Introduction

What is a covenant? Does a covenant include God’s promises, obedience and His plan of salvation? Will God restore the lost Garden of Eden with this covenant, when and how long – 6,000 years? Let’s turn to the biblical and inspirational evidences of God’s covenant to humanity!

A Covenant defines both a relationship and an arrangement. Last week's lesson we disclosed the condition of man as a result of transgression to God's law (1John 3:4), and how God set plans for their restoration to His original plan. This Sabbath School Lesson will show different ways of God's intervention to give hope for a fallen man into His wonderful plan which man could be partakers of His divine nature and character. Inspiration says, "Man gains everything by the covenant keeping with God. God's attributes are imparted to man, enabling him to exercise mercy and compassion. God's covenant assures us of His unchangeable character. Why then are those who claim to believe in God changeable, fickle, untrustworthy? Why do they not do service heartily, as under obligation to please and glorify God?" {1MR 111.1}

Outline of the Study

The Eternal Covenant

Covenant with Noah

Covenant with Abram

Covenant with Moses

The New Covenant

Memory Verse

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: {Exodus 19:5}

Prayer Thought

Christ, the heavenly merchantman seeking goodly pearls, saw in lost humanity the pearl of price. In man, defiled and ruined by sin, He saw the possibilities of redemption. {CSA 4.1}

God's people are justified through the administration of the "better covenant," through Christ's righteousness. A covenant is an agreement by which parties bind themselves and each other to the fulfillment of certain conditions. Thus the human agent enters into agreement with God to comply with the conditions specified in His Word. His conduct shows whether or not He respects these conditions. {1MR 110.2}

The Eternal Covenant

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5)

God’s Covenant contains His affirmation to His promises with an oath (Gal. 3:16; Heb. 6:13, 17), man’s obligation to obey God’s will as expressed in the Ten Commandments (Deut. 4:13), and lastly, human had lost the relationship due to disobedience to God’s command – Christ had ultimately initiated and fulfilled the demand of the Law by His death on Calvary, that man may have life eternal (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8), the plan of salvation (Isa. 42:1, 6).

No Man Could Make such a Covenant

If you would have divine enlightenment, go to the throne of grace, and you will be answered from the seat of mercy. A compact was entered into by the Father and the Son to save the world through Christ, who would give Himself that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. No human power or angelic power could make such a covenant.—Manuscript 16, 1890. {CTr 124.7}

The Unchangeable Covenant of God

In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands.--Prophets and Kings, pp. 164, 165. {ChS 107.1}

The Everlasting Covenant

"Moreover," saith the Lord, "I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore." Ezek. 37:26-28.

A Kingdom Restored

Since God says that He will "multiply them" when they again become a kingdom, and that "the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel," and since He can neither "multiply" nor "sanctify" after the close of probation, the two ancient kingdoms must necessarily, then, be restored and consolidated during probationary time -- "The Times of Restitution." click this link for further study: https://bit.ly/3kUOBR1 and https://bit.ly/31HFLgO.

Messenger of the Covenant

Mrs. E. G. White: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap." {RH, April 23, 1901 par. 1}

Furthermore, though the title, "messenger of the covenant," is applied to more than one messenger, it rightfully belongs to the Holy Spirit, and only for the reason that the Spirit of God is in them are they designated by that title. For example, we call the reader's attention to 1 Pet. 3:18-20. There it is stated that Christ went and preached to the antediluvians by the same "Spirit" Who "quickened" Him. Being stated that He went by the Spirit and not in person, it proves that Christ accomplished this by that same Spirit through Noah. Hence, Christ being the "Messenger of the covenant, and He being in Noah by the Spirit, compels us to acknowledge that the title, "messenger of the covenant," belongs not only to those mentioned in this article, including Noah, but to all God's chosen messengers in whose message is Christ, by that same Spirit.

Fulfillment of the Covenant - Elijah the Prophet

As God had made both spoken and written covenants with His ancient people that He would send them Moses, John, and Christ, they came in fulfillment of those covenants. And each having brought a message, each in his own time was the Messenger of the Covenant. Nevertheless, the words of Malachi make plain that the Messenger of the Covenant is, in the strictest sense Elijah the prophet (Mal. 3:1-5; 4:5), the last messenger who prepares the way of the Lord. (See Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475.)

Heaven’s Visible Representative - The Last Prophet

In the last analysis, however, the title Messenger of the Covenant belongs to the Holy Spirit. For example, 1 Peter 3:18-20 states that Christ preached to the antediluvians by the same "Spirit" Who "quickened" Him. But as He preached by the Spirit in the person of Noah, not of Himself, He thereby unfolded the truth that the Holy Spirit is in all His messengers alike. For additional study please see/click the link: https://bit.ly/3rHhIZP

Thus "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Pet. 1:21. Briefly summarized, the term Messenger of the Covenant means the Holy Spirit (the invisible Christ) in Heaven's visible representative--be it Moses, John, Christ, Elijah, or some other. {1Ans. 78}

Note additional Information

God invites everyone to have a relationship with Him as a covenant. God has adapted this covenant to the epoch, place, and people involved.

“Covenant”–berith in Hebrew, διαθήκη in Greek– may be also translated as “testament” or “last will.” It lays the foundation of a relationship or an agreement between two people.

The eternal covenant contains three basic elements

— God affirmed the covenant promises with an oath (Hebrews 6:17)

— The individual commits to obey God (Deuteronomy 4:13)

— The means by which the covenant is fulfill: Salvation through Jesus (Isaiah 42:6)

Covenant with Noah

“But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” (Genesis 6:18)

God Establish His Covenant with Human Race And God spake unto Noah, . . . saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you. Genesis 9:8, 9. Wickedness was so widespread that God said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth. . . . But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. . . . Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:7-9). Noah was to preach to the people, and also to prepare an ark as God should direct him for the saving of himself and family. He was not only to preach, but his example in building the ark was to convince all that he believed what he preached. {AG 132.1-3}

Noah did not forget God who had so graciously preserved them, but immediately [on coming out of the ark] erected an altar and. . . offered burnt offerings on the altar, showing his faith in Christ the great sacrifice, and manifesting his gratitude to God for their wonderful preservation. The offering of Noah came up before God like a sweet savor. He accepted the offering, and blessed Noah and his family. . . . {AG 132.4}

Token of the Covenant - A Rainbow

And lest man should be terrified with gathering clouds, and falling rains, . . . God graciously encourages the family of Noah by a promise. "And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood. . . . And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. . . . And the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth" (Genesis 9:11-16). {AG 132.5}

Assurance of God's Grace

With the assurance given to Noah concerning the flood, God Himself has linked one of the most precious promises of His grace; "As I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee" (Isaiah 54:9, 10). {AG 132.6}

Genesis 6:18 is a bilateral covenant

— God promised to save Noah and his family (and actually anyone who would have wanted to enter the ark with them).

— Noah had to build an ark and enter it. If Noah had not fulfilled his part of the covenant, God could not have fulfilled His.

God is always true to His word. He can only be prevented from fulfilling His promises if we stubbornly reject His help.

Covenant with Abram

“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.’” (Genesis 15:18)

Covenant Established for Abraham’s Seed

I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Genesis 17:7. After the Flood the people once more increased on the earth, and wickedness also increased. . . . The Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. {AG 133.2}

This same covenant [the covenant of grace] was renewed to Abraham in the promise "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 22:18). This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood it, and he trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It was this faith that was accounted to him for righteousness. The covenant with Abraham also maintained the authority of God's law. The Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). The testimony of God concerning His faithful servant was, "Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Genesis 26:5). . . . {AG 133.3}

A Covenant as a Law to Jacob but an Everlasting Covenant to Israel

The covenant was made with Abraham, which was only a promise to him and his seed, but Abraham obtained not the promise. "His oath unto Isaac;" that is to say, God solemnly declared that He will carry out His agreement. But Isaac, even as his father, "obtained not the promise." He "confirmed" the same to "Jacob"; that is, He administered, settled, or established it. The covenant made with Abraham was realized by Jacob as a law. But "to Israel, for an everlasting covenant." https://bit.ly/31HFLgO Hence, Israel received the promise. Therefore, it was Israel that went to labor in the vineyard after they departed from Egypt. "According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not." (Haggai 2:5.) Isaiah speaks of the vineyard which in itself was a symbol of the world. (Isa. 5.) Therefore, the householder's early hour call for laborers in His vineyard, applies to the call of Israel out of Egypt. Why is it called "early in the morning?" At that time Moses was writing the Bible, which is the light of the world. Therefore, very "early," for the Scriptures had just begun to be written. Thus the period since the Bible came is called the day, according to the parable. Which signifies that the written word of God is the light of the world.

Abraham’s Unquestioning Obedience - An Act of Faith and reliance upon God

If it were not possible for human beings under the Abrahamic covenant to keep the commandments of God, every soul of us is lost. The Abrahamic covenant is the covenant of grace. "By grace are ye saved" (Ephesians 2:8). Disobedient children? No, obedient to all His commandments. Abraham's unquestioning obedience was one of the most striking instances of faith and reliance upon God to be found in the Sacred Record. . . . Just such faith and confidence as Abraham had the messengers of God need today. {AG 133.5-6}

God's Provision - The Only Means of Salvation

The only means of salvation is provided under the Abrahamic covenant. {FLB 78.5}

Now my sister, if it were not possible for human beings under the Abrahamic covenant to keep the commandments of God, every soul of us is lost. The Abrahamic covenant is the covenant of grace. "By grace ye are saved" (Ephesians 2:5). "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:11, 12). Disobedient children? No, obedient to all His commandments. If it were not possible for us to be commandment keepers, then why does He make the obedience to His commandments the proof that we love Him? Letter 16, 1892, pp. 2, 3. (To Brother and Sister Holland, November 10, 1892). {1MR 110.1}

Before His formal covenant with Abraham, God promised to bless him and to bless all the nations of the Earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3). That is, He promised him that the Savior of the world would be one of his descendants (Galatians 3:16).

Once the relationship between them was established, God formalized His covenant with him (Genesis 15). Abram believed in God’s promises and was justified (v. 6), and therefore prepared to obey and fulfill the terms of the covenant (Genesis 18:19).

Our obedience to God is a response of faith to everything He has already done for us (1 John 4:19).

Covenant with Moses

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5)

The Pledge of the Author and Finisher of our Faith

“This pledge [Exodus 19:5] was given not only to Israel but to all who are obedient to God’s Word. Those who live amid the perils of the last days may realize that just as at the beginning of their experience the truth united them to the Saviour, so He who is the author and finisher of their faith will perfect the work He has begun for them. God is faithful, by whom we are called to fellowship with His Son.” {OHC January 18}

Breaking of the Covenant

During the absence of Moses in the mount, whither he had gone to receive the tables of the law, the children of Israel lapsed into idolatry. When Moses returned and saw that they had broken their covenant with God, shame and confusion on their account took possession of him, and he there threw down the tables and broke them. As they had broken their covenant with God, Moses, in breaking the tables, signified to them that so also God had broken his covenant with them. {ST, July 29, 1897 par. 5}

Moses - The Messenger of the Covenant

"When Moses was chosen as the messenger of the covenant, the word given him was, 'Be Thou for the people to Godward.'" -- "Gospel Workers," p. 20.

"Christ the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation." -- "Gospel Workers," p. 44.

The covenant of God with Israel through Moses is the continuation of the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:4-5).

— A special relationship with God is established (Genesis 17:7-8; Exodus 19:5)

— They are promised that they would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2; Exodus 19:6)

— Obedience is required (Genesis 17:9-10; Exodus 19:7-8)

It was a covenant of grace. God took the first step by saving Israel. Then, He gave them the Law so they would keep it as a natural response to the covenant.

The Gospel is the same. First, Christ saves us from sin. Then, He helps us to obey Him (1 Peter 2:24).

The New Covenant

“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.” (Jeremiah 31:31)

The Purification of the Church – God’s People

"The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver." Malachi 3:1-3. {DA 161.1}

For additional in-depth study regarding the purification https://bit.ly/39Kvo01 , https://bit.ly/3uw3D3z

Eternal Redemption through His Blood

The sacrificial service that had pointed to Christ passed away; but the eyes of men were turned to the true sacrifice for the sins of the world. The earthly priesthood ceased; but we look to Jesus, the minister of the new covenant, and "to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." "The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: . . . but Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, . . . by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 12:24; 9:8-12. {DA 166.1}

Christ Complete Work a Fulfillment of His Pledge

Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He had the assurance that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. He ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might gain eternal life. The Father ratified the covenant made with Christ, that He would receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son. Christ was to complete His work, and fulfill His pledge to "make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." Isaiah 13:12. All power in heaven and on earth was given to the Prince of Life, and He returned to His followers in a world of sin, that He might impart to them of His power and glory. {DA 790.3}

Better Promises of New Covenant

The terms of the "old covenant" were, Obey and live: "If a man do, he shall even live in them;" but "cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them." Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 27:26. The "new covenant" was established upon "better promises"--the promise of forgiveness of sins, and of the grace of God to renew the heart, and bring it into harmony with the principles of God's law. {FLB 78.4}

Covenant with the House of Israel (Law in the Heart)

Jer. 31:31-33 -- "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people."

This new covenant, you see, is to go into effect in the gathering time. Then shall all God's people know the difference between good and evil. Thus shall they know what is the Lord's will and way. And thus shall they be able to perform the good and to shun the evil. They shall naturally and gladly incline to do good, just as they now incline to do evil.

The Messenger of the Covenant

"Behold, I send My messenger, even the messenger of the covenant, and he shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord whom ye seek and in Whom ye delight shall suddenly come to His temple. Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." https://bit.ly/31LspQU

"The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.." Malachi 3:1-3. {DA 161.1}

Why was a new covenant necessary? How is it different from the old one?

God had taken care of Israel as if He was their husband, but they had been unfaithful and had disobeyed Him. They had invalidated the first covenant (Jeremiah 31:32).

However, the new covenant is still a continuation of the old one. The only difference is that God promised a closer relationship between humans and Himself (v. 33).

Again (v. 34), God took the first step and saved us. Our natural response should be to obey the Law He’s placed in our hearts (v. 33).

From the Pen of Inspiration

The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” Ezekiel 12:22. {CSA 5.1}

Why there’s a delay in the fulfillment of His promises (covenant), it takes “6,000” years?

It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people, Israel, should wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy, happy people. But those to whom it was first preached, went not in "because of unbelief." Their hearts were filled with murmuring, rebellion, and hatred, and He could not fulfill His covenant with them. {Ev 696.1}

“In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the relation that exists between Christ and His church is represented by the union of marriage. The Lord has joined His people to Himself by a solemn covenant, He promising to be their God, and they pledging themselves to be His and His alone.” {GC 381}