Hello John and all Doves,
There are many parallels between the giving of the Old and New Covenants. We can see clearly what is happening when the Ten Commandments are given to Moses and the first covenant is established between God and His People. But, where do we see the same thing happening again, with the giving of the New Covenant?I believe this parallel can be found in the Book of Revelation in chapters 4 and 5. I found an interesting study about this very topic, and will share excerpts of it here. The whole study is about 60 pages long, so I am just using the salient points to convey the main idea.############
The Covenant in Revelation
by Ulrike Unruh
Christ's inauguration in the heavenly sanctuary corresponds to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
The seven lamps and seven spirits -- all point to the day of Pentecost when Christ poured out His Holy Spirit upon the newly established church upon earth.
The day of Pentecost came fifty days after the resurrection, just as the first (Pentecost) after the first (Passover) occurred fifty days after the children of Israel left Egypt and stood before the Mount Sinai ---
The book of Revelation, just like the book of Deuteronomy deals with COVENANT making. After Christ’s inauguration, the new covenant, made with Christ's own blood is now in force.
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
...Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.
And I looked and behold in the midst of the throne stood a Lamb as though it had been slain....He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. (Rev. 5:1-8)
Compare this to Deut. 17:18. When a new king was enthroned, he was given a scroll containing his duties to God and to the people.
Look in 2 kings 11:12 and 2 Chr. 23:11 and you will see that "They brought out the King's Son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king."
History shows that the custom of the ancient near east was for kings to receive a "scroll" or book "to study and read it constantly and adhere diligently to all its instructions".
Now what we see in Revelation 4-5 is Christ, the Son of God declared worthy to receive honor and power and glory. Now, because he has overcome, he is set down, with his Father on his (Father's) throne, as his co regent. (See Rev. 3:21) The sealed scroll has the same meaning and significance as the Covenant Book in the enthronement ceremony of Israelite Kings.
It deals with the law and prophetic messages and covenantal stipulations. Jesus, as the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, is seen here as the end-time ruler, who, on the basis of the saving works of His death, and priestly ministry, now deals with His church.
"We have such a High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man."Hebrews 8:1, 2
Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant.
"Behold the Man whose name is The Branch; . . . He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne." Zech. 6:12, 13.
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25.
Christ's ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity.
The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven's communication that the Redeemer's inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.The Old Testament tells us about an everlasting Covenant; it also tells us about God's covenant with Israel. However, what is the new covenant, and how does it fit in with the everlasting covenant? The book of Revelation shows the new covenant in the setting of the EVERLASTING COVENANT and the SANCTUARY.
As we open our Bibles to Revelation 5 we notice that something is happening in heaven which is rather puzzling. John sees a glorious scene of heaven; of angel's and other glorious beings in awesome adoration before God. The focus is upon God's throne, the seat of authority over the whole universe. He is the ONE who "created all things, and by whose will they exist and were created. In God’s hands he saw a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
The puzzling part about this is that no one can open the book. Remember, this is in heaven, and God is holding this scroll, yet no one can open it. This is a very serious situation. As John watches he actually starts to weep because no one can open the scroll.
But then one of the elders tells him, “Stop crying, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed and He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.The chapters give us a glimpse into heaven. Jesus has just returned to heaven, after His life upon earth. He had veiled His divinity and accepted humanity with all its liabilities in order to redeem mankind. He had been taken and cruelly placed upon the cross. The all sufficient atoning blood of Christ had been shed, that all who respond to His call might live! He had died that sinners might have life. Now he ascended back into heaven. Now all heaven is witnessing the opening of Christ’s heavenly priestly ministry as the administrator of the covenant of salvation.
The sealed scroll has the same meaning and significance as the Covenant Book in the enthronement ceremony of Israelite Kings. It deals with the law and prophetic messages and covenantal stipulations. Jesus, as the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, is seen here as the end-time administrator, who, on the basis of the saving work of His death, and priestly ministry now receives the authority to administer the specifications of the covenant upon His church.
This is the New Covenant being set in place. Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant. This sanctuary is in heaven, not on earth. The chapter begins with the statement that a door in heaven was open. The heavenly sanctuary for salvation can begin its work for the atoning blood has been shed. There were the 24 elders and the seven lamps and bowls of incense. And there is God Himself, holding the scroll. The scroll that must be given to someone who is worthy to administer the covenant promises and provisions outlined therein.
Because of His death and resurrection, Christ is the ONLY ONE worthy to administer that covenant. Why did John start crying when he thought no one could open that book? Why was it so important? Was it just curiosity frustrated? No-- that book is the book of the covenant which contains the full provisions, commands, stipulations, and blessings in the plan of salvation.
This is a momentous event in the history of salvation! This is the New Covenant inaugurated, with Christ as the ONLY ONE worthy to administer it because HE has proved the all-important atoning blood that makes the covenant possible.
WHAT DO THE SEALS HAVE TO DO WITH THIS-- how do they relate?First of all we must clarify one thing, the seals are not the scroll, and the scroll is not the seals. Did that make sense? Revelation tells us that the book or scroll was written on both sides and that it was sealed with seven seals. So the seals are not the book itself.
What are the seals?
Let me take you back to Israel and the covenant again.
You will remember of course that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. You know the story. How God delivered them with a mighty hand from slavery. You remember the Passover when they put the blood of the lamb on the doorpost and were spared the destruction that fell on those who did not have the blood. You remember how they were delivered from the bondage of Egyptian slavery.
Fifty days later, they were at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where God made a covenant with them as a nation; giving them the sanctuary service, depicting the gospel, and giving them His commandments.
Now listen closely to these words in Deut. 29:12
Moses tells them:“You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, to confirm you this day as his people that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers.”
The people are entering into a covenant relationship with God. And what is being done to confirm that the people have agreed to the covenant? Sealing it!We see Moses gathering all the people together. (Deut. 1:1-3)
First he recounted all the blessings of God, how He had delivered them. He goes over their history. He repeats the commandments and instructions from the God, including the sanctuary services which we understand was, the gospel type of forgiveness through the blood of a lamb, typifying Christ. He pronounced the blessings to those who served God, and the curses for serving other gods.
Then the whole congregation entered into a covenant to keep all the commandments of God. So that the transaction might be as effectual as possible, this covenant was written out, and those who were sincere affixed their names and seals. This was a legal transaction. In those days it was usually the officials, or leaders who had seals. So it would seem that they took the scroll containing all the information of the covenant, and each leader came forward and put his seal on that scroll. They were affirming that God was their God and they were His people. (Deut. 29:10-15)
When did Christ die?
Christ died on the Passover--- providing the blood of deliverance!When did the Holy Spirit descend upon His followers?
On the day of Pentecost-- 50 days after Christ’s death!
Christ's ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work.
They waited-- and yes-- 50 days after Christ’s resurrection the Holy Spirit came.Up in the heavenly sanctuary, Christ was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, to establish the new covenant-- To write God’s law upon the hearts and minds of God’s people and enable them to live according to God’s ways.
Here the new covenant is established, here is where the wonderful provisions of “Christ’s blood” and the “holy Spirit’s power” are offered to the church and its people.
But the seals deal with the way people relate to that covenant.How will people relate to this marvelous covenant?
As the years roll on, each generation of peoples add their “seal” or claim-- to the covenant. So the Christian era adds their seals to the book claiming to be “members of God’s covenant”.
The truth of Christ’s death and resurrection-- the truth that Christ has provided for the salvation for all moves forward--- on the white horse-- proclaiming the victory of the cross---Yet in chapter 7 we see the great mercy of our Priest. For before that great day HE will place HIS seal on those who “have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. It is only through the blood of Christ that any of us can stand in that judgment.
For, it is only in Christ’s righteousness, that we can be accounted as worthy of heaven. In other words-- without the covenant, NONE will stand--no not one—
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This all seems to shed a new light on what is actually happening in the early chapters of the Book of Revelation. These events are not future events; they took place when Christ ascended to heaven after His death and resurrection. The sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the beginning of the New Covenant between Christ and His people, and mirrors exactly the giving of the Old Covenant between God and His people. The sending of the Holy Spirit is the sealing of this new relationship between Christ and His Church.
To me this all represents a clearer understanding of the relationship between these Covenants and how the Old foreshadowed the New. The commandments, once written in stone, are now written on our hearts, via the Holy Spirit.
May God bless you all!!
Agape!!Patti C.