JOTS FROM OLD JAKE
THE COVENANT, A BETTER ONE!
Sunday, May. 20, 2007 - 6:37 p.m.
Covenant: In the Hebrew scriptures, an agreement or treaty among peoples or nations, but most memorably the promises that God extended to humankind (e.g., the promise to Noah never again to destroy the earth by flood or the promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply and inherit the land of Israel).
In Genesis 15 the Lord lays out a covenant with Abram.
Genesis 15:18 (KJV) 18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
In the book of Hebrews we learn of a �Better Covenant�!
Hebrews 8:6 (NLT) 6But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
Back in Moses time, only the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies and then only once per year. The high priest had to make him self clean and worthy to be able to go in there. If he did not do that he would die right there. I understand that the high priest had a rope tied to his ankle that the other end back under the vail so that if he died in there they could pull him out. Entering the Holy of Holies is a very serious thing. That is the place where humans can be in the presence of the Lord!
Hebrews 9:7 - 9 (NLT) 7But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use. 9This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them.
Hebrews 9:11 - 12 (NLT) 11So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12With his own blood�not the blood of goats and calves�he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
At the time of the crucifixion the Vail was torn from the top to the bottom. This opened up the Holy of holies to all who who come through the Blood of Jesus Chirst. By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior we become priest and kings and can enter the Holy of Holies. The Mercy Seat is now in the hearts of all believers.
Hebrews 9:14 (NLT) 14Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
All we need to do to get into the presence of God now is; to have faith that Jesus is The Lord and Savior, That He died for our transgressions, and He rose again on the Third day; tune our carnal thinking out and the things of God in. Totally a personal relationship between you and God.
1 Corinthians 15:55 - 57 (NLT) 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Chr 16:9 KJV) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Memory verse for today:
(Psa 34:19 KJV) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Old Indian saying!
Generally speakin�. You ain�t learin� nothing when you�re the one doing the talking!
May You Be Blessed by the Holy Spirit to Overflowing!
Bye for Now!
