Restoration
God governs His Kingdom by covenants. Comparably, the U.S. governs its nation by a constitution. As U.S. citizens, we are bound by the U.S. Constitution, a unique document declaring certain rights and privileges. How often do you hear people say, “I know my rights,” when their behavior becomes questionable? For example, the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens' right to keep and bear arms. The amendment states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon. Therefore, some citizens believe this Amendment gives them the privilege to carry a weapon as part of their attire, even when grocery shopping.
Yet, as citizens under Kingdom rule, do we know our rights and privileges under God’s Covenant? Believers have certain covenantal rights and privileges. So, if believers do not know their rights, how can they effectively function under the umbrella of God’s kingdom? The Prophet Jeremiah encouraged the exiled Israelites by telling them that God would establish a New Covenant with His people. He declared His Name as a signature of this declaration. Notice the Scripture below...
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah…35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Jeremiah 31:31,35
This New Covenant is unlike the one God established with their ancestors, referencing the Mosaic covenant. God made the Mosaic covenant conditional on Israel’s obedience, and Israel failed to keep its side of the agreement. The New Covenant, however, is not about external rules but brings profound inner transformation. It changes the minds and hearts of individuals who connect to God, offering new hope and inspiration. The New Covenant is spiritual and internal, reflecting God's profound knowledge. Remember, God promised a new relationship so rich and dynamic that He would write His teachings on the hearts of men.
As we fast-forward to this dispensation age, after Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, we live that New Covenant daily. This New Covenant is no longer a set of rules but a spiritually binding relationship between God and us, including rights and privileges. The New Covenant is a connection that empowers us spiritually. For instance, the Apostle Paul reminded the Church at Ephesus to put on the whole armor of God, that you may stand against the Devil's wiles. (Ephesians 6:11) As believers, we face the Devil's schemes to deceive us daily. So, we must fight the spiritual with the spiritual. Yet, our only hope rests in wearing the whole armor of God. Remember, Jeremiah stated that the LORD of host is His name. The name in Hebrew is Yahweh Tsebaoth, which means Lord of Armies. The phrase Yahweh Tsebaoth is mentioned over 250 times in the Scriptures. Therefore, as believers under the New Covenant, we must recognize that we are no longer slaves to worldly affairs, as noted by the Devil’s wiles. We are overcomers as soldiers in the ongoing spiritual battle under the Lord of Armies. I urge you to know God as Yahweh Tsebaoth, your Commander-in-Chief, to grasp the continuing spiritual battle fully. Through this knowledge, we can gain the confidence and faith necessary to overcome any obstacle because of Yahweh Tsebaoth, Lord of Armies.