In the beginning, God created everything without flaw. It was perfect and accurately represented the One who made it.
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 (NKJV)
When sin entered God’s creation through Satan, the fallen angels, and then mankind, everything that was touched and marred by sin, including the earth and heavens, became defiled. They no longer accurately reflected the one who created them. They were no longer suitable for eternal habitation.
God’s plan to redeem his creation would include destroying the old, defiled creation and replacing it with something brand new and undefiled.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV)
This would include new heavens and earth and a re-created mankind.
One of the grand themes of the Bible involves replacing the old with the new. That which is spiritual would replace that which is merely natural.
And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1 Corinthians 15:45–49 (NKJV)
Sin brought death and destruction into God’s creation. That with which the Lord would replace the old order of things will be untouched and immune to those two things. They would be spiritual and eternal.
When God promised Abraham that his seed (singular) would become a blessing to the all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3), little did that man realize that the one who would fulfill that promise, our Lord Jesus, would be the instrument through whom God would accomplish this recreation.
Not only did our Lord redeem mankind, but he also redeemed all of creation.
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:19–22 (NKJV)
When anyone places their faith and allegiance in the risen Lord, the Holy Spirit recreates the spirit of that person through what is called the new birth.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
This is the first installment in God’s great salvation. Over a lifetime the Holy Spirit will transform the believer’s soul into Christ’s image. The last step is the resurrection of the body by which the transformation will be completed.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20–21 (NKJV)
Jesus is the “last Adam,” the progenitor of a brand-new edition of humanity.
The “elect” or chosen ones, those whom God mercifully redeems, become new creations which will be made suitable to dwell with him for eternity in a recreated heaven and earth.
The first Adam was replaced by the last Adam, our Lord. Likewise, the “old man” must be replaced by the “new man” through the new birth.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 (NKJV)
All of this was made possible because God replaced the old covenant of Law with the new covenant of grace.
The old covenant had to give way to the new and fade away, just as our old bodies will die and turn into dust. Our resurrected bodies will reflect the glory of the new covenant creation.
The old earth and heavens will be destroyed only to be recreated.
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)
In God’s great plan, the old always must give way to the new.
As I covered in the previous teaching, all of the covenants leading up to the New pointed to Christ and were fulfilled by him.
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)
The old covenant patterns and types all pointed to Christ as well. The sacrifices under the old covenant foreshadowed Christ’s perfect sacrifice of himself as God’s Lamb. The feasts of Israel pointed to Christ, who either has or will perfectly fulfill them. The moral Law pointed to Christ in that it showed us how much we need a savior. Only our Lord could keep it, which he did, fulfilling its purpose.
For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 10:4 (NLT)
After Jesus the Christ perfectly fulfilled the covenant of Law that pointed to him, with its rituals, patterns, and requirements, there was no longer any need for it. It simply faded away.
When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 8:13 (NASB95)
Once a person, nation, or institution fulfills its purpose in introducing our Lord, who is preeminent, it is fitting for it or them to step aside and move out of the picture so Christ will have first place in all things.
Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. Colossians 1:18 (NLT)
John the Baptist exemplified this attitude after he introduced Jesus to the waiting world.
“He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 “He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. John 3:29–31 (NASB95)
This was also the case with the Law of Moses. Its purpose was to define what is righteous and to lead us to Christ. Once it fulfills its purpose, it steps out of the spotlight.
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:24–25 (NASB95)
The purpose of the nation of Israel was to receive and preserve the Scriptures and provide the biological bloodline of the promised Messiah.
Once the Messiah arrived, however, the leaders and most of the people refused to recognize and serve the king God promised and sent to them.
He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11–13 (NASB95)
His own, the Jews, refused their Messiah because they desired to retain the preeminence for themselves rather than acknowledge and serve the true king.
But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ Luke 19:14 (NKJV)
They revealed that they did not understand that the old order of things cannot inherit the kingdom of God and must step aside to make room for the new. They did not realize that the natural man cannot inherit the kingdom of God because the natural man cannot even understand the spiritual things relating to God’s eternal kingdom. They expected the Messiah to establish an earthly kingdom, but Jesus came to rule over a spiritual one. Because he did not give them what they expected and wanted, they rejected and killed him.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB95) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36 (NKJV)
The old Israel, which consisted of people born the natural way who were descended from Abraham, could never inherit the New Covenant kingdom because mortality cannot inherit immortality.
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 Corinthians 15:50 (NASB95)
God would create a new Israel that was spiritual and able to inherit God’s kingdom. This new Israel would consist of people from the old order who are recreated through the new birth.
The new Israel is composed of those who are born again by faith in Christ by which they become children of God.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:26–29 (NASB95)
Jesus explained this to Nicodemus when he told him that he must be born again.
Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? John 3:7–10 (NKJV)
We have every reason to think that Nicodemus became a born-again follower of Christ based on his subsequent behavior, but most of the Jewish leaders refused God generous offer to saved from that perverse generation.
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:40–42 (NKJV)
Most of the naturally born Jews imagined that they could keep the kingdom which belonged to the Lord Jesus but ended up losing everything, which is another spiritual principle.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24–25 (NKJV)
Jesus warned that generation of Jewish people living in Jerusalem that God would require justice for their rejection of the Messiah.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” Luke 13:34–35 (NKJV)
The eventual destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army in 70 AD fulfilled this prophecy. It was God’s judgment of Israel for its rejection of their Messiah, Jesus.
Jesus warned the Jewish leaders of this looming judgment.
Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation. Luke 11:49–51 (NKJV) “But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 “But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 “They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons.” Matthew 21:37–41 (NASB95) “But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Matthew 22:7 (NASB95) “What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others. Mark 12:9 (NASB95)
The early church clearly understood that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was Jesus’ vindication which brought to a violent end the Old Covenant.
Not only did God punish those who rejected their Messiah, he handed the kingdom of God over to another “nation” or people that who would obey him.
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. 44 “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. Matthew 21:43–45 (NASB95)
That other nation or people is the church, which is composed of both Jews and Gentiles, all who have believed the gospel and been born again into God’s kingdom. The Jewish apostle Peter recognized that the church had become the new spiritual Israel that fulfilled the unmet purpose of the old Israel.
This new spiritual Israel is able to inherit God’s promises and dwell with him for eternity.
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB95)
The royal priesthood of the New Covenant offers spiritual sacrifices of praise and obedience to God, rather than the now defunct animal sacrifices. Animal sacrifices were never able to provide forgiveness for sins (Hebrews 10:4). They were always only a picture of the sacrifice that Jesus would make at Calvary as God’s Lamb, who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Now that the perfect has come, the old dead order of things has become a stench in God’s nostrils. Holding on to it that stinking corpse represents rebellion and rejection of Christ and the New Covenant.
This is one reason why legalism is such a deadly perversion. Whenever we try to blend dead old covenant forms with new covenant life and grace, we create a hybrid that is alien to God and hostile to the gospel. Therefore, any attempt to rebuild the nation or the temple or the sacrificial system is a continuance of the Jewish rebellion against God, the New Covenant, and Jesus the Messiah.
Any attempt to resurrect and cling on to the old order of things amounts to a refusal to go forward with God.
Jesus compared God’s new covenant to new wine that requires a new wine skin.
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. 38 “But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’ ” Luke 5:37–39 (NASB95)
The new wineskin is the church composed of Jew and Gentile, the one new man, the body of Christ, the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). The old wineskin is the old covenant of law and the Jewish people who refuse to acknowledge Christ.
It is man’s unredeemed nature to prefer what we already have, though it be old and dying, over the new thing God offers which is eternal. We must let go of the old and embrace the new if we want to move forward with God. Let us continue to pray for the Jewish people that they may receive mercy to finally recognize their Messiah King so they can be transformed spiritually and become part of the reborn Israel of God.
