Covenant Command and Control Summary

Earlier in this book, the Scriptures were defined as the books of the Covenant and the history of the Covenant. This definition refers to the Sinai Covenant, which has been a major factor in the Almighty’s relationship with His people for the last few thousand years. The basic motivation of a covenant from the Almighty is love. He loves mankind. He wants to care for them and have a close relationship with them. The basic premise of a covenant is that those within it will care for each other and support each other even to the point of death. The One Most High has already shown He is willing to do this with the death of His Son.

They are a primary means of accomplishing His promises to His people. As such, the promises are greater than the covenants and we enter into those promises by joining the covenants.

Covenant Promises

The covenants found in Scripture are part of the relationships the Eternal has with mankind, nations, and individuals. Certain promises were made to the physical descendants of Jacob, but the better promises and covenants are made with believers who are the spiritual descendants of Israel.

Types of Covenants

There are many types of covenants, including a wedding betrothal, but the unconditional promises made by Elohim and the conditional agreements with people and nations are the main types that we find in Scripture. As King of the universe, we are to fear and give reverence to Elohim and to worship Him as well as accept His Word as the authority in our lives.

Sinai Covenant

The Sinai covenant was made with His people, the Nation of Israel, which includes believers today. The Sinai Covenant is summarized by the Ten Commandments which work to sanctify and separate His people from the world. Obedience to all ten of these commandments is expected and does not constitute legalism (unless someone actually tries to earn salvation by keeping them). They also give strong warning against the things that harm life. It also includes the Tabernacle, where Elohim may dwell with His people.

• Observing His Rest

New Covenant

The New Covenant is the promise of a future relationship, made through the Savior, to have a better and everlasting relationship with the Eternal. The covenant will be fulfilled at the end of this age as a deeper and fuller because it will be in our hearts and we will not experience sin anymore. The timing is heralded by the great white throne judgment, the wedding of the Lamb, and the new Heavens and Earth. It includes New Jerusalem, and the Heavenly Tabernacle, where He will be able to dwell with His people.

Covenant Confusion

Satan desires lawlessness and attempts to stop the keeping of the covenants, tries to convince people there are no consequences, tries to confuse people about which laws are still in effect (dispensationalism), or falsely makes law observance to be considered legalism when it is not. Quite often, denominations will also produce lawlessness by taking man-made laws and customs and make them, and/or their leaders, of equal or greater weight than the Scriptures or the Ten Commandments.