Blessings and Curses in Revelation’s New Covenant Oracles

The identification of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 as a royal grant framework, which emphasizes God’s unilateral, gracious promises (e.g., law on hearts, forgiveness, universal knowledge of God) without the conditional blessings and curses typical of a suzerain-vassal treaty, raises an intriguing question when applied to the prophetic oracles to the seven churches in Revelation 2–3. These oracles contain explicit blessings for obedience (e.g., promises to the “overcomer” in Rev. 2:7, 11, 17) and curses or warnings for disobedience (e.g., removal of the lampstand in Rev. 2:5). If the new covenant is a royal grant, how can we explain the presence of these blessing/curse elements, which seem characteristic of a suzerain-vassal treaty? Below, I address this question from a conservative Reformed evangelical perspective, integrating my interest in Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) studies, suzerain-vassal treaties, and my dissertation on Revelation, while drawing on insights from scholars like Meredith G. Kline, who explicitly used ANE treaty frameworks.

But first here is a overview of Geerhardus Vos and John Murray, two pioneers in Covenant theology and their views on the New Covenant and ANE Treaties.

Geerhardus Vos’s Views

Geerhardus Vos, a prominent Reformed theologian and biblical scholar (1862–1949), is known for his pioneering work in biblical theology, particularly his emphasis on the progressive unfolding of God’s redemptive plan across history. His views on the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 are articulated primarily in his works like Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments and various essays, where he situates the new covenant within the broader framework of covenant theology and redemptive history. From a conservative evangelical perspective, Vos’s interpretation aligns with Reformed orthodoxy, emphasizing the continuity of God’s covenantal dealings while highlighting the new covenant’s transformative fulfillment in Christ. Below, I outline Vos’s views on the new covenant in Jeremiah, addressing its nature, relationship to previous covenants, and theological significance, while connecting to ANE studies and covenantal frameworks.

From Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments:

Nature: The new covenant is an eschatological fulfillment of prior covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic), marked by internal transformation (law on hearts, Jer. 31:33), universal knowledge of God, and permanent forgiveness (Jer. 31:34). It is “not like” the Mosaic Covenant (Jer. 31:32) due to its Spirit-enabled efficacy.

Continuity/Discontinuity: Continues God’s relational purpose (“I will be their God,” v. 33) but surpasses the Mosaic Covenant’s external, breakable nature with a divine, unbreakable initiative.

Eschatological Fulfillment: Messianic, fulfilled in Christ’s atonement and the Spirit’s work, with an “already-not yet” tension.

ANE Context: Does not explicitly engage ANE treaty forms but implicitly aligns the new covenant with a royal grant model (unilateral divine promise) rather than a suzerain-vassal treaty.

John Murray’s Views

John Murray (1898–1975), a systematic theologian, addresses the new covenant primarily in works like The Covenant of Grace (1953) and his commentary on Romans, particularly Romans 11, where he discusses God’s covenantal dealings with Israel. His views are rooted in Reformed covenant theology, emphasizing the unity of God’s covenant across history.

Nature: The new covenant is a new administration of the one covenant of grace, fulfilling earlier covenants with internal transformation, universal knowledge, and permanent forgiveness.

Continuity/Discontinuity: Emphasizes unity of the covenant of grace across all administrations; the new covenant is “new” in form and efficacy but not in essence.

Theological Focus: Christological fulfillment, universalizing grace to include Gentiles while maintaining God’s promises to Israel (Rom. 11:25-27).

ANE Context: Does not engage ANE treaty forms but views the new covenant as a royal grant, contrasting with the Mosaic Covenant’s conditional, suzerain-vassal structure.

Meredith G. Kline’s Views

Meredith G. Kline (1922–2007), a Reformed scholar, is best known for his works Treaty of the Great King (1963), By Oath Consigned (1968), and The Structure of Biblical Authority (1972), where he applies ANE suzerain-vassal treaty frameworks to biblical covenants, particularly the Mosaic Covenant. His views on the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 are shaped by his covenant theology, which emphasizes the legal and structural aspects of divine-human relationships, informed by ANE parallels. Key aspects include:

Covenant as a Legal Framework:

Kline views biblical covenants through the lens of ANE treaty forms, particularly the Hittite suzerain-vassal treaties of the second millennium BC. He argues that the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., Deuteronomy) follows this structure, with a preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, blessings/curses, and witnesses.

For Jeremiah 31:31-34, Kline sees the new covenant as a distinct covenantal administration, but he frames it differently from the Mosaic Covenant. While the Mosaic Covenant is a suzerain-vassal treaty with conditional obedience, the new covenant resembles a royal grant or divine charter, where God unilaterally guarantees its promises (law on hearts, forgiveness, Jer. 31:33-34).

Key Insight: Kline emphasizes the new covenant’s gracious, unconditional nature, contrasting it with the Mosaic Covenant’s works-based conditionality.

Newness and Discontinuity:

Kline acknowledges the “newness” of the covenant (Jer. 31:31), particularly its internalization of the law, universal knowledge of God, and permanent forgiveness (Jer. 31:33-34). He sees these as marking a significant break from the Mosaic Covenant, which was “broken” due to Israel’s disobedience (Jer. 31:32).

Unlike the Mosaic Covenant, which operated under a “works principle” (obedience for blessing, disobedience for cursing), the new covenant is entirely grace-based, with God ensuring its fulfillment through His initiative.

Key Insight: Kline views the new covenant as a return to the gracious principles of the Abrahamic Covenant, fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly obeys as the covenant mediator (Heb. 8:6-13).

Continuity with the Covenant of Grace:

Like Murray, Kline affirms a unified covenant of grace underlying all biblical covenants, with different administrations. The new covenant is the final, eschatological administration, fulfilling the promises of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants while superseding the Mosaic Covenant’s temporary, typological role.

The relational formula “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31:33) reflects continuity with earlier covenants, but its realization is more direct and permanent in the new covenant.

Key Insight: Kline sees the new covenant as the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, removing the barriers of human failure inherent in the Mosaic Covenant.

Christological and Eschatological Fulfillment:

Kline views the new covenant as fulfilled in Christ, whose atoning work secures the forgiveness of sins (Jer. 31:34) and whose Spirit enables the internalization of the law (Jer. 31:33; cf. 2 Cor. 3:3-6). This aligns with the New Testament’s portrayal of Christ as the mediator (Heb. 8:6).

The new covenant has an eschatological dimension, fully realized in the eternal state, but Kline focuses more on its legal and redemptive significance than Vos’s “already-not yet” eschatological tension.

Key Insight: Kline emphasizes Christ’s role as the covenant keeper, fulfilling the obligations of the suzerain and vassal, ensuring the covenant’s efficacy.

ANE Treaty Context:

Kline’s distinctive contribution is his explicit use of ANE treaty forms to interpret biblical covenants. He argues that the Mosaic Covenant mirrors a suzerain-vassal treaty, with God as the suzerain and Israel as the vassal, bound by stipulations and consequences.

For the new covenant, Kline sees a shift to a royal grant model, common in ANE contexts (e.g., grants to loyal vassals, like the Abrahamic Covenant). Jeremiah 31:31-34 lacks the conditional stipulations and curses of a suzerain-vassal treaty, focusing instead on God’s unilateral promises (law on hearts, forgiveness).

Key Insight: Kline’s ANE framework highlights the new covenant’s gracious, unconditional nature, distinguishing it from the Mosaic Covenant’s legal structure while rooting it in a historical-cultural context.

Comparison Chart

My Views

Understanding the New Covenant as a Royal Grant

Royal Grant Characteristics: In ANE contexts, royal grant covenants (e.g., grants to loyal vassals, like the Abrahamic Covenant) are unilateral, initiated by the suzerain (God), and focus on promises of blessing without strict conditions or curses for disobedience. The new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 fits this model, as God unilaterally promises to write the law on hearts, grant forgiveness, and enable direct knowledge of Himself (Jer. 31:33-34), with no explicit stipulations or curses.

Contrast with Suzerain-Vassal Treaties: Suzerain-vassal treaties (e.g., Hittite treaties, Mosaic Covenant) include a preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience, and witnesses. The Mosaic Covenant (Exod. 19–24; Deut. 28) exemplifies this, with blessings for keeping the law and curses for breaking it.

New Covenant in Revelation: The new covenant, fulfilled in Christ (Luke 22:20; Heb. 8:6-13), is administered through the church, which is addressed in Revelation 2–3. The oracles to the seven churches resemble a covenantal framework, with Christ as the suzerain addressing His vassals (the churches), but the presence of blessings and curses requires explanation if the new covenant is a royal grant.

Explaining Blessings and Curses in Revelation 2–3

The prophetic oracles to the seven churches (Rev. 2–3) contain elements that appear to echo suzerain-vassal treaty structure:

Preamble: Christ identifies Himself with divine titles (e.g., “He who holds the seven stars,” Rev. 2:1).
Historical Prologue: Christ recounts the church’s deeds (e.g., “I know your works,” Rev. 2:2).
Stipulations: Commands to repent or persevere (e.g., “repent and do the works you did at first,” Rev. 2:5).
Blessings: Promises to the overcomer (e.g., “I will give to eat from the tree of life,” Rev. 2:7).
Curses/Warnings: Threats of judgment (e.g., “I will come to you and remove your lampstand,” Rev. 2:5; “I will come to you soon and war against them,” Rev. 2:16).
Witnesses: The Spirit is the witness as it is monotheistic.

To reconcile these blessing/curse elements with the new covenant’s royal grant framework, consider the following explanations:

Distinction Between Covenant Establishment and Administration:

Explanation: The new covenant’s establishment is a royal grant, where God unilaterally guarantees its promises (Jer. 31:33-34; Heb. 8:10-12). However, its administration within the church involves exhortations to faithfulness, with blessings for perseverance and warnings against apostasy, reflecting the pastoral and disciplinary role of the covenant community.

Application to Revelation: In Revelation 2–3, Christ, as the covenant mediator, addresses the churches as participants in the new covenant. The blessings (e.g., Rev. 2:7, 11) affirm the eschatological promises already secured by the new covenant (e.g., eternal life, forgiveness), while the curses/warnings (e.g., Rev. 2:5, 16) are disciplinary, aimed at correcting wayward churches to ensure their participation in those promises. These warnings do not negate the new covenant’s unconditional nature but address the churches’ response within its framework.

Theological Insight: The blessings reinforce the new covenant’s gracious promises, while the curses function as pastoral discipline, not as conditions for the covenant’s validity. This aligns with Kline’s view that the new covenant is a royal grant, but its administration may include covenantal exhortations resembling suzerain-vassal language.

Covenantal Lawsuit (Rib) Motif:

Explanation: In ANE and biblical contexts, a covenantal lawsuit (rib) occurs when the suzerain calls a vassal to account for covenant unfaithfulness, often using language of blessings and curses (e.g., Hos. 4; Mic. 6). The oracles in Revelation 2–3 function as a prophetic rib, where Christ, as the divine suzerain, calls the churches to repentance to restore covenantal fidelity, even within the new covenant’s gracious framework.

Application to Revelation: The warnings (e.g., “I will remove your lampstand,” Rev. 2:5) resemble covenantal curses but are not threats to nullify the new covenant. Instead, they are prophetic calls to repentance, ensuring the churches align with the covenant’s benefits. The blessings (e.g., “the crown of life,” Rev. 2:10) reaffirm the new covenant’s promises, which are guaranteed by Christ’s finished work.

ANE Connection: Kline’s work on suzerain-vassal treaties highlights the rib motif in prophetic literature. In Revelation, the oracles adapt this ANE form to the new covenant context, using treaty-like language to exhort faithfulness without implying conditionality. This supports my dissertation’s focus on Revelation’s covenantal structure and the present of the structure as the essence of and very nature of a covenant, explaining why it is found in so many treaties, oaths and covenants (i.e. Graves “Influence of the Ancient Near Eastern Vassal Treaties on the Hippocratic Oath.” Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin 57 (2012): 27–45).

Eschatological Context of Revelation:

Explanation: Revelation’s apocalyptic genre emphasizes eschatological judgment and reward, which naturally includes blessings for the faithful and warnings for the unfaithful. The new covenant’s royal grant nature guarantees salvation for true believers, but the oracles address the churches’ present conduct in light of eschatological realities.

Application to Revelation: The blessings (e.g., “I will give him the morning star,” Rev. 2:28) point to eschatological fulfillment of the new covenant’s promises (e.g., eternal fellowship with Christ), while the curses (e.g., “I will cast her into a sickbed,” Rev. 2:22) warn of temporal or eschatological judgment for those who persist in unrepentance. These warnings do not undermine the new covenant’s unconditionality but reflect the tension between the “already” (salvation secured) and “not yet” (final judgment).

Theological Insight: Vos’s “already-not yet” eschatology helps explain this: the new covenant is secure in Christ, but the churches are called to persevere to inherit its full blessings, with warnings serving as means of grace to prevent apostasy.

Pastoral and Rhetorical Use of Treaty Language:

Explanation: The oracles in Revelation 2–3 also employ suzerain-vassal treaty language rhetorically to communicate urgency and accountability to the churches, even though the new covenant itself is a royal grant. In ANE contexts, suzerains often used treaty language to motivate loyalty, even in gracious covenants.

Application to Revelation: John, writing in an ANE-influenced context, adapts the familiar suzerain-vassal structure to convey Christ’s authority and the churches’ responsibility. The blessings and curses are pastoral exhortations, not conditions for the new covenant’s validity. For example, the warning to Ephesus (Rev. 2:5) aims to restore their “first love,” aligning them with the new covenant’s transformative purpose.

ANE Connection: Kline’s analysis of treaty forms supports this, as he notes that biblical authors often used treaty language flexibly. In my dissertation I argue that Revelation 2–3 employs suzerain-vassal rhetoric to reinforce new covenant fidelity, blending royal grant promises with treaty-like exhortations.

Corporate vs. Individual Application:

Explanation: The new covenant’s promises are unconditional for the elect (God’s true people), but the oracles address corporate churches, which include both true believers and nominal members. The blessings apply to the faithful (“overcomers”), while the curses target unrepentant members who risk exclusion from the covenant community.

Application to Revelation: The blessings (e.g., “the second death has no power,” Rev. 2:11) are assured for those in the new covenant, while the curses (e.g., “I will strike her children dead,” Rev. 2:23) address false believers or apostates within the church, not the covenant’s nullification. This reflects the new covenant’s corporate administration, where discipline maintains the community’s purity.

Theological Insight: Murray’s emphasis on the covenant of grace’s universality supports this, as the new covenant includes all true believers, while warnings address those who profess but do not possess faith.

Synthesis and Implications for My Dissertation

The presence of blessings and curses in Revelation 2–3 does not contradict the new covenant’s royal grant framework but reflects its pastoral, eschatological, and rhetorical administration within the church. The oracles function as:

Pastoral Exhortations: Blessings affirm the new covenant’s promises, while curses are disciplinary warnings to ensure faithfulness, not conditions for salvation.

Covenantal Lawsuits: The oracles resemble an ANE rib, calling churches to repentance within the new covenant’s gracious framework.

Eschatological Warnings: The blessings/curses align with Revelation’s apocalyptic focus on final reward and judgment, reinforcing the new covenant’s “already-not yet” reality.

Rhetorical Strategy: John uses suzerain-vassal language to communicate Christ’s authority and the churches’ responsibility, adapting ANE forms to a new covenant context.

For my dissertation on Revelation and suzerain-vassal treaties, this analysis strengthens my argument that Revelation 2–3 employs treaty-like structures (preamble, stipulations, blessings/curses) to convey new covenant exhortations. Kline’s framework is particularly relevant, as he distinguishes royal grant (new covenant) from suzerain-vassal (Mosaic Covenant) forms, suggesting that Revelation adapts treaty language rhetorically to urge fidelity without undermining the new covenant’s gracious nature. Vos’s eschatological perspective and Murray’s covenantal unity further support viewing the oracles as pastoral applications of the new covenant, blending ANE forms with Christian theology.

Relevance to My Dissertation and ANE Studies

Kline’s distinction between suzerain-vassal (Mosaic) and royal grant (new covenant) models supports my thesis by framing Revelation as a new covenant document, with Christ as the suzerain issuing covenantal exhortations. Vos’s eschatological focus complements Revelation’s apocalyptic tone, while Murray’s emphasis on covenantal unity supports viewing Revelation as part of the covenant of grace. Together, their perspectives offer a robust theological foundation for my research, with Kline and I providing the most direct ANE connection.

Conclusion

The blessings and curses in Revelation 2–3 are compatible with the new covenant’s royal grant framework because they serve as pastoral, eschatological, and rhetorical exhortations, not conditions for the covenant’s validity. They reflect a covenantal lawsuit motif, disciplinary warnings within the church, and John’s use of ANE treaty language to motivate faithfulness. This aligns with Kline’s ANE-informed covenant theology, Vos’s eschatological focus, and Murray’s emphasis on the covenant of grace, offering a robust framework for my dissertation’s exploration of Revelation’s covenantal structure.

Dr. David Graves PhD. Dissertation, University of Aberdeen. The Influence of Ancient Near Eastern Vassal Treaties on the Seven Prophetic Messages in Revelation.

Forthcoming:

Graves, David E. “The Hittite Suzerainty Treaty: Evaluating Its Structure and Influence on Biblical Studies.” In Scripture in Its Material and Literary Context: Historical, Archaeological, and Cultural Correlations: Edwin Yamauchi Festschrift, edited by Mark A. Hassler, Clyde E. Billington, and D. Scott Stripling, Chapter 2, 24–48. (New York: T & T Clark, 2027).