Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

The Example and Shadow of Heavenly Things

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Hebrews 8:3-5 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, said he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. 

‘Ordained’ [Greek: kathistemi] Translated “ordain” (5:1; 8:3; Tit. 1:5); “appoint” (Acts 6:3); “conduct” (Acts 17:15); “set” (2:7); “make ruler” (Matt. 24:45-47; 25:21-23; Luke 12:42-44); and “make” (7:28; Luke 12:14; Acts 7:10, 27, 35; Rom. 5:19; 2Pet. 1:8).

‘Offer gifts and sacrifices’ Two kinds of offerings: Gifts to God acknowledging His government and providence in the universe. Sacrifices to God acknowledging sin and the necessity of atonement.

‘Wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.’ Since all priests needed to make offerings, it was required of Christ to make one (10:1-12).

‘For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law.’ The Levites were still carrying on the temple service in Jerusalem, thus was it not possible, therefore, for Christ to perform the office of a priest, being of the tribe of Judah, to which tribe the priesthood did not belong. The Levites served in this worship of shadows of heavenly things (8:4-5).  During Christ’s earthly ministry as well as for many years before, the priests and Pharisees were not serving God, but themselves, hence His judgement of them (Matt. 23).

‘See, said he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.’ Quoted from Exodus 25:9, 40. Moses had a literal model to go by (Ex. 25:9, 40; cp. Heb. 8:5; 9:23). David later saw a model of the temple (1Chron. 28:11-19).

‘Pattern’ [Greek: tupos] translated as example (Php. 3:17; 1Cor. 10:6, 11; 1Thess. 1:7; 2Thess. 3:9; 1Tim. 4:12; 1Pet. 5:3); pattern (Tit. 2:7; Heb. 8:5); manner (Acts 23:25); fashion (Acts 7:44); form (Rom. 6:17); figure (Acts 7:43; Rom. 5:14); and print (John 20:25).

Such an High Priest

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Hebrews 8:1-2 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 

‘Sum’ [Greek: kephalaion] means the  main point. Jesus Christ is the main point of the book Hebrews.

There are seven facts about Christ in Hebrews: Our High priest (3:1; 6:20; 7:11-28); He is exalted at God’s right hand (8:1; 1:3; 12:2; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20); Minister of realities of which the law was a shadow (8:2-6; 9:22-28; 10:1-12); He is an heavenly Priest (8:1-5; 9:23-24); He is the mediator of the new covenant (8:6; 9:15; Matt. 26:28); He became the only and true sacrifice (8:3; 9:11-28; 10:1-18; 1Pet. 2:24); He is the source of all blessings: (1) Mercy (8:12); (2) Remission of sins (8:12; 10:1-18); (3) Good things to come (9:11; 10:1); (4) Eternal redemption (9:12-15); (5) Purged conscience (9:14); (6) Eternal inheritance (9:15); (7) Representation (9:24); (8) Victory over man’s enemies (10:13); (9) Sanctification (10:10); (10) Perfection (10:14); (11) Forgetting of sins (10:17-18); (12) Access to God (10:19).

‘Minister’ [Greek: leitourgos] public servant or officer. Christ is the public servant who carries on the business of the whole human race with God. All have common rights in His work and service. He is the minister of the heavenly things pertaining to man’s redemption and destiny (8:2-6; 9:11-15, 23-24).

‘Sanctuary’ [Greek: hagion] holies, referring to the holy of holies of the heavenly temple or tabernacle (8:2; 9:3, 8; 10:19). Used 10 times in Hebrews (8:2; 9:2, 3, 8, 12, 24, 25; 10:19; 13:11).

‘Tabernacle’ [Greek: skene] Translated “tabernacle” 19 times and “habitation” once (Luke 16:9).

There are seven kinds of tabernacles: Temporary dwellings (Matt. 17:4; Mark 9:5); the tabernacle of Moloch (Acts 7:43-44); the kingdom of David (Acts15:16); the Heavenly sanctuary (8:2; 9:11); the Mosaic tabernacle (8:5; 9:2, 6, 8, 21; 13:10); tents of dwelling (11:9); the Holy City (Rev. 13:6; 21:2-23).

The heavenly tabernacle is called the temple of God in Isaiah 6:1 and Revelations 3:12; 7:15; 11:19; 14:15, 17; 15:5-8; 16:1, 17.

Consecrated for Evermore – Part 2

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Hebrews 7:26-28 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needed not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law made men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, made the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

‘Once’ – He offered no sacrifice for Himself, for He was sinless (7:26; 1Pet. 2:22). He offered Himself once for all sinners, not daily or annually for the Jews only. He tasted death for every man (2:9-15; John 3:16; 1Pet. 2:24).

‘Himself’ – Christ’s eternal human body: He offered His body – the one God prepared for Him to offer as a sacrifice for all men (10:1-14). Since it was His body that died for sin, the same body needed to be resurrected and ascend into heaven to represent men. This is what is stated in Hebrews 7:25, “He ever liveth.” He is ever to live in the same body that lived and died on earth (Luke 24:39; Acts 1:11; Zech. 13:6). Thus, by His eternal intercession and presentation of His resurrected humanity before God, He represents man in heaven and makes it possible for God to justify men who meet His terms (John 3:16; Rom. 3:21-26; 10:9-10).

‘Since the law.’ This refers to the oath of God after the law was given to the effect that He would abolish the law and the Aaronic priesthood raising up another priest after the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4). This oath, made over 600 years after the giving of the law, abolishes the law that was not established by an oath (7:11-22, 28). Since the Son’s priesthood is eternal, the covenant upon which it operates is eternal. The old covenant, which the new covenant replaces, is not now in force.

Consecrated for Evermore – Part 1

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Hebrews 7:26-28 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needed not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law made men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, made the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

‘Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.’ The fivefold character and position of Christ: [1] He is Holy (7:26; 1Pet. 2:22) and [2] harmless [Greek: akakos] without evil. Translated as “simple” (Rom. 16:18). [3] He is undefiled [Greek: amiantos] (13:4; Jas. 1:27; 1Pet. 1:4). Here it means that He had no physical imperfection and nothing low, base, or unbecoming in His life and conduct. [4] He lived separately from sinners [Greek: chorizo] Translated as “separate” (7:26; Rom. 8:35, 39) and “put asunder” (Matt. 19:6; Mark 10:9). He lived a perfect life not being unequally yoked together with sinners in their sinful ways. [5] Made higher than the heavens. He was more exalted than angels and all other created beings of heaven (7:26; Eph. 1:20-23; Php. 2:9-11; 1Pet. 3:22).

‘Offer up’ [Greek: anaphero] Translated as “offer up” (7:27; 13:15; Jas. 2:21; 1Pet. 2:5); “bear” (9:28; 1Pet. 2:24); “lead,” “carry,” and “bring up” (Matt. 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 24:51).

To be continued…

To Make Intercession for Them

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Hebrews 7:23-25 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continued ever, had an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lived to make intercession for them. 

‘Unchangeable priesthood’ – A priesthood not passed to another, as in the Aaronic priesthood (7:23-24).

‘Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever lived to make intercession for them.’ Because He is an everlasting priest and has made the only true atonement for sin, He can save from all sin to the uttermost, in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. The condition of salvation is coming to God by Him.

‘Intercession’ [Greek: entungchano] to light upon; fall in with; meet with; intercede with and for. Translated as “intercession” (7:25; Rom. 8:27, 34; 11:2) and “deal with” (Acts 25:24). Seven purposes of intercession: To come to or meet a person for any cause whatever (7:25; Rom. 8:27, 34). To plead the cause of others as in a civil court (Isa. 59:9-18; 1Tim. 2:1). To pray for others (Isa. 53:12; Luke 22:44; Rom. 8:26-27, 8:34; Heb. 7:25). To defend or vindicate a person or thing (Jer. 7:16; 27:18; 36:25). To commend others to a person (Rom. 8:26-27). To furnish any kind of assistance or help (Rom. 8:26-27). To accuse or act against a person in a judicial way (Rom. 11:2; Acts 25:24).

Jesus Made a Surety

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Hebrews 7:20-22 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 

‘The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.’ The 18th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (7:21; Ps. 110:4). Paul’s argument here is that God has never failed to fulfil His oaths. Since He did not establish the Levitical priesthood or the law of Moses by an oath, He was free to change or abolish them at His pleasure.

Fourteen oaths of God in Scripture: To Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 22:16-18; Luke 1:72-74; Heb. 6:13-14). Confirmed in Isaac (Gen. 26:3; Ps. 105:9-11; Jer. 11:5). Confirmed in Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15; Ps. 105:9-11). Confirmed in Israel (Deut. 29:1-15). To rebellious Israel (Deut. 1:34-35; Heb. 3:11, 18; 4:3; Ps. 95:11). To rebellious Moses (Deut. 4:21). To David (2Sam. 7:1-29; Ps. 89:4, 89:35; 132:11; Acts 2:30-32). To Israel to destroy the Antichrist (Isa. 14:24-27; Rev. 19:11-21). To all creatures that they must bow to God (Isa. 45:23; Php. 2:9-11). Of the destruction of the temple (Jer 22:5). Of the perpetual desolation of Bozrah (Jer. 49:13). Of the eternal destruction of Babylon (Jer. 51:14; Isaiah 13-14). Of Messiah and His everlasting priesthood (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 7:21, 28). Of the new covenant to take the place of the law (Isa. 49:8; 59:21; 61:8; Jer. 32:40; Rom. 11:27; Heb. 8:6-13; 10:16).

‘Surety’ [Greek: enguos] giving surety or bail. Christ became the guarantee that the benefits of the new covenant would be given to all men who meet the terms. In this sense, He is the mediator (8:6; 9:15).

‘Better testament’ – The new covenant is a better one as compared with the old covenant or the law of Moses (2Cor. 3:6).

The Law Made Nothing Perfect

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Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

‘Bringing in’ [Greek: epeisagoge] superintroduction. This refers to the introduction of the gospel or the new covenant to take the place of the old covenant.

‘Better hope’ – Christ is better than Aaron: Makes perfect (7:11, 19; 10:14). Of a higher order (6:20; 7:1-21). Priest after a higher law (7:16). An eternal Priest (7:16-17, 21). A priest of an all-powerful and more profitable covenant (7:18). Priest of a better hope (7:19). Priest of a better way of approaching God (7:19; 10:19-23). Priest by God’s oath (7:21; Ps. 110:4). Priest of a better covenant based upon better promises (7:22; 8:6). Unchangeable (7:23-25, 28; 10:12-14). Able to save (7:25; 10:1-18). An eternal intercessor (7:25). Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners (7:26-27). Exalted to heaven (7:26; 1:3; 8:1; 12:1-2). No daily sacrifices (7:27; 10:10-14). An all-sufficient sacrifice (7:27; 10:10-14). Not infirm (7:28; Matt. 8:17). Consecrated forever (7:28). The Minister of the true and the heavenly temple (8:1-2; 9:11). Minister realities (8:4-5; 10:1-4). A more excellent ministry (8:6). The Mediator of a better covenant based upon better promises (8:6).

‘By the which we draw nigh unto God.’ By the atonement and the new covenant, we have a personal approach to God which no man had by the law program (7:19; 10:19-23).

After the Power of an Endless Life

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Hebrews 7:15-18 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arose another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testified, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 

‘And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arose another priest.’ It is more abundantly manifest [Greek: katadelos] very plain; that God designed the Levitical priesthood to be changed, because of the oath in Psalms 110:1-7 which declares the Messiah should be a priest after the order of Melchizedek who was not only a priest but also a prophet and a king (7:1-10). None of the Levitical priests exercised a double or a triple office, as was manifest in Jesus Christ.

‘Carnal’ [Greek: sarkines] fleshly; natural; human (7:16; Rom. 7:14; 15:27; 1Cor. 3:1-4; 9:11; 2Cor. 10:4). Here it means the full depravity of fallen man, sold as a slave and under the control of animal appetites and the forces of evil spirits. The word carnal does not always mean sinful or corrupt, but sometimes feeble, frail, or human. The idea here is that Christ was not appointed a priest after the order of Aaron wherein weak and perishing men must succeed each other, but He was made a High Priest after another order – after the power of immortality or endless life (7:16-17).

‘Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.’ This is the 17th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (7:17; Ps. 110:4).

‘Disannulling’ [Greek: athetesis] abolition, rejection. Translated as “disannulling” (7:18) and “put away” (9:26). What was disannulled? Not only the commandment of Hebrews 7:16-18 concerning the priesthood but all the law, including the Ten Commandments. That the commandment here refers to the law is made clear in Hebrews 7:19.

Fifteen things the Law was unprofitable in Redemption from sin (9:15; 10:1-18). Making perfect (7:19; 10:1). Giving eternal inheritance (Rom. 4:13). Freeing from sin and death (Rom. 8:2-3). Imparting faith (Gal. 3:12). Giving life (2Cor. 3:7; Gal. 3:21). Purging the conscience (9:9; 10:1-4). Working miracles (7:18; Rom. 8:3). Giving access to God (9:7-8; 10:19-23). Giving mercy (10:28). Justification (Gal. 2:16; Rom. 4:1-25). Imparting righteousness (Rom. 3:21-25). Imparting the Spirit (Gal. 3:1-5, 14). Providing realities (Col. 2:14-17; 8:5; 10:1). Sanctification (10:9-14).

The Priesthood Being Changed

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Hebrews 7:12-14 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertained to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 

‘For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.’ Change in Priesthood and Law: The priestly order of Aaron was now being abolished to make way for the original priesthood that preceded it – the order of Melchizedek. This made it necessary to change the law also and abolish all its sacrificial offerings which could not bring perfection, reconcile men to God, make them holy or take away sins (7:12; 10:5-10). God planned to change the law and its priesthood to introduce Jesus Christ as the only Priest and Sacrifice and substitute the gospel system for the Levitical institutions.

‘For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.’ The Messiah, of whom these things were predicted, did not come from the tribe of Levi and had no Levitical genealogy to prove His claim to the priesthood.

‘Evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda.’ Paul speaks with all confidence that Christ came from Judah, according to the official Jewish genealogies. The genealogies of both Matthew and Luke establish this fact. There were no difficulties in them in that day or the enemies of the gospel would have used them as proof against Christ being the Messiah.

‘Sprang out’ [Greek: anatello] had risen. Generally used of the sun rising (Matt. 4:16; 5:45; 13:6; Mark 4:6; 16:2; Jas. 1:11; 2Pet. 1:19; cp. Luke 12:54). Here, Christ is risen out of Judah as the sun in all its strength to bring light to Israel and knowledge to His people (Isa. 9:1-2; 11:1; Matt. 4:16; Luke 1:77-79).

Another Priest Should Rise

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Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 

‘Perfection’ [Greek: teleiosis] completing or finishing anything, to leave nothing imperfect or wanting. Translated “perfection” and “performance” (Luke 1:45). Here it means that the Levitical priesthood was faulty. The Levitical system was merely a shadow, not the substance and reality of the eternal priesthood of Christ. It represented a perfect system but was imperfect itself. It pointed to a perfect sacrifice that would take away sin but was helpless to cleanse from sin. Fifteen things that the Law could not do: Justify (Acts 13:38-39; Gal. 2:16). Free from sin and death (Rom. 8:2). Free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1-4). Redeem (Rom. 3:24-31; Gal. 3:13-14). Give inheritance (Rom. 4:13-14). Bring righteousness (Rom. 8:4). Impart the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:2). Perform miracles (Gal. 3:5). Free individual from the curse (Gal. 3:10-14). Impart faith (Gal. 3:12). Impart grace (Gal. 5:4). Make perfect (Heb. 7:19). Control sin in man (Rom. 7:7-23; 8:2). Keep man from sin (Rom. 7:7-23; 8:7). Enable a man to obey (Heb. 7:18).

‘Under it the people received the law.’ Not under it, but on account of it, for the law was given before this priesthood was established (Ex. 40:12-14).

‘What further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?’ The eternal priesthood typified by Melchizedek was the original priesthood. It existed over 400 years before the Levitical order. Over 600 years after the Levitical priesthood David by the Holy Spirit predicted that another priest – a perfect one – would arise after the order of Melchizedek. The law, therefore, did not contain the original priesthood, which existed typically in Melchizedek and became reality in Jesus Christ.