New Covenant - Part Three: Holy Spirit
John 14:14-18 & 26
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Jesus tells us in these verses that the Father will send us the Holy Spirit in his name if we follow God in obedience and we place our belief in Jesus — “the Father will send (God’s Spirit) in My name”. Jesus tells us the main function of the “Helper” (the Holy Spirit) for mankind in verse 26. He says the Spirit sent by the Father is to teach us and bring to remembrance the ways of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:5
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a deposit (G0728).
This verse tells us the Spirit is a “deposit”. The word “deposit” in Greek is arrabon (Strong’s G0728) which means a deposit, a pledge, or a guarantee. The Holy Spirit is a deposit that guarantees God is coming back for his people. This is also a guarantee and deposit of the full Spirit that will be given to us on the day of Covenant when Jesus returns to the earth. This is similar to a deposit on a purchase, which guarantees that person will pay, in full, the outstanding balance at a later date. We are purchased (1 Corinthians 6:20) and the Holy Spirit, which the Father sends in the name of Jesus, is a deposit.
Ephesians 1:13-18
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed (G4972) with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee (G0728) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
This letter is addressed to the saints in Ephesus. The promised Holy Spirit is a seal and a guarantee (or deposit) of our inheritance until we are redeemed at the resurrection. The NASB translates verse 14 as follows: Ephesians 1:14, NASB: (The Holy Spirit) “who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee(G0728).
John 3:34-35
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives him the Spirit without measure.
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
Jesus gives us a “helper”, the Holy Spirit. However, we have not fully transitioned into the New Covenant; therefore, we have a “deposit” or the first installment, as part of a promise of covenant. We will one day have the Holy Spirit without measure ourselves, although, we do not receive it in this way, at this point in time.
Luke 7:28
For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
it is noteworthy that John did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in the same manner as Jesus did. In fact, Jesus states that "the least in the kingdom of God is greater" than John the Baptist, who is hailed as the greatest prophet. This statement implies that even those who are considered the least in God's kingdom, those who are transformed by receiving new hearts and immortal bodies filled with God's Spirit through their Covenant with Him, will surpass the greatness of John the Baptist prior to his passing. Those who enter the kingdom will walk in perfect obedience to God's commandments, wholeheartedly following Him with a spirit infused with His divine instructions.
Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
The disciples were attempting to cast out a powerful demon from a child who suffered from frequent seizures. Jesus is telling them that they were unable to do so because of their unbelief. We can only speculate as to why this demon caused them to show signs of unbelief and others did not. It may have been because the demon was demonstrating characteristics that others did not, such as intimidating power. Jesus tells them something interesting about faith, however. He says that if they have the smallest amount of faith, they would be able to move a mountain.
As far as I know, no one has ever been able to do something this amazing. In fact, we are no longer witnessing miracles on the same level as those witnessed in the time of the apostles. For example, it is rare that anyone, even a faithful follower of Jesus, does miracles consistently such as healing ailments like a withered or contracted arm, causing the blind to see and the deaf to hear, let alone raise the dead. This may change as we get closer to the tribulation; however, no one, not even the apostles moved mountains by speaking to it. This is another instance where Jesus is naturally going between speaking about an event at hand and referencing something amazing that will be in the Kingdom like in Luke 7:28.
John 21:25
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
According to this verse, Jesus did so many works that the world would not be able to handle the number of books it would take to write about them. Yet, in John 14:12 we are told that the works of Jesus’ followers would be greater than his works on earth. I believe this is referring to the works that will be done in the kingdom once those who believe in Jesus and follow after him have their glorified bodies and are able to literally move mountains by speaking to them - Matthew 17:20.
John 14:10-16
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Jesus was talking to the disciples directly at this time. It can be argued that there are points and times in history when miracles were done when God was working directly with His people during amazing events that God Himself causes to come about; although, there are a few people between these great events that God works directly with. That is not to say that miracles do not happen now, because they do. But at this time, we no longer see the dead raised to life again, nor has there been a person able to walk into a hospital and heal everyone inside. Miracles on this scale haven’t happened since the time of Jesus and will more than likely not happen again until after or just before he returns. Therefore, we will not be able to do greater works than Jesus in our current state, no one has ever done more works or greater miracles than Jesus according to John 21:25. This will be proven to be true after the resurrection and we are gathered into the promised land.
Jeremiah 16:14-16
14 "Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "that it shall no more be said, 'The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,'
15 but, 'The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.' For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.
16 "Behold, I will send for many fishermen," says the Lord, "and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
The event when we are brought back into the land will cause the Exodus from Egypt to seem small in comparison. God will send out His angels to gather the wheat, that is, His people (Israel) then he will send angels to gather the tears to be burned.
Ezekiel 37 (Entire)
1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."
4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.
6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord." ' "
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.
8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.9 Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' "
10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!'
12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.
14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.'
15 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
16 "As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: 'For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.'
17 Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.
18 "And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, 'Will you not show us what you mean by these?'--
19 say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand." '
20 And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.
21 Then say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;
22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.
23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
24 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.
25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
28 The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore."
God is telling Ezekiel about the resurrection upon His return. He tells him that those who have died will again be brought back to life and all of Israel will be regathered back into the land as one nation. This is spoken of just before God says He is going to make a covenant of peace with them. These events happen at the same time: the New Covenant, the resurrection with a new body and new heart, the regathering of God’s people in the promised land, and God placing his sanctuary in that same land. The “covenant of peace” is the same one in Isaiah 54:10 and Enoch 1:7. The new covenant is the “covenant of peace.”
Enoch 1:6-8
1 Great fear and trembling shall seize them, even to the ends of the earth. The lofty mountains shall be troubled, and the exalted hills depressed, melting like a honeycomb in the flame. The earth shall be immerged, and all things which are in it perish; while judgment shall come upon all, even upon all the righteous:
2 But with the righteous He will make peace: he shall preserve the elect, and towards them exercise clemency.
3 Then shall all belong to God; be happy and blessed; and the splendor of the Godhead shall illuminate them.
This is speaking of a time after the resurrection. Same as Jeremiah 31:31 “I will be there God and they shall be my people”. When God said He “will make peace with them” that is also found in Ezekiel 37:26: “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.”
Enoch 59:3-6
3 Then holy Michael said to me, Why are you disturbed at this vision?
4 Hitherto has existed the day of mercy; and he has been merciful and longsuffering towards all who dwell upon the earth.
5 But when the time shall come, then shall the power, the punishment, and the judgment take place, which the Lord of spirits has prepared for those who prostrate themselves to the judgment of righteousness, for those who abjure that judgment, and for those who take his name in vain.
6 That day has been prepared for the elect as a day of covenant; and for sinners as a day of inquisition.
The Book of Enoch is in agreement with the timing of the New Covenant. For the elect, the day of judgment is also the day the New Covenant is finalized.
1 Baruch 2:31-35
31 And shall know that I am the Lord their God: for I will give them a heart, and ears to hear:
32 And they shall praise me in the land of their captivity, and think upon my name,
33 And return from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their fathers, which sinned before the Lord.
34 And I will bring them again into the land which I promised with an oath unto their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they shall be lords of it: and I will increase them, and they shall not be diminished.
35 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them to be their God, and they shall be my people: and I will no more drive my people of Israel out of the land that I have given them.
Again, the new covenant is when we are brought back into the land. This is when we return from our sins and return from our wicked deeds, then we are regathered. We will have a new heart and ears to hear. This is when Israel (God’s people) is regathered and God says in verse 35 “I will no more drive my people Israel out of the land that I have given them”.
Corinthians 15
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?
35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?"
36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain--perhaps wheat or some other grain.
38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.
43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 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.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."