THE OLD COVENANT v THE NEW COVENANT (PT 4)

IS THE OLIVE TREE SYNONYMOUS WITH  “THE TREE OF LIFE”?

No! It is similar, but a main difference is that partaking of the Tree of Life means to live forever. (Genesis 3:22. Rev 22:14). There is no question of being broken off from that Tree!

But it is possible for branches of the Olive Tree to be broken off. The Olive Tree was the place of privilege - but it cannot be assumed that because of the privilege, the Israelites were automatically saved.

It is similar to a young person today living within the privileged position of a Elohim (God)-fearing Believers home. The privilege does not save him, but of course it should be a great influence in bringing him to the Saviour.

But this issue here is not one of salvation; it is a matter of being removed from the place of privilege - of being “placed on the shelf” as it were.

The Olive Tree was heavily pruned after Israel rejected the Mashiach (Messiah). And most Jews have been on the shelf as far as Elohim's (God’s) purposes are concerned for the last 1,900 years. But there is new foliage on the Tree throughout this present age, and this represents the “one new man” that lives on the nourishing sap of the Mashiach (Messiah).

“I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and indeed, the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51

“But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never ever thirst again. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up into eternal life.” John 4:14

The Olive Tree is prefigured by the Menorah – the 7-branched lampstand in the Tabernacle. (Exodus 25:31-40). The shaft represents the Mashiach (Messiah), the branches on its left and right, are the believers – both Jew and Gentile - who proceed from “His wounded side.” The seven lamps represent the 7-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit. Revelation 4:5. Isaiah 11:2

To recognise the “Jewish” symbolism and typology in the Tabernacle, and in the Old Testament generally, does not mean that we are embracing the Old Covenant Law. Rather, it is an appreciation of the beautiful mosaic of the Mashiach (Messiah) throughout the Tanakh (the Old Testament). Anything that correctly points to Yahshua, and reflects His glorious attributes is truly a blessing.

There is no blessing in going back and trying to fulfil the Old Covenant. Yahshua Messiah has already done that – and He is the only one who ever could fulfil the Law.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfil them. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke will by any means pass away from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18

Having fulfilled the Law at Calvary, Yahshua abolished “the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances,” (Ephesians 2:15), and established a New Covenant. Hebrews 7:17-19

And of this particular subject, in the will of YAHWEH, I shall write in more detail, in the next POSTS.