Tackling Tradition 87: “The New Covenant”

The term “The New Covenant” is a title traditionally ascribed to a particular administration of the Covenant of Grace.  As a matter of biblical nomenclature, what does the Bible say?  Answer There is no text in the Bible that mandates we call the Johannine administration of the Covenant of Grace “The New Covenant,” & at no point does the Bible call it “The New Covenant” as a proper name/title.  Objection   The Bible itself calls it the new covenant (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). 12:24.  Answer This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.  ( Luke 22:20 , ESV) Yeshua is using as descriptor & refers to its usage in the OT.  “I will make a new covenant…”   The text uses the article *the* in Luke to emphasize that the promise was being fulfilled in their sight.   He isn’t declaring the title of the covenant.   He is pointing out that the time ...
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The Church at Ephesus as the Adamic/Antediluvian Covenant

 Revelation 

Chapter 2

Shema

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands 

  • These are the 7 / 8 Covenants.  Each one is “in” the other. 

Historical Prologue

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil the and your patient endurance, 

  • The first administration of the Covenant of Grace was an age of toil & sorrow that required patient endurance. 

and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 

  • This describes the struggle between Cain & Abel, who are not two literal people.  Rather, they are two people groups, the sons of God & sons of man/the devil.    
  • People contended with one another.   As humanity was refined, some emergedr as faithful & true; others called themselves as apostles (sons of God) but were not (the Nephilim, the warlords who took concubines & war brides for themselves & their pseudodeities & dedicated children to them). 

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 

  • This corresponds to the genealogies in Genesis 4 & 5. 

General & Specific Stipulations 

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 

  • This corresponds to covenantal declension that culminates with the calling of Noah & the Flood. 

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. 

  • Refers to both the positive behavior prior to the Fall (Edenic Covenant) & the good that was done after the Fall.  
  • If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 
  • God began to express sorrow as He paracleted humanity & His desire for a new start (which comes in the form of a covenant expansion under Noah).  

6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

  • There is hope, light in the darkness. His name was Noah. 

Document Clause & Witnesses

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’


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