The provisions of the New Covenant [NC or NT]:
1) “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.”)
2) “No more shall every man teach … saying, ‘Know the Lord’" (“…for they all shall know Me…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more”)
This prophecy was made to Israel, but what is its application to the Church?
In connection with this question, what does it mean to “know the Lord,” and what does it mean to put the law in the mind and write it on the heart?
What is the connection of the new Covenant with the remission of sins and regeneration?
Non-dispensationalists would probably argue that the new Covenant is fulfilled in the Church, since they do not see a future for national Israel, and because “they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are of the seed of Abraham.” (Romans 9:6-7) They would point out that “only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” and that in him “all the nations shall be blessed.” (Galatians 3:7-8)
Yet dispensationalists believe there is a future for national Israel who count as spiritual seed as Paul says in Romans 11:
And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who [are] natural [branches], be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this [is] My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
Dispensationalists disagree among themselves as to the extent the NC is fulfilled now in the church. Some may believe in 2 NCs, one for Israel in the future, and one for the Church. But others would say its an issue of extent—it will be fulfilled to a greater extent in Israel than presently in the Church.
That the NC relates to the Church can be seen in the writings of Paul: 2 Corinthians 3.4-11: who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant.
Also, the basis of the NC is the death of Christ. Actually, the remission of sins is due to the death of Christ, and it is by remission of sins that the covenant speaks of all knowing the Lord.
Matthew 26.27-28: Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Luke 22.20: Likewise He also [took] the cup after supper, saying, "This cup [is] the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you."
And, 2 Corinthians 3.4-11 contrasts the NC with the Old Covenant [OC or OT] as a ministry of the Spirit and Righteousness. The Holy Spirit and the new birth are certainly at least the effective means behind the law on the heart of the NC.
Ezekiel 36.26-27: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do [them].
The Church are those who have both the remission of their sins and the ministry of the Spirit by means of a new birth.
Both of these things, the remission of sins and the new birth, are more means to the promises of the NC than they are the NC. By them, one can “know the Lord” and have the Law “in their minds” and “on their hearts.”
The question is whether what exactly are these promises / provisions of the NC, and are realized in the Church? The remission of sins and the new birth are essential for salvation to exist and are what makes part of the people of God. But there may be a difference between the those provision s of the NC in how they are fulfilled in these distinct peoples of God in time, being the Church and Israel.
The “know the Lord” provision is said to be under the NC something everyone will possess. This is where dispensationalists make a distinction between Israel and the Church.
I would like to suggest that’s knowing the Lord and the Law in the mind and on the heart are connected.
I think it should also be recognized that the words “know the Lord” could have 2 meanings or aspects to it. The aspect in view will make a difference.
I believe you can have a relationship knowing and you can have a kind of dynamic type knowing, a fellowship type knowing, that is evident in one’s actions.
The relationship type knowing is like in marriage in which you know an individual as your spouse—you are married to them, and this relationship exists (you are legally bound together).
This corresponds to our relationship with God in salvation. There is a knowing of the Lord in salvation. We often say today that so-and-so "knows the Lord" or "does not know the Lord" with reference to salvation. Paul writes: “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how [is] [it] [that] you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” Galatians 4:9 And, “not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:5 “[it] [is] a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to [give] you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1
But the second type of knowing is more of an understanding that is evident in one’s behavior.
The word ”understanding” is the same Greek word as “know” (translated “knowledge” in KJV) in the NC (see Hebrews 8:11, "None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me”).
This understanding of wives correspond with knowing the Lord. Its an understanding that is evident in how one behaves. If a man understands his wife, it is evident in his behavior—man I can hear the jokes now (what man can understand a woman!) But Peter relates this to the understanding of her as the weaker vessel. But this relates to knowing the Lord. And I believe First john speaks of this with reference to keeping the commands of God.
First John chapter 2 says, “ 3 Now by this we know that we know Him , if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him ," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him . “
The word “know” is the same Greek word as “understanding” in Peter (concerning husbands and wives) and “know” in the NC reference. That may not be decisive. But I believe the knowing here in First John is the same kind of knowing in the NC. Its not a relational knowing as in assurance of that relationship, but a dynamic, fellowship type. It’s a knowing that shows an abiding in Him.
This knowing is evident by keeping God’s commandments. These commandments are the same as keeping God’s word, as John writes, “5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him . By this we know that we are in Him . 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2
Just as a husband gives evidence that he understands/ knows his wife by his actions, so does the believer show he understands / knows God by his actions. How can a man say he understands his wife if his actions show otherwise? Likewise with God.
Also, the word “keeps” in 1 John 2:5 speaks of not perfection, but of observing and guarding God’s word: this one knows God as evident by his commitment to the word of God. This one is abiding in God and Christ as evident in his walk by keeping, observing and guarding God’s word—just as Jesus did.
And this knowing in the NC seems to be that which relates to keeping/ observing/ guarding God’s moral will. This would relate to the law in the mind and on the heart.
The knowing the Lord in the NC and the writing of the Law on the heart and mind is an abiding/ walk issue. The issue of extent that is raised as to how it is fulfilled in the Church verses Israel may be one of environment and circumstances. But with each group, it involves one’s remembrance of the basis of their salvation.
Peter associates failure to possess certain virtues in one’s life as a result of forgetting: “8 For if these things are yours and abound, [you] [will] [be] neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” 2Pet 1:8-9 (NKJV)
This corresponds to the NC: “No more shall every man teach … saying, ‘Know the Lord’ …for they all shall know Me…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Again the issue is extent. In this age, this “know the Lord” may be lacking in the believer’s life, but in the future salvation of Israel, it will somehow be fulfilled.
The commands / word of God that one must keep to “know the Lord” I would identify as primarily the moral will of God.
The Law that is in the mind and written on the heart would be the moral will of God, which may differ among the groups (the Church and Israel)--I say this because what is required of Israel in the Millennium (see Ezekiel 40 -48) is not exactly what was required under the OC, and the Church is not under the same requirements (such as keeping the Sabbath day holy).
"In the mind" is probably with reference to knowing but also to the will and determination to do.
Dispensationalists will try to make the point that teaching is needed today for Christians but not for Israel in the Millennium. I’ll look at some of the reason why Israel doesn’t need it necessarily, but I would suggest this teaching isn’t about everything that could be known about God, but primarily his moral will.
Ryrie in “Issues in Dispensationalism” writes: "Some new covenant promises are clearly not being fulfilled or even inaugurated in any sense today. Here are some examples: ... (3) no necessity to teach one another (Jer 31.34). Ryrie again lists as a promise of the new covenant..."no necessity to teach His people" and asks "are any of them similar to what God is doing in the Church today?" Again Ryrie says, "Obviously, not all the provisions of the New Covenant as revealed in the Old Testament have been inaugurated, as, for example, no need of teaching (Jer 31.34). John Master writes (Dispensationalism: chapter on the New Covenant): "The great commission's command to teach is hard to reconcile with the new covenant's promise that they would not need to teach under its blessings (Jer 31.34). These observations argue against anything more than a partial fulfillment of the new covenant in the present church age."
The issue of not needing taught is with reference to knowing God and not with reference to everything that is to be known.
I would Like to also point out that not all of OT Israel, had salvation and thus didn’t know God in a relational sense, and therefore, couldn’t fulfill the second aspect either of knowing Him by keeping His word.
The difference between the present Church dispensation and future Israel may be that the second aspect of knowing, as previously discussed, ill be fulfilled to a consistent extent due to certain advantages Israel will have.
Evidence of knowing God is seen in one's actions.
Titus 1.16: They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
One must have the first type of knowing God, to be able to fulfill the second type of knowing God.
The extent of the NC on Israel will be greater because of the impact of Great Tribulation and the influence of living in a Christian community. These are things that the Church lacks. Of course tribulation often impacts believers toward greater devotion to God.
The Church has the benefit of assembling together which helps towards godliness, but they are surrounded by unbelievers and ungodliness, and this is a disadvantage. The great tribulation will have a purifying affect on Israel, and they will have the advantage of a godly society and theocracy. Zech 13.9: I will bring the [one]-third through the fire , Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, `This [is] My people'; And each one will say, `The Lord [is] my God.' "
The NC is not fully realized in the Church.
There is a future Israel in time, and this future Israel will experience the provisions to a greater degree than the Church, but the Church does experience these provisions more or less.
Does the NC looks to be more of a corporate thing than an individual thing?
Though the provisions and benefits have an individual impact, there is a corporate aspect. In the Old Testament, some Jews were saved, but in the future, all Israel will be saved. This salvation will be the salvation of a nation. In that day, they all will know God and have a devotion to the Law. The Church, unlike Israel under the Law, is made up of all saved people.
“All Israel will be saved.” Romans 11:26
All Israel being saved does not mean every Israelite will be saved, but Israel will be saved in the same sense in which she was broken off...as a nation. The nation will be restored as the people of God in a geographical place. They will have a devotion for God's laws and they will know God---this is because of the work of the cross by which remission of sins and the new covenant are possible. Consider that remission of sins can be seen both individually and corporately: individually speaks more towards one eternal status while corporately speaks of restoration of the nation under God in the land of promise.
A corporate view would allow for those dispensationalist who believe in Old Testament regeneration, for the NC speaks of a future time when all Israel will be saved as opposed to just some (some were regenerated in the OT, but under the NC, all will be regenerated). The Church is made up of all saved people, just like future Israel; the only other difference is the degree of sanctification, which is more an environmental thing, since the new birth does not result in a practical sanctification that all believers equally possess.
The Old Covenant has parts that remain
under the New Covenant, yet only for a restored Israel. The breaking off of
Israel means the OC has no more relevance but only the NC for a new people (the
Church). When Israel is grafted back in, as a people, then the OC will have
relevance in those parts that relate to a nation that is a theocracy, but the
NC will be the operating principle.
Written on the heart
What exactly is this "written on the
heart?" It seems to go beyond regeneration. It may be some divinely produced
knowledge and inclination. Israel will have 2 advantages over the church
that may produce this as opposed to a more robotic obedience, and those are the
affect of great tribulation and community.
2 Corinthians 3.2-3: "You are our epistle written in
our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 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."
“Write on the heart” is obviously a figure
of speech. It speaks of affection and devotion for something. The Corinthians
were written in the hearts of Paul and company; everyone knew the special
affection and devotion Paul and company had for these people by what they said
and did.
In reference to the NC, I don’t believe
the law written on the heart speaks of sinlessness but of devotion.
Phillippians 1.7: Paul says "just as
it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,
inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace."
Acts 21.20: "You see, brother, how
many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for
the law."
Salvation of these Jews resulted in a
renewed devotion to the Law—salvation often is followed by a new zeal for the
things of God. Whether they properly discerned which parts should no longer be
practiced is not the point—such discernment would not be automatic—and how
would they know what still applies until time passes and it is realized things
have changed? (But in the Millennium,
what applies as part of God’s Law will be different because the people of God
will be different from the present people of God.) Jews under the Millennium
rule will still practice the Law, but it will be different due to the NC.
Ezekiel 40 through 48 reveals the Law will be practiced but with changes. They
will have to be taught the changes in the Millennium.
Zephaniah 3:13
The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
Zechariah 13:8-9 And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the Lord, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”
Regeneration gives us some urging but not the will to do right. The affect of tribulation and community will affect the will.
The OT is God's relationship with his people according to old covenant, while New Testament is God's relationship with his people according to the New Covenant. However, it may be that the New Covenant is not fully realized in the church, yet the aim should be the same. Know God by doing his moral will with that ability he gives, in the spirit by the word of God.
Zephaniah 3:13
The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
Zechariah 13:8-9 And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the Lord, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”
Regeneration gives us some urging but not the will to do right. The affect of tribulation and community will affect the will.
The OT is God's relationship with his people according to old covenant, while New Testament is God's relationship with his people according to the New Covenant. However, it may be that the New Covenant is not fully realized in the church, yet the aim should be the same. Know God by doing his moral will with that ability he gives, in the spirit by the word of God.
Put in the mind
Romans 7.13-23: 13 Has then what is good become death to me?
Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me
through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become
exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal,
sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will
to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I
do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that [it] [is] good. 17
But now, [it] [is] no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I
know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present
with me, but [how] to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that
I will [to] [do], I do not do; but the evil I will not [to] [do], that I
practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not [to] [do], it is no longer I
who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is
present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in
the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity
to the law of sin which is in my members.
1 John 2.: "12 I write to you, little
children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 13 I
write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who] [is] from the
beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I
have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who] [is] from
the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and
the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one."
These
describe different aspects of the same believers: as children, as fathers, and
as young men. Notice the connection between forgiveness and knowing God.
1 John 2.27: "But the anointing which
you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone
teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and
is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in
Him."
I believe the anointing here is the
possession of certain Divine truth, the grid through which all things should be
filtered.
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