I do not see an Old and a New Covenant as separate entities. The Scriptures are One Story (a Never-Ending Love Story). When Jesus passed the cup to His disciples at the Passover Meal (what we now call The Lord’s Supper), he said, “”This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:28, variation of same in Mark 14:24, NIV translation) Some manuscripts read, “This cup is the new covenant . . . .” (Luke 22:20). Please understand that even if a more accurate translation of Jesus’ words is “new covenant” and not “covenant,” that His use of the word “new” does not convey any intent on His part to discard an “old” or previous covenant.
This is not “replacement theology,” but rather, it is a continuation, an unfolding of the progressive development of God’s working in history to bring all of creation to Himself. We know this, because Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-18, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish them but fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (The Hebrew idioms translated “abolish” and “fulfill” will be revealed in a later teaching.)
Everything has not yet been accomplished, because we read in Romans 8:19ff that all of creation as well as we ourselves are groaning as in pains of childbirth and waiting in eager expectation for the final revelation of the sons of God. The story is not yet over, Saints!
This is not “replacement theology,” but rather, it is a continuation, an unfolding of the progressive development of God’s working in history to bring all of creation to Himself. We know this, because Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-18, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish them but fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (The Hebrew idioms translated “abolish” and “fulfill” will be revealed in a later teaching.)
Everything has not yet been accomplished, because we read in Romans 8:19ff that all of creation as well as we ourselves are groaning as in pains of childbirth and waiting in eager expectation for the final revelation of the sons of God. The story is not yet over, Saints!
(To be continued . . . )
