The Better Covenant

Hebrews 7:20–25 NKJV

And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 8:6 NKJV

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

The place of Christ’s ministry is in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man (8:2). This is in contrast to the tabernacle which Moses erected in the wilderness.

Christianity – A New and Better Covenant

This Covenant has a better Priest (Hebrews 7:1-17, 7:20-8:5)

Heaven verses that which in on earth.

On Earth

In Heaven

High priest after the order of Aaron

High priest after the order of Melchizedek

Never sat down, but was constantly ministering in the temple

He has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

An earthly temple built by human hands

The true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man

There are two things of which we ought to take note with regard to Jesus sitting at the right hand of God.

1. To be seated at the right hand was to be seated in the place of honor. The right hand was used for fellowship and for eating. The left hand was used for more mundane tasks. Jesus has been given the place of honor in heaven.

2. In the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of Israel, it was the custom for two scribes to sit on either side of the judges of that court. The scribe who sat on the right hand side would write the acquittals. The scribe who sat on the left hand side would write the condemnations.

Jesus has been given the seat of pardon. His ministry has been one of bringing pardon and forgiveness to men.

But that is not all. In Revelation 3:21 Jesus promises that to Him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me in My throne. There is coming a day when we shall not only see Jesus seated at the right hand of God, but when we shall sit with Him. This is not because we are good or deserving, but because He has been good and deserving in our place.

This Covenant has a better Hope (Hebrews 7:18 – 19)

This Covenant has better Promises (Hebrews 8:6 – 13)

Unconditional Promises vs. Conditional Promises

This Covenant has a better Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:1-10:18)

Quote: Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary describes ‘covenant’ as:

"A binding agreement between two or more parties expressly for the performance of some action."

• Notice that God makes a covenant and not a contract

• Contracts are broken when one of the parties fails to keep their part.

Quote Walter Riggans: “A covenant was not a contract between two equal parties with both sides receiving equal benefits. This type of covenant was a relationship between a person (in this case God) with superior power and authority and another party.

The senior party offered protection and a sense of belonging to the weaker party, and in return the lesser party offered loyalty and service to the stronger”

Covenant Process:

Garments are exchanged. (Authority) Weapons are exchanged. (Protection)

Promises are made in the midst of the blood of sacrificed animals.

Each member is cut, shedding blood of their family.

The seal of covenant is the remaining scar

The name is changed- We are one family, our names are one.

Ephesians 3:15 NKJV

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

2 Corinthians 5:14–17 NKJV

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The Bond of our Relationship is hesed. Means kindness, legal term: to remember!

Psalm 103:4 Wordstudy KJV

Who redeemeth thy life [from destruction;] who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and [tender mercies;]

Covenant Meal- Wine: Your’e life and my life are one. Bread: All that you and I have is one.

Hosea 2:19–23 NKJV

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord. “It shall come to pass in that day That I will answer,” says the Lord; “I will answer the heavens, And they shall answer the earth. The earth shall answer With grain, With new wine, And with oil; They shall answer Jezreel. Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ ”