Page 69 - TH130 Kingdom of God A4 Final

The Kingdom and Theocratic Covenants

Israel after that time,” declares the LORD: “I will put my law in
their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and
they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will
all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the
LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their
sins no more.”

In this passage God declared, “I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel” (v. 31). This covenant would be different from the old
covenant, that is, the Mosaic Covenant. The old covenant was written on
tablets of stone, but the new covenant would be written on the hearts
of God’s people (Jeremiah 31:33; compare 2 Corinthians 3:2–3). It had
four provisions:

1. People will be regenerated. God will put His “law in their minds
and write it on their hearts” (v. 33).
2. The knowledge of the Lord will be widespread. “No longer will a
man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the
LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to
the greatest” (v. 34).
3. People will receive full pardon for their sins. “For I will forgive their
wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (v. 34).
4. The Holy Spirit will minister personally to people. This is
implied in the statements that they will be regenerated and
taught personally by God (v. 34, compare Ezekiel 36:25–27;
2 Corinthians 3:1–3, 6).

The New Testament teaches that Jesus is the Mediator of the new
covenant (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15; 12:24). It further teaches that the
new covenant is an eternal covenant (Hebrews 13:20); and it was
established when Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead
(1 Corinthians 11:25–26; compare Luke 22:20).

This covenant remains in force today. It accomplishes what the old
covenant could not accomplish. It gives to people new hearts and the
ability to obey the commandments of God. It has also opened the way for
all people of all nations to be in covenant relationship with God through
Christ. Speaking for God, Jeremiah declared, “They will all know me, from

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