The Abrahamic Covenant: Fulfilled or Postponed?

[zone]

All prophetic eyes are on Israel. A majority of fundamentalists believe that what happens in the Middle East determines the fate of the world. The world moves at Israel's pace. For the dispensationalist, what the rest of the world does is irrelevant and meaningless because not only are all prophetic eyes on Israel, but God's eyes are on Israel. The New Testament focuses on Israel as well. Jesus "was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24). Even so, He ministered to Canaanites, Samaritans, and Greeks because it was part of God's plan of world-wide redemption (Luke 2:32). All the promises made to Israel were fulfilled in Christ. The first Christians were Jews (Acts 2). The church was not a new concept designed to replace Israel. The first church was made up almost exclusively of Jews. Gentiles were grafted in to an already Jewish congregation of believers called "the church." The Greek word "church" (ekklesia) was a familiar word to first-century Jews (Matt. 16:18; 18:17; Acts 5:11) because it was an old covenant idea (Acts 7:38).[1] Modern-day prophetic theory is based on the false premise that God still owes ethnic Jews the fulfillment of unfulfilled covenant promises.

- by Gary DeMar

 

[zone]

J. Dwight Pentecost writes that the Abrahamic covenants, "according to the Scriptures, are eternal."[2] The Bible describes them as "everlasting." If "everlasting" means "lasting or enduring through all time," then dispensationalists do not believe that the Abrahamic covenants are "everlasting" since they have been postponed for nearly 2000 years! Given that dispensationalists claim that only they follow a consistently literal method of interpretation, it's surprising that they equivocate on the meaning of "everlasting." Consider Charles Ryrie's standard definition of "literal interpretation" and apply its principles to how dispensationalists propose a postponement theory to explain how the Abrahamic covenant was not realized during Jesus' ministry:

Dispensationalists claim that their principle of hermeneutics is that of literal interpretation. This means interpretation that gives to every word the same meaning it would have in normal usage, whether employed in writing, speaking, or thinking.[3]
Another often quoted definition is David Cooper's Golden Rule of Interpretation which states, "When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages, and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise." The problem is, dispensationalists do not always follow these guidelines. This is especially true in the way they interpret "everlasting."[4] By applying the Ryrie/Cooper literal litmus test, "everlasting" should have "the same meaning it would have in normal usage, whether employed in writing, speaking, or thinking." To go further and to be more accurate, "everlasting" should have the same meaning it has elsewhere in the Bible unless there is a specific indication that the meaning is different in degree.

All the dispensational writers I consulted, who have the irritating habit of quoting one another to support their claims, agree that the "Abrahamic covenant is called eternal in the Word of God" (Gen. 17:7, 13b, 19; 1 Chron. 16:16-17; Psalm 105:9-10).[5] Paul Benware writes, "Those blessings included the guarantee of national existence as well as the greatness of the nation, the land area of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant as an everlasting covenant."[6]

At the same time the Abrahamic covenant is said to be "everlasting," dispensationalists insist that it has been postponed.

- Gary DeMar

 

[Kerry]

I have studied dispensations and conclude that the Abrahamic covenant is still in affect.

 

[zone]

I have studied dispensations and conclude that the Abrahamic covenant is still in affect.

the Land Deal God owes people who hate Him

OR - the promise of Christ (through Abraham)...

 

[zone]

All the dispensational writers I consulted, who have the irritating habit of quoting one another to support their claims, agree that the "Abrahamic covenant is called eternal in the Word of God" (Gen. 17:7, 13b, 19; 1 Chron. 16:16-17; Psalm 105:9-10).[5] Paul Benware writes, "Those blessings included the guarantee of national existence as well as the greatness of the nation, the land area of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant as an everlasting covenant."[6]

At the same time the Abrahamic covenant is said to be "everlasting," dispensationalists insist that it has been postponed. Mal Couch, an advocate of dispensational theology, writes:

Most dispensationalists hold to a kingdom postponement theory. . . . Dispensationalists believe that the kingdom was set aside, the Jews suffered the final dispersement, and the church, which was not mentioned in the Old Testament, was given to reach the Gentile nations.[7]

Does "everlasting" include the idea of postponement in its dictionary definition or its biblical usage so that it passes as the "primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning" of the word? Is there anything in "the immediate context" of Genesis 17 or when "studied in the light of related passages, and axiomatic and fundamental truths" that would "indicate clearly" that a definition of "everlasting" can include the idea of postponement? Absolutely not. Everlasting and postponement are contradictory ideas.

- Gary DeMar
cont...Part II

 

[zone]

Re: The Abrahamic Covenant: Fulfilled or Postponed? cont...

Prior to the establishment of the Abrahamic covenant, God instituted the Noahic covenant. Even though "the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth," God says that He "will never again destroy every living thing" (Gen 8:21). The everlasting nature of this covenantal promise is so secure that the earth itself would have to pass away in order for it to be postponed, put off, or revoked (8:22). Mal Couch insists that the Noahic covenant will remain in effect "As long as earth history remains in its present physical state."[1] He can affirm this because, as the Bible states, it's an "everlasting covenant":

And I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth (Gen. 9:15-16).

Following dispensational postponement theology, God could send another worldwide flood and claim that He was not abrogating the everlasting nature of the Noahic covenant. God could claim, following Ryrie and other dispensational advocates, that He was only interjecting a parenthesis, an indeterminate period of time in which the keeping of the promise is delayed (stopping the prophetic clock, so to speak). Would anyone accept such an argument as being legitimate? And yet this is exactly what dispensationalists do with the Abrahamic covenant.

Dispensationalists see no problem in manufacturing gaps, delays, postponements, and parentheses [2] while still claiming that the Abrahamic covenant is eternal. But they would be hard pressed to apply and defend a similar methodology when it came to God's everlasting character (Gen. 21:33; Ps. 93:2; Isa. 40:28; 1 Chron. 16:34, 41; 2 Chron. 5:13; Ps. 136; Ps. 119:142; 135:13; 145:13; Is. 45:17; Jer. 31:3; Hab. 3:6) or the everlasting nature of the Noahic covenant.

- Gary DeMar

 

[zone]

Israel's Disobedience

The Noahic covenant remains in force, according to the dispensationally oriented Nelson Study Bible, "no matter how evil Noah's descendants got. Indeed, He promised that until the end of the earth, there would be seasons of planting and harvest and day and night. God unilaterally promised to uphold the rhythms of the earth in order to sustain human life - even though humans had rebelled against Him, their Creator."[3] But to a dispensationalist, this same promise does not apply to the Abrahamic covenant which is also said to be everlasting.

Pentecost writes that when the nation of Israel refused to embrace Jesus as the promised Messiah, the kingdom offer "was withdrawn and its establishment postponed until some future time when the nation would repent and place faith in Jesus Christ."[4]

There is no such condition attached to the Abrahamic covenant as dispensationalists continually insist. The maintenance of the covenant is not dependent on the response of those with whom it was made since God deals with a remnant of Israel (Rom. 11:1-5; cf. Matt. 21:43-44; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

- Gary DeMar

 

[zone]

Adding to the Word of God

Of the Abrahamic covenant, Ryrie writes, "The Scriptures clearly teach that this is an eternal covenant based on the gracious promises of God. There may be delays, postponements, and chastisements, but an eternal covenant cannot, if God cannot deny Himself, be abrogated."[5] As we've seen, the Abrahamic covenant is identical in wording to the Noahic covenant in that both are said to be everlasting. Let's apply Ryrie's qualifier to the Noahic covenant that he applies to the Abrahamic covenant and see if it makes sense: "The Scriptures clearly teach that the Noahic covenant is an eternal covenant based on the gracious promises of God. There may be delays and postponements, but an eternal covenant cannot, if God cannot deny Himself, be abrogated." An eternal covenant cannot be abrogated or delayed or postponed and still be described as "eternal."

A fundamental question remains: Does the everlasting Abrahamic covenant mention anything about the possibility of postponements or delays? Dispensationalists are quick to point out that there are no conditions to the Abrahamic covenant,[6] but they seem to ignore the fact that there is no mention of postponements or delays which would presuppose conditions. Where do we find a verse that reads something like this?: "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you although there may be delays or postponements"? If conditions cannot be added ex post facto, then neither can new definitions of everlasting be invented.

The Abrahamic Covenant: Fulfilled or Postponed?
by Gary DeMar

 

[4enlightment]

I have studied dispensations and conclude that the Abrahamic covenant is still in affect.

Joel 2:10 Before them the earth shakes,
the heavens tremble,
the sun and moon are darkened,
and the stars no longer shine.
11 The Lord thunders
at the head of his army;
his forces are beyond number,
and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
The day of the Lord is great;
it is dreadful.
Who can endure it?

Matthew 24:29
“Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

Matt 27:45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

John 3:10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I think we have to make a distinction between the promises GOD made to Abraham and the two covenants he made with him. Circumcision was the first covenant; here is the blood covenant that was made (my own literal translation).

And [YHWH] brought him [Abram] outside and said, "Please, look heavenward and number the stars, if you are able to number them." And he said, "Thus will become your seed." And he trusted in YHWH, and he reckoned it righteousness to him. And he said to him, "I am YHWH who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give this land to you to possess it." And he said, "YHWH, my master, how will I know that I will possess it?" ... In that day YHWH cut a covenant with Abram saying, "I am giving this land to your seed, from the river of Egypt as far as the great Euphrates river." Genesis 15:5-8, 18​

There are only two things mentioned in this covenant. That Abraham's seed would become innumerable and that GOD would give Christ the land. The former has certainly come to pass and continues in his spiritual seed. The latter has also come to pass.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:16

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. John 3:35​

 

[zone]

I think we have to make a distinction between the promises GOD made to Abraham and the two covenants he made with him. Circumcision was the first covenant; here is the blood covenant that was made (my own literal translation).

And [YHWH] brought him [Abram] outside and said, "Please, look heavenward and number the stars, if you are able to number them." And he said, "Thus will become your seed." And he trusted in YHWH, and he reckoned it righteousness to him. And he said to him, "I am YHWH who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give this land to you to possess it." And he said, "YHWH, my master, how will I know that I will possess it?" ... In that day YHWH cut a covenant with Abram saying, "I am giving this land to your seed, from the river of Egypt as far as the great Euphrates river." Genesis 15:5-8, 18​

There are only two things mentioned in this covenant. That Abraham's seed would become innumerable and that GOD would give Christ the land. The former has certainly come to pass and continues in his spiritual seed. The latter has also come to pass.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:16

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. John 3:35​

not to mention we are clearly told:

Genesis 46
"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

Joshua 21:45
Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass

but the dispie cherry pickers either postpone that - or pass over it.

first the natural - then the spiritual.
which some can not abide.
spiritualizing...can you IMAGINE.

 

[4enlightment]

Jonah 3:10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

I'd corrected from John 3:10 into Jonah 3:10.

That was the sign of Jonah that Jesus had spoke of ( Whatever had went on in the time of Jonah, is going to happen). The people of Nineveh had believed judgment was coming onto them, but the wicked and adulteress generation didn't believed, So Jesus had to stand in for them, because they didn't repented of the preaching of John. The people didn't know what was going on. And God had promised that He will not judge the world for someone or group of people sins. So now He is giving everyone a chance for life, and they'll all be judge accordingly, but not by someone else misbehaving. So basically, Jesus had died for all by completing the covenants of the things that will come to pass, and which that is call a promise.

Genesis 9: 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
6 “Whoever sheds human blood,
by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind.
Genesis 9:15
I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

 

[psychomom]

The Abrahamic covenant of land has been fulfilled.

The covenant of Promise is also fulfilled through the blood of Christ, and in His Church.

The covenant of Promise God made with Abraham wasn't a suzerainty treaty, as the Sinaitic covenant was.
God Himself fulfills all the obligations of it. It's the only Way for man to be in covenant with God...by faith in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus.

Rom. 4:16-17
That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.