30AD-ONGOING The New Covenant

 

PROPHECY (Promise)
about 627-582BC
HISTORY (Fulfillment)
about 30AD

Jeremiah 31:31-34
"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
NKJV

Luke 22:7-23
Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."
9 So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?"
10 And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready."
13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"
23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
NKJV

 

Matthew 26:26-30
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
NKJV
Mark 14:22-26
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
NKJV
1 Corinthians 11:23-34
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,  "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.  27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.  33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
NKJV

2 Corinthians 3:3-11
Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.  4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
NKJV

The Book of Hebrews
especially:
Hebrews 8:8
8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah —  NKJV
Hebrews 8:13
13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
NKJV
Hebrews 9:15
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
NKJV
Hebrews 12:24
Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
NKJV

 

 
 

 

30AD-ONGOING The Law of Christ

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.
 
 
The Law of Christ
Inspired by the Holy Spirit from Heaven with His Baptism,
Delivered by His own mouth with His miraculous ministry,
Signed by His own Blood with His Cross,
Approved by His Father God Almighty with His Resurrection,
Personally enforced with all power in Heaven & Earth since His 70AD Return.
The Law of Christ
 
 
 
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
~Hebrews 13:8
 
For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
~Hebrews 9:16-18 NKJV
 
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.
~1 Timothy 1:5
 
 
"Legalism" is an oft misused term, frequently employed by the lawless, the rebellious to mock obedience to anyone, even obedience to Christ who warned plainly in Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
 
The term "Legalism" appears nowhere in Holy Writ but was a technical, theological term devised to refer to attempts to attain righteousness specifically via The Law of Moses, which was fulfilled at the Cross by Christ around 30AD. (See Cross of Christ: Old to New Covenant moment of change /?q=node/87).
 
 
THE LAW OF CHRIST (LOVE) compared to THE LAW OF MOSES (LEGALISM) :
 
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill The Law of Christ.
 
1 Corinthians 9:20-22
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under The Law [of Moses] I became like one under The Law [of Moses] (though I myself am not under The Law [of Moses]), so as to win those under The Law [of Moses]. 21 To those not having The Law [of Moses] I became like one not having The Law [of Moses] (though I am not free from THE LAW OF GOD but am under THE LAW OF CHRIST), so as to win those not having The Law [of Moses].
(slightly modified NIV, referencing the underlying Greek)
 

Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from The Law of Sin & Death. NKJV

[ie of Moses = "When you sin, you will die" aka "The Ministry of Death" 2 Cor 3:7 and "The Ministry of Condemnation" 2 Cor 3:9 Whereas the Gospel is "The Ministry of the Spirit"].

 
The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus = The Law of Christ.
The Law of Sin & Death = The Law of Moses.
Therefore,
The Law of Christ sets us free from The Law of Moses.
We are not left without law, lawless.

2 Corinthians 3:5-4:1
But our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as Ministers of the New Covenant, not of the Letter but of the Spirit; for the Letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ["The Letter" here would be the tablets of stone that the LORD sent from Sinai via Moses to His People. How much better the Person of the Holy Spirit than that old Letter of stone, the Law of Moses].
7 But if the Ministry of Death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the Ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the Ministry of Condemnation had glory, the Ministry of Righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech — 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 4 Therefore, since we have this Ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
NKJV

 

The Word = The Perfect Law that gives freedom = The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that gives freedom.
Therefore,
The Law of God = The Law of Christ = The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus = The Word = The Perfect Law (The Law of Perfection) = The New Covenant in Christ's Blood
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to The Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to The Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into The Perfect Law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
 
 
"In that He says, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." ~Hebrews 8:13, penned over 1930 years ago.
NKJV
 
THE NEW TESTAMENT LAW OF CHRIST REPLACES THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW OF MOSES BECAUSE
THE EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK REPLACES THE PRIESTHOOD OF AARON
 
Speaking of Jesus, being made a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, superceding the order of Aaron:
Hebrews 7:12-17
12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law [of God].
13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
 
 
v12 - So we see that a change came to The Law [of God] with the change of priesthoods.
When the priesthood of Aaron was changed out for the priesthood of Melchizedek, then The Law of Moses was changed out for The Law of Christ.
 
It is uncommon for people to refer to The Gospel as "The Law of Christ," but Paul used the term in Gal 6:1 and 1 Cor 9:21. The Law of Christ is synonymous with James 2:8 "The Royal Law" as well as Rom 8:2 "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus:" i.e., The New Covenant in Christ's Blood.
 
 
Even as
The Law of Moses was given at the beginning of the Exodus from Egypt
and remained a God-enforced reality throughout the priesthood of Aaron,
The Law of Christ was given at the beginning of the exodus (Tribulation period) from the Old Covenant Law of Moses
and remains a God-enforced reality throughout the priesthood of Melchizedec.
 
As,
The Law of Moses embodied more than the 10 Commandments
and came to refer to the entire corpus of commandments of the Old Covenant,
The Law of Christ embodies more than just a few sayings of the Lord Jesus
but is acknowledged as refering to the entire corpus of New Testament commands.
 
 
It should be noted that a only very small portion of God's commands through Moses in the Old Testament pertained strictly to the Exodus period and are readily recognised as such: "Strike the rock," "Talk to the rock," "Stretch out your staff," "Move camp when the cloud lifts or the fire moves," etc.
 
Likewise, only a very small portion of God's commands through the Spirit of Christ in the New Testament pertained strictly to the 30-70AD Tribulation period and are readily recognised as such with specific time statements associated with each one: Matt 10:23 "You will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes," and notably 1 Cor 13:8-10 & Eph 4:11-13 which likewise contain "until ..." time-limiting statements.
 
Heb 7:14 & Heb 7:17 - Jesus is identified as a priest forever after this order of Melchizedec.
Heb 7:16 - Jesus' endless life is referred to, granting greater strength & longevity to His Commandment, The Law of Christ.
Therefore,
The Law of Christ shall remain in effect as long as Jesus remains High Priest, i.e. as long as Jesus lives.
 
 
 
Belief in Christ = Believing what Christ said.
"Jesus is my Lord" = "Jesus is my Owner, my Master, my Boss, Jesus' Words tell me what to do."
Faith = taking Jesus seriously enough to obey Him.
 
James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith [in Christ] without works [of obedience to Christ] is dead?

 

Hebrews 7:12-17
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law [of God].

 

LEGALISM = OBEDIENCE TO THE OLD TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF MOSES = THE OLD LAW OF GOD

LOVE = OBEDIENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF CHRIST = THE LAW OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT LEGALISM HAS GIVEN WAY TO NEW TESTAMENT LOVE

 

1 John 5:1-4
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
NKJV

John 14:15-16
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
NKJV

John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
NKJV

John 15:9-14
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
NKJV

Timeline: 
' TRIBULATION

30AD-ONGOING We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God

In many ways that 1st Generation of Christian Disciples served as examples for generations of Christians to follow, showing every generation "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God," Acts 14:22. Though their generation was a fulfillment of prophecies, the lessons of it have direct application, lessons to teach, to all generations of Christians that followed, including ourselves. The Father of Jesus Christ is God of the Universe and God of the atom; of the macro & the micro. The effects of His epoch, prophecy-fulfillments can be seen in grand history and within the lives of common individuals. Here is a chart of how the prophecy+history lessons learned from the 30-70AD Tribulation can be applied your life today. "Jesus Christ: the same yesterday, today, and into the ages!" ~ Hebrews 13:8 and "God does not show favoritism, " Acts 10:34-35. What He did for that 1st Generation of Christians He is ready and willing to do for you today. And the trials they faced then can serve as a guide through the trials we face today.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE

From: http://bp0.blogger.com/_3kG1gR22CZI/R5oK6ErsLLI/AAAAAAAAAoc/iabQqAIRjdk/s1600-h/2008_history-as-parable.jpg

Timeline: 
' TRIBULATION