Praise, Worship and Dominion

The Bible is a book about the Covenant.  The Covenant is God’s Promises to mankind and is the meaning of Biblical history.  Revelation is a part of the Bible; hence the Book of Revelation is a Covenant Book.  Prophets were individuals used as God’s instruments to bring mankind into Covenant Relationship and confirm the coming Messiah who would consummate the Covenant.  The purpose of prophecy, therefore, is not “prediction,” but evaluation of man’s ethical response to God’s Word of command and promise.

THE COVENANT STRUCTURE

This covenant structure is based on Westminster Seminary professor Meredith G. Kline’s study of ancient kingly treaties of the near east.  A parallel was noted between the treaty of a Pagan King and his vassals and the structure of the Book of Deuteronomy.  Five points are noted:

1.  Identification of the King

2.  Historical events that led to the establishment of the covenant

3.  Stipulations (terms) of the covenant

4.  Warning of judgment against wrongdoers

5.  System of reaffirming the treaty at the death of the King

BIBLICAL COVENANTS

I.  PREAMBLE:  identifying the lordship of the Great King, stressing both his transcendence (greatness and power) and his imminence (nearness and presence).

II.  HISTORICAL PROLOGUE:  surveying the lord’s previous relationship to the vassal, especially emphasizing the  blessings bestowed.

III.  ETHICAL STIPULATIONS:  expounding the vassal’s obligations, his “guide to citizenship” in the covenant.

IV.  SANCTIONS:  outlining the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

V.  SUCCESSION ARRANGEMENTS:  dealing with the continuity of the covenant relationship over future generations.

David Chilton, in his Days of Vengeance, pages 15 and 17, draws these parallels to the Covenant Structure, in Deuteronomy, Hosea, and Revelation.

Deuteronomy

1.  Preamble (1:1-5)

2.  Historical Prologue (1:6-4:49)

3.  Ethical Stipulations (4:1-26:19)

4.  Sanctions (27:1-30:20)

5.  Succession Arrangements (31:1-34:12)

Hosea

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