Sunday, December 13, 2015

Set theory

In mathematics, set theory explains the relationship between sets of numbers and the formulas for how those sets are derived.
From this, an analogy came to mind.  When we look at and think about the details and structure of the old covenant, under Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses or David, we see the central theme of the physical.  The promises, the blessings, the curses and the signs/symbols all were built upon things physical.  To become part of the people of God, one received physical circumcision.  If obedient, one would receive long life, land, many children and blessed crops or herds.  If one was disobedient, one received the opposite.  The form of worship was centered in a specific location: in the temple, in Jerusalem.  A Jew did not want to die outside of the border of Israel.  The Jews were not looking for an ethereal, out of this world eternity in heaven.  They were looking for blessings in the here and now.
In other words, in the set "old covenant", all of the components were centered around the physical.  But now, we are not in that solution set any longer.  As new covenant Christians, we have our eyes set on eternity and perfect communion with God on a new and perfected heaven/earth.  It is important though to recognize a very important distinction.  The old covenant was about things physical.  The new covenant (that is, right now) is about preparing for things spiritual.  But eternity, that is, after the final judgment, is about all things renewed and perfect.  In eternity, we will perfectly and sinlessly enjoy all things, both physical and spiritual, while and because of, perfect communion with our triune God.
If we are to understand anything rightly, we need to understand the reality in which we live.

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