How Do I Know that’s God?

How Do I Know that’s God?

A bit of teaching on the prophetic.

With all the avenues media presents, we all get information that is both accurate and not. Even from the prophetic world. So how do we discern if what is being said is God?

Aside from the basic “Is it biblical,” are many more questions. Many prophetic words are not biblical in word or principle. Those are not up for debate—throw them out. Others, though, are biblical in principle, but may or may not be in the Bible, per se. What I mean is that the prophetic gift itself is biblical, but much of what is prophesied is not found in the Bible, i.e. is not quoting scripture. Even at that, just because someone quotes scripture it doesn’t mean it is a prophetic word. Note the devil also quotes scripture. So how do we know?

Here are a few ways to decide.

First, it may be a real prophetic word, just not for you. Not all real prophetic words are for everyone. I will often read a word, think “oh that’s good,” and then move on. Because though it was God speaking it wasn’t a word for me. I know people who live in fear that they have to receive and take to heart every “prophecy” out there. And that if they don’t they aren't living in faith and apprehending what the word was presenting. That is living in fear. More superstition than faith.

When I read or hear a prophecy my first question is “Is it biblical?” Then, “Is there an anointing from the Holy Spirit on it for me?” If not, then I often won’t finish reading. Why bother? If I continue reading after I have decided there isn’t an anointing on it for me, it can lead to confusion or disgust. Confusion, because then I'm focusing on the words instead of whether or not the Holy Spirit is resting on it for me. 1 John says that we have an anointing from the Holy One that is true and is not a lie. In the supernatural realm it is essential to have both the Word and the Spirit as witnesses to what we receive as true. And yes, I do get disgusted when people mishandle the Bible. Also when someone who should know better continues in their immaturity. Instead they should growing up. If God has stopped speaking, turn off the spigot.

Levels of prophetic authority. There are levels of authority when it comes to prophetic gifts. Just as Paul said to the Corinthians, “If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.” The point is that people are called to a group, a church, a city, a state, a nation, or the world. Trying to operate outside their realm of authority is wrong. Not everyone in Christendom is in the same place spiritually. What is God saying to the nation is far different than what He is saying to an individual or to a local church. 

With the age of technology many people post prophecies online. This ups our responsibility individually as to what we hear and take to heart as a word from the Lord. We no longer have gatekeepers in our church saying “yea” or “nay.” Be responsible both as the speaker and hearer. All true prophecies have an intended audience. It may or may not be you. Some need a kind word of encouragement, some a rebuke, some comfort, some warning, and on and on. How tragic when someone hears a rebuke when they need comfort. (2 Corinthians 2) Therefore, when reading an online word, ask the Holy Spirit, “Is this for me?” Be willing to toss it if the Holy Spirit isn't bearing witness to it for you. 

It's ok to reject what someone is saying, “God said”. 

If Need Be...

If Need Be

Imagine yourself driving along a highway named 1 Peter 1. Mile after mile you journey along on the highway. The sun is high is the sky. Trees line a magnificent river rushing along beside you, roaring over boulders and meandering through meadows. Your road paved with 1 Peter 1’s words. You voice your route to the Lord, bellowing from deep within you the words of 1 Peter 1.

“Yes, I am Your chosen no matter where I am. I am in Christ—Your precious Son.”

“I am His through His foreknowledge. Holy Spirit You have given me new birth and set me apart to God. I am so grateful. I will obey Jesus Christ. His blood…the precious blood. Grace and peace are mine in the fullest measure!”

You cruise along through the wonderfully adorned landscape. Your day is bliss. You crack your window and now the aroma of pine, your companion.

“I bless You God! I am born again through Your mercy into a living hope. You rose from the dead, Jesus. Nothing could stop You—not even death could hold You. I am Yours forever!”

“An imperishable perfect inheritance is waiting for me in heaven. Nothing can make it rust. Nothing can devalue it. My inheritance, given to me by my Father. What a wonderful Father Your are.”

“I am protected by Your Spirit’s power, defended as in a fortress—a castle; You keep me. Faith is real! My salvation will become ever more glorious as I approach the end of my days. Your face—I will see Your face, God. What a day that will be!”

“I am undone! You have done it all Lord Jesus! I am forever Yours! I am overwhelmed with Your glory. What a life! What a God!”

Coming around another bend in the road, you notice the scenery has changed. Even the sky. The sun no longer visible. Dark clouds—“Is that lightening?” Rumble. Boom. The river has even become more tumultuous. It happened so fast.

You think to yourself, “Did I take a wrong turn?” You pull over to look at the map. “Nope, this is the right route.” Hesitantly you continue along your highway.

You see a sign—finally. It reads, “Highway of Holiness.” Ok good, it is the right road. Wait, what does it say? You didn’t see it on the map when you started out, but there it is on the sign under “Highway to Holiness.”  “If Need Be” it reads. You look again at the map. There it is. The alternate route is named “If Need Be.”

You remember seeing an alternate route, but chose the direct route, didn’t you? How did you end up on the alternate route? You aren’t sure. You don’t remember the sign or the turn. You consider turning around. “The direct route, back to the direct route.” You look behind you just in time to catch a glimpse of a landslide moving across the road behind you. Fear, just for a moment, grips you.

You look forward, then up, then at the raging river. A soft but determined whisper, “I will trust and not be afraid” intercepts your breath. Putting the car back into drive you again start out. Slowly.

That sets the stage for verse 6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, IF NEED BE, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

If need be…

If need be…

If need be…

you have been grieved by various trials,

that the genuineness of your faith,

being much more precious than gold that perishes,

though it is tested by fire,

may be found to

praise,

honor,

and glory

at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

Faith, genuine faith, is an imperishable inheritance that will not fade or corrode. It is of highest valuable to God. It is so valuable to God that He will take us on the alternate route when it is in our best interest. All the seeming valuable losses are nothing to be compared to the refining taking place in us.

Christian, take a deep breath. Renew your commitment to believe God against all circumstances that He is good. He is a good God Who loves you with an unrelenting passion. He is determined to make you more like His Son and to help you focus on the eternal rather than the menial natural world that is temporary.

Let the fire burn and take a knee.

A Word for 2017

Faithfulness

By now we have all read or at least seen many prophetic words surrounding the New Year.  

I too have a word: Faithfulness.

How about focusing on faithfulness. 

Be faithful to the general will of God. 

Be faithful to the specific will of God for you.

Abraham, Moses, Daniel, and Jesus, the Bible says, were all faithful. Each of them in different circumstances, but the same faithful character. 

Faithfulness is not perfection. None of us are perfect, but we can all be faithful. 

Faithfulness is not dependent upon our situation, circumstances, wealth, maturity, or anything else except us—our choice to be faithful to God and people.

If you're a stay-at-home mom, be the best mom ever. Train your kids to love God and love people. Pray as you fold clothes and make meals.

If you're a leader, serve the people with grace and humility. Devote yourself to it. In your heart. Not just in action. Pray for those who God has put in your care. Some of you need to realign yourself in your heart. Why are you doing what you are doing? 

If a you're businessman or woman, serve your employer no matter who is watching. Be honest. Work hard. 

If you are a teacher, prayerfully study the Word to get a message from God. Present it the way He wants you to—with anointing. A message that will excite people to study and go after the Word themselves. 

In whatever gifts God has given to you, wait on your ministry and pray about your call.

As a Christian be faithful wherever you are in life and to whoever you serve. 

Even if it's a cup of water in the Name of the Lord.

Faithfulness is something we can all do.

Finally, be faithful to pursue Him.

His Presence

His Face

Whoever you are love His Presence. 

Love His interaction with you moment by moment, day by day, year by year. 

Faithfulness.

A Valley of Tears or a Spring

A Valley of Tears or a Spring

How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

                                      PikiWiki: Valley of Tears in Golan Heights

Why is it that some people always seem to be on top of their troubles, while other seem to succumb to theirs?

Within Psalm 84 resides an answer that many forfeit.

God does not remove all heartache from our lives. Many endure great pain and great loss; some even death. But can we even in this be the victor?

Consider the psalmist’s streams flowing with Psalm 84. The psalmist’s heart and flesh cried out for the living God—His beauty; His courts; His Presence.  How long has it been for you?

Pause.

Reflect.

The Holy Spirit.

His Presence.

You know Him. 

Can you sense Him? 

Is He strumming the strings of your heart today? 

Right now?

Listen to Psalmist as he writes to those whose heart’s dwelling is God Himself.

How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah.

How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!

Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.

They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

We will, as everyone does from time to time, find ourselves in the Valley of Baca—Weeping. But these people in whose heart is the highway to Zion, who have made their dwelling and heart’s desire God Himself, they, when they pass through the same valley as others do, they instead make it a place of springs and pools of blessings.

                                                 odysseyonline.com

Unique strength in found in these worshipers of God. Instead of Baca Valley taking its toll on them, they instead change the valley. Baca Valley becomes subservient to them. In fact, they go from strength to strength as they pass through. They make it a spring!

It’s a choice we get to make. We are all just passing through. But what will the valley’s effects be on you? That’s the choice. Some sadly never see the choice. They blindly walk through. Their eyes only on their circumstances, dull to the God Who walks near, seeing only the natural. Their journey is their dwelling place.

The others, these pilgrims, who have within their heart the highway to Zion… they too pass through. They still weep, but their tears, they become water for their Valley. They see God in their Valley of Weeping. They have learned to see God in everything: everywhere. And for that they water the land. What would have been is instead transformed into springs. Springs that water their Valley and pools of blessings they leave behind, as they go from strength to strength. Each one appears before God in Zion.

The Valley of Baca is of unknown location. It may or may not be a real place. What we know for sure is that the psalmist passes through this valley on their way to Zion. 

We all must pass through weeping on our way to Zion too. It is how we pass, rather where we dwell as we pass through, which makes all the difference.

Don't End Like Hezekiah

Don't End Like Hezekiah

King Hezekiah is heralded as one of the greatest kings of Judah.

This is what 2 Kings 18 says about Hezekiah:

“And he [Hezekiah] did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. The LORD was with him”

Hezekiah consulted the prophet Isaiah when he was in trouble. He acted in integrity and with trust in the Lord. But Hezekiah’s story does not end there.

From 2 Kings 20:

“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?”

Did you catch that? Hezekiah had fought all his life to restore Judah to the Lord. Now at the end of his life when he gets a prophecy of destruction his attitude is “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” Let us not be like Hezekiah at the end of our days.

Instead let us be like Nehemiah:

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Let us fight to the end for the next generation.

Let us pursue truth.

Let us pursue the Lord unwaveringly.

Let us pray for our children and their children.

The Lord delights in mercy.

It is possible He will relent from the destruction in store.

Who is She Really? Characteristics of Jezebel

Who is She Really?

Characteristics of Jezebel

I have often wondered about Revelation 2’s description of Jezebel. Revelation 2 states that Jezebel taught and seduced God’s people to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I cannot find any references in the OT where Jezebel actually led people into sexual immorality or committed adultery herself. Today however, after receiving a reply about how Hillary could not possibly be like Jezebel—because she doesn’t lead people into sexual immorality, I decided study what the Bible actually says regarding Jezebel. 

It seems obviously clear.

Starting with the only scripture about her in the New Testament:

Revelation 2:20 [To Thyatira] “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality* and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality*, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery* with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.”

Throughout the Old Testament God called Israel an adulteress nation when she lusted after the idols (gods) of other nations and followed their ways. These nations sacrificed their children to their gods by “passing them through the fire,” (burning their children in sacrifice to their idols) among other vile and wicked practices.

Ezekiel 23:36 sums up quite precisely these actions and God’s thoughts about them:

The LORD also said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah [Samaria as an adulteress] and Oholibah [Jerusalem as an adulteress]? Then declare to them their abominations. 37 For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through the fire, to devour them.”

As you read on remember God states in Colossians 3:5 that greed is idoltry.

Anyone who promotes abortion is in alignment with those who “pass their children through the fire.” We may not think of it in terms as child sacrifice to idols, but God does. Abortion is furiously lucrative. In 2015 all but 3 democrat senators voted for late term abortion; 2 republicans voted with them. That is not just abortion, but late term abortion!   (http://www.lifenews.com/2015/09/22/democrats-defeat-pro-life-senate-bill-banning-late-term-abortions-after-20-weeks/)

Planned Parenthood had $1.4 billion in assets and alone performed 323,999 abortions and received $553.7 million from U.S. taxpayers during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. (https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/planned-parenthood-performed-323999-abortions-and-received-553.7-million-fr and http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/01/01/planned-parenthood-annual-report-all-about-abortions-and-profits/)

Hillary Clinton is a proponent of abortion, including late-term abortion and partial birth abortion. Hideously demonic.

What drives the abortion industry? Money. Cash. Power. That’s the part we see, but what is behind the killing of babies really?

Satan.

Abortion is sacrificing children, which is—sounds so pathetic—idolatry. And if you are a proponent of abortion or in alignment with one who is through voting, then you are walking in the ways of Jezebel!

Just stop and think about that. People kill babies who are made in the image of God for financial benefit. Furthermore, to be more graphic about abortion, some forms of abortion do burn the babies in their mother’s womb. Then piece by piece they are ripped apart alive or dead.

If you are a Christian and you support abortion or vote for those who support abortion, when you have a choice not to, then you are guilty of the sins of Jezebel. You are committing sexual immorality (spiritual idoltry) with her. You are in danger of God casting you into a sick bed unless you repent. And that is New Testament.

Further considerations about Jezebel.

As you read on consider who in the political arena, moreover, which presidential candidate, resembles Jezebel?

Jezebel fabricated lies and then murdered to get what she wanted, as 1 Kings 21 states. She used her power and influence to get what she wanted. Jezebel had cronies who would come out of the shadows granting her menacing requests. 

1 Kings 21:9-10 She [Jezebel] wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; 10 and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, “You have blasphemed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.”

Jezebel also attacked God’s prophets, murdering many. Elijah thought she had killed them all except himself. Prophets were messengers of God’s voice, those who carried His rhema word to the people. However, Jezebel hosted 850 false prophets instead of the prophets of the Lord. They ate at her table. These would have been her religious advisors and advocates. They would likely, for fear of having their heads cut off, tell her what she wanted to hear and she in turn granted them benefits.

Consider Hillary’s top aids “smear Catholics and their beliefs as being “backwards” and showing contempt for American Catholics and Conservative Catholics.” They intend to infiltrate the Catholics to bring them more into alignment with liberal progressive views. Hillary’s top aids will have the same values as Hillary. Note that Podesta has been with the Clintons since 1993. What do you do if you can’t kill those who carry God’s voice? You get them to change their voice. You get them to say what you want them to say and in return you give them benefits.   http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/hillary-emails-wikileaks-exposes-hatred-christians/#ixzz4NXeWtmyZ

1 Kings 18:4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.)

18:19 “Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

19: 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time."

Now consider the many sins of Bill Clinton. What a couple!

1 Kings 21:25 But there was no one like Ahab [Bill] who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel [Hillary] his wife stirred him up.

Hillary calls herself a Methodist. Claiming to be a Christian makes her more accountable for her sin. This is the principle Jesus referred to when He talked to the Pharisees in John 9:41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” Is Hillary guilty of the harlotries of Jezebel? Once again, harlotry from God’s perspective is engaging with gods other the YHWH. God hates abortion. She is a stanch fighter for abortion on demand even into the third trimester.

Furthermore, consider Hillary’s foundation “donations” from Middle Eastern nations and people like George Soros. She does her deeds in darkness’ deception and shadows. She is a chameleon, changing colors with every audience.

2 Kings 9: 22 Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

Hillary, like Jezebel was, is in rebellion against God.

Hillary is guilty.

Careful how you vote.

Do You Live Among Thorns?

Do You Live Among Thorns?

Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

Note the wording, “he becomes unfruitful.”

I wonder how many of us had vision from the Lord when we were younger, but now it is just a vague dream from a distant past.

Where are you now? 

Not how many stories do you have from the past, but how about now? 

Where are you? 

Are you overcome from the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches?

Are you still hot for the Lord? Are you still passionate about His Kingdom? 

Or are you passionate about things—like the deceitfulness of riches? 

Or how about promotions, entertainment, vacations, and weekends? Is this what you are living for?

Don’t let vision die. 

Don’t stop short of your call. 

Don’t live for this life alone. 

It will pass. 

You will pass.

Eternity—His Kingdom—is forever.

Discourse on the Preterist' Mindset—An Exegesis on Hebrews 8:13

Discourse on the Preterist' Mindset

An Exegesis on Hebrews 8:13

The New Covenant is in His Blood

There are times when I am astonished. This is one of those times. 

Having read some explanations of how some Preterists¹ interpret Hebrews 8:13, I felt another exegesis was due. Hebrews 8:13,

“In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

The Preterists referred to interpret Hebrews 8:13 as though the context for “Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” is written in present tense²—current events at the time of the writing. Hence, they understand that the author of Hebrews is writing, standing in present tense, saying at that point (post Cross and Resurrection) the first Covenant is—at that point—becoming obsolete and growing old, and at that present time, ready to vanish away.

I know that is a mouthful. Let’s break it down. Here is the context for verse 8:13 starting at the beginning of the paragraph in verse 6,

6 But now [at this very moment] He [Jesus] has obtained³ a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is² also Mediator of a better covenant, which was³ established on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — 

9 “not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD.

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.

11 “None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Hebrews 8:8b-12 is a restated prophecy from Jeremiah 31:31-34; in Hebrews it is preceded by and followed by the author’s explanation. Beginning in 8:6-8a, the author leads into Jeremiah’s prophecy of the New Covenant, then wraps it up by concluding the explanation in 8:13. Hebrews 9 goes on to bring revelation to types and shadows—how they speak of and point to Christ.

Often in Biblical literature tenses are confusing to our English mindsets. Tenses do not always translate directly from Greek to English. In Hebrews 8:13 the author uses “He says,” “has made,” “is becoming,” and “is ready” all in relation to the Old Covenant. Let’s look again at Hebrews 8:13 as the author quotes from Jeremiah 31:

“13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Hebrews 8:13 spans from the time when Jeremiah wrote the prophecy to the death of Jesus. The author of Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah’s prophecy as if standing in 600 BC with Jeremiah, viewing the prophecy as they look forward to the New Covenant. They are watching the timeline. As the New Covenant approaches the Old Covenant is becoming obsolete and growing old. At the same time they acknowledge, as they view the New Covenant from 600 BC, God giving a New Covenant means the Old vanished. That was what happened on the Cross!

The pinnacle of how to understand Hebrews 8:13 is within itself: “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.” Meaning, when the New comes, the Old is obsolete. And from the time of Jeremiah’s prophecy, the Old was becoming obsolete, growing old, and ready to vanish. The word “obsolete” is perfect tense. Perfect tense “describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.” (Greek Online Lexicon) The Preterists’ view I conflict with believe the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, in 70 AD by Titus, is what made the Old obsolete and completely vanished. However, as the writer of Hebrews is plainly stating, the Old was already obsolete at the time of the writing of Hebrews—predating 70AD; note the wording, “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.” The Old is automatically obsolete when the New comes. Again, the tense is “perfect” meaning, it “describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.” (Greek Online Lexicon)

How do we know the Old was already obsolete at the time of Hebrew’s writing?

The Bible is clear the New Covenant was in Jesus’ Blood. Luke 22:20 states, “Likewise He [Jesus] also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” This is what Communion is all about. 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

Also Hebrews 9:16-17, “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” Therefore, on the Cross when Jesus said, “It is finished” and breathed His last, the New Covenant began—before the resurrection, before Pentecost, before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD—on the Cross, at the last beat of Jesus’ heart, as He breathed His last saying “It is finished.”

Furthermore, Hebrews 10:8-10, “Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first [most commentators agree this refers to the old way entirely—covenant, law, priesthood, dispensation: the old order] that He may establish the second [covenant, law, priesthood, dispensation]. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Note again, it is the body—the blood sacrifice—of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Again demolishing any argument that it was Titus in 70 AD who completely obliterated the Old Covenant! To say otherwise would be to give Titus the power to accomplish what Jesus could not.

It was Christ Jesus—His blood, His sacrifice!

I encourage everyone to read through Hebrews over and over.

Footnotes:

1.  Preterism: See http://www.theopedia.com/preterism for more on Preterism.

2.  Present Tense: “The present tense represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time.  In most cases this corresponds directly with the English present tense.”

“Some phrases which might be rendered as past tense in English will often occur in the present tense in Greek.  These are termed "historical presents," and such occurrences dramatize the event described as if the reader were there watching the event occur.  Some English translations render such historical presents in the English past tense, while others permit the tense to remain in the present.” (Online Greek Lexicon)

Examples of present tense in Hebrews 8:13 are “He says”, “what is becoming obsolete”, and “growing old.”

3.  Perfect Tense: “The perfect tense in Greek corresponds to the perfect tense in English, and describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.”

 “Jesus’ last cry from the cross, TETELESTAI (“It is finished!”), is a good example of the perfect tense used in this sense, namely “It [the atonement] has been accomplished, completely, once and for all time.””

 “Certain antiquated verb forms in Greek, such as those related to seeing (eidw) or knowing (oida) will use the perfect tense in a manner equivalent to the normal past tense.  These few cases are exception to the normal rule and do not alter the normal connotation of the perfect tense stated above.”