Module 1-The Eternal Purpose of God

the eternal purpose of God

the destiny of the messianic covenant community

the eternal purpose of God

biblical panorama • •

reveals fascinating, foundational insight : God’s eternal purpose “the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord…”

—

Ephesians 3.10-11

biblical covenants • • •

historical narratives of scripture held together by underlying covenants without understanding covenant, God’s actions, intentions appear mysterious, changeable key to understanding God’s purpose for creation

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

land

nation

exodus

promise

tower

flood

death

creation

biblical panorama — “big picture”

judges, priests prophets, kings kingdom exile

BIBLICAL HISTORY

david covenant—2 samuel 7:12-16 israel covenant—exodus 19:4-6 isaac, jacob—genesis 17, 26 abraham covenant—genesis 12:1-3 noah covenant—genesis 6-9 creation curse—genesis 3:8-24 creation blessing—genesis 1:28-30

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

I will establish one of your descendants will “I ground will make execute you a great judgement nation, I isone cursed on your toIthe succeed of your flesh and if you, you will pay careful Iblood; it am isNow called herewith Babel establishing [confusion]— my against will bless all you the and gods I of will Egypt: make I and you Itowill set up hisand rulership. account; will hard to attention what I work say keep covenant because with there you the and LORD your your the LORD. namea The great blood and you will are serve to I He will build house for my name and eat biblical, from in the it salvation asbeginning, long ashistory you my covenant, then you willlive; be descendants confused be fruitful, the multiply, language you... fill of never the the I you be as a blessing a sign marking andthrone I will the bless house will establish his after royal forever. my ownwill treasure from among all progressively you God eat created bread reveals by God’s the will be earth awill father for him and he where those who you are: bless when you and Iground… see I will will thebe again whole earth I and curse and subdue the from it there the people, for all the earth is the heavens of plan your and forehead and purpose the earth till you asweat son for me.

Thus your house and your curse blood, those Iwill will pass curse over you you—when and by the nor Lord scattered Iwho ever destroy them all all mine; and you will be a kingdom return to the ground… you will kingdom will be made secure forever you I strike Abraham the land allthings the of Egypt, families theof over the living of priests andearth—Gen.11 athrone nation set before you; your beapart set up return to the dust death the blow earth will will not be will blessed strike you forever.

what is covenant?

berîyth • • •

“compact, covenant, alliance, bargain” “binding arrangement” “cut” – kãrath

over 250 occurrences in old testament •

secular: treaty, alliance, constitution, agreement, pledge, oath —

•

Genesis 21.22-32; 26.26-33; 31.43-54

theological: binding arrangement. solemn commitment

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

ancient near-eastern covenants

mutual, negotiated •

weaker parties could approach stronger

“suzerain-vassal” • • • • • •

victorious “suzerain” initiates determines purpose of covenant promises rewards, punishments; swears oath conquered “vassal” invited to consent return allegiance, service, tax echoed in Sinai covenant with Israel

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

nature of covenant

covenant • • • • •

binding arrangement, obligation or solemn commitment… formalising relationship between two parties confirmed by sworn oaths typically sealed with sacrificial meal

blessings, curses • •

protection, rewards for covenant observance consequences of covenant violation

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

nature of divine covenant

God designs, initiates binding obligation • •

without human negotiation swears oath – by his self

reveals covenant arrangements to Patriarchs sets forth his intention, his purpose for covenant, community sets out promises, blessings, curses invites response of allegiance, loyalty

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

language of divine covenant

make covenant…

—

Genesis 9.12; 17.2; Exodus 34.10 ff.

establish my covenant…

—

Genesis 9.9,11; 17.7-21; Leviticus 26.9

keep my covenant…

—

Genesis 17.9,10; Exodus 19.5; Deut. 7.12

break my covenant…

—

Genesis 17.14; Lev. 26.44; Deut. 31.16

everlasting covenant…

—

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Genesis 9.16; 17.7,13,19; Jeremiah 32.40

certainty of divine covenant

for when God made his promise to Abraham, he swore an oath to do what he had promised and since there was no one greater than himself for him to swear by, he swore by himself… therefore when God wanted to demonstrate still more convincingly the unchangeable character of his intentions to those who were to receive what he had promised, he added an oath to the promise —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Hebrews 6.13-18

purpose of divine covenant

revelation of divine intentions, plan • •

“I will establish my covenant with you” “I will give you this land”

preparation of covenant community • • •

“you will be my people, I will be your God” “you will be a great nation” “you will be a priestly kingdom”

restoration of creation purpose • • •

reversal of curse, promotion of blessing “blessed to be a blessing to all… the earth” “a new heaven and a new earth”

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

covenant with Abraham

I will make you a great nation, I will bless you and I will make your name great and you are to be a blessing and I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you and by you Abraham all the families of the earth will be blessed —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Genesis 12.1-3

covenant with Abraham

reveals, expresses God’s commitment to bless all the families of the earth through ‘a great nation’ God is committed to restoring his creation, marred by human rebellion, using a covenant community to bring human beings back into right relationship with him

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

biblical panorama — “big picture” a great nation

land

nation

exodus

promise

tower

flood

fall

creation

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, TO EVERY FAMILY ON EARTH

judges, priests prophets, kings kingdom

BIBLICAL HISTORY

david covenant—genesis 6-9 sinai covenant—exodus 19 passover—exodus 12 abraham covenant—genesis 12 noah covenant—genesis 6-9 creation curse—genesis 3:8-24 creation blessing—genesis 1:28-30 © john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

I will make you a great nation, I will bless you and I will make your name great and you are to be a blessing and I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you and by you Abraham all the families of the earth will be blessed

Israel – a chosen people

Adonai your God has chosen you out of all the people on the face of the earth… Adonai didn’t set his heart on you or choose you because you numbered more that any other people… you were the fewest of peoples.

Rather, it was because Adonai loved you and because he wanted to keep the oath which he had sworn to your ancestors…

From this you can know that Adonai your God is indeed God, the faithful God who keeps his covenant and extends grace to those who love him and observe his commandments…

— Deuteronomy 7.7-9

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Israel – a nation set apart

if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine and you will be a kingdom of priests and a nation set apart —

Exodus 19.4-6 — also Exodus 6:2-6; Leviticus 26.9 Deuteronomy 8.18; Ezekiel 16.60-62

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

covenant with Israel

“keep my covenant” • •

refers to covenant with Abraham invites people of Israel into covenant

establishes God’s kingship over Israel • •

a nation redeemed from an oppressor God’s possession, his subjects (vassals)

forms covenant community • • •

a royal priesthood to mediate his presence a nation set apart to serve his purpose … amidst nations of whole earth

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

keeping covenant

faithful allegiance of God’s people • • • •

preserving solemn relationship, commitment submission, obedience to covenant terms useful to God’s purposes blessed to be a blessing…

faithlessness of God’s people • • • •

cursed, rejected, possibly eternally frustrates God’s plans does not alter God’s sworn obligation… his unchanging, covenant purpose endures

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Israel – sign to the nations

I have taught you decrees and laws …observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’ —

Deuteronomy 4:5-6

if you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the LORD your God will raise you high above all the nations on earth —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Deuteronomy 28:1

Israel – light to the nations

I will make you a light to the nations… that my salvation can spread to ends of the earth —

Isaiah 42:6, 49:6

foreigners… join themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord and to be his workers… hold fast to his covenant… for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples —

Isaiah 56.6-7

all nations will serve him… the whole earth filled with his glory —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Psalm 72

covenant with Israel

reveals, expresses God’s commitment to use a chosen people—a covenant community— in order to reveal his love and glory to the whole world God chooses an unimportant tribe of people to demonstrate through them his goodness, kindness and loving faithfulness towards a world of people that has rebelled against his creation purposes

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

biblical panorama — “big picture” a great nation

a royal priesthood

a house of prayer for all peoples

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, TO EVERY FAMILY ON EARTH a light to the gentiles

land

nation

exodus

promise

tower

flood

fall

creation

first covenant with house of Israel judges, priests prophets, kings kingdom

BIBLICAL HISTORY

david covenant—genesis 6-9 sinai covenant—exodus 19 passover—exodus 12 abraham covenant—genesis 12 noah covenant—genesis 6-9 creation curse—genesis 3:8-24 creation blessing—genesis 1:28-30 © john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

I will make I will you also amake greatyou nation,.. keep my covenant, then a light to the nations, you will be my own treasure from I will bless you and I will make among all the peoples, for all the so your that name my salvation great andcan youspread are to earth is mine to the be ends a blessing of the…earth and you will be a kingdom of by you my house Abraham willall bethe called families a priests and a holy nation house of the of earth prayer will forbe allblessed peoples

covenant with David

I will establish one of your descendants to succeed you, one of your flesh and blood; and I will set up his rulership; he will build a house for my name and I will establish his royal throne forever; I will be a father for him and he will be a son for me; thus your house and your kingdom will be made secure forever before you; your throne will be set up forever —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

2 Samuel 7.12-16

effect of covenant with David

‘kingdom’ grafted into covenant purposes —

Daniel 9.25; 2 Samuel 23.5; Isaiah 55.3

“one of your descendants” • • •

identified as “anointed one”—“messiah” Jewish nation looks to God to restore them through a messianic deliverer… …for nearly one thousand years, even during Babylonian domination and exile

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

purpose of covenant with David

reveals, expresses God’s commitment to establish his kingdom reign on earth through one of David’s descendants relating to him as a Son to a Father God promises an Anointed King-to-come— a Messiah—who will restore the covenant community of Israel and establish the Reign of God eternally

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

biblical panorama — “big picture” a great nation

a royal priesthood

a house of prayer for all nations

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, TO EVERY FAMILY ON EARTH a light to the gentiles

judges, priests prophets, kings kingdom exile

MESSIAH

land

nation

exodus

promise

tower

flood

fall

creation

first covenant with house of Israel

BIBLICAL HISTORY new covenant—jeremiah 31 david covenant—genesis 6-9 sinai covenant—exodus 19 passover—exodus 12 abraham covenant—genesis 12 noah covenant—genesis 6-9 creation curse—genesis 3:8-24 creation blessing—genesis 1:28-30 © john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

I will establish one of your

Idescendants will cut a new covenant to succeed you,with one the house of Israel, of your flesh and blood; and I will will my torah setI up hisput rulership; he within will build athem house for my name and I will and write it upon their establish throne hearts; they his willroyal be my people forever; I will be a father and I will be their Godfor him and he will be a son for me

idolatry and exile

following David’s death, Solomon rules, first wisely, then committing idolatry, leading to • •

fragmentation into houses of Israel, of Judah each exiled from Land when fail to turn from idolatry, rebellion

exile symbolises God’s ongoing judgement, constant, painful reminder of Israel’s sins… “by the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept, as we remembered Zion” —

Psalm 137

return from exile represents grace, sign of God’s forgiveness of Israel’s sin

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Israel’s return, renewal

popular interpretation of hope • • •

a glorious messianic, Davidic king deliverance from Gentile enemies restoration : “head not the tail”

prophetic interpretation of hope •

an inglorious, despised, sacrificial, messianic, intercessory prophet —

• •

Isaiah 53

a renewed, faithful covenant community intimate knowledge of Torah, the Lord —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 37

new covenant prophesied

I will cut a new covenant with the house of Israel I will put my torah within them and write it upon their hearts; they will be my people and I will be their God… all will know me, from the least to the greatest, because I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Jeremiah 31.31-34

new covenant characteristics

made “with the house of Israel” • •

within framework of Abraham covenant Jesus “sent to lost sheep of house of Israel” —

Genesis 17.7; Matthew 15.24

provides new intimacy with God • • • • •

barrier of sins removed torah written upon hearts know God – from least to greatest be Adonai’s people Adonai will be their God

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Jesus intercession for Israel

as Jewish prophet (“Son of Man”) • •

calls people to repentance challenges traditions, Israel’s leadership

as Anointed Messiah (King, “Son of David”) • • •

revises Torah anointed by the Spirit takes Israel’s sins upon himself

as High Priest (“order of Melchizedek”) • • •

presents himself as a sacrificial offering guarantees “a better covenant” intercedes forever by power of indestructible life

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Pentecost

Jewish commemoration of receiving torah —

Exodus 34.22, Deut. 16.9-10

realised, fulfilled by outpouring, indwelling of Spirit •

torah “written upon hearts” —

•

Romans 8.1-7

providing new intimacy with God —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Romans 8.26-27

biblical panorama — “big picture” a great nation

a royal priesthood

a house of prayer for all nations

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, TO EVERY FAMILY ON EARTH a light to the gentiles

make disciples of all nations

kingdom exile

pentecost

judges, priests prophets, kings

new covenant with house of Israel

MESSIAH

land

nation

exodus

promise

tower

flood

fall

creation

first covenant with house of Israel

BIBLICAL HISTORY new covenant—jeremiah 31 david covenant—genesis 6-9 sinai covenant—exodus 19 passover—exodus 12 abraham covenant—genesis 12 noah covenant—genesis 6-9 creation curse—genesis 3:8-24 creation blessing—genesis 1:28-30 © john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

mystery revealed

body of Messiah

I will establish one of your

suddenly came a sound Idescendants will cut a there new covenant to succeed you,with one fromthe the house sky likeofthe roar of a Israel, of your flesh and blood; and I will how violent muchwind better andis itthe filled covenant the will mydisciples torah setIgo up and hisput make rulership; he within will of all build whole of which house Jesus where has become they were a athem house nations for my (ethnos) name and I will and guarantor write it upon their sitting… they were all filled with establish his royalmy throne hearts; the Holythey Spiritwill andbe began people to talk forever; I will be a father for and I will be their God in different languages… him and he will be a son for me

“all nations”… gentiles?

“make disciples of all nations (ethnos)” • • • •

new covenant with “house of Israel”…

Jews amongst all nations? “ethnos” = gentiles confirmation of hints from Jesus, Tanakh — —

Matthew 8.8-12; Luke 14.15-24 Acts 10-15; Romans 9.24-25, 10.19

gentile incorporation into covenant community…

• •

social questions… covenant (theological) questions…

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

social incorporation of gentiles

overcome Jewish, gentile tradition, prejudice •

“for a man who is a Jew to have a close association with someone who belongs to another people, or to come and visit him, is something that just isn’t done” —

Acts 10:28-29

new revelation of acceptability of all peoples •

“but God has shown me not to call any person common or unclean… I now understand that God does not play favourites, but that whoever fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him, no matter what people he belongs to.”

—

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Acts 10:34-35

covenant incorporation of gentiles

theological questions •

roots : patriarchs, covenants, history?

—

•

Romans 9.4-5

require Jewish conversion, circumcision?

—

Romans 11.16-24, 9.4; Galatians 6.15

Sh’aul, Paul • • •

trained as Pharisee (“Parush”) takes on task of theological explanation defends messianic covenant, community

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gentiles : foreigners to the covenants

remember your former state: you gentiles by birth… at that time had no Messiah; you were estranged from the national life of Israel; you were foreigners to the covenants embodying God’s promise; you were in this world without hope and without God —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Ephesians 2.11-12

gentiles : once far off, now brought near

but now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of Messiah’s blood; for he himself is our shalom — he has made us both one and has broken down the m’chitzah which divided us, by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah… he did this in order to create in union with himself from the two groups a single new humanity and thus make shalom…

—

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Ephesians 2.13-15

gentiles : members of God’s family

when he came he announced as Good News shalom to you far off and shalom to those nearby, news that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father so then you are no longer foreigners and strangers; on the contrary, you are fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s family —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Ephesians 2.17-19

former state of gentiles

…in this world without hope • •

without God no Messiah

… estranged • •

from the national life of Israel foreigners to the covenants

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

new state of gentiles … through being united with Messiah • • • •

fellow citizens of God’s family joined to house, commonwealth of Israel grafted into vine of Israel incorporated into covenant community

… resulting in • • •

messianic, new-covenant community single new humanity of Jews, gentiles mystical body of messiah

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

gentiles share faith of Abraham

the Tanakh, foreseeing that God would consider the Gentiles righteous when they live by trusting and being faithful, told the Good News to Abraham in advance, by saying, “in connection with you, all nations will be blessed” —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Galatians 3.8

gentile receive blessing of Abraham

Jesus did this so that in union with him the Gentiles might receive the blessing announced to Abraham, so that through trusting and being faithful we might receive what was promised, namely, the Spirit… in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Galatians 3:9,14,26-29

gentiles united spiritually to Messiah

becoming spiritual “seed of Abraham” •

“heirs according to promise”

through trusting, being faithful • •

“receiving blessing of Abraham” — “I have blessed you… you are to be a blessing to all families of earth…”

—

Genesis 12.1-3

sharing in covenant purpose : blessed to be a blessing to all nations

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

the Spirit

Jesus did this so that in union with him the Gentiles might receive the blessing announced to Abraham, so that through trusting and being faithful we might receive what was promised, namely, the Spirit…

imparts life, deliverance from death —

Romans 8.10-11

transforms us from glory to glory —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

2 Corinthians 3.18

purpose of new covenant

reveals, expresses God’s commitment to create a faithful covenant community, receiving shalom, forgiveness of sin and Holy Spirit God pours out his Holy Spirit to create an anointed, messianic covenant community, “a single new humanity”—a mystical body of Messiah—comprising Jew and Gentile together, reaching out to all nations with Good News of God’s reign through his Messiah

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

God’s eternal purpose

God’s eternal purpose accomplished in the Messiah Jesus…

—

Ephesians 3.11

in bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, the Creator and Preserver of everything should bring the Captain of their salvation to the goal through suffering —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Hebrews 2.9-10

new covenant glory

Son, radiance of Sh’kinah • •

Hebrew, divine light and presence “very expression of God’s essence” —

Hebrews 1.1-3

transformed into his image, glory to glory —

2 Corinthians 3.17-4.6

suffer with him… glorified with him —

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Romans 8.17; 2 Timothy 2.10-12

resurrection heralds glorious new creation

messianic community’s hope of future glory —

Romans 8.18

creation released from bondage to decay —

Romans 8.19-23; 1 Corinthians 15.35-57

a “home of righteousness” —

2 Peter 3.13; Revelation 21.27

…in which God will dwell gloriously with his people, in fulfilment of covenant promises —

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

Revelation 21-22

biblical panorama — “big picture” a great nation

a royal priesthood

a house of prayer for all nations

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING, TO EVERY FAMILY ON EARTH a light to the gentiles

make disciples of all nations

returns

MESSIAH

apostles & prophets ministry of reconciliation

birth pains

messianic gentiles

kingdom

pentecost

judges, priests prophets, kings

new covenant with house of Israel

MESSIAH

land

nation

exodus

promise

tower

flood

fall

creation

first covenant with house of Israel

BIBLICAL HISTORY GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE : TO BRING MANY PEOPLE TO GLORY new covenant—jeremiah 31 david covenant—genesis 6-9 sinai covenant—exodus 19 pesach—exodus 12 abraham covenant—genesis 12 noah covenant—genesis 6-9 creation curse—genesis 3:8-24 creation blessing—genesis 1:28-30 © john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

mystery revealed

body of Messiah

“new heaven and earth” —a renewed creation

eternal purpose of God : summary

God, God acting throughout history through a covenant community,

blessing his people to be a blessing with one unchanging eternal purpose

to bring many people… from every nation, tribe, people, language

to participate in the kingdom of God and a glorious new creation! creation

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

God’s prophetic express train

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

eternal purpose like a locomotive…

powerful power provided by train — not passengers • train’s purpose fulfilled by passengers •

pre-planned route crises may threaten, change route • journey may be complicated, difficult…

•

destination confirmed •

passengers entrusting themselves to train guaranteed to arrive at glorious destination!

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

being at the station isn’t enough

you must get on board! submitting to leadership of the King joining messianic covenant community, uniting with corporate calling, purpose, destiny taking personal responsibility for involvement with God’s eternal purpose positioned for empowerment, victory over forces of evil…

God confirms his covenant in people with whom he is out-working eternal purpose

© john clements 2008-2009 / academy.eternalpurpose.org.uk

the harvests of the earth

the vocation of the messianic covenant community

the eternal purpose

academy of mission

a series of presentations published by Eternal Purpose Institute for Missiological Research and Education downloadable under licence, free-of-charge

the eternal purpose

academy of mission

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