After the Power of an Endless Life

January 10, 2024December 19, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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

January 9, 2024December 19, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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

January 8, 2024December 19, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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.

The Better – Part 2

December 8, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 7:7-10 And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better…

We need to understand the union of the two natures of Jesus Christ. He constantly spoke of Himself as a single person and not as two persons in one. There is no interchange of speech between the two natures as between two persons. The attributes and powers of both natures are ascribed to one person so that they are operated as part of a single individual. There is no double personality, but one single unit of characteristics of both the human and the divine. Just as any father and mother impart certain traits to the offspring, making a single person with characteristics of both parents, so the human and the divine were united in the one person of Jesus Christ – with one body, soul, and spirit and with one consciousness and one will.

The Fatherhood of God and the motherhood of Mary produced a single personality. After all, it must be remembered that God made man with the same body parts as He has in His Spirit-body, only our bodies are earthly and human and His is spiritual and divine. He made man with the same kind of soul with feelings, emotions, passions, desires, and appetites, capable of the same soul-acts as He was; only our soul is finite and His is infinite. He made man with a spirit with all the attributes and powers that He has, capable of the same acts; only our spirits are finite and His is infinite. In other words, man is endowed with the same traits, characteristics, attributes, powers, feelings, and passions as God, only on a finite scale.

With this in mind, one can see that the soul and spirit faculties that were born in Jesus Christ by a divine Father and a human mother were the same as in any other being like God; so when Christ acted and used any one attribute or power as a man it was like the exercise of God in the same aspects, only His faculties were perfectly untainted with the Fall and its effects. When Christ acted, He was like man before the Fall and not like sinful man since the Fall. Every fallen man when he is recreated in Christ and made a new creature is capable of proper exercise of his faculties in holy and lawful uses.

The Better – Part 1

December 7, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 7:7-10 And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die received tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lived. And as I may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

‘The better’ – Christ is better than Abraham: Christ is a member of the Godhead that made the covenant with Abraham and gave him promises (6:13-15; 1Jn. 5:7). Christ is the hope of Abraham (6:16-20; Col. 1:27). Christ is eternal (1:8; 6:20; John 8:58; Rev. 1:8-11). Christ is the Saviour and Blesser of Abraham (6:20; 7:7; Gal. 3:13-18, 26-29). Christ is Abraham’s eternal High Priest of which Melchizedek was only a type (6:20; 7:3, 7-10, 14-21). Abraham paid tithes to Christ’s eternal priesthood (7:2, 4-10). Christ is only begotten Son of Abraham’s God (7:3; John 1:14, 18; 3:16)

‘And here men that die receive tithes; but there he received them.’ If men who die receive tithes, how much more should they who live receive them? That is, if temporary priests have received them, how much more should the eternal priests [future calling for Christians – see Revelations 1:6 – no priests were assigned for the New Testament period before the rapture except Jesus Christ] receive them?

‘Of whom it is witnessed that he lived.’ As there is no record of his death or the end of his priesthood, Melchizedek is an illustration of the perpetuity of life, a type of Christ who is eternal (1:8; Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; Rev. 1:8-11).

‘Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham.’ Those who receive tithes also pay them on their own income. In this, Abraham was the representative tithe payer for all his seed to come (7:9-10).

‘In the loins of his father.’ In the loins of his ancestral father.

To be continued…

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 3

December 6, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

‘Though they come out of the loins of Abraham.’ This proves that even children of Abraham were supposed to pay tithes. If they were obligated to pay tithes, so were the Gentiles, including Christians.

‘From them’ – He reckoned no genealogy from them, from the genealogies of the priests (7:5). This was considered essential for a priest by the Jews. On the other hand, since they recognized Melchizedek as a true priest of God and greater than Abraham, they had to recognize that genealogy was not the essential thing for a priest and that on these grounds Jesus Christ could be a priest after the order of Melchizedek to fulfil Psalms 110:1-7.

‘Received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.’ This proves that the Melchizedek priesthood had a commandment to take tithes of Abraham, as the Levites were commanded to take tithes of all Israel (7:5-6). If Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, his natural and spiritual seed should continue to pay tithes to this priesthood since it now replaced the Aaronic priesthood (7:9-21). Is the first priest of this order the only one to receive tithes? Should God require tithing under this priesthood at first and then discontinue it when Christ became a priest after this order? Does grace lessen the obligation of man or increase it? Has this priesthood come to a self-supporting place, where it needs nothing from those under its benefits? Was it right that Abraham paid tithes to this priesthood and for Melchizedek to receive them for his support? If it was right then, could it be wrong now to continue this same program? Should a mere typical priesthood be supported and not the eternal priesthood itself?

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 2

December 5, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Tenth of the spoils’ – The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture (continues): [2] Paul taught it: (1) Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27:1-34). (2) Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6). (3) God ordained the support of ministers to spread the gospel (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18). (4) Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2). (5) Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11, 17, 21). (6) Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:1-28). (7) Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Deut. 8:10-20).

Blessings of tithing: Blessings for obedience. God’s house will not lack (Mal. 3:10). God’s ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10). Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; 2Chron. 31:1-21; Neh. 13:1-31).

Examples of paying tithes: Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11); Jacob (Gen. 28:22); Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9); Hezekiah and Israel (2Chron. 31:1-21); Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13:1-31); Hypocrites (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12); Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7:1-28).

No scripture even mentions a substitute program for tithing in the New Testament.

To be continued…

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 1

December 4, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Man was’ – He was a man and even greater than Abraham, the source of the Jewish race. There remains no mystery about him given the facts here. Because he had no recorded father, mother, etc. does not make him a man of mystery or a divine person as many have thought. Christ is better than Melchizedek: [1] Christ will be the future eternal king of Jerusalem (Ezek. 43:7; 48:35; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 20:1-15); Melchizedek was the past temporary king (7:1). [2] Christ is an eternal priest (Heb. 6:20; 7:17); Melchizedek was temporary (7:1). [3] Christ is God (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2, 14); Melchizedek was a man (7:4). [4] Christ is the eternal King of Righteousness (Jer. 23:6); Melchizedek was temporary (7:2). [5] Christ is the eternal King of Peace (Isa. 9:6); Melchizedek was temporary (7:2). [6] Christ is an eternal being (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2; Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6); Melchizedek was not (7:3, 6). [7] Christ as an eternal being has no father, mother, beginning of days, or end of life (Mic. 5:2); Melchizedek had all these but they were not recorded (7:3, 6). [8] Christ was the antitype; Melchizedek the type of an eternal priesthood (Heb. 6:20; 7:17).

‘Patriarch’ [Greek: patriarches] father or chief of a family or tribe (7:4; Acts 2:29; 7:8-9).

‘Tenth of the spoils’ – The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture: Tithing was practised 430 years before the Law of Moses (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11). Tithing was practised under the Law of Moses (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10). Tithing was practised in the New Testament: [1] Christ taught it (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; cp. Matt. 5:20 with Luke 18:11-12; see Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7-8). This was teaching for the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 11:11-14; Luke 16:16).

To be continued…

Melchisedec – Part 2

December 1, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 7:1-3 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.

The twofold purpose of Paul: [1] To show that Jesus Christ was the Person prophesied of in Psalms 110:1-7, which psalm the Jews uniformly held to refer to the coming Messiah. [2] To answer the objections of the Jews against Christ’s priesthood because He did not come from priestly stock and could not be the antitype of Aaron or fulfil Leviticus 21:10-15. From the Jewish viewpoint, Christ would be further disqualified because (1) No proselyte could be a priest; (2) No slave could be a priest; (3) No bastard could be a priest (Jews accused Him of being illegitimate); (4) No son of a Nethinim (temple servant of the priest) could be one; (5) No man whose father exercised a base trade such as the carpenter trade. Many Jews considered Him unfit to be a priest because of this.

Here Paul shows that the priest didn’t need to come from a particular stock, for Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God and not from Abraham or Aaron: He was a Canaanite. Jews considered any person not in the regular genealogies of Israel to be without a father and descent or genealogy. Then, too, Jews considered Melchizedek to be without a father and mother because he was a righteous man and should not be classed with the heathen. This special phraseology was not uncommon when a person was unknown or obscure. Such was their way of signifying that the parents were unknown.

‘Tenth part of all’ – It was customary among ancient nations to give a tenth of the spoils of war to the objects of their worship.

Melchisedec – Part 1

November 30, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Melchisedec’ – There are ten facts about Melchizedek: [1] He was the King of Salem, ancient Jerusalem (7:1; Gen. 14:18). [2] He was a priest of God in Abraham’s day. [3] He met Abraham when he [Abraham] was returning from his military victory. [4] Abraham gave him one-tenth of the spoils (7:2; Gen. 14:16-24). [5] Melchizedek was called the King of Righteousness. [6] He was called King of Salem, or King of Peace. [7] Melchizedek had no descent [Greek: agenealogetos] without genealogy; without recorded father or mother; and without recorded beginning of days or end of life (7:3, 6). He had a father, mother, birth, and death, but these were not recorded, so that he could be a type of Christ who was an eternal being really without beginning and ending (Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6-7; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8-11). [8] He made a type of Christ so that Christ could be made a priest after his order (7:3; 5:6, 10; 6:15-20; 7:1-10, 15-21). As God Christ was not begotten, was not God’s Son, and had no birth or death. Only as man did the second person of the Divine Trinity have a begetting, a father, a mother, a birth and a death (Acts 13:33). The word Son supposes time, generations, father, mother, beginning, and conception – unless one is a son by creation, as Adam (Luke 3:38), and angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Gen. 6:1-4). Time, creation, and beginning are opposites to God and eternity and are absolutely impossible to reconcile with them. If sonship refers to deity, not to humanity, then this person of the Deity had a beginning in time and not in eternity. It is plainly stated in Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 that God had a Son “this day” and not in eternity. It is stated in Hebrews 1:5-7; Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:18-25 when this took place. It was nearly 2,000 years ago. It had been predicted that God would have a Son (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Heb. 1:5; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:32-35). This was fulfilled when the virgin conceived “of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20), not at any other time. To say that God had an eternal Son would mean He had two; but it is plainly stated that Jesus was “the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; 1Jn. 4:9). [9] He was an ordinary man (7:4). [10] He was greater than Abraham (7:4-7).

To be continued…