A Covenant Fulfilled

Revelation 1:19(NIV) "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later." This is the picture of God's covenant "system" with this realm. The covenants with this realm begin in Genesis 1 and we see their fulfillment in The Revelation. The "new heaven and new earth" are not ruled by the covenant made with this realm to produce the atmosphere for bringing man into God's image. They become the fulfilled covenant for the eternal dwelling place of God in His people. The "what shall take place" is not so much a prophetic picture of "natural happenings" in this realm, but a picture of the advancement of God's purpose and the fulfillment of every covenant provision made to accomplish this. What God declares and purposes WILL have fulfillment! Take, for instance, the first covenant we see in Genesis. "Let there be light!" Out of the darkness over the surface of the deep comes light and God separated the light from the darkness. On the fourth day, God brought forth the sun, moon and stars to govern the day and night and to separate light from darkness. This is a rich study but suffice it for now that the covenant of light did not first depend on the lights set forth for this realm! We see it continuing for the nation Israel in the lampstands in the tabernacle that were not to be allowed to go out. We see it continuing in Jesus Who is the Light and the church who become the lampstands. We see the fulfillment in the New City where there is no need for the sun for there is no darkness at all! We will be looking into the Revelation to see the expectation for the Church and the advancement of His kingdom to the final phase of God working in His people to perfection, a radiant Bride! It is indeed a revelation of Jesus Christ, past, present and future--yesterday, today and forever the same!