You Will Become "a Kingdom of Priests" - A NEW NATION COMES INTO EXISTENCE

Long before the Law covenant was cancelled, Jehovah foretold through the prophet Jeremiah that He would make with the nation of Israel "a new covenant." (Jeremiah 31:31-33) That covenant would be unlike the Law covenant in that it would make it possible the forgiveness of sins without the need for animal sacrifices.  How would it do that?

Centuries later, Jesus instituted the Lord's Evening Meal on Nisan 14. 33 C.E. Speaking of the cup of wine, he told his 11 faithful apostles:" "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf." (Luke 22:20) Matthew's account quotes Jesus as saying regarding the wine: "This means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins." - MATTHEW 26:27, 28.

Jesus's shed blood validates the new covenant. That blood also makes possible the forgiveness of sins once and for all time.  Jesus is not a party to the new covenant.  Being without sin, he needs no forgiveness.  But God could apply the value of Jesus' shed blood to Adam's descendants. He could also adopt a certain devoted humans "as sons" by anointing them with holy spirit. (Romans 8:14-17) Being considered to be without sin in God's eyes, they would in a sense be like Jesus, the sinless Son of God.  These anointed ones would become "joint heirs with Christ," the apostle Peter stated: "You are a chosen race,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you  should declare  abroad the excellence of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)  How vital the new covenant is!  It enables Jesus' disciples to become the secondary part of Abraham's offspring.

Next time: You Will Become "a Kingdom of Priests" - THE NEW COVENANT GOES INTO EFFECT

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