Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada 
NOVEMBER 2004
NOVEMBER 2004
God's Promises, Part 3
by Colin Michael
God had a complete plan for all of time before He spoke His first words of creation. The plan that He put into effect is the single most effective plan that could have ever been because of who He is. At times and to certain people of His choosing, God has revealed a portion of that plan. In a few very special instances, God has revealed His plan by way of a promise. These promises are called covenants and God has chosen to be bound by every promise He has made. Some of the covenants have been laid out in the form of a contract with conditions that men must fulfill before the promise would be in effect. Most have been without condition, promises given completely by His grace, dependent on nothing else. In this series of articles we will consider God's covenants along with their recipients, conditions, fulfillments, and lasting effects.The Noahic Covenant
Whereas the covenant with Adam and his progeny was one of personal responsibility greatly multiplied and personal liberty greatly reduced, it was not like the covenant that God gave to Noah and his three sons. Hereafter God would require men to be under the authority of kings and judges, as human government was instituted. Humans were given the duty of avenging blood for blood in the post-deluvian world. (Gen. 9:6) Under the Adamic covenant we saw Cain murder his brother, but God reserved judgment of that act to himself. (Gen. 4:15) No man was allowed to avenge Abel. After the flood, God made it a duty of men, and sometimes of beasts, to repay murder with the punishment of God-ordained remuneration in kind.Oddly enough, God, in parts of the covenant, specifically included the animals that landed with Noah. He gave notice that the animals would be judged for killing men, even though men were given permission to kill the animals for food. Since this covenant continues today, we might be reminded of this fact when animal rights activists try to turn this command of God upside down. When an animal attacks a man its life is forfeited, because the life of a man is sacred and innocent blood may not be spilt. Conversely, the blood of an innocent animal was the only sin-cleansing sacrifice available on earth before Christ. This clearly shows the order of importance that God requires.
Some of the Noahic covenant reaffirms the order of nature. Replenishing the earth (9:1) is mentioned again as it was in past times. Then the covenant goes further by saying that now animals would fear men and that men could eat the flesh of animals.
One of the promises of God was universal in that it applied to all living things, animal as well as human. God promised never again to destroy all flesh off of the earth with a flood. Even the ground itself was promised that the whole earth would not again be under water. This point may seem trivial and the idea of a rainbow somewhat trite, until you realize that this passage is the key to debunking the foolish religion of evolution. The universal flood is the only sane explanation for stratified and fossilized life all over the world. Liberal biblical (so called) scholars have tried to compromise with evolutionists and want to call the flood of Noah a local phenomenon, but this verse does not allow for that. Not only is the language very plain in saying that the whole world was flooded, but we know today that rainbows are to be seen everywhere on earth when the sun shines through rain or snow. It happens whether men are there to see it or not. It was happening at times when no men were present. That is because the bow is a sign of God's covenant with all of the earth that a worldwide flood will never again happen. If Noah's flood only happened in the Middle East then there would be no need for rainbows in South America.
The final thing I want to note about this covenant is actually the part mentioned first. In chapter 8, verse 22 we see the order of time and the repetitive nature of it. It is constantly changing, yet constantly the same until the earth itself no longer remains. These will remain: work, seen in sowing and reaping; the elements, seen in cold and heat; seasons, seen in summer and winter; and time, seen in day and night. Even darkness will stay with us to the end of the earth. Even with Christ on the throne of all the earth, there will be nightfall, darkness, and sin on the Earth. Cleaning and godly control are not enough to redeem the Earth nor are they enough to redeem a soul. Rebirth is required. In the end, Creation, as well as men, will have to die to be eternally remade.
Next Month: God's Promises to Abraham
Did you miss Part II of this series?
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Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.