1. THE EVERLASTING COVENANT
a. What shows that the covenant made to Abraham is the same as the one ratified by Christ at Calvary? Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13–18; 9:16.
“The Abrahamic covenant was ratified by the blood of Christ, and it is called the ‘second,’ or ‘new,’ covenant, because the blood by which it was sealed was shed after the blood of the first covenant. That the new covenant was valid in the days of Abraham, is evident from the fact that it was then confirmed both by the promise and by the oath of God, —‘two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie.’ Hebrews 6:18.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 371.
b. What was promised under this covenant and how did Abraham respond? Genesis 17:1–8; 15:6; 26:5; compare Galatians 3:8, 16; Romans 4:20–22.
“To all men this covenant offered pardon and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s law.”—Ibid., p. 370.
“The law of God was the basis of this covenant, which was simply an arrangement for bringing men again into harmony with the divine will, placing them where they could obey God’s law.”—Ibid., p. 371.
2. AN EVERLASTING RELATIONSHIP
a. In what way did God express the covenant relationship He established with Abraham and his seed? Leviticus 26:12. Compare with Genesis 17:7, 8; Deuteronomy 14:2; 29:13.
b. What did God give to Abraham as a seal of the covenant relationship, and why? Genesis 17:11; Romans 4:11.
“At this time the rite of circumcision was given to Abraham as ‘a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised’ (Romans 4:11). It was to be observed by the patriarch and his descendants as a token that they were devoted to the service of God and thus separated from idolaters, and that God accepted them as His peculiar treasure.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 138.
“[Circumcision] was a sign that those who received it were devoted to the service of God—a pledge that they would remain separate from idolatry and would obey the law of God.”—Ibid., p. 363.
c. What essential experience must we have today in order to enter into the same “new” covenant relationship with God? Deuteronomy 10:16; Colossians 2:11; Hebrews 8:10; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17.
“We are to believe that we are chosen of God, to be saved by the exercise of faith, through the grace of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit; and we are to praise and glorify God for such a marvelous manifestation of His unmerited favor. It is the love of God that draws the soul to Christ, to be graciously received, and presented to the Father. Through the work of the Spirit the divine relationship between God and the sinner is renewed. The Father says: ‘I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people. I will exercise forgiving love toward them and bestow upon them My joy. They shall be to Me a peculiar treasure; for this people whom I have formed for Myself shall show forth My praise.’”—The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1893.
“The condition of being received into the Lord’s family is coming out from the world, separating from all its contaminating influences.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 57.
3. AN EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD
a. Why is Christ called a priest after Melchisedec and not after Aaron? Hebrews 5:5, 6; 7:11–16; Matthew 1:1, 2.
“The high priest was designed in an especial manner to represent Christ, who was to become a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. This order of priesthood was not to pass to another, or be superseded by another.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 930.
b. In what way does Melchisedec’s priesthood relate to Christ’s everlasting priesthood, and why is it a superior priesthood to Aaron’s? Compare Hebrews 7:1–3 with Hebrews 7:20–25; 6:18–20.
“It was Christ that spoke through Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Melchizedek was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in the world, the representative of the Father.”—Selected Messages, bk1, p. 409.
“The name of that helpless little babe . . . was the hope of fallen humanity. The child for whom the redemption money had been paid was He who was to pay the ransom for the sins of the whole world. He was the true ‘high priest over the house of God,’ the head of ‘an unchangeable priesthood,’ the intercessor at ‘the right hand of the Majesty on high’ (Hebrews 10:21; 7:24; 1:3).”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 52, 55.
c. What parallel is there in the meal that God’s priest offered to Abraham? Compare Genesis 14:18–20 with 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23–26.
“The bread and the wine represent the body and the blood of Christ. As the bread was broken, and the wine poured out, so on the cross Christ’s body was broken, and His blood shed to save us.
“By eating the bread and drinking the wine, we show that we believe this. We show that we repent of our sins, and that we receive Christ as our Saviour.”—The Story of Jesus, p. 98.
4. AN EVERLASTING POSSESSION
a. What everlasting land, which the earthly land was but a shadow, did God promise Abraham? Genesis 17:8; Hebrews 11:8–10; Revelation 21:2.
“The varied experience of the Hebrews was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan. God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 293.
“Let all that is beautiful in our earthly home remind us of the crystal river and green fields, the waving trees and the living fountains, the shining city and the white-robed singers, of our heavenly home– that world of beauty which no artist can picture, no mortal tongue describe.”—The Faith I Live By, p. 279.
b. When and how will Abraham and his seed receive their eternal inheritance? Matthew 25:31, 34; John 14:1–3, Daniel 7:27.
“The broken, uneven surface of the earth now looked like a level, extensive plain. God’s entire universe was clean, and the great controversy was forever ended. Wherever we looked, everything upon which the eye rested was beautiful and holy. And all the redeemed host, old and young, great and small, cast their glittering crowns at the feet of their Redeemer, and prostrated themselves in adoration before Him, and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever. The beautiful new earth, with all its glory, was the eternal inheritance of the saints. The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was then given to the saints of the Most High, who were to possess it forever, even forever and ever.”—Early Writings, p. 295.
“The full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world. ‘The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ is to be given to ‘the people of the saints of the Most High’ (Daniel 7:27). They shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them ‘from the foundation of the world’ (Matthew 25:34). And Christ will take to Himself His great power and will reign.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 108.
5. EVERLASTING LIFE
a. What is the greatest of all the promises given through the everlasting covenant? Galatians 3:29; 1 John 5:11; Revelation 21:3, 4.
“The day is coming when the battle will have been fought, the victory won. The will of God is to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. The nations of the saved will know no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving—the robe of Christ’s righteousness.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 506.
“[In heaven], there is no disappointment, no sorrow, no sin, no one who shall say, ‘I am sick.’ There, there is no burial train, no mourning, no death, no parting, no broken hearts; and Jesus is there, peace is there. . . . In His presence is fullness of joy, at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore!”—My Life Today, p. 349.
b. On what hope must we never give up? Titus 2:11–13; Hebrews 10:35–37.
“Be patient, Christian soldier. Yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come. The night of weary waiting, and watching, and mourning is nearly over. The reward will soon be given; the eternal day will dawn. There is no time to sleep now—no time to indulge in useless regrets. He who ventures to slumber now will miss precious opportunities of doing good. . . . Every soul saved will be an additional star in the crown of Jesus, our adorable Redeemer.”—Christian Service, p. 275.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How can we have confidence in God’s Word?
2. How can we have the same covenant relationship with God that Abraham had?
3. Explain how we can have confidence in Christ’s everlasting priesthood.
4. What is the blessed hope of Abraham’s children?
5. Why is eternal life with God the Christian’s blessed hope?