Dispensational Proof 8

8. The New Covenant

            The New Covenant of Jeremiah 31 is given directly to the House of Israel. God has proclaimed the future salvation of Israel by giving them a new heart in the future. This is an immutable and unconditional covenant with Israel. It is important to note that it is not given to the church but the church does get to participate in the spiritual blessing of the new heart by Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. A clear connection should be seen between the promise to Abraham of all nations of the earth being blessed and the New Covenant promise to redeem people with an indwelling Holy Spirit salvation. The literal fulfillment will take place in the tribulation and the millennium. Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant. One day Israel will declare “The LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16), and they will see the promise that “A King shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1). The fact that Israel will experience this is as sure as the sun, moon and stars are in place (Jeremiah 31:35-40).

            The New Covenant is also the most debated covenant of the Bible for the dispensationalist. Its level of application or even relevance to the church is debated at times but there is a general consensus today. A majority at this point do see that the saints of the Church age participate in the spiritual blessing described in the New Covenant which comes through Christ. Again, the connection of the New Covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant should be remembered. The participation of the church in the “spiritual seed” promise through Christ does not end or complete other covenant details. Fulfillment theologians must answer how Christ’s death on the cross wiped away the national and land promises of God in the Abrahamic, Davidic and New Covenants. The language of the text still has much to say about God’s people Israel in their spiritual renewal (New Covenant - Jeremiah), the Messianic Kingly reign of Christ (Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel) and the recovery of the physical land promises (Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 12).

CAM