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The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant The Best Of Times

The Patriarchal Age  Days of limited revelation  No previous dispensation to learn from Lk 17:32 1 Cor 10:1-11 Heb 2:1-2  All they had is what God specifically told their fathers (the patriarchs) Gen 6:14 12:3 26:4 28:14 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Patriarchal Age  Very few references to the Messiah… “veiled” ones at best Gen 3:15 49:10  No mention of righteousness demanded of kingdom citizens  No specific allusion to the coming of the kingdom The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Mosaic Age  Days of more revelation than previous age  More revelation of God’s redemptive plan  Given to chosen messengers (prophets)  Yet, they themselves did not know many (if any) of the particulars 1 Pet 1:11 Isa 7:14 Micah 5:2 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Mosaic Age  However, it was not God’s final revelation  It was an inferior covenant Heb 8:7  It did not lead to complete forgiveness Heb 10:1-4  It did not provide the way to justification, reconciliation Gal 2:16 3:16-19, 24 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Mosaic Age  However, it was not God’s final revelation  Those who lived prior to and under the Law were never intended to be perfected apart from those who would live in the “Best Of Times” Heb 11:39-40 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Mosaic Age  The prophets of this age “…made careful search & inquiry” 1 Pet 1:10 Dan 7:13-19  To seek out in minute study, as one would sift through soil to find precious metals  They learned they were serving others (us), not themselves The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Mosaic Age  Also, angels “…longed to look” into such times 1 Pet 1:12  To stoop down; look carefully with great interest Lk 24:12 Jas 1:25  Though very interested, they were not able to fully know of what was to come The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Gospel Age  Jesus pronounced a blessing upon those living in the age where God has fully revealed His will Mt 13:16-17  Those living in this age are better than the prophets in this respect  Much has been given…much is required Lk 12:48 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Gospel Age  God has shared with those living in these days the totality of all He is ever going to reveal to man  This is why we must reject latter-day revelations and so-called “visions”  It is the “faith once delivered” Jude 3 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Gospel Age  God has shared with those living in these days the totality of all He is ever going to reveal to man  It is the composite of the thoughts of His mind 1 Cor 2:9b-13  It is the teaching that gives apostolic insight re: the “mystery” Eph 3:3-5 The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

The Gospel Age  Such a blessing also carries a severe warning Mt 12:31-32  To reject what God has shared in this age will seal one’s eternal doom  There will not be another revelation to come to learn more of God’s will for you… providing you a chance to repent The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

Conclusion  Lessons like this should give us greater appreciation for truth 1 Cor 2:12  Greater diligence in spreading it to those still lost in sin  Greater diligence in living it out in our own daily lives The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

Conclusion  God has blessed you by allowing you to live in this wonderful age  Prophets longed to know what you know  Angels desired to see what you know  Does your life reflect an appreciation for living in “The Best Of Times?” The Best Of Times The Advantages Of Living Under The New Covenant

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