BLOOD COVENANTS (Day 2 – Outline)

Click to download: FIRST FRUIT FASTING (JULY 2023) day 2   Texts: Gen.15:1-18, 17:1-10; Ex.3:7-8,13-15, 12:29-36 Theme: THE COVENANT AND YOUR DESTINY We defined ‘Covenant’ as an agreement between parties (partners) where binding promises are made to each other, and partners work to achieve a common goal. It can be divine, demonic or human. While ‘Destiny’ is a series of events or circumstances that can happen to a person either now or in the future. We showed how people’s lives could be strongly affected or influenced by forces generated by ancestral covenants or curses. Then we showed the elixir: Prayer of supplication and declaration; Faith declaration/confession; Fasting; Decree of elders. Topic: Subtexts: Heb.12:22,24; 13:20 The cardinal place of blood in the sustenance of life has been known through the ages. In medical sciences, the constitution and irreplaceable functions of blood are enumerated. In the spirit realm, both kingdoms (light and darkness) appreciate the unequivocal place of blood. In the ancient world, blood covenants, where partners mingled their blood, carried the most weight and significance. They touted the mystical power of blood. The scriptures reveal that blood is intimately associated with physical life hence the commandment not to eat blood (Lev.17:11, Deut.12:16,23). Life was considered sacred and of utmost value and to be left alone to God to handle (Gen.9:4-6). Life is the highest valued resource on earth, hence the Lord’s choice of blood (emblem and vehicle of life) as the instrument of ratification of His covenants (Ex.24:7-8 ). The value of life (blood) was portrayed in the elaborate ritual required to cleanse a land polluted by blood (Deut.21:1-9); and the stern punishment meted out to a murderer or even an accidental shedder of blood (Deut.21:1-9, Num.35:9-34). The blood of animals placed on doorposts in Goshen spared the Israelites of the wrath of the angel of death passing through Egypt (Ex.12:7,22-23). Because of the known sacredness of blood, the ignorant disciples abandoned the Lord when He metaphorically used it for sharing in the life that He bestows (Jn.6:57). In the New Testament dispensation, the involvement of any blood other than Jesus’ (which is by faith) in an agreement is an application for/invitation of fallen angels into the program. The devils are spiritual vultures and give false signs and wonders to deceive ignorant men (Matt.24:24, Deut.13:1-5). In the Old Covenant that God had with Israel, where He promised to be their God with the attendant blessings, while they kept His commandments, the blood of animals was used for its ratification (Ex.24:3-8). However, the blood of animals (representing their lives) isn’t effective enough to take away man’s sin, so it only covers the sin (Ps.32:1). To take away man’s sin, it must be by the blood of a man that has not committed sin (Ezk.18:20, Ps.51:5, Heb.10:1-4, 8-11). So in God’s infinite wisdom, the Word had been prearranged to do that job (Rev.13:8, Rom.8:29,32, Jn.1:29, Isa.53:9-11). At the fullness of time, the incarnate Word spoke of the new covenant with the Father, noting that He didn’t come to destroy the former but to fulfil [Gk. Plērǒȯ, which means to make replete, level up (a hollow), complete] it. (Matt.5:17) Then, after displaying the lifestyle expected of covenant-partners or citizens of the kingdom, He made the ultimate sacrifice to save mankind, shedding His blood to ratify the new covenant (agreement), which has superlative promises (Matt.11:28-30, 28:19-20, Jn.13:13-15, 14:23; 14:27-29, 16:16-22, 19:28-30; Heb.10:9,12, 14-18, 9:22-24; 13:20; 8:6). The God-man, Jesus, is the Testator – a person that has left a valid will (Heb.9:16,17, Jn.19:30). He was both Priest and offering, both Redeemer and one intimately involved with the redeemed. The New Covenant package consists of all the promises made to Israel as a nation and the additional accomplishment of the immaculate blood of Jesus viz; propitiation – removal of sin (Rom.3:25), Justification (Rom. 5:16,18), Redemption (Eph.1:7), Purification of conscience (Heb.9:14). Therefore, the New Covenant provides for all-round prosperity (3Jn.2). The Blood of Jesus is the most potent instrument of spirit-gendered peace (Col.1:19-20) and the basis of sanctification (Heb.13:12). As the expression of the life of Jesus, it cannot be resisted by powers of darkness (Col.2:15). The blood of Jesus speaketh (Gk. Lalĕō means to talk, i.e. utter words) the promises of the new covenant, which spans protection, preservation, provision, promotion, power, and prosperity (Heb.12:24). The believer should daily enjoy the benefits of Calvary (Ps.68:19, 103:2). Let the sinner turns from his sins unto the Lord, and let the child of God claim the promises of the new covenant.