The New Covenant

Perhaps the most dramatic revelation of all came on the night before Jesus' death when he told his faithful disciples about "the new covenant." (Luke 22:20) Like its predecessor, the Mosaic Law covenant, this new covenant was to produce "a kingdom of priests." (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9) However, this covenant would establish, not a fleshly nation, but a spiritual one, "the Israel of God," made up exclusively of Christ's faithful anointed followers. (Galatians 6:16) These parties to the new covenant would share with Jesus in blessing the human race!

But why does the new covenant succeed in producing "a kingdom of priests" to bless mankind? Because instead of condemning Christ's disciples as sinners, it provides for the forgiveness of their sins through his sacrifice. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) Once they receive a clean standing before Jehovah, he adopts them into his heavenly family and anoints them with holy spirit. (Romans 8:15-17; 2 Corinthians 1:21) They thus experience "a new birth to a living hope . . .reserved in the heavens." (1 Peter 1:3, 4) Since such an elevated status is entirely new to humans, spirit-begotten anointed Christians are called "a new creation." (2 Corinthians 5:17) The Bible reveals that 144,000 will eventually share in ruling redeemed mankind from heaven. -Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1-4.

Along with Jesus, these anointed ones become "Abraham's seed." (Galatians 3:29) The first ones chosen were fleshly Jews. But in 36 C.E., another aspect of the sacred secret was revealed: Gentiles , or non-Jews, would also share in the heavenly hope. (Romans 9:6-8; 11:25, 26; Ephesians 3:5, 6) Would anointed Christians be the only ones to enjoy the blessings promised to Abraham? No, for Jesus' sacrifice benefits the whole world. (1 John 2:2) In time, Jehovah revealed that an unnumbered "great crowd" would survive the end of Satan's system of things. (Revelation 7:9, 14) Multitudes more would be resurrected with the prospect of living forever in Paradise! -Luke 23:43; John 5:28, 29; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:3, 4.

Next time: God's Wisdom And The Sacred Secret

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002