THE REVIEW AND HERALD by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1861

THE REVIEW AND HERALD.

By Editor

BATTLE CREEK, MICH., THIRD-DAY, MARCH 12, 1861.

We would say to those of our correspondents who manifest a disposition to write upon the covenants, that it is altogether a waste of time, to labor to prove that the new covenant under which the law of God is written in the heart has its establishment at any period this side of the days of Christ, or that the expression, "after those days," refers to any prophetic period reaching into this dispensation. The prophet Daniel tells us that he [Christ] should confirm the covenant with many for one week; and if any particular period is intended by the expression, "after those days," in Jeremiah xxxi, it must be that period to which Christ referred when, at the commencement of his ministry, he proclaimed, "The time is fulfilled" [Mark i]; namely, the three score and two weeks that were to reach to the Messiah the Prince. Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant, and he has been a mediator ever since his ascension to heaven. We are surprised at the necessity of saying anything on a point which it seems should be so apparent to all. The reader will find the time of the establishment of the covenant discussed at length in the pamphlet entitled Kingdom of God. We hope that no one hereafter will write us on the subject of the covenants before examining this work, as it contains points which must be invalidated before views like those mentioned above can be established. We present the following from page 88:

"Again; the blood of Christ is 'the blood of the covenant.' Matt. xxvi, 28. As 'the life is in the blood,' and man by transgression has forfeited his life, blood is given to make an atonement. Lev. xvii, 11. Hence, 'without the shedding of blood there is no remission.' When Paul declares in Heb. ix, 15, that 'he is the Mediator of the new testament,' he gives a reason that the most strenuous advocate of the Age to Come will scarcely deny. He says: 'For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.' Heb. ix. If Christ is not the testator here referred to, then another must die to ratify the covenant; but this will not be claimed. Thus it is proved beyond the possibility of contradiction that the new testament or covenant was ratified, or of force when Christ died."