Understanding the Old and New Covenants of Redemption

The two covenants represent two grand divisions of the work of human redemption, standing in the relation of type and antitype to one anotherLUJ 109.1+1. While the old covenant was a contract based on the promises of the people at Sinai, the new covenant consists of the better promises of God provided through a mediatorSOTW 81.1+1.

The Old Covenant

The old covenant was established with the house of Israel when they were brought out of the land of EgyptLUJ 109.1+1. It is often called the "first" or "Sinai" covenant because it was delivered at Mount Sinai and was the first covenant made specifically with the Hebrew nationSC2 101.4+1.

• Its Nature: It was a conditional agreement where God promised to be the people's God if they strictly obeyed His voice and kept His commandments Exodus 19:5SOTC 33.4.

• The Problem: The people failed to keep their promise, rendering the covenant "faulty" not because of the law itself, but because it could not provide pardon for fallen humanity Hebrews 8:7-9SOTC 33.4+1.

• Shadows and Types: This covenant featured a worldly sanctuary, a Levitical priesthood, and various ordinances of divine service that pointed forward to the work of Christ Hebrews 9:1LUJ 109.1+1.

• The Law's Role: Although the ten commandments were the condition of this covenant, they were not the covenant itself; the law existed long before Sinai and remains even after the old covenant has vanishedGRFA 13.3+1.

The New Covenant

The new covenant, also known as the "second" or "everlasting" covenant, is the plan through which we approach God and obtain the remission of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ Matthew 26:28ARSH April 29, 1862, page 174.4+1.

• Better Promises: Unlike the old covenant which relied on human effort, the new covenant is based on God's promise to write His law directly in the hearts and minds of His people Hebrews 8:10BSSL 149.1+1.

• Everlasting Nature: While it was ratified by Christ's death on the cross, it virtually existed from the days of Adam and was confirmed to Abraham, offering salvation by faith through the ages Galatians 3:17MMM 325.1+1.

• The Sanctuary: The new covenant has a sanctuary in heaven, the New Jerusalem, where Christ serves as our great High Priest Hebrews 8:1-2ARSH April 29, 1862, page 174.4+1.

• Forgiveness: A primary feature of this arrangement is the complete pardon of iniquity: "their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more" Jeremiah 31:34+1BSSL 149.1.

The Relationship Between the Two

The two covenants are counterparts of each other, meaning the features of the new answer to the leading characteristics of the oldLUJ 109.1.

• The Moral Law: The law of ten commandments is the subject of both covenants; in the old it was written on stone, while in the new it is written on the heartBSSL 149.1+1. The dissolution of the old covenant does not mean the abolition of the law, as the law is required to give the knowledge of sin under both dispensations Romans 3:20ARSH July 25, 1854, page 193.9+1.

• Jerusalem Allegory: The two covenants are illustrated by Hagar and Sarah; Hagar represents the old Jerusalem and a state of bondage to sin, while Sarah represents the New Jerusalem and the freedom found in Christ Galatians 4:22-26SOTC 45.1+1.

• Goal of Both: The ultimate design of both covenants is to rescue humanity from the condemnation of the law and to restore the image of God in the soul so that His righteousness is fulfilled in our lives Romans 8:3-4SOTC 45.1+1.

By moving from the oldness of the letter to the newness of the spirit, believers find that the law is not made void through faith, but is instead firmly established within the heart Romans 3:31MMM 13.4+1. 😊