - trumpets and bowls.

vi) Watcher angels. (Daniel 4:13).

3. Appearance of angels:

a) Angels can appear as human beings (Genesis 18:1-2, Hebrews 13:2)

b) Angels are described variously as having wings, many eyes, many faces (Isaiah 6:2, Ezekiel 1) and often glow with brilliant light (Matthew 28:2-3).

c) Lucifer (Satan) was the most beautiful creature ever to come from the hand of God (Ezekiel 28:12-17)

d) Angels are NOT pink fat babies with wings, or red skinned creatures with horns and forked tails.

4. Named angels:

a) Lucifer, son of the morning, was the covering cherub over the Throne of God (Isaiah 14:12).  His name is now Satan, the accuser/slanderer (Revelation 12:10)

b) Gabriel a messenger angel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:19,26)

c) Michael a fighting angel (Revelation 12:7, Jude 9) and guardian angel of Israel. (Daniel 10:21, 12:1)

5. Angels and Christ's Incarnation

a) At his birth - (Luke 2:9-15)

b) At his temptation - (Matthew 4:11)

c) At his resurrection - (Matthew 28:2)

d) At his ascension - (Acts 1:10)

e) At the Second Advent - (Matthew 13:37-39, 24:31, 25:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7)

6. Angels and Man

a) Angels were watching at the time of creation. (Job 38:7)

b) Angels were present when God gave Moses the Law. (Galatians 3:19, Acts 7:53).

c) Angels are watching us now. (1 Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:21, 1 Peter 1:12.)

d) The elect angels rejoice whenever someone is saved (Luke 15:7-10).

7. Many times revelations from God were mediated through angels -

a) The Law of Moses -, Exodus 3:2 , Galatians 3:19, Acts 7:53, Hebrews 2:2

b) Prophetical announcements to Daniel - Daniel 7:16, 8:16-26, 9:20-27, 10:1-12:13

c) Prophetical announcements to Zechariah - Zechariah 1:9, 2:3, 4:1,5, 5:5, 6:4,5

d) Announcement of the birth of John to Zacharias - Luke 1:11-20

e) Announcement of the birth of Jesus to Mary - Luke 1:26-38, and Joseph - Matthew 1:20-21

THEOLOGY LESSON 29

LESSON 29 – THE COVENANTS

Galatians 4:21 – 5:1

Hebrews 7:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Covenants are contracts between God and man. There are eight contracts or covenants which have been progressively revealed from the Garden of Eden to after the Cross. Covenants characterize the dispensations and are the foundations for understanding them.

Dispensations are progressive and unfold in stages. Because there are different dispensations, different covenants and different rituals, they unfold in Gods time. The only rituals we have in our dispensation are the Lord's Table and Baptism. In other periods of history there have been different rituals and different operating procedures for faith to be lived and expressed.

In Galatians 4:21 - 5:21 we see that it is important to get your spiritual life and your witness in the place that it should be. The major attack of the enemy is not getting us to commit gross sin (for your Flesh will do that), but getting you off the track; to make you live in a way that is not right for your period of history. Believers do not need Satan's help to sin; because we are basically still sinful flesh.

Where Satan really attacks is trying to get you to put into place those things that do not apply and put aside those things that do. The Galatians had returned under an old dispensation which had ceased. They were under a new dispensation with a new covenant in place. They were however going back and starting to live under the Mosaic covenant again. Paul is saying here that they had been born under an old dispensation that had passed away. You were like Hagar in bondage as slaves but now you are sons. Do not go back to the old stand fast in the area where Christ has set you free.

This is a problem that continues because people will not differentiate between the dispensations and covenants and which do apply. Old Testament spirituality depended on the law whilst Church age spirituality has depended in walking in the Spirit and obeying the commands that come through the Spirit.

Before Pentecost Moses was the one you followed, since Pentecost it is the Holy Spirit which has been the guide. You need to get into the change and not go back into something that no longer applies.  God's eternal plan is revealed in Scripture and centre’s in solemn covenants and promises which God has made. At least eight covenants are recorded most of them being in the form of a declaration of divine purpose which will certainly be fulfilled. Here we are discussing the revelation of God's plan for mankind. It is not only to do with our salvation but pre-eminently His glory. History is the fulfillment of the eternal purpose of God.

Biblical Covenants

With the Biblical Covenants you have conditional and unconditional covenants. Conditional covenants are those in which God's action is in response to those actions of man. It guarantees that God will do His part once man's part has been done. If the human part is not fulfilled he is not obliged to fulfill His part of it. The conditional covenants are the Edenic and Mosaic covenant

Unconditional Covenants

There are six unconditional covenants which are dependent on God's character alone and will be fulfilled.

The Eight Biblical Covenants

[a] Edenic - Genesis 1:26-31, 2:16-17 - Conditional covenant with Adam. He had the responsibility to tend the garden and not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Man failed and he was removed from the Garden of Eden. At the time he ate of the tree he died spiritually.

[b] Adamic Covenant - Genesis 3:16-19 - an unconditional covenant where God declares what his lot is going to be because of sin. We are still under the Adamic covenant and all through history man will be as it expresses and makes clear that the wages of sin is death.  We are sinners and we need a Saviour.  Others things that make this clear are: God tells Adam that he is going to die and earn bread by the sweat of his brow, and that humans will also have problems in childbirth. We also now have lordship of male over female, and we have basic authority systems in society itself.

[c] Noahic - Genesis 9:1-18 - an unconditional covenant that introduces new principles in human government to curb sin. This can be classified as the post diluvian covenant, which we are also still under. This is where you take vegetarians who do not believe that Christians should eat meat. They would have been correct before the Flood but not after. Capital punishment is included as well.

[d] Abrahamic - Genesis 12:1-4, 13:14-17, 15:1-7, 17:1-8 - an unconditional covenant. This is one of the great revelations of God considering history and its profound prophecies.

Regarding posterity he will have many sons. He is also promised a great nation and a promise of spiritual blessing which will come through his line.

[e] Mosaic covenant - Exodus 20:1-31:18- Conditional covenant given through Moses for the children of Israel. If Israel obeyed they were blessed if not they were disciplined.

[f] Palestinian Covenant - Deuteronomy 30:1-10 - An unconditional covenant dealing with the final position of Israel in the land. This has still to be fulfilled and will be during the Millennium. It is belief in this which is causing Israel to adopt the political posture that it does at this time.

[g] Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 7:4-16, 1 Chronicles 17:3-15 - An unconditional covenant which promised David a ruler who would reign over the Jews forever. This ties in with the position of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Millennium and the eternal kingdom.

If you get the biblical covenants in your mind clearly you will understand prophecy better. The prophecy given by God always fits in with the covenants.

[h] The New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-33. These are two unconditional covenants one to Israel and the other to the Church. There could therefore be said to be nine biblical covenants. The one to Israel will be fulfilled in the Millennium. - Jeremiah 31 The New Testament part of the New Covenant deals with the Church and is given in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-24, Luke22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. Both sides of this covenant come from the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Theological Covenants

These are two conservative schools of the interpretation of these covenants, or theological systems, the dispensational and the covenant theologians. We have to be careful that we do not get involved in "covenant theology" which leaves other things obscured because you make such a big thing of covenants.  

In defining the eternal purpose of God, these theologians have advanced the theory that it is God's central purpose to save the elect, those chosen for salvation from eternity past. Accordingly they view history as primarily the out working of God's plan of salvation. In developing this doctrine they have expounded three basic theological covenants.  The basis of their theological covenant system is election, whereby the sovereign grace of God and all of world history is seen as the working out of God's plan to save only some.

(Our view differs in that we see God’s main purpose as bringing glory to his name.)

Their three covenants are:

[a] A covenant of works, which is said to have been made with Adam where Adam obeyed and did what God said.

[b] A covenant was made between God the Father and God the Son in relation to the salvation of man in eternity past, a covenant of redemption. This is known as the divine decrees.

[c] The covenant of grace in salvation with Jesus Christ as mediator.

While these concepts have truth in them it is not the salvation of the elect souls which is the ultimate purpose of God's plan although obviously it is a vital area. The ultimate purpose of the plan of God is to show His glory.

He does this not only by saving men but also by his relationship to, and what he does with, Israel, the Church and the Gentiles in history. The doctrine of election and predestination is the force behind covenant theology; these are reviewed from a biblical perspective below. Dispensational theology, however stresses as central the doctrine of the Character of God, and identifies the concept that God is not only sovereign but has other equally important characteristics.  Rather than the three covenants of the other group the dispensational theologian identifies the eight covenants, which do give the essential purposes of God and includes the plan of salvation.

The Basis of Covenant Theology - Covenant theology is the basis of the Dutch reformed theology as well as some of the Baptists. They stand on the basis of the fifteenth and sixteenth century reformers who did truly understand grace, but they got sidetracked by their views of election/sovereignty.  

It was the rediscovery of teaching of the books of Galatians and Romans which started the Reformation. The Reformers emphasized the covenants and built a system on them but they did not discern the dispensations.  Covenant theology has tended to go in two directions; it goes towards legalism or liberalism. Most of the denominations which have gone into liberalism have been those who have been based on covenant theology or five point Calvinism. A prime example of this is the Presbyterian Church.

Calvinism will tend to make you a skeptic or a hard legalist if really understood. We are reminded of the Lord's words, "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:15-23).   If their life is not manifesting the fruit of the Spirit it is likely that the person is not theologically correct.

The Dispensational theologian will agree that there are covenants and that they are important and that they are working out in history but that the Covenant theologians do not go far enough.

The New Age Movement

Another misuse of the covenants, albeit probably not a conscious one, is made by the new age movement. They have the concept that if we eat vegetarian food and we think the right things we will eliminate war and evil, and people will live in harmony.

A number of ‘Christians’ have gone along a similar path, with teachings, such as ‘Kingdom Now’ and ‘Manifest Sons of God’ in which they claim that ‘Christians’ will change Governments and bring about a New World Order.  These teachings are tainted by New Ageism and are yet another deception within the Church.    

This is all a part of a huge satanic lie. They think that they can get back to the Edenic Covenant which was cancelled when man sinned.  Before we criticize them in isolation though; we need to be reminded that it is just as deceptive to be a legalist and to live under the Mosaic Law which has been fulfilled.

We are all under the Adamic Covenant. We are all sinners and need a Saviour. When man sinned and fell he was removed from the Garden of Eden. It is important to distinguish the covenants. It is very important for people to know where they stand in relation to the dispensations and covenants.

DOCTRINES

COVENANTS

1. A covenant is a contract or agreement between God and man.

2. Some covenants are unconditional - God will fulfil them, irrespective of man's obedience.  Other covenants are conditional upon man's obedience.

3. Christ is central to all of the covenants in Scripture:

a) EDENIC - Christ is the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-47).

b) ADAMIC - Christ is the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).

c) NOAHIC - Christ is the greatest son of Shem (Luke 3:36; Genesis 9:23-27).

d) ABRAHAMIC - The seed to whom the promises were made (Genesis 22:18).

e) MOSAIC - He fulfilled this covenant (Matthew 5:17).

f) PALESTINIAN - He lived as a Jew in the land and will inherit the land

g) DAVIDIC - Christ is the King of the Jews and will rule forever (Luke 1:31-33; John 19:19-22).

h) NEW - Christ's sacrifice is its foundation and focus in the Millennium (1 Corinthians 11:25).

EDENIC COVENANT

1. The covenant in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:28-30; 2:8-17).

2. Main points:

a) To be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).

b) To subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28).

c) To have dominion of the animal creation (Genesis 1:28).

d) To eat the herbs and fruit (Genesis 1:29).

e) To till and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15).

f) Not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17).

ADAMIC COVENANT

1. The Adamic covenant deals with the fall and restoration of mankind and creation. When Christ returns creation is removed from its bondage. (Romans. 8:21)

2. Satan's means of bringing sin into the world, the serpent, is cursed (Genesis 3:14) and goes from being the most beautiful of God's creatures to the most repugnant. The brazen serpent raised by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers. 21:5-9) becomes a picture of Christ being made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21 ), the brass representing judgment; the serpent sin.

3. The promise of a redeemer (Genesis 3:15). The seed of the woman descends through Seth (Genesis 5:3-7), Noah (Genesis 6:8-10) Shem (Genesis 9:26,27) Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4) Isaac (Genesis 17:19-21) Jacob (Genesis 28:10-14) Judah (Genesis 49:10) David (2 Samuel 7:5-17), ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:9-14; Matthew1:20-23).

4. The judgment on the woman (Genesis 3:16) in four areas.

a) Increase in sorrow and pain regarding conception.

b) Sorrow in relation to children

c) The woman would be attracted to the man

d) The woman would be subject to the man (1 Timothy 2:11-14, Ephesians. 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 11:7-9)

5. The judgment on man (Genesis 3:17-19)

a) The ground is cursed

b) Sorrow is inevitable in this life.

c) Man is to work for a living rather than having it provided (Genesis 3:17-19)

d) Man will eventually die (Genesis 3:19)

 NOAHIC (EVERLASTING) COVENANT

1. The covenant with Noah never to flood the earth again (Genesis 8:20- 9:27)

2. The relation of man to the earth is confirmed (Genesis 8:21).

3. Seasons, day and night and harvesting confirmed (Genesis 8:22).

4. Human government introduced (Genesis 9:1-6).

5. A curse is given to the Hamitic races (Genesis 9:24,25).

6. The Semitic races will be the source of spiritual wealth (Genesis 9:26,27).

7. The Japhetic groups will be dominant (Genesis 9:27).

8. The earth will never be judged with water again (Genesis 8:21; 9:11).

9. The rainbow given as the sign of the promise

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

1. Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) founds the nation of Israel

2. It is confirmed with Abraham with emphasis on the land (Genesis 13:14-18), the spiritual seed (Genesis 15:1-6) and its everlasting quality (Genesis 17:6-8).

3. It is an unconditional covenant - God will fulfil it.  (God caused Abraham to fall asleep as He ratified the covenant alone Genesis 15:12-18)

4. The seven-fold covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) is fulfilled as follows:-

a) PROMISE "And I will make of thee a great nation.  FULFILLMENT:  Jews (Genesis. 13:16; John 8:37), Arabs (Genesis. 17:20). In Christ: (Romans 4:16-17, 9:7-8, Galatians 3:7, 29).

b) PROMISE "I will bless thee".

FULFILLMENT: To Abraham (Genesis 13:14-17, 15:18-21. 24:35). To believers in Christ (Genesis 15:6; John 8:56)

c) PROMISE "And make thy name great.

FULFILLMENT:  Abraham is renowned, not only in Christianity but also in Judaism and in Islam.

d) PROMISE "And thou shalt be a blessing.

FULFILLMENT:  With the work of fulfilment of Abraham's seed, Jesus Christ, he was a blessing. (Galatians 3:13, 14).

e) PROMISE "And I will bless them that bless thee.

FULFILLMENT: This is seen in the rise of many nations for instance Britain in the 19th century and the rise of the USA in the 20th.

f) PROMISE "And curse him that curseth thee.

FULFILLMENT The decline of nations such as the Spanish Empire after the Armada, the fall of Nazi Germany, the fall of the Czars of Russia, the decline of Egypt at the Exodus. Scriptural examples:(Deuteronomy 30:7; Isaiah 14:1-2; Joel 3:1-8; Micah 5:7-9; Haggai 2:22; Zechariah 14. 1-3; Matthew 25:40-46).  Nations that curse the Jews and help their enemies with be cursed.

g) PROMISE "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

FULFILLMENT:  The whole world can be blessed through Jesus, the son of Abraham. (John 8: 56 - 58; Galatians 3:16).

5. It is clear that we should support the Jew as it is a sure means of enjoying divine blessing.

PALESTINIAN COVENANT

1. The Palestinian Covenant deals with the Jews controlling an area of land in the Middle East which was unconditionally given to Abraham. It should be noted that the Jews have never possessed the land as specified, but will do so during the Millennium. (Deuteronomy 30:1-9, Isaiah 11:10-12, Jeremiah 23:3-8, Ezekiel 37:21-25).

2. The Palestinian Covenant gives:

a) Dispersion for disobedience (v 1) (Deuteronomy 28:63-68).

b) The future repentance of Israel (v 2).

c) The return of the Lord (v 3) (Amos 9:9-14; Acts 15:14-17).

d) Restoration to the land (v 5) (Isaiah 11:11, 12; Jeremiah 23:3-8; Ezekiel 37:21-25).

e) National conversion (v 6) (Romans 11:26-27; Joel 2:14-16).

f) Judgment of Israel's enemies (v 7) Joel 3:1 -8).

g) National prosperity (v 9) (Amos 9:11-15).

3. It is unconditional - God will fulfil it.

DAVIDIC COVENANT

1. Israel will have a king forever 2 Samuel 7:8-17.

a) A descendant of David in the Davidic line (v 12)

b) He will have a kingdom to rule over. (v 12)

c) God will provide a throne. (v 13)

d) The throne will be forever. (vs 13,16)

e) The Davidic Covenant is restated in (v 16)

2. The covenant has one condition - disobedience will be rewarded with discipline but will not cause the cancellation of the covenant. (2 Samuel 7:15; Psalm 89:20-37)

3. Discipline came with the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam. (1 Kings 12:16-20)

4. Discipline continued with the captivity of Samaria in 721 BC and Judah in 586 BC.

5. Since then the only genuine King of David crowned in Jerusalem has been crowned with a crown of thorns. (Matthew 27:29).

6. The Davidic Covenant was confirmed to Mary. (Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-31).

7. The Davidic Covenant will be fulfilled at the Second Advent of Christ when He will commence His everlasting rule with the 1,000 year reign of the Millennium. ((Luke 1:32, Acts 2:29-30, Revelation 20:4-6)

MOSAIC COVENANT

1. The covenant between God and Israel, given through the Law of Moses (Exodus - Deuteronomy)

2. It was a conditional covenant - it depended on man's obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15)

3. It had three main parts:

a) Section 1 - The Commandments - proves that no man can keep the Law.  All men are proven sinners, and therefore need a Saviour.

b) Section 2 - The Tabernacle and Sacrifices - Pictures Christ as the Saviour, the only sacrifice which can pay the eternal penalty of sin.

c) Section 3 - Social Code - Laws to preserve the nation of Israel - law, hygiene, morals, tithing, etc.

NEW COVENANT

1. The New Covenant guarantees eternal blessing under the Abrahamic Covenant   (Jeremiah 31:31-37, Hebrews 8:7-9).

2. It is unconditional - God will fulfil it.  "I will" (Hebrews 8:10, 12) rather than "If ye will" (Exodus 19:5).

3. The New Covenant is said to be better than the Mosaic Covenant.  (Hebrews 7:19; Romans 8:3, 4).

4. Obedience is from a willing heart (Hebrews 8:10) whilst that for the Mosaic Law was fear (Hebrews 2:2; 12:25-27).

5. In the New Covenant all shall know God, from the least to the greatest (Hebrews 8:11).

6. The sins are forgotten under the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:12).

7. The New Covenant relies on the completed sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11-12).