5.5. The Eternal Covenant – Key to Eternal Life

• What is the difference between the ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Covenant?
• Does Grace abolish the Law under the ‘New Covenant’?
• Is the Law just for Jews?
• Who are the “Lost 10 Tribes of Israel” and how do they fit into the Eternal Covenant?

Introduction

The majority of humanity today, is influenced by some form of faith, cult or religion.  Differences though, are as wide as day differs from night.  A wide range of gods are proclaimed and worshipped – from “the creator God” (although interpretations as to His true identity and nature varies from group to group), to the worship of even Satan himself.  There are also millions of followers of some or other ‘prophet’ of their choice,  to whom they have imputed certain divine qualities.  The masses however, plod forth without any religion, unknowingly worshipping money, sex, drugs or ‘self’, through which they wish to find happiness and success.  In this way, all humanity is committed to some or other ‘god’, even though it may be ‘self’.

The God whom this publication will endorse, is the One who claims to be the Source of all Life on earth – the Creator of the Universe Himself – He who is increasingly becoming known by His distinguishing Name: YHVH, the God of Israel.

YHVH distinguishes Himself from all other gods by declaring and revealing Himself to humanity through His inspired Word, the Hebrew Bible.  The Bible is a compilation of writings by some of His spiritually inspired followers, having been completed over a period of several centuries, 2000 years ago.  These authors, almost without exception, were Israelites – from that nation which God had personally selected for the specific purpose of being the vehicle by which He would display His Master Plan for all humanity.  The contents of this study is about this promising Master Plan.

This Eternal Plan distinguishes itself from other religions through the divine Promise of Eternal Life in the Kingdom of YHVH, which is given as “prize” to those believers who “overcome” and who qualify according to the Divine Requirements.  It comprises Eternal Life in a new re-created world in the physical presence of YHVH Himself (Isaiah 65:17; Rev. 21:1-8), where there will no longer be any disease, death, crime or evil.

This “Israelite” religion gradually extended outside of the borders of Israel, throughout the centuries, until today, it is proclaimed in synagogues and churches throughout the entire world.  The original concept has changed considerably, both for Jews and Christians, as this religion developed amongst the followers in various nations.  The result today is that there are so many varying interpretations of this Biblical faith, that the only point of agreement is that they all proclaim the Creator God and, in most cases, cling to the divine Promise of Eternal Life.

These different interpretations, which each has it’s own following, differ widely from one another regarding the nature of the Creator, namely – Who and What He really is; how He must be served and worshipped; his Name; His Will and the specifics of the Plan of Salvation.  Each and everyone, of course, believes that only their interpretation is the correct one!

The contents of this study should serve as a clear guide and a distinct, fail-safe test of the real requirements for someone to claim the right to the Divine Promise of Eternal Life.

The term ‘Eternal Life’, is defined in John 17:3 “And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and YAHU’SHUAH the Messiah, Whom Thou has sent.”

How do we explain that we know Him?

1 John 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know Him: if we keep His Commandments.  Whoever says ‘I know Him’ and does not keep His Commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him”

It is noteworthy that the key to the meaning of  ‘Eternal Life’, is the knowledge of who the Almighty Creator is.  This knowledge, in turn, is essentially connected to obedience to His Commandments. (Read the above mentioned references carefully once again).

If we truly know Him, we will obey Him and accordingly inherit Eternal Life. The true meaning of Eternal Life and it’s link to the Commandments, form the underlying concept of the Eternal Covenant of YHVH, which is the theme of our study. The importance of, and the link that the Crucifixion holds with the Covenant and the Commandments, will be explained in detail further on.

If we discover and understand the Eternal Covenant, we will be able to fulfil our part thereof and in so doing, share in the Wonderful Plan of our Creator which He has prepared for those who choose to follow Him and who wish to be part of His Eternal Kingdom. (Read Isaiah 65:17-25 for a description).