This same expression, “after those days,” mentioned in Jeremiah’s prophecy (31:33), occurs in connection with Joel’s prophecy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through him the Lord declares the ultimate pouring out of the Divine blessing, the Holy Spirit, upon all flesh; but he informs us that it will be “AFTER those days.”

It is still future; hence here is another evidence that this expression, “after those days,” signifies after the completion of the work of the selection of the Church–the Bride of the Messiah–the Mediator, the Christ.

The Lord proceeds to say through the prophet that his Holy Spirit would first be poured out upon his special servants and handmaidens, “IN or DURING those days.” And it has been so: ever since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has been for the servants and handmaidens of the Lord, and for no others. It cannot reach the others– the world of mankind in general–until “AFTER those days.”

The same thought is expressed by the Apostle when he says that “our Lord is a propitiation [a satisfaction] for our sins [the Church’s sins–throughout this Gospel Age], and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” [in due time].–1 John 2:2.

 This secondary application of the merit of our Lord upon the Mercy Seat, on behalf of the world, corresponds to the second sprinkling of the blood on the Atonement Day–“the blood of the Lord’s goat“–“his own blood” “on behalf of ALL THE PEOPLE,” sealing for them, consummating, the New Covenant.

For a more thorough examination of Joel’s prophecy see, “The Spirit Poured upon All Flesh”.

Why has the New Covenant been so long delayed?

We reply that, although it was promised centuries before Christ, it did not become an assured fact until our Lord Jesus died. His death was sufficient to have sealed that New Covenant and at once to have brought in restitution blessings to Israel and through Israel to the world in general, IF the Redeemer, when he ascended on high, had so applied the merit of his sacrifice.

But it is evident that he did not so apply it; first, by the fact that Israel’s restitution did not begin there, and has not begun yet, and will not begin until “AFTER those days.”

Secondly, it is proven by the other fact that the merit of Christ’s sacrifice, which was not given to Israel for the sealing of Israel’s New [Law] Covenant, was given to another class, to a new nation, to Spiritual Israel, and has been applicable to and brought manifest blessings to her during all these centuries of the Gospel Age.

So, then, in the Scriptural language, that which our Lord did do in connection with the promised New Covenant between God and Israel at his first advent, was that he became a “surety” and guarantee for its later fulfillment. (Heb. 7:22)

From that time, therefore, the New Covenant may be considered as assured or legislated or guaranteed, BUT NOT PUT INTO FORCE, because, as the Apostle declares, a testament or will is of no binding force until the death of the testator.

In harmony with the Divine Plan the Redeemer applied the merit of his sacrifice to a special class “called” and “drawn of the Father” during this Gospel Age, to be members, to join with him in his sacrifice. These were to receive of his fullness, his merit, as the atonement for their sins, and then they were to drink of his blood or share in his death, that his blood or the merit of his sacrifice might as a blessing pass through them and permit them by sacrificing restitution blessings to attain the divine nature and glory. (2 Peter 1:4.) None of these may keep the blessing of restitution privileges. Each was obliged in advance to pledge his life in sacrifice with his Lord (to make a full consecration to the Lord) before his final acceptance and begettal of the Holy Spirit to joint-heirship with the Head in his glory, honor and immortality.

THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART WHICH ALL WHO HAVE UNDERSTANDING MUST GRASP:

The reason that the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah’s day and assured by our Lord’s death has not yet gone into effect and become operative in restitution blessings to Israel and the world is, that the death of the testator has not yet been fully accomplished; for the testator, through whom Israel will get that great blessing of the New Covenant, is not our Lord Jesus alone, but The Christ, Head and Body.

To this agree the words of the Apostle again, namely, that natural Israel will “obtain mercy through your [Spiritual Israel’s] mercy.” (Rom. 11:31) The laying down of the restitution rights received by us from the Lord through faith in his blood is our sacrifice of the same, the dying of the Testator’s Body. (2 Cor. 4:10) Israel is to be the beneficiary of this testament, this legacy, this will, the merit of which is all as Jesus said, “in his blood,” in his cup, which we must drink.”

Continued with next post.