The Abrahamic Covenant: Who Is Chosen?

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: WHO IS CHOSEN?

The Abrahamic Covenant (or the covenant that God made to Abram) (Abraham)) is a series of promises that God made to Abraham.  After the confusion of languages at the construction of the tower of Babel God, appointed 70 Divine Council members (angels) as the authoritative administrator for the 70 nations that were inadvertently created by the common language of the group.  For more information on the Divine Council see:  Angels & the Divine Council: Part 1       Angels & the Divine Council: Part 2

Angels & the Divine Council: Part 3

When the Most High divided the nations, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the nations according to the number of the angels of God.   (Deuteronomy 32:8 Brenton)

God gave the people over to the lesser “gods” (the angelic beings) to which they were desiring to worship and serve as in the pre-flood period under Nimrod.  According to His prophecy to Noah,God took for Himself a people from the linage of Shem which began with Abraham.

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; …..   (Genesis 9:26 KJV)

A Comment by A.W. Pink Concerning the Covenant with Shem:  These were to be the specific portion of Shem—in sharp contrast from the curse pronounced upon Ham; not of Shem simply as an individual, but as the head of a distinct section of the human race. It was with that section God was to stand in the nearest relation: it was a spiritual distinction which they were to enjoy: a covenant relation, a priestly nearness. A special interest in the divine favor is what was denoted in this primitive prediction concerning Shem. His descendants were to be the line through which the divine blessing was to flow: it was among them that Jehovah was to be known, and where His kingdom was to be set up and established.

The Sledgehammer Scripture Verse

God selects Abraham as the progenitor of His nation.  This nation initially called Israel is referred to as “God’s chosen people”.  Many church members have the opinion that God’s chosen people are special and that God blesses them regardless of their thoughts and actions.  The so-called Judahites of today employ this notion as a gun to the back of the heads of the world’s population.

The Lord appeared to Abram, told him to leave his country of southern Babylon and travel to another land.  Then God promises Abram that he will be a great nation.  This promise was fulfilled by the kingdom of David and Solomon.  Abram was promised to be blessed – which he was; his name would be made great – which it is; and he would be a blessing – which was fulfilled by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  So far – so good.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:   (Genesis 12:1-2 KJV)

Then we come to the third verse, “I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you”.  Is this referring to the current nation of Israel?  Many modern evangelical types believe it does refer to Israel and they use it as a sledgehammer to smack any person or nation on the head who dares offend, belittle, or fail to protect the nation of Israel regardless of their wars, banking systems, Hollywood movies, denigration of Jesus Christ, or spiting Christians or the Christian church.  If the USG offends Israel then God sends hurricane Katrina:  which was a popular mantra for a while.

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  (Genesis 12:3 KJV)

Paul gets it correct in Romans 2:28-29.  [NOTE:  the word “Jew” should be written as “a resident of Judah or Judea”]  The nation of Israel was established by God as a linage conduit through Shem to Judah to David to Jesus Christ.  Abraham was the founding member of this people of God.  The ultimate goal of the nation of the Hebrews (or Israel) was to provide a linage for the birth of Jesus Christ.  The desire of God was to have a nation that would acknowledge and follow the commandments of the Lord God as a model to the world, rather than the dictates of a heathen idol (which actually was controlled by a lesser angelic “god”.  This nation only rarely followed the leadership of God which resulted in the northern 10 tribes of Israel conquered by Assyria with the majority (not all) of the people taken to northeast Assyria as captives and other people brought in as replacements.  The southern kingdom, containing the tribe of Judah, remained a few centuries longer until being conquered, destroyed, and the majority (not all) taken to Babylon.  70 years later a few returned with most remaining in Babylon.

For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something that is outward in the flesh, but someone is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart by the Spirit and not by the written code. This person's praise is not from people but from God. (Romans 2:28-29 NET)

Regardless of the massive idol worship and failure to trust God as protector and judge throughout the history of the 12 tribes, the Lord returned enough Israelites (particularly Judah) to establishment the land, rebuild the temple (although it is said the Shekinah Glory of God never returned); and prepare for the birth of the Messiah.

Other Promises to Abraham

(Genesis 13:15-16 NET)

I will give all the land that you see to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone is able to count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also can be counted.

The kingdom of David and Solomon supposedly included the majority of the land as promised, but the Israelites certainly did not live in the land forever.  I believe this prophecy will not be completely fulfilled until the Millennium and beyond.  Abraham’s descendants like the dust of the earth is not fulfilled by the Israelites or Jews but may be considered fulfilled by the Church (at one time) and certainly will be fulfilled in the Millennium and beyond.

(Genesis 17:2-8 NET)

Then I will confirm my covenant between me and you, and I will give you a multitude of descendants." Abram bowed down with his face to the ground, and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer will your name be Abram. Instead, your name will be Abraham because I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. I will confirm my covenant as a perpetual covenant between me and you. It will extend to your descendants after you throughout their generations. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give the whole land of Canaan — the land where you are now residing — to you and your descendants after you as a permanent possession. I will be their God."

The next iteration of the covenant to Abraham contains the same issues as the one given in Genesis 13:15-16 before:  the multitude of descendants as the dust of the earth; the land of Canaan as a permanent everlasting possession.  However, an additional element is added to the promises:  “you will be the father of a multitude of nations”.  Israel, from Joshua to the present, has never ruled over a multitude of nations.  As a matter of fact, no nations other than Israel for brief periods of time.  However, it can be said that Christians or people of the Church of Jesus Christ have been and are in many nations.  There have even been some kings and rulers.

Some online exegetes count the descendants of Ishmael and his second wife Keturah as the fulfillment of the “multitude of nations” promise.

Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.   (Genesis 25:1-4 NET)

Promises to Abraham’s Linage

God’s covenant with Abraham didn’t end there but parts were reiterated to his linage.  The Lord appeared to Isaac and repeated the essence of the covenant.  Numerous descendants and the kingdom land are given but with a somewhat different blessing section.

I will multiply your descendants so they will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands. All the nations of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another using the name of your descendants.

(Genesis 26:4 NET)

In the second sentence of Genesis 26:4 the KJV is translated as:  “shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” and Bob Utley states the phrase “should properly be translated as "shall bless themselves"”.

Quote From the Bob Utley Commentary

The obvious, tremendous blessing is that through Abraham and his children God was seeking to bless the entire world. God chose one man to choose a nation to choose a world. We must keep in mind that the Jews (Israelites) were chosen, not for a special blessing, but as an instrument for the redemptive blessing to come to all men.

Mr. Utley’s last sentence is important, “the Jews (Israelites) were chosen, not for a special blessing, but as an instrument for the redemptive blessing to come to all men.”

I agree with Mr. Utley that Israelites as a group of people were not chosen to be a special blessing but to be a model of both redemption and failure by their adherents to the commandments of God.  They were an instrument of redemptive blessing through the birth of Jesus Christ.  Their on-again off-again seasons of idolatry followed by allowing God to be their protection and then back and forth is documented in the Bible as an object lesson to all.  A small number of the tribe of Judah were allowed to return and stay in Judea for the advent of the Messiah and the birth of the church until the return of Jesus Christ.  To claim the Israel of today is the chosen people of God is mistaken on many counts.  They can only be redeemed by faith in Jesus Christ, an anointing of the Holy Spirit, and a lifestyle in the Kingdom of God.  To think, as John Hagee, they are God’s chosen people with no need of Jesus Christ is just wrong.

The 7^th chapter of Deuteronomy contains a host of possible blessings that would be bestowed upon the Israelites if:  “You obey these ordinances (commandments) and keep them, and do them.”

Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:   (Deuteronomy 7:12 KJV)

If you obey these ordinances and are careful to do them, the LORD your God will faithfully keep covenant with you as he promised your ancestors.

(Deuteronomy 7:12 NET)

However, that outcome was not to be.  The commandments were not kept; the idolatry was not avoided; the trust in God was abandoned.  It was a long episode of idolatry and apostasy; invasion, conquering, and exile; modern apartheid and genocide.  In my opinion God’s chosen people are the “saved by faith” Christians.

I have written extensively concerning the 70^th week of Daniel and mystery, Babylon.  See:  Mystery Babylon: Part 1     Mystery Babylon: Part 2    Mystery Babylon: Part 3   Revelation Commentary Complete

The things written may be wrong although the scriptures were closely followed.  However, it appears to be quite clear that the majority of last-days Judeans will execute the ultimate idolatry and apostasy:  They will worship the beast (i.e. antichrist) as their long-awaited Messiah.

Many exegetes believe the Abrahamic covenant is unconditional and I agree.  It was unconditional to Abraham and possibly to Isaac and Jacob but it is not unconditional to Netanyahu.  The covenant will be totally fulfilled during the Millennium.

The Kingdom of God, Lost by Adam and Eve

THE KINGDOM OF GOD, LOST BY ADAM AND EVE

NOTE:  Some of the information contained in this article was acquired from a video sermon by Dr. Michael K. Lake:  Understanding the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God

The revelation of God is given throughout the Bible.  The names and precepts do not change.  It concepts were changed it would impossible to understand the final section.  Things must stay the same and they do so.  Most people only read the last third of the Bible when all the definitions and concepts are defined throughout the beginning.  God introduces precepts and definitions throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis and they remain the same from one end to the other.  When God created mankind, He gave them commands of dominion:  be fruitful and multiply; replenish and subdue the earth; and have dominion over every living creature.  The blessing that God gave to mankind was not living in the Garden but the blessing of dominion.  These commands gave Adam and Eve the operating instructions for walking in the Kingdom of God.  The Kingdom and the commandments of God are the same and are inseparable. 

Christians of today cannot live in the Kingdom of God without being involved with the commandments of God.  Adam was given dominion commandments other than to be fruitful and multiply.  He was placed in the orchard of Eden and was told to care and maintain it.

The LORD God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.   (Genesis 2:15 NET)

Then, God gave to Adam the ultimate commandment:  Eat the fruit of any tree but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Then the LORD God commanded the man, "You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die."   (Genesis 2:16-17 NET)

Sin, Repentance, and the Commandments of God

The commandments of God did not start with Moses, but with Adam.  He was told not to eat from a particular tree or he would die to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven (both references are used in the New Testament).  Instant physical death is actually not the primary issue made by many people.  The Nachash told Eve she would not die if she ate the forbidden fruit.  That was not a total lie but only a partial lie or half-truth:  she did not instantly die a physical death but both Eve and Adam died to the Kingdom of God as did all forthcoming progeny.  Death is separation from the Kingdom of God and the loss of a glorified body.  

For more information on the Nachash, you may go to The Nachash in the Garden of Eden

Sin is defined as the violation of God’s commands and laws:  no law – no sin.  God created mankind to live in His Kingdom according to a few simple rules.  As the lawlessness of mankind increased, the laws increased as in the laws and commandments given to Moses.  First, John the Baptist started preaching to repent for the Kingdom of God is here, then Jesus began proclaiming the Kingdom of God is before you.  The dominion of the Kingdom that had been lost and could only be found by proclaiming God and following his commandments could now be achieved by proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, receiving the Holy Spirit, and following the commandments of God which are written within us and directed and disciplined by the Holy Spirit of God.

Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments.   (1 John 2:3 NET)

I suppose there are a few genuine atheists in the world, but most individuals do not deny the existence of a God, however, they are not interested in following the laws and commandments of God.  They are lawless individuals who do not desire to have their particular lifestyle compromised by following the rules of God.  One does not have to be a perverted psychopath to be lawless, they merely desire to sing Frank Sinatra’s song, “I’ll do it, my way” regardless of the particular way.  It is difficult to sometimes understand, but certain individuals are obviously so satanically brainwashed, they have no desire for God or His ways.  They would rather be left to themselves, live a life that pleasures them and then die forever.  However, some have written books based on the death bed confessions of atheists, agnostics, and heretics with woeful confessions wishing they had led a different and better life.

Below is a list of several Revelation scriptures, however they are shown because the individuals would not repent regardless of the severe wrath of God that was being dispensed upon them.  Unbelievable but true.

The rest of humanity, who had not been killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so that they did not stop worshiping demons and idols …  (Revelation 9:20 NET)

Furthermore, they did not repent of their murders, of their magic spells, of their sexual immorality, or of their stealing.   (Revelation 9:21 NET)

Thus people were scorched by the terrible heat, yet they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory.   (Revelation 16:9 NET)

They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their sufferings and because of their sores, but nevertheless they still refused to repent of their deeds.  (Revelation 16:11 NET)

Dress and Keep

Genesis 2:15 states that God put Adam in the garden to dress it and to keep it.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  (Genesis 2:15 KJV)

The word “dress” in the Word Study Dictionary is defined as follows:

‛āḇaḏ: A verb meaning to work, to serve. This labor may be focused on things, other people, or God.

The word “keep” in the Word Study Dictionary is defined as follows:

̌āmar: A verb meaning to watch, to keep, to preserve, to guard, to be careful, to watch over, to watch carefully over, to be on one's guard. The verb means to watch, to guard, to care for.

In addition to the duty of gardener and husbandman, Adam was commanded to watch, preserve, and guard the garden.  From what or for what was Adam guarding?  Dr. Michael Lake, author and Chancellor of Biblical Life College and Seminary, believes that Adam was to guard the garden for a possible surprise visit from the Nachash, the luminous serpentine entity generally considered to be Satan or Lucifer.  I read a book, several years ago (I wish I could find it), in which the author theorized that the accuser (referred to as Satan) was a created being essentially created for the purpose of accusing.  [That is another story for another time (I will continue looking for the book)].  However, Dr. Lake believes that Adam was supposed to be on the lookout for the Nachash and apparently he failed the task.  Perhaps Adam did not give Eve the details beforehand but the Nachash entered the garden without warranting alarm from Adam (according to Dr. Lake).  In like manner, our home is like the garden.  We should obey the commandments of God and keep the accuser from access to our forbidden tree to whisper words of false encouragement to us.  The only point in the history of the earth when we will again live in the fulfilled Kingdom of God will be the Millennium when Satan is bound in the abyss for a thousand years.  Then there will be true peace and the lamb and lion will lie down together as it was at the beginning of creation. 

The tree of good and evil has several interpretations.  Some claim this particular tree was actually the Nachash himself and the tree of life was the actual son of God with the fruit being symbolic.  Mark Flynn (see quote below) states the Nachash is a brilliant glowing serpentine figure with large wings and has been mythologized as the firebird or phoenix who will one day spring back to life (think antichrist) in full glory (the second coming of the Nachash).  This would present a new reflection of the so-called eagle on the dollar bill which is considered a parabolic firebird by Tom Horn and others. 

Mark A. Flynn Forbidden Secrets of the Labyrinth

The tree did not simply offer the knowledge of evil, but evil along with good.  In other words, the fruit did not cause the earth to become a place of absolute evil or outer darkness, but a place likened to one where the subtlety of evil would be allowed to infect if.  According to the account in Genesis, a creature that obviously had been created before man, entered the realm of heaven on earth in order to convince Eve to try the fruit of the tree.

Dr. Lake claims the Nachash is a creature glowing with the brightness of fire and is the light the Illuminati seek after.  Scripture says that Satan can appear as an angel of light.  Whether this light refers to actual illumination can be literal or figurative according to the Greek dictionaries.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

(2 Corinthians 11:14 NET)

The Nachash told Eve that eating the fruit would open her eyes and she would be as a god (divine being).  Do the illumined ones believe they will be as gods?  Have they been promised this godhood? 

For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.   (Genesis 3:5 NET)

Albert Pike has written that Lucifer is the Masonic god.  Perhaps Lucifer is the name Satanists use to refer to the Nachash or firebird (phoenix) of the Garden of Eden.  I suppose the name is not as important as the theology.  Dr. Michael Heiser, from reading the original texts, has written that the names cherubim and seraphim are used interchangeably in the Old Testament.  That would make them the same entity with different titles depending on the context. 

Jesus, the Son of God, did not die on the cross to save people from hell, He died and was resurrected to save people from sin.  Sin is the violation of the commandments of God and His death did not negate the commandments.  He saved people from the sin nature that was imbedded into the heart of mankind by the actions of the Nachash.  This sin nature caused mankind to question and resist God’s purpose and reasons for giving commandments.  Although Jesus freed mankind from the sin nature, He did not free mankind from the commandments of God, only mankind’s questioning of the commandments.  Many today desire to escape the ultimate death in the Lake of Fire but have no intention of living their life modeled by the Son of God and following the commandment of God.  Welcome to the modern church.  By their fruit you will know them. 

Arthur W. Pink:  The nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist.  He announces a Savior from hell rather than a Savior from sin.  And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of Fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness.

Modern preachers say:  God doesn’t mean this – God doesn’t mean that.  Don’t read the Bible, instead read some arcane occult material because it will explain scripture and theology more to your liking than the Bible.  Get your theology from an internet blog:  they will say things you agree with and can relate to unlike the Bible.  Then get in line for the mark of the beast.

They say to the visionaries, "See no more visions!" and to the seers, "Don't relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us nice things, relate deceptive messages.   (Isaiah 30:10 NET)