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The following are Arthur Vos's notes on The Divine Covenant, as ministered at conference this year. Please feel free to download
PIONEER CONFERENCE CENTRE – ENGLAND
21-22 FEBRUARY 2004
STUDY ONE - DIVINE COVENANT:
Understanding divine Covenant is the basis for our relationship with God. The Bible is a Covenant book (Old Testament – New Testament). Everything it contains has to do with Covenant. Without Covenant there can be no relationship with God.
Heb 13:20-21 “Through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will.”
Incompleteness is a source of continual frustration to Christians. How can I become more complete? The answer lies in understanding God’s Covenant. Without it our walk is inconsistent – sometimes believing, sometimes doubting. Sometimes feeling accepted, sometimes feeling abandoned.
No other religion has a god entering a blood covenant with his people. No other god can shed his blood. Satan can’t shed one drop of blood for anyone.
Ps 25:14 “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”
Definition: A covenant is a blood bond, for life and death, made between two parties by an oath. It means to clasp and hold together until death.
· There is no such thing as a casual covenant.
· Once you’re in it, you can never get out.
· God does not want a ‘meaningful’ relationship with us.
· You cannot have an argument and walk out.
· Covenant means absolute faithfulness to one’s word.
· To break covenant is to forfeit your life.
This is the relationship God wants with us – This is real Christianity. God never breaks His word because it is Covenant based. Neither should we. God takes a dim view of Covenant breakers. Another name for covenant breaker is traitor.
In Romans 1:21-32 God names covenant breakers among the other vile sins that prevent people from having everlasting life. Rom 1:31 “Untrustworthy.” (Covenant breakers – KJV) Eccl 5:4-5 “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it … Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”
Consider the dynamics of the covenant between Jonathan (king Saul’s son) and David:
Jonathan knew that God had chosen David to be king in Saul’s place, so he helped David escape when Saul tried to kill him. Jonathan then asked David to show kindness to his family when David becomes king. 1 Sam 20:14-16 “You shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever … So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David.” Jonathan was later killed in battle. David eventually became king. Those remaining of the household of Saul fled; being afraid that David would take revenge on them and have them killed. They did not understand covenant. 2 Sam 9:1 “Now David said, Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” :6-7 “Now when Mephibosheth, the on of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself.” He thought that is end had come, that David would have him killed. “So David said to him, do not fear, for I will show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat read at my table continually.”
Because of the covenant, David treats Mephibosheth as if he were Jonathan. This had nothing to do with Mephibosheth’s behaviour or beliefs. It was based on a covenant made before he was born. So God treats Christians as though we were His sons; not because of our works, but because of the Covenant made before we were born.
The Covenant is irrevocable!
STUDY TWO – SEVEN ASPECTS OF BLOOD COVENANT:
When entering a blood covenant, both parties bind themselves to the terms of the covenant. This requires irrevocable commitment, but also carries immense advantages.
1. Exchange of coats:
1 Sam 18:3-4 “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant … And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armour, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.” In Biblical times one’s clothing revealed your social status. It showed if you were rich or poor, important or insignificant. How were you clothed before you met Jesus? Is 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’ are like filthy rags.” What did God do? Is 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to His own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Is 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord … for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” This new coat of righteousness identifies us with Him and makes us
acceptable to the Father. Have you exchanged coats with Him?
2. Exchange of weapons:
1 Sam 18:3-4 (See above) Our weapons are the means by which we defend ourselves and overcome our enemies. What were our weapons made up of?
* Anger * Hatred * Gossip
* Revenge * Lying * Slander
* Cursing * Accusing * Sulking
These weapons are futile against our real enemies. Eph 6:12 “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We need to exchange weapons with Him so that His weapons become our weapons. This is what makes us invincible. 2 Cor 10:3-4 “For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” Some of our enemies are sickness, poverty, fear, unbelief, pride, lust, bitterness, heartache, and demons. Let us use ‘smart’ weapons.
3. Exchange of names:
Taking over a person’s name means that you take over their reputation and that you represent them. Lk 12:8 “Whoever confesses me before men, him the Son of man will also confess before the angels of God.” Jesus represented you on the cross so that you can represent Him in the world. This cost Him His life – it will cost you yours. 2 Cor 8:9 “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Jesus carries your name before the Father every day.1 Jn 2:1 “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Rev 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life; but I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.” A major benefit in exchanging names is that we have power of attorney. This means we can transact business in His name. Jn 14:14 “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Mk 16:17 “These signs shall follow those who believe; in my name they shall…”
4. Blood sacrifice:
God had given Abram awesome and humanly impossible promises concerning his descendants and he land they would inherit. Gen 15:8 “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it.” · That your promises will come to pass? · That you will not change your mind? Gen 15:18 “On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.” God told him to cut certain animals in half and lay the two halves on the ground opposite each other. Gen 15:17 “And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between the pieces.” By walking between the carcase halves, the two parties were implying, let me be as these carcases if I break this covenant. I.E: They pledged their lives as a guarantee for keeping the covenant. If God breaks His word, He annihilates Himself. If we break our commitment, we return to our original state of separation from God. Heb 10:26-29 “If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but certain fearful expectation of judgement … He who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment do you suppose will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted he blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace.” The fact that blood was shed to seal the covenant means that a life was given. That life can never be restored, so the covenant is irrevocable.
5. Terms of the Covenant:
These were compiled to determine the parameters of the covenant. They were read and signed and it became a binding document. The Bible contains the terms of the divine Covenant. Deut 9:9-10 “I went up into the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with you.” 2 Tm 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 1 Jn 5:3 “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.” Obedience to God’s word is our highest service. Unless you understand covenant, you will never do everything God says.
6. Mingling Blood:
Representatives of the covenant cut their palms or wrists and then clasped hands so that their blood mingled. This made them blood brothers. Lev 17:11 “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” This implies that their life becomes yours, and your life becomes theirs. The scars would be a continual reminder that you are in covenant. Jesus acquired many scars, both physical and emotional, in securing the divine Covenant.
* Scourging. * Beard plucked. * Punching in the face.
* Crown of thorns. * Spitting. * Mocking.
* Vinegar & gall. * Crusifixion. * Blasphemy.
Whoever carried the scars had the authority to enforce he terms of the covenant. Is 49:15-16 “Can a woman forget her nursing child and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” The only scars Jesus retained after the resurrection were those on His hands and feet and side. These are the marks of the covenant. Thomas would only believe after he saw the scars. You have not seen them. The day you meet Him face to face you will recognise Him by the nail prints in His hands.
Story of the little girl that was raised in a heathen household, never ever hearing the name of Jesus. Her parents were ungodly, and drunkenness and violence was a regular part of their lives. One day, during a drunken brawl, her dad shot and killed her mother and then took his own life while the little girl watched. She was later put up for adoption and landed in a Christian home. Her adopted mother decided to take her to Sunday School for the first time. She had warned the teacher that this new pupil knew nothing about the Bible or Jesus. The teacher decided to use a poster of Jesus, with His nail scared hands outstretched, to introduce the subject of who He was. In the class the teacher held up the poster and asked the class if anyone knew who this man was. To her surprise the little girl was the first to put up her hand. The teacher asked her; who do you think this man is? The little girl replied with awe; that was the man who held me the night my parents died. She recognised Him by the nail scars in His hands.
A blood covenant is stronger than family ties. (Blood is thicker than milk) Entering Covenant with Jesus may bring some scars into your life. Are you prepared to suffer for His name’s sake? Gal 6:17 “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”
7. The Covenant Meal:
When God prepared the Israelites for the exodus from Egypt, He instituted the Passover. The blood of the Passover lamb was applied to the lintels and doorposts of their houses so that the angel of death could not enter. Ex 12:8 “Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted with fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall at it.” This was known as the Passover meal, and finds it’s fulfilment in the communion table. 1 Cor 5:7 “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1 Cor 11:23-32 “The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks He broke it and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance for me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the New Covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” This has nothing to do with appetite. Refusing to partake in communion is saying, ‘I am not in covenant with the Almighty.’
Conclusion:
Do you want to be in covenant with Him? Rev 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with me.”
STUDY THREE – COVENANT LOVE:
1 Jn 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for one another.”
Q: What motivates God to make such an awesome covenant with us?
1 Jn 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.”
There are several Greek words for love.
‘Eros’ is the most popular Greek word for love, but it is not found in the Bible. It means: I want that which is highest, best, and most beautiful for myself, and I want it now! Anything less than the best is not good enough for eros.
Eros falls in love and out of love because it is always seeking something better.
Eros is a feeling and always needs a reason to love.
Eros cannot believe God will continue to love those who have sinned.
Eros cannot understand covenant love.
‘Agape’ is the highest form of love. 1 Jn 4:8 “God is love (Agape).”
Agape is not something God does, it is who God is.
Agape is not selective, it loves anyone and everyone.
Agape looks through outward facades and sees the real person underneath.
Agape loves unconditionally and continually.
Agape is a decision to love, a choice to love.
Agape does not love you because of who you are, but because of who God is.
Agape will die for it’s enemies without them even knowing it – so they cannot thank Him.
Rom 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love (agape) towards us, in that while we ere still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus died for us without us asking Him to do it. Why? God’s love is backed by covenant. Even some of he most primitive tribes understand covenant. The Massai Tribe in Ethiopia touch the tips of their fingers together as a sign of entering covenant. E.G: A bank teller, today, will touch the teller’s window when exchanging currency as a sign that he pledges his life that he will not cheat you. A preacher visited a primitive section of the tribe in a remote area where they were distributing food during a famine. The chief had heard the gospel many times without responding to it. He asked the preacher why he had come to them. The preacher answered; To tell you that God came to touch fingers with you through Jesus Christ. The chief understood the gospel instantly and said; No white man has ever told me that before.
Human covenants are eros based. No one will put their life on the line for someone they don’t know or don’t owe. Humans don’t naturally have agape. I must be imparted to them. 1 Jn 3:1 “Behold what manner of love (agape) the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.”
Agape love will not walk out on you, even when everyone else does. Heb 13:5 “For He Himself has said; I will not in anyway fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, or forsake you, nor let you down, assuredly not!”
Once agape has been bestowed, God expects us to abandon eros and live in covenant love. E.G: Marriage is a divinely appointed blood covenant. This is why God places such emphases on virginity. In the Old Testament the newly weds had to produce the blood soaked cloth once the marriage was consummated, as proof that the bride was a virgin. This is why the enemy seeks to destroy virginity with eros based ‘love’ today, so that marriages cannot be sealed in blood. Perhaps this is why marriages are in so much trouble. Once born again young people understand this, they need to ensure that their relationships are agape based. Are we teaching this?
Jn 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you … By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love (agape) one for another.”
STUDY FOUR – DISCERNING THE LORD’S BODY:
1 Cor 11:29-32 “He who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many are dead.”
The church is the Lord’s body. When we partake of communion we are reminded that we are not only in covenant with God, but also with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we enter covenant with God, we automatically enter covenant with each other. Why? Because He lives in us. That’s why He refers to us as His body. I.E: I’m in covenant with the Jesus that lives in you. (Say it to someone)
Our text scripture tells us that many serious problems occur in our lives when we don’t acknowledge this. We must discern the Lord’s body.
The Greek word for discern is ‘Diakrino’ which comes from two root words:
Dia – Because of.
Krino – Withdraw from, oppose, discriminate, contend, doubt, or be partial.
I.E: Text: “He who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself because of withdrawing from, opposing, discriminating against, contending with, doubting, or being partial towards the Lords body.”
Let us examine our own hearts as we consider each possible translation.
Withdrawing from means that we are unfaithful/inconsistent/unreliable in our fellowship, thereby robbing the saints of what we are supposed to be contributing when they gather together.
Being part of the Lord’s body is an awesome responsibility. If an organ of your body went missing periodically, how would your health be? Heb 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as is the manner of some, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”Opposing means that we resist the direction the body is moving in by pushing or trying to influence others in the opposite direction. This behaviour is often inspired by an ecclesiastical or religious spirit, and manifests as legalism and control. It hates liberty and opposes it. 2 Thes 2:4 “Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself hat he is God.” This spirit often impersonates he Holy Spirit through false prophecy.
Discriminating against means that we are prejudiced against some Christians, looking down on them or avoiding them. This attitude is merit based and conditional. It values people by external features. 1 Cor 12:22-23 “Much rather those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, on these we bestow greater honour.”The Greek word for bestow means to put around. This implies protection, support, or bolster.
Contending with means to strive with or fight with. This means we take the battle into the physical or soulish realms. 1 Cor 3:3 “For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” Eph 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood.”
Doubting means that we bring into question the integrity of people. This is because we don’t know the motives behind certain actions or words. All of us are guilty of a lack of wisdom sometimes, which results in foolish statements or actions. This usually decreases as we mature. A lack of integrity, however, is a serious problem that requires drastic action. 1 Cor 5:1-2 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you …and you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.”:5-7 Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus … Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Therefore purge out the old leaven.” If we misjudge this, we may reject good ministry, prophecy, or testimony by throwing out the baby with the bath water.
Being partial means being biased or showing favouritism. This means we value human attributes above Godly attributes. Rom 13:7 “Render therefore to all their due; taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.”
Conclusion:
If we are doing any of the above things, we are not discerning he Lord’s body, and we shouldn’t partake of communion, because we have broken covenant. This means we are dying. If we are weak or sick because of not discerning the Lord’s body, it is of no use coming or prayer for healing. Jas 5:16 “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.”
The remedy for these sins is the same as for any sin – repentance! If your sin was done publicly, you need to repent publicly. (E.G: What is wrong with the leadership of this church?) Eph 4:1-4 “Walk worthy of the calling with which you are called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
AMEN.