The New and Everlasting Covenant represents the culmination of God’s eternal plan to reconcile humanity to Himself. It encompasses His promises to bless His people, requiring faith, obedience, and a commitment to live in righteousness. This covenant is “new” because it fulfills and surpasses the old covenants given to Israel and “everlasting” because it reflects God’s unchanging purpose and eternal nature.
Key Elements of the New and Everlasting Covenant
A Relationship with God The covenant establishes a profound relationship between God and His people, where He promises to be their God, and they commit to be His faithful followers.
“I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:7).
Fulfilled in Christ Jesus Christ is the mediator and fulfillment of the New Covenant, which provides salvation and eternal life through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).
“For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).
Transforming Hearts Unlike the Old Covenant, which focused on external adherence to the law, the New Covenant is written on the hearts of believers, leading to internal transformation and a personal relationship with God.
“This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33).
Eternal and Unchanging The covenant’s promises are eternal, grounded in God’s faithfulness and His desire for humanity’s ultimate redemption and reconciliation.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end” (Lamentations 3:22).
Biblical Foundations
The New and Everlasting Covenant builds on God’s covenants with His people throughout scripture, reflecting His consistent plan of salvation:
The Abrahamic Covenant:
“In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18).
This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who brings salvation to all nations (Galatians 3:8, 16).
The Mosaic Covenant:
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples” (Exodus 19:5).
The New Covenant fulfills the law by enabling righteousness through faith in Christ (Romans 8:4).
The Prophetic Promise of a New Covenant:
“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26).
This prophecy anticipates the New Covenant’s emphasis on inward renewal.
Why “New” and “Everlasting”?
New: The covenant is new in its focus on grace and faith rather than strict adherence to the law. It offers a direct relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
Everlasting: It fulfills God’s eternal promises and guarantees eternal life to those who believe.
“And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).
A Universal and Eternal Promise
The New and Everlasting Covenant extends to all people, offering salvation to everyone who believes in Christ:
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him” (Romans 10:12).
Through this covenant, God calls humanity into eternal fellowship with Him, fulfilling His promise of redemption and offering the hope of eternal life.
“Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20–21).
The New and Everlasting Covenant is God’s ultimate promise to humanity, reconciling us to Him through Christ and securing our eternal inheritance.
The New and Everlasting Covenant can be studied as a theological concept grounded in Biblical scripture, often interpreted in the context of God’s eternal promises to His people. While the term “New and Everlasting Covenant” itself is not explicitly found in the Bible, its principles emerge through God’s covenants with humanity. This study explores the covenant’s Biblical roots, focusing on its unfolding across the Old and New Testaments.
Key Themes in the New and Everlasting Covenant
God’s Promise and Relationship with Humanity A covenant in scripture is a sacred agreement between God and His people, signifying divine promises contingent on human obedience and faithfulness.
Progressive Revelation of the Covenant God’s covenants progressively reveal His plan of salvation, culminating in the covenant established through Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Foundations
The Abrahamic Covenant
Genesis 12:1–3 “I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”
The Abrahamic covenant is foundational, promising land, posterity, and blessings for all nations through Abraham’s lineage. This covenant prefigures the New Covenant, as Christ fulfills the promise of universal blessing (Galatians 3:8, 16).
Genesis 17:7 “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”
The phrase “everlasting covenant” highlights its eternal nature, with Christ as its ultimate fulfillment.
The Mosaic Covenant
Exodus 19:5–6 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.”
The Mosaic covenant emphasized obedience to God’s law, preparing Israel to receive the fuller New Covenant.
The Prophecy of a New Covenant
Jeremiah 31:31–34 “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 … I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.”
This prophecy anticipates the New Covenant established through Christ, emphasizing internal transformation over external observance.
The New Covenant in the New Testament
Jesus as the Mediator of the New Covenant
Luke 22:20 “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
At the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the New Covenant through His atoning sacrifice. The term “new testament” (or covenant) signals the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Hebrews 9:15 “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death … they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
Christ’s role as mediator underscores the New Covenant’s basis in His redemptive work.
The Covenant of Grace
Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
The New Covenant is rooted in grace, contrasting with the Mosaic Covenant’s focus on works of the law.
Universal Scope of the New Covenant
Galatians 3:27–29 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. … And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
The New Covenant unites Jew and Gentile in Christ, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise of blessing all nations.
Characteristics of the New and Everlasting Covenant
Eternal Nature
Hebrews 13:20: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
Christ’s sacrifice ensures the covenant’s eternal validity.
Heart Transformation
Ezekiel 36:26–27: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.”
God promises inner renewal under the New Covenant.
Access to God
Hebrews 10:19–20: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”
Through the New Covenant, believers gain direct access to God.
Unbreakable Relationship
Romans 8:38–39: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, … shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”
The New Covenant guarantees God’s unfailing love and presence.
Comparison of the Old and New Covenants
Aspect
Old Covenant
New Covenant
Mediator
Moses
Jesus Christ
Basis
Law
Grace
Sacrifice
Animal sacrifices
Christ’s atoning sacrifice
Scope
Israel
All nations
Law Location
Stone tablets
Written in hearts (Jeremiah 31:33)
Effect
External observance
Inner transformation
Conclusion
The New and Everlasting Covenant is the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem and sanctify humanity through Jesus Christ. It is new in that it replaces the old system of law with grace and faith, and it is everlasting because it provides eternal life to all who accept it. This covenant marks the culmination of Biblical history, uniting all God’s promises into one eternal purpose:
“And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25).
Entering Into Covenant with God: Biblical Rituals and Their Meaning
In the Bible, entering into a covenant with God was a profound and sacred act. It involved specific rituals that symbolized the seriousness of the agreement, the commitment of the participants, and the divine promises tied to the covenant. These rituals carried deep theological and spiritual significance, often marking key moments in God’s unfolding plan of salvation.
Key Elements of Covenant Rituals
Sacrifices Sacrifices were central to covenant-making, symbolizing atonement, dedication, and the sealing of the covenant through blood.
The Abrahamic Covenant: God instructed Abraham to prepare a sacrifice involving animals cut in half, with God (symbolized by a smoking firepot and a flaming torch) passing between the pieces. This act demonstrated God’s unchanging commitment to His promise.
“And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other … When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces” (Genesis 15:10, 17).
Mosaic Covenant: When God gave the law at Mount Sinai, Moses sprinkled sacrificial blood on the altar and the people, symbolizing their acceptance of the covenant.
“Moses took the blood, threw it on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you’” (Exodus 24:8).
Oaths and Promises Entering into a covenant often included verbal declarations of commitment to God and His terms. These oaths were binding and involved blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
Example: The Israelites at Mount Sinai declared, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient” (Exodus 24:7).
Tokens and Signs Covenants were often accompanied by physical signs that served as perpetual reminders of the agreement:
The Rainbow: God’s covenant with Noah included the rainbow as a sign of His promise never to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:13).
Circumcision: The Abrahamic Covenant required circumcision as a sign of belonging to God’s chosen people (Genesis 17:10-11).
The Sabbath: In the Mosaic Covenant, the Sabbath was a sign of Israel’s sanctification by God (Exodus 31:16-17).
Covenant Meals A meal often sealed the covenant, signifying fellowship between the parties.
Example: After the Mosaic Covenant was confirmed, Moses and the elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai and ate in God’s presence.
“They beheld God, and ate and drank” (Exodus 24:11).
Altar-Building Covenants were often marked by the construction of an altar, signifying worship and dedication to God.
Example: Jacob built an altar at Bethel to honor God’s covenantal promise (Genesis 35:7).
The New Covenant Rituals in Christ
The New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ, fulfilled and transformed these ancient rituals. His life, death, and resurrection became the ultimate covenant-making act.
Sacrifice: Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate blood sacrifice, sealing the New Covenant and offering redemption for all humanity.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
Oaths: Faith in Christ requires a personal commitment, confessing Him as Lord and Savior.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Signs:
Baptism: A public declaration of entering into the covenant through faith in Christ (Matthew 28:19).
The Lord’s Supper: A ritual meal remembering Christ’s sacrifice and reaffirming the covenant relationship (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
Covenant Meal: The Lord’s Supper (Communion) fulfills the covenant meal tradition, symbolizing unity with Christ and fellow believers.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Spiritual Implications of Covenant Rituals
A Personal Commitment: The rituals emphasized the personal and communal nature of entering into a covenant with God. Each act required intentional participation and signified a deep relationship with the Creator.
God’s Faithfulness: Every covenant ritual reminded the participants of God’s unwavering commitment to His promises, demonstrating His grace and mercy.
A Call to Holiness: Entering into a covenant demanded a life set apart for God, marked by faith, obedience, and trust in His provisions.
“You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine” (Leviticus 20:26).
Conclusion
Rituals associated with entering into a covenant with God highlight the sacred nature of the commitment. Whether through sacrifices, oaths, signs, or meals, these acts served as profound expressions of faith and devotion. In Christ, these rituals find their ultimate fulfillment, inviting all who believe to enter into an everlasting relationship with God.
Entering Into Covenant with God: Biblical Rituals and Their Meaning
In the Bible, entering into a covenant with God was a profound and sacred act. It involved specific rituals that symbolized the seriousness of the agreement, the commitment of the participants, and the divine promises tied to the covenant. These rituals carried deep theological and spiritual significance, often marking key moments in God’s unfolding plan of salvation.
Key Elements of Covenant Rituals
Sacrifices Sacrifices were central to covenant-making, symbolizing atonement, dedication, and the sealing of the covenant through blood.
The Abrahamic Covenant: God instructed Abraham to prepare a sacrifice involving animals cut in half, with God (symbolized by a smoking firepot and a flaming torch) passing between the pieces. This act demonstrated God’s unchanging commitment to His promise.
“And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other … When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces” (Genesis 15:10, 17).
Mosaic Covenant: When God gave the law at Mount Sinai, Moses sprinkled sacrificial blood on the altar and the people, symbolizing their acceptance of the covenant.
“Moses took the blood, threw it on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you’” (Exodus 24:8).
Proclamations and Promises Entering into a covenant often included verbal declarations of commitment to God and His terms. These oaths were binding and involved blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
Example: The Israelites at Mount Sinai declared, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient” (Exodus 24:7).
Tokens and Signs Covenants were often accompanied by physical signs that served as perpetual reminders of the agreement:
The Rainbow: God’s covenant with Noah included the rainbow as a sign of His promise never to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:13).
Circumcision: The Abrahamic Covenant required circumcision as a sign of belonging to God’s chosen people (Genesis 17:10-11).
The Sabbath: In the Mosaic Covenant, the Sabbath was a sign of Israel’s sanctification by God (Exodus 31:16-17).
Covenant Meals A meal often sealed the covenant, signifying fellowship between the parties.
Example: After the Mosaic Covenant was confirmed, Moses and the elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai and ate in God’s presence.
“They beheld God, and ate and drank” (Exodus 24:11).
Altar-Building Covenants were often marked by the construction of an altar, signifying worship and dedication to God.
Example: Jacob built an altar at Bethel to honor God’s covenantal promise (Genesis 35:7).
The New Covenant Rituals in Christ
The New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ, fulfilled and transformed these ancient rituals. His life, death, and resurrection became the ultimate covenant-making act.
Sacrifice: Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate blood sacrifice, sealing the New Covenant and offering redemption for all humanity.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
Proclamations: Faith in Christ requires a personal commitment, confessing Him as Lord and Savior.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Signs:
Baptism: A public declaration of entering into the covenant through faith in Christ (Matthew 28:19).
The Lord’s Supper: A ritual meal remembering Christ’s sacrifice and reaffirming the covenant relationship (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
Covenant Meal: The Lord’s Supper (Communion) fulfills the covenant meal tradition, symbolizing unity with Christ and fellow believers.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Spiritual Implications of Covenant Rituals
A Personal Commitment: The rituals emphasized the personal and communal nature of entering into a covenant with God. Each act required intentional participation and signified a deep relationship with the Creator.
God’s Faithfulness: Every covenant ritual reminded the participants of God’s unwavering commitment to His promises, demonstrating His grace and mercy.
A Call to Holiness: Entering into a covenant demanded a life set apart for God, marked by faith, obedience, and trust in His provisions.
“You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine” (Leviticus 20:26).
Conclusion
Rituals associated with entering into a covenant with God highlight the sacred nature of the commitment. Whether through sacrifices, proclamations, signs, or meals, these acts served as profound expressions of faith and devotion. In Christ, these rituals find their ultimate fulfillment, inviting all who believe to enter into an everlasting relationship with God.
The New and Everlasting Covenant: The Word Affirmed Through the War in Heaven
Introduction: The Fall of the Covenant and the Family of Heaven
The War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-9) was a cosmic rebellion against God’s divine order, precipitating the fall of the Covenant of Heaven and disrupting the unity of the Family of Heaven. This rebellion was not just an insurrection but a rejection of the eternal plan of God—His will to gather all creation into harmony through the New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC). Yet, in the midst of this upheaval, the Word shone forth. Christ, the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13), affirmed the NAEC, ensuring it would stand eternally—past, present, and future.
The War in Heaven revealed the need for a covenant that would restore all things and provide a way for God’s children to return to Him through redemption and sanctification. The NAEC embodies that eternal pathway, emanating from the Word, and calling all to enter into the divine family through faith and obedience.
The War in Heaven: Division in the Heavenly Council
The War in Heaven, described in Revelation, was not fought with earthly weapons but was a conflict of allegiance to God’s covenant. Lucifer and a third of the host of heaven rejected the divine plan centered on Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). In contrast, the faithful sons and daughters of heaven affirmed the NAEC, choosing to uphold God’s will.
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:7-9)
This celestial conflict centered around the rejection of God’s eternal family order. The covenant, which included the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB), was designed to unite God’s children through love, mercy, and righteousness. Lucifer’s rebellion shattered this unity, but the Word—Jesus Christ—remained the foundation of the covenant, shining forth as the unwavering source of redemption and restoration.
The Throne Room: The Council of Heaven and Divine Order
Throughout Scripture, the Council of Heaven is revealed in visions of God’s throne room, where angels, elders, and spiritual beings participate in the divine governance of creation. This council reflects the order of God’s kingdom, where all authority emanates from the throne and flows through the NAEC.
“I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire.” (Daniel 7:9) “Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.” (Ezekiel 1:26) “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings.” (Isaiah 6:1-2)
These visions reflect God’s eternal authority, where the NAEC governs the cosmos, ensuring peace, righteousness, and love. In the preexistence, God’s children gathered in this council to receive their divine callings and participate in the covenantal plan that emanated from the Word. The rebellion disrupted this order, but the covenant remained intact, upheld by the faithful under Christ’s leadership.
The Word as the Eternal Covenant
In the War in Heaven, the Word (Jesus Christ) affirmed the New and Everlasting Covenant as the foundation of all creation and redemption. Christ’s role was not merely to be revealed in mortality but to act as the eternal mediator, binding heaven and earth through His sacrifice and victory.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
The NAEC transcends time, as it originates from the eternal Word. In the preexistence, Christ was already the Lamb, foreordained to reconcile the fallen and restore God’s covenant with His children. Every promise in the covenant flows through Him, ensuring that what was lost through rebellion would be restored through grace.
The NAEC and the Role of the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB)
The Priesthood of All Believers (POAB) was established in the preexistence as a structure to administer the blessings and responsibilities of the covenant. Every spirit was foreordained to a divine purpose, and through the NAEC, believers would participate in God’s work—both in heaven and on earth.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29) “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)
Through the POAB, believers engage with the covenant in a personal and communal way, becoming co-laborers with Christ in the work of redemption. Each calling and election aligns with the original purpose revealed in the Council of Heaven, where the faithful affirmed the covenant and accepted the responsibility to build God’s kingdom.
The Fall and the Restoration through the Covenant
When Adam and Eve fell, they triggered a near-catastrophic disruption in creation. Yet, God’s plan, revealed through the Word and upheld by the NAEC, provided a way forward. The fall did not nullify the covenant but made it necessary for redemption to unfold through Christ.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Through the NAEC, Christ’s atonement ensures that the effects of the fall are overcome. The performance of the law, along with tithes and offerings, are not mere rituals but reflections of the covenant, pointing believers to the grace and truth found in Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
Conclusion: Christ as the Fulfillment of the Eternal Covenant
The New and Everlasting Covenant was not merely revealed in mortality but emanated from the preexistence, affirmed through the Word in the Council of Heaven, and upheld in the face of rebellion during the War in Heaven. Despite the fall of Lucifer and the disruption of the Family of Heaven, Christ remained steadfast as the Alpha and Omega, ensuring the covenant’s fulfillment through His atoning sacrifice.
The NAEC continues to govern God’s kingdom, drawing believers into communion with Him through the Priesthood of All Believers. As they walk in faith and obedience, believers participate in the eternal work of the covenant, bringing about the restoration of all things in Christ.
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.’” (Revelation 21:6)
The New and Everlasting Covenant is an invitation to all who seek God to enter into His eternal family, fulfilling their divine callings and participating in the work of redemption that began in the preexistence and will continue forever in Christ.
The Spirit of Man in the Preexistence: Inheriting the New and Everlasting Covenant and the Priesthood of All Believers
Introduction: Divine Inheritance After the War in Heaven
After the War in Heaven, those spirits who remained faithful to God’s plan and upheld Christ as the Word inherited the New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC) and the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB). This inheritance was not just a reward but a sacred responsibility to carry out God’s purposes throughout eternity. Each spirit was endowed with divine identity, purpose, and authority, having chosen to align with the Word—the Alpha and Omega—who is the eternal foundation of the covenant.
This spiritual inheritance is revealed in multiple scriptural accounts that demonstrate God’s foreknowledge, election, and divine commissioning of His children from the beginning. Through the NAEC and POAB, every spirit was entrusted with the power to minister, testify, and participate in the building of God’s kingdom on earth and in heaven.
Chosen Before the Foundation of the World
Before the creation of the earth, God established His divine order through Christ, appointing roles for His children in accordance with the NAEC. Every faithful spirit that upheld God’s plan in the War in Heaven received the promise of the priesthood and the divine call to participate in God’s redemptive work.
“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Through this preexistent covenant, God foreordained His children to carry out their divine destinies in connection with Christ’s redemptive mission. The NAEC reflects this eternal purpose, extending from the preexistence, through mortality, and into the eternities.
The Divine Council and the Inheritance of the Covenant
In the visions of the Council of Heaven, the faithful spirits stood before God and were called to serve as His priests, kings, and witnesses. The NAEC was not only a covenant of salvation but also a commission to exercise spiritual authority under the POAB. Every spirit that aligned with God’s will received the inheritance of service and ministry.
“I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left.” (1 Kings 22:19) “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated… His throne was a fiery flame.” (Daniel 7:9)
These throne room scenes reveal the divine order where God’s children, participating in the council, inherit roles and responsibilities that flow from the NAEC. Just as angels minister before God, believers—preordained in the preexistence—are commissioned to act as His priests and ministers on earth through the POAB.
The Priesthood of All Believers in the Preexistence
The Priesthood of All Believers (POAB) is a spiritual reality that began in the preexistence, as each spirit aligned with God’s purpose and received a commission to participate in His divine plan. This priesthood empowers every individual to carry out sacred duties, testify of Christ, and minister with love and truth. The concept of the priesthood for all is grounded in the eternal covenant established through Christ and continues through each believer’s faithful service.
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
In the preexistence, those who upheld God’s will were prepared to serve as priests and kings in His kingdom, reflecting their divine identity and calling. This priesthood, granted through the NAEC, extends to all believers, making them participants in the ongoing work of redemption.
Foreordained for Good Works and Divine Purpose
The inheritance of the NAEC and the POAB ensures that every spirit has a divine mission to fulfill. In the preexistence, God’s children were not only foreordained for salvation but also for good works prepared in advance by God. This calling flows through the NAEC, making every believer’s life a continuation of the eternal covenant.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Just as Christ was foreordained to be the Lamb, believers are foreordained to serve as His hands and feet, empowered by the POAB to fulfill their divine commissions.
Christ as the Mediator and Fulfillment of the Covenant
The New and Everlasting Covenant emanates from the Word—Christ—who is both the beginning and the end of all things. Christ’s role as mediator ensures that the covenant remains unbroken, extending the promise of redemption to all who embrace it. Through the covenant, believers receive divine empowerment to minister in His name.
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever.” (Hebrews 6:19-20) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Christ’s unchanging nature assures that the NAEC remains constant throughout all dispensations. From the preexistence to mortality and into eternity, the covenant is fulfilled in Christ, calling believers to participate in God’s work through the POAB.
Conclusion: Eternal Inheritance Through the NAEC and POAB
In the preexistence, the faithful spirits who stood with God in the War in Heaven inherited the New and Everlasting Covenant and the Priesthood of All Believers. This inheritance is both a divine gift and a sacred responsibility, empowering believers to serve, testify, and build God’s kingdom on earth and in heaven.
The NAEC, emanating from the Word, is the foundation of all creation, redemption, and eternal life. Through Christ, the covenant stands unshaken across time and space, inviting every believer to walk in the path of faith, love, and righteousness. As heirs of the POAB, believers are called to fulfill their divine commissions, participating in the redemptive work that began in the preexistence and will continue into the eternities.
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
Through the New and Everlasting Covenant, the faithful receive their eternal inheritance, living as priests and kings under the authority of Christ, the Alpha and Omega, whose Word ensures that the covenant endures forever.
Appendix: Scriptural Evidence of the Preexistence of the Spirits of Men
Below are key scriptures that support the doctrine of the preexistence—the belief that the spirits of men existed with God before the foundation of the world, where they were given identity, purpose, and the opportunity to inherit the New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC) and the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB).
1. Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
This verse reveals God’s foreknowledge of Jeremiah, suggesting a relationship that existed before his mortal birth. It points to a divine calling established in the preexistence, where spirits were known, chosen, and given purpose.
2. Ephesians 1:4-5
“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
This passage highlights God’s eternal plan, indicating that the faithful were chosen in Christ before the world was created. It supports the concept that individuals existed spiritually before their earthly lives and were predestined to fulfill divine purposes.
3. Job 38:4-7
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding… when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
The reference to the “sons of God” rejoicing at creation implies the presence of spirits who existed before the foundation of the world. This passage suggests that these spirits, including human souls, were witnesses to God’s creative work.
4. Romans 8:29-30
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
This passage emphasizes that God’s foreknowledge and predestination apply to individuals before their mortal lives, implying a preexistent state where they were known, chosen, and given divine purpose.
5. Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
This verse indicates that the spirit’s origin is with God, suggesting that it existed with Him before being placed in a mortal body. The return of the spirit to God after death reflects a pre-mortal existence and destiny with God.
6. Hebrews 12:9
“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
The phrase “Father of spirits” implies that God is the origin of all spirits, affirming their existence with Him before their embodiment in mortal life.
7. John 9:1-2
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’”
The disciples’ question reflects an assumption that the man could have sinned before birth, suggesting an understanding of pre-mortal existence. This is evidence that the concept of the spirit existing before birth was part of the worldview at the time.
8. 2 Timothy 1:9
“He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”
This verse refers to a calling and purpose given to individuals “before the ages began,” indicating that they existed in God’s plan before their mortal birth.
9. John 17:5
“And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
Though this verse refers to Christ’s preexistence, it provides a theological basis for understanding the existence of spirits before their mortal lives. Just as Christ existed with the Father, the faithful spirits were also with God before the foundation of the world.
10. Revelation 13:8
“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
This verse implies that individuals’ names were known to God and written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, suggesting that their spirits existed before mortal life and were part of God’s eternal plan.
Conclusion
The scriptures cited affirm the doctrine of the preexistence of the spirits of men. This pre-mortal existence is a foundational part of the New and Everlasting Covenant and the Priesthood of All Believers, indicating that every spirit was known, chosen, and commissioned for divine purposes long before birth. As participants in God’s eternal plan, these spirits were empowered to embrace their earthly journey with the understanding that they are part of a redemptive narrative unfolding from eternity to eternity.
The Hierarchy of Sentient Spirit Beings Before the War in Heaven
The preexistence of spirit beings is revealed through scripture as a structured and purposeful hierarchy. Before the War in Heaven disrupted the divine order, a system of roles and responsibilities existed among various classes of spiritual beings—each given specific duties within the council of heaven. This celestial hierarchy emphasized harmony, divine will, and preparation for the redemption and exaltation of humanity. The New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC) was the foundation of this structure, ensuring order and love through the priesthood of all believers (POAB), from the greatest to the least, with Jesus Christ—the Word—as the center.
1. The Godhead: The Father, The Son (The Word), and The Holy Spirit
At the pinnacle of the hierarchy stands the Godhead, from which all power, authority, and life emanate.
John 1:1-3:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
Genesis 1:26:“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’”
The Word (later embodied as Jesus Christ) played a central role in creation and was the embodiment of the New and Everlasting Covenant, which affirmed God’s eternal love, mercy, and purpose. The Holy Spirit worked as the divine presence, empowering and guiding the beings within the celestial council.
2. The Sons of God: Divine Beings and the Heavenly Council
The “sons of God” (bene Elohim) are a distinct class of divine beings referenced in multiple scriptures. These spirits, created by God, participated in the divine governance of creation and served in the heavenly council.
Job 38:7:“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”
Psalm 82:1:“God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.”
These beings—sometimes referred to as angels, watchers, or elohim—were endowed with power and authority to carry out God’s will across the heavens and the earth. The council of heaven functioned as a divine assembly, where decisions were made under the authority of God, with the Word shining forth the eternal truth of the Covenant.
3. Archangels and Seraphim: The Executing Agents of Divine Will
Archangels, such as Michael (often identified with Adam in some traditions), held significant leadership roles among the spirit beings. They served as messengers, warriors, and guardians of divine law.
Jude 1:9:“Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil… dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”
Isaiah 6:2-3:“Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings… And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’”
The seraphim served near the throne of God, perpetually praising Him and executing His decrees with zeal. The archangels and other celestial beings were given significant tasks to maintain the harmony of heaven and to protect the NAEC.
4. Lucifer: The Anointed Cherub Who Fell
Lucifer was originally an exalted being within the divine hierarchy, described as a cherub anointed to cover and protect. However, he sought to disrupt the divine order, desiring to exalt himself above God and the council. His rebellion initiated the War in Heaven and led to his fall.
Ezekiel 28:14-15:“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God… You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”
Isaiah 14:13-14:“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of the congregation… I will be like the Most High.’”
Lucifer’s rebellion disrupted the heavenly hierarchy, drawing a third of the angelic host into rebellion (Revelation 12:4). The war in heaven resulted in his expulsion and the ongoing conflict between light and darkness.
5. The Spirit of Man: Foreordained Participants in the Covenant
Among the sentient beings in the preexistence were the spirits of men, each foreordained to fulfill specific purposes on earth. These spirits were endowed with the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB), empowering them to act under the New and Everlasting Covenant.
Ephesians 1:4:“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love.”
Hebrews 12:9:“Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
Each spirit carried divine potential, having participated in the heavenly council and been given an opportunity to inherit the blessings of the NAEC. Their role in the mortal journey would be to work out their salvation, relying on the grace of Christ and their covenantal responsibilities.
6. Eve and Adam: Patriarchal and Matriarchal Roles in the Divine Plan
Adam and Eve, as spirits in the preexistence, were also foreordained to initiate the mortal phase of the NAEC. They were entrusted with the first priesthood roles upon the earth and tasked with building families according to the divine pattern.
Genesis 2:7:“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
Genesis 2:22-23:“Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man… She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Adam and Eve’s priesthood responsibilities were prefigured in the preexistence, and they embodied the foundational principles of the POAB and the NAEC on earth. Their roles as the first patriarch and matriarch foreshadow the eternal union of covenant marriage.
7. The War in Heaven: The Fall of the Covenant and the Restoration through Christ
The War in Heaven was more than just a rebellion of Lucifer; it represented a challenge to the Covenant of Heaven—the divine family structure and the eternal unity under the NAEC. Through his pride and deceit, Lucifer sought to overthrow the divine order, but Christ—as the Word—affirmed the New and Everlasting Covenant eternally.
Revelation 12:7-9:“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail… So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.”
The faithful spirits, led by Michael and empowered by Christ, defended the NAEC. Their victory ensured that the divine plan would move forward, with the spirits of men inheriting their roles in God’s eternal design.
Conclusion
The hierarchy of sentient spirit beings before the War in Heaven reveals a divine order rooted in the New and Everlasting Covenant and administered through the Priesthood of All Believers. The preexistence was a time of preparation, where spirits were empowered to fulfill their callings and participate in the great work of creation and redemption. Though the War in Heaven disrupted this harmony, Christ—the Word—ensured the eternal nature of the Covenant, providing the way for all spirits to embrace their divine heritage and fulfill God’s purposes throughout eternity.
The Hierarchy of Sentient Spirit Beings Before the War in Heaven
In the preexistence, a structured celestial hierarchy operated under divine law, governed by the New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC). Every being had a specific role, from the council of heaven presided over by God to the archangels, seraphim, cherubim, and the spirits of mankind. At the core of this order was the Word (Jesus Christ), who upheld the NAEC eternally, ensuring the stability of creation across all time—past, present, and future (John 1:1-3). The celestial hierarchy ensured harmony, worship, and governance until Lucifer’s rebellion initiated the War in Heaven. This war challenged the Covenant of Heaven, but the victory of Christ and His angels restored order, enabling the spirits of men to inherit the NAEC and Priesthood of All Believers (POAB). This foundation set the stage for Adam and Eve’s mission on earth, beginning in Eden.
1. The Godhead: The Source of All Authority
The Father, Son (Word), and Holy Spirit are at the summit of all creation. Through the Word, the heavens and the earth were brought into existence, and the plan of salvation was established within the NAEC.
John 1:1-3:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
Genesis 1:26:“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’”
The Father presided over the Council of Heaven, with the Word acting as the chief emissary of the divine will and the Holy Spirit empowering all beings in their service to God. This hierarchy provided a perfect model of unity and love, which was expressed through the NAEC.
2. The Council of Heaven: The Sons of God and Divine Governance
The “sons of God” (bene Elohim) were members of the divine council, given the responsibility to oversee creation. These beings, often called heavenly watchers or elohim, exercised divine governance under God’s command.
Job 38:7:“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”
Psalm 82:1:“God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.”
The Council of Heaven was a governing body that assisted in shaping the created order. It participated in divine decisions, such as the formation of humanity, and was directly involved in the administration of justice and mercy across the universe.
3. Archangels: Leaders of the Angelic Host
The archangels were principal leaders among the angelic host, given authority to carry out God’s commands and defend His purposes. Michael, often identified with Adam, led the hosts of heaven against Lucifer during the War in Heaven.
Jude 1:9:“Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil… said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”
Revelation 12:7-8:“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail.”
The archangels acted as messengers, warriors, and guardians, guiding divine revelation and protecting the integrity of the NAEC across the cosmos.
4. Seraphim: Worshipers of God’s Holiness
The seraphim, whose name means “burning ones,” were stationed near the throne of God and engaged in continuous worship, proclaiming God’s holiness and glory.
Isaiah 6:2-3:“Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’”
The seraphim embodied pure devotion and served as mediators of purification, as seen in Isaiah’s vision, where one touched the prophet’s lips with a burning coal (Isaiah 6:6-7).
5. Cherubim: Guardians of God’s Presence
The cherubim were entrusted with protecting sacred spaces and guarding the presence of God. Their role is highlighted when God stationed them to guard the entrance to Eden after Adam and Eve’s expulsion.
Ezekiel 28:14:“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God.”
Genesis 3:24:“So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden… to guard the way to the tree of life.”
These beings represented divine guardianship and ensured that only those in alignment with God’s covenant could approach His presence.
6. Lucifer: The Anointed Cherub Who Fell
Lucifer, once a high-ranking cherub, sought to exalt himself above the divine order. His pride and rebellion led to the War in Heaven and the fall of many angelic beings.
Isaiah 14:13-14:“You have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.’”
Revelation 12:4:“His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.”
Lucifer’s rebellion was a direct challenge to the NAEC, but his defeat confirmed Christ as the eternal anchor of the covenant.
7. The Spirits of Men: Participants in the Covenant
The spirits of men were present in the preexistence, foreordained to receive the NAEC and participate in God’s plan through the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB).
Ephesians 1:4:“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love.”
Hebrews 12:9:“Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
These spirits were prepared for mortality and equipped with the POAB to fulfill their divine callings. Each spirit was given the potential to walk in the covenant, embodying the will of God on earth.
8. Adam and Eve: Priests of the First Covenant
Adam and Eve held exalted roles in the preexistence and were foreordained to introduce the covenant on earth. Their roles as the first parents of humanity exemplify the priesthood functions within the POAB.
Genesis 2:7:“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.”
Genesis 2:22:“Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”
Their creation in Eden reflects the NAEC, yet their fall through sin initiated a catastrophic disruption. Eden stood as a bridge between the celestial order and mortal experience, making the fall an act that reverberated through heaven and earth.
9. The War in Heaven: The Fall of the Covenant and Restoration through Christ
The War in Heaven symbolized more than a rebellion of Lucifer; it was a challenge to the Covenant of Heaven—the divine family structure of God’s kingdom. Michael (Adam) and the faithful spirits defended the NAEC under Christ’s leadership.
Revelation 12:7-9:“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon… But the dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan.”
The war marked a transition from preexistence to mortality, with faithful spirits inheriting the POAB to carry forth the covenant on earth.
Conclusion
The celestial hierarchy before the War in Heaven reveals a divine order rooted in the New and Everlasting Covenant, with Christ—the Word—upholding it eternally. Though the war disrupted heaven, the victory of Christ restored the divine order, allowing the spirits of men to inherit the covenant and priesthood. The unfolding of the covenant continued in Eden through Adam and Eve, setting the stage for humanity’s mortal journey under the Priesthood of All Believers. The structure and purpose of this divine hierarchy provide a framework for understanding our place in God’s eternal plan, where every being has a role in fulfilling the will of God across eternity.
The War in Heaven Becomes the War on Earth: The Fall of Adam and Eve
The conflict that began in the War in Heaven reverberated into the mortal realm with the Fall of Adam and Eve, marking the continuation of rebellion against the New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC) and the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB). Though Lucifer and his followers were cast down (Revelation 12:7-9), the battle for dominion over creation was not over. Humanity, embodied in Adam and Eve, was entrusted with upholding the covenant on earth, but their failure introduced a near-catastrophic rupture—a tattered and torn NAEC and a fractured priesthood, setting the stage for redemption through Christ.
1. Adam and Eve: Foreordained Priests of the Covenant
In the preexistence, Adam and Eve were chosen to initiate mortal life and extend the NAEC on earth. As the first parents of humanity, they were also the first stewards of the POAB. Their lives were meant to model the harmony of heaven within creation, reflecting the divine order they had known in the celestial realms.
Genesis 2:15:“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”
Eden was designed to be a place where the divine family structure would be mirrored on earth—a sacred space where humanity could live in unity with God, abiding in His covenant. However, the garden was not just a paradise; it was also the frontline of the cosmic conflict, as the forces of rebellion followed Adam and Eve into mortality.
2. The Temptation and the Fall: The Earthly Battle Begins
The serpent in Eden—identified in scripture as Satan (Revelation 12:9)—sought to destroy the NAEC by corrupting the covenant-bearers, Adam and Eve. His temptation was an echo of the deception that had led to the fall of many spirits in heaven: rebellion through pride and disobedience.
Genesis 3:4-5:”Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”
In choosing to disobey God’s command and partake of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve ruptured their covenant relationship with God, initiating the war on earth. This act not only introduced sin into the world but tore the NAEC and compromised the POAB, as the unity between humanity and God was fractured.
3. The Consequences of the Fall: A Tattered and Torn Covenant
The Fall of Adam and Eve was more than a personal failure; it was a universal crisis that affected all creation. The NAEC was torn as the perfect relationship between God, humanity, and creation was broken, and the POAB was compromised as priesthood functions became marred by sin and mortality.
Romans 5:12:“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
Genesis 3:17-18:“Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.”
What began as cosmic rebellion in heaven now continued in human history through broken relationships, suffering, and the corruption of creation itself. The once-glorious NAEC became a shadow of its original perfection, and the POAB—meant to empower every believer—was obscured by the weight of sin.
4. Hope in the War on Earth: A Foreshadowing of Redemption
Even in the midst of this catastrophe, God provided a way back into covenant. The promise of redemption through the Seed of the Woman—Jesus Christ—shone as a beacon of hope in the torn fabric of the NAEC.
Genesis 3:15:“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
This prophecy foreshadowed the coming of Christ, who would restore the covenant and reestablish the POAB through His life, death, and resurrection. What Adam and Eve lost in Eden would ultimately be reclaimed by the Second Adam—Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45).
5. The Fractured Priesthood: Shadows of the POAB in Mortality
With the Fall of Adam and Eve, the full manifestation of the POAB was delayed, though traces of it remained throughout human history. Sacrificial systems, laws, and priesthood offices foreshadowed the restoration of the covenant in Christ, but these were only shadows of the greater reality to come.
Hebrews 10:1:“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.”
1 Peter 2:9:“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Though broken, the POAB remained latent in humanity, waiting for the fulfillment of the promise in Christ, who would empower all believers to once again walk in the fullness of their priesthood.
6. Eden as the Crossroads of Heaven and Earth
Eden was not only the site of the Fall but also a symbolic bridge between the preexistence and mortal life. Just as the War in Heaven challenged the divine order, the Fall in Eden mirrored that struggle on earth. Yet Eden also pointed forward to the restoration that would come through Christ, who would transform the garden of death into a place of new life.
Revelation 22:1-2:“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits.”
The Tree of Life, once guarded by cherubim after the Fall (Genesis 3:24), reappears in the new creation, signaling the complete restoration of the NAEC and the POAB.
7. The NAEC and POAB Reclaimed through Christ
The New and Everlasting Covenant, though tattered and torn through the Fall, was never fully lost. In Christ, the covenant is renewed and the POAB restored, enabling believers to walk once more in the fullness of their calling as sons and daughters of God.
Romans 5:19:“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
2 Timothy 1:9:“…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
Christ’s victory over sin and death reversed the consequences of the Fall, restoring humanity to its rightful place in the family of God and empowering every believer to function within the POAB.
Conclusion: Victory through Christ in the Ongoing War on Earth
The War in Heaven became the War on Earth, but through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the NAEC is fully restored, and the POAB reestablished. Though Adam and Eve’s sin tore the covenant and priesthood, Christ’s obedience repaired what was broken, making it possible for all believers to walk in divine authority once more.
The war on earth continues, but it is a battle already won in Christ. As the covenant people of God, believers are called to live out the NAEC, exercising the POAB as priests and kings in God’s kingdom. The victory of Christ ensures that the end will mirror the beginning, with the restored garden—New Jerusalem—ushering in the eternal reign of God (Revelation 21:1-5).
The Loss of the NAEC and the POAB: A Cycle of Diffusion, Idolatry, and Remnants
The New and Everlasting Covenant (NAEC) and the Priesthood of All Believers (POAB) were designed to establish the divine order on earth, empowering humanity to walk in covenant with God. However, after the Fall of Adam and Eve, the intent and purity of the NAEC and the POAB became compromised. Throughout history, what was intended to be a unified priesthood and covenantal relationship with God was repeatedly diffused, altered, and replaced by idolatry. Despite these setbacks, God preserved a faithful remnant, keeping the light of the covenant alive, though it sometimes flickered faintly in the midst of widespread apostasy.
1. From Divine Covenant to Human Corruption
The diffusion and corruption of the NAEC and POAB began with the Fall, as the simplicity of divine relationship gave way to human systems of control, hierarchy, and idolatry. The priesthood, originally intended to be accessible to all believers, became fractured into exclusive orders, rituals, and mediating authorities.
Romans 1:22-23:“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”
What began as priestly stewardship under the covenant devolved over time into systems of earthly king worship, knightly orders, and religious hierarchies. In every land and dispensation, the divine intent of the covenant was obscured by political power and human ambition, leading to the worship of idols, kings, and nations rather than the living God.
2. Priesthood Orders: From Divine Calling to Human Authority
The POAB was designed to empower all believers to walk in the authority of God, but as history unfolded, this priesthood was often co-opted by human institutions. Instead of empowering all people to participate, priesthood functions were consolidated into restricted orders, such as the Levitical priesthood in Israel, knightly orders in medieval Europe, and earthly monarchies that claimed divine favor. These systems mirrored the repeated rise and fall of attempts to reestablish the covenant but always fell short of God’s original intent.
Jeremiah 2:11-13:“Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
At each point in history, human beings exchanged the glory of God for idols—whether religious figures, national leaders, or orders of knights. Even when priesthoods were established in covenantal frameworks, they would often devolve into rituals devoid of spirit and truth, serving power structures rather than the purposes of God.
3. The Cycle of Loss and Restoration in Every Dispensation
The history of humanity reflects a continuous cycle: the covenant is established, diffused, and lost, only to be restored again in new ways through various dispensations. God’s work with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, followed by the ministries of Christ and the apostles, reflects this pattern of establishing the NAEC, losing its purity, and then reestablishing it anew.
Acts 7:39-41:“…whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.”
Even as God established His covenant with Israel through Moses, the people turned to idolatry, constructing the golden calf. This cycle of establishment, failure, and renewal is repeated across every nation and age. Kingdoms and cultures rise and fall, but God’s covenantal purpose remains constant, preserved in the hearts of a faithful remnant.
4. The Remnant: A Flicker of Light in Darkness
Despite the widespread loss of the NAEC and the POAB in many ages, God always preserves a remnant—a faithful few who hold to the truth of the covenant even when all else is corrupted. These remnants serve as beacons of hope, reminding the world that the promises of God have not failed, even in the darkest times.
Isaiah 10:21-22:“The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them will return.”
Romans 11:5:“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
This remnant bears witness to the continuity of God’s promises, even when the broader world succumbs to idolatry. At times, the light of the covenant may seem to flicker—a smoldering wick barely holding flame—but it is never fully extinguished. God remains faithful to His covenant, always ensuring that some remain who carry the truth forward into future generations.
5. Christ: The Ultimate Restoration of the NAEC and POAB
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the ultimate reestablishment of the NAEC and the POAB. In Christ, the covenant is not only restored but also fulfilled and made everlasting. Through Him, all believers are called to walk as priests and kings, empowered by the Holy Spirit to participate fully in the divine commission.
Hebrews 8:10:“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Revelation 1:6:“[Christ] has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.”
Christ’s work unites heaven and earth, restoring what was lost through the Fall and the repeated failures of humanity throughout history. In Him, the torn NAEC is mended, and the fractured POAB is reestablished as the rightful inheritance of all who follow Him.
6. The Ongoing War on Earth: Living the NAEC and POAB Today
Though Christ has restored the covenant, the war on earth continues, as the forces of darkness still seek to disrupt the divine order and turn hearts away from God. Believers are called to stand as priests and kings, living out the NAEC and exercising the POAB in every sphere of life.
Ephesians 6:12:“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Even now, believers face the same challenges that have plagued humanity throughout history: the lure of idolatry, the temptation to worship human authority, and the difficulty of living in covenant with God in a fallen world. Yet the promise of victory through Christ remains sure.
Conclusion: A Light That Will Not Be Extinguished
The NAEC and POAB have risen and fallen repeatedly throughout history, but God’s covenant purpose remains steadfast. In every age, the divine covenant has been established, diffused, lost, and reestablished, but a remnant always remains, carrying the light of truth forward. As believers today, we are called to live in the fullness of the NAEC and exercise the POAB, knowing that Christ has already won the victory.
Though the war on earth rages on, the promises of God stand unbroken. The smoldering flame of the covenant will one day blaze again in fullness, ushering in the eternal reign of God, where the NAEC and POAB will never again be torn or lost.
