The Everlasting Covenant, the Key of David, and Our Righteousness in Christ
Orientation
Many believers struggle with confusion and spiritual bondage because they mistakenly think their standing with God depends on Israel's New Covenant or their own law-keeping.
- Our salvation and inheritance are not based on the New Covenant made with national Israel.
- They are not a wage earned by our performance or obedience to the law.
- This confusion leads to striving, fear, and a loss of the liberty Christ purchased.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)
— Romans 8:15
Clarification
The church's position is distinct from Israel's; we are not under the New Covenant but are co-heirs with Christ through the Everlasting Covenant secured by Him alone.
- The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31) is for Israel's national restoration in the Millennium.
- The Everlasting Covenant is the eternal agreement between God the Father and Christ, the Seed of Abraham and David.
- Believers are brought into this covenant not as parties, but by being baptized into Christ Himself by faith.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
— Galatians 3:29
Structure
Biblical logic reveals that all blessing flows from our union with Christ, the eternal Heir, who shares His inheritance with us as a free gift received by faith.
- God the Father made the Everlasting Covenant with Christ, appointing Him Shepherd and Heir of all things.
- Through His high priestly ministry, Christ brings many sons into glory, making them co-heirs.
- By faith, we are placed into Christ (the Seed), becoming the true Israel of God and partakers of His spiritual, heavenly inheritance.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)
— Romans 8:17
Weight-Bearing Prose
The core assertion is that the believer’s entire standing—justification, sanctification, and inheritance—is secured by the Everlasting Covenant between the Father and the Son and is received by faith alone, apart from the law. This is the ‘key of David’ (Revelation 3:7), the authority of Christ to open the door to this heavenly inheritance. Judaizing error, the ‘synagogue of Satan’ (Revelation 3:9), seeks to mix law with grace, promoting sanctification by law-keeping. This is the ‘way of Cain’—relying on the flesh—and results in spiritual adultery, bondage, and a rejection of gospel freedom. The law was given to Israel as a schoolmaster to reveal sin and drive individuals to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Justification has always been by faith, as with Noah and Abraham, never by works. The righteousness in Romans 8 is God’s own righteousness, imparted through the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, freeing us from condemnation. It is not our moral performance. Our position is not as covenant parties but as members of Christ’s body, sharing in His inheritance. Replacement theology that denies Israel’s future restoration confuses the church’s co-heirship with Israel’s national promises.
Integration
Your assurance and rest are found entirely in Christ and the covenant He fulfilled. You are not under a system of wages or performance. Christ, as your high priest, intercedes for you, strengthens you, and dispenses Himself to you as your life and portion. All that He is and has is yours by virtue of your union with Him. There is no pressure to advance or earn a higher standing. You are already a co-heir, a son, fully accepted. The Spirit within you cries ‘Abba, Father,’ confirming this reality. Let this truth settle you. Your calling is to enjoy the freedom and inheritance secured for you, walking by the Spirit in the liberty of Christ’s finished work. He is your righteousness, your sanctification, and your reward.