Christ is God

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

hey brother let’s talk about melchezidek and Christ sometime ??

This is long; it's kind of a study I did for someone.

David made a prophecy about Christ in psalm 110.

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalms 110:1​

With you is the sovereignty in the day of your power, with the brightness of your holy ones. From out of the womb before the morning star I engendered you. The LORD swore by an oath, and shall not repent, saying, You are a priest into the age according to the order of Melchisedek. Psalms 110:3-4​

​

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:5-6​

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:9-10​

​

John the Baptist, who was a descendant of Aaron, was commissioned by God to fulfill the word of God as prophesied by David by transferring the priesthood from the order of Aaron to the order of Melchizedek. This occurred at Jesus' baptism, which was the fulfillment or anti-type of the commissioning of Aaron the high priest described in Leviticus 8. Aaron was a shadow of the reality of Christ as high priest.

There are four things to notice about Aaron'e commissioning ceremony: 1) it was publicly done at the door of the tabernacle (doorway to God), 2) Aaron was washed with water, 3) he was clothed with garments that symbolized holiness, righteousness, godliness (Isaiah 59:17, Ephesians 6:14-17) and 4) he was anointed with oil

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Leviticus 8:1-4​

​

And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. Leviticus 8:6-9​

​

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him to sanctify him. Leviticus 8:12​

​

In a similar manner, Jesus 1) presented himself in public at the door of heaven, 2) was washed in water, 4) was anointed with the holy spirit and 3) was clothed with the spirit that abode on him.

Then went out to [John] Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5-6​

​

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Matthew 3:13​

​

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17​

​

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. John 1:32​

Jesus implicitly acknowledged to John that he didn't need to be baptized with water, but entreated John to do it for the sake of fulfilling all righteousness, which I suspect means fulfilling the past shadow of Aaron's baptism/commissioning and fulfilling David's prophecy for the sake of honoring and glorifying God's word.

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:13-15​

Now something interesting about Melchizedek. The bread and wine that Melchizedek the priest shared with Abraham seems to signify communion. Possibly a type or shadow of the new covenant meal fulfilled on Passover when Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:18​

​

And he [Christ] took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:19-20​

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16​

 

[JaumeJ]

King of Righteousness, King of Peace.
Who is the King of Righteousness: Who ithe King of Peace?

 

[SilverFox7]

amen brother well put as we learn from Jesus ourselves in the gospel he begins to teach us to move and what type of actions to take and avoid. It’s part of kids really focusing on Jesus and hearing the gospel he preached to believers in him he eventually teaches us that we need to start applying what we believe to our life with our actions

“Our belief needs to be centered upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and the gospel. And, then it needs to be followed-up with action just like God told the Israelites to move forward through the parting walls of the sea during the Exodus.”

exactly if we believe in God , then what he says will save us , will save us if we believe that should be the result and so obedience is just wise knowing this will save me ….and tbat other oath will destroy me . How am I so sure ? Jesus the Lord taught us in the gospel

but there’s milk for babes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.( milk )


For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned:

(Mmm milk )

but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

See the equation there anyone who believes will live forever ,

anyone who doesn’t believe is condemned because they didn’t believe.

So to someone who believes in Jesus this is sure spiritual milk that begins to build our faith in God these words of Jesus himself explaining these simple summary points salvstion is simple like that when we focus on Jesus like your saying there and hearing the gospel.

peter tells us this milk makes us grow

“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But even then we’re being Calle to a purpose and action that works with what’s being said here

1 “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,”

2 desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

“if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” ( Because we know of Gods graciousness and mercy )

it doesn’t end because we know Gods gracious but grace that saved us is the source and beginning of our new life in Christ.

Like children were born and don’t know much but we learn and grow and the father keeps us close and warm and safe nothing is really expected of a babe but to learn and behave as to what they know but they learn as they are growing and sometimes they do wrong not knowing

Eventually we have to grow up is my point depending on the individuals relationship between God and themselves the Milk makes strong. Ones and the meat and potatoes with a glass of milk makes a strong man of faith

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬


hey brother let’s talk about melchezidek and Christ sometime ??

“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, To day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchisedec.

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:11

I'm down for a discussion about Melchizedek, brother. What are your thoughts about this interesting character in the Bible?

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I'm down for a discussion about Melchizedek, brother. What are your thoughts about this interesting character in the Bible?

i find a lot of thoughts in scripture for instance before the law was given through Moses to israel , before the levites were made priests. Before there was a temple or anything in earth . Notice the pattern of bread and wine making the covenant blessing

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.

And he gave him tithes of all.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭14:18-20‬ ‭

notice tbis is before sinai before the desert and deliverance out from Egypt yet there’s a high priest not of Aaron’s order ? And so we can assume there are also priestly duties and we can also see the mediation between the priest and the man and God an intercessor and mediator between the two

He blesses Abraham and then blesses the Lord God who delivered Abraham in the preceding war of the kings. But also he shows forth a figure of bread and wine.

later much later aboit 430 yrs later Moses is given a pattern of things in heaven and a pattern of melchezideks preisthood for an earthly service. Til Christ should come

“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. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: ( levites ) 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, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:1-2, 4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:20‬ ‭

the order of the heavens that’s eternal it was before the leviticle order before the law and is after the leviticle order after the ot law

 

[Pilgrimshope]

This is long; it's kind of a study I did for someone.

David made a prophecy about Christ in psalm 110.

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalms 110:1​

With you is the sovereignty in the day of your power, with the brightness of your holy ones. From out of the womb before the morning star I engendered you. The LORD swore by an oath, and shall not repent, saying, You are a priest into the age according to the order of Melchisedek. Psalms 110:3-4​

​

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:5-6​

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:9-10​

​

John the Baptist, who was a descendant of Aaron, was commissioned by God to fulfill the word of God as prophesied by David by transferring the priesthood from the order of Aaron to the order of Melchizedek. This occurred at Jesus' baptism, which was the fulfillment or anti-type of the commissioning of Aaron the high priest described in Leviticus 8. Aaron was a shadow of the reality of Christ as high priest.

There are four things to notice about Aaron'e commissioning ceremony: 1) it was publicly done at the door of the tabernacle (doorway to God), 2) Aaron was washed with water, 3) he was clothed with garments that symbolized holiness, righteousness, godliness (Isaiah 59:17, Ephesians 6:14-17) and 4) he was anointed with oil

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Leviticus 8:1-4​

​

And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. Leviticus 8:6-9​

​

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him to sanctify him. Leviticus 8:12​

​

In a similar manner, Jesus 1) presented himself in public at the door of heaven, 2) was washed in water, 4) was anointed with the holy spirit and 3) was clothed with the spirit that abode on him.

Then went out to [John] Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5-6​

​

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Matthew 3:13​

​

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17​

​

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. John 1:32​

Jesus implicitly acknowledged to John that he didn't need to be baptized with water, but entreated John to do it for the sake of fulfilling all righteousness, which I suspect means fulfilling the past shadow of Aaron's baptism/commissioning and fulfilling David's prophecy for the sake of honoring and glorifying God's word.

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:13-15​

Now something interesting about Melchizedek. The bread and wine that Melchizedek the priest shared with Abraham seems to signify communion. Possibly a type or shadow of the new covenant meal fulfilled on Passover when Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:18​

​

And he [Christ] took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:19-20​

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16​

That’s an interesting read thanks a lot for sharing it

 

[Pilgrimshope]

King of Righteousness, King of Peace.
Who is the King of Righteousness: Who ithe King of Peace?

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭24:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

[SilverFox7]

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.

And he gave him tithes of all.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭14:18-20‬ ‭

notice this is before Sinai before the desert and deliverance out from Egypt yet there’s a high priest not of Aaron’s order ? And so we can assume there are also priestly duties and we can also see the mediation between the priest and the man and God an intercessor and mediator between the two

He blesses Abraham and then blesses the Lord God who delivered Abraham in the preceding war of the kings. But also he shows forth a figure of bread and wine.

I really enjoyed reading @ChristRoseFromTheDead 's commentary above about Melchizedek, which you did a nice spring board off the high dive with your excellent insights as well. I don't think I've ever made the connection between Melchizedek bringing forth the bread and wine to Abraham and Christ's institution of communion with the bread and wine representing His body and blood sacrificed for us. I never really thought about how Jesus took on a priestly role during the communion ceremony he shared with His disciples.

So, just who is Melchizedek? Hebrews 7 gives us some illumination:

Hebrews 7:1-3

New King James Version

The King of Righteousness

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

As @JaumeJ noted, we need to consider Melchizedek as the "king of righteousness" and "king of peace." Hmm, kings and priests serve different functions within a Godly theocracy, yet Melchizedek is both a priest and a king? It's interesting that the translators of verse 2 in the NKJV have a lower case "k" for king, but Bible Gateway has this section titled with an uppercase "K" in their "The King of Righteousness" heading. There's some ambiguity here and mystery, too.

I was in an excellent small group Bible Study on the book of Hebrews a number of years ago, and we were trying to figure just who this Melchizedek is that just appears out of thin air to greet Abraham and bless him. We came to the conclusion that the answer lies in verse 3 - Melchizedek and Jesus Christ are one and the same. Who but God is "without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life"?

I'll leave it at that for now, but what we discussed about Jesus as High Priest earlier in Revelation is inspiring some really cool ideas.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I really enjoyed reading @ChristRoseFromTheDead 's commentary above about Melchizedek, which you did a nice spring board off the high dive with your excellent insights as well. I don't think I've ever made the connection between Melchizedek bringing forth the bread and wine to Abraham and Christ's institution of communion with the bread and wine representing His body and blood sacrificed for us. I never really thought about how Jesus took on a priestly role during the communion ceremony he shared with His disciples.

So, just who is Melchizedek? Hebrews 7 gives us some illumination:

Hebrews 7:1-3

New King James Version

The King of Righteousness

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

As @JaumeJ noted, we need to consider Melchizedek as the "king of righteousness" and "king of peace." Hmm, kings and priests serve different functions within a Godly theocracy, yet Melchizedek is both a priest and a king? It's interesting that the translators of verse 2 in the NKJV have a lower case "k" for king, but Bible Gateway has this section titled with an uppercase "K" in their "The King of Righteousness" heading. There's some ambiguity here and mystery, too.

I was in an excellent small group Bible Study on the book of Hebrews a number of years ago, and we were trying to figure just who this Melchizedek is that just appears out of thin air to greet Abraham and bless him. We came to the conclusion that the answer lies in verse 3 - Melchizedek and Jesus Christ are one and the same. Who but God is "without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life"?

I'll leave it at that for now, but what we discussed about Jesus as High Priest earlier in Revelation is inspiring some really cool ideas.

Yes I also enjoyed the comment by “Christ rose “ I usually enjoy anything if it’s subject matter is biblical and informative

always also a joy your posts like the above ! A good read and appreciated as usual


ties also into why Jesus was born a Hebrew man , lived a perfect life , was tempted but never sinned rose from the dead and ascended to the heavens as high preist

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:14-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭KJV‬

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, To day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchisedec.

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:5-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As we learn of melchezideks heavenly order and that Jesus is the high priest we can begin to see reasons why Jesus came to be born and suffer and die and then later be raised up again ect why this was needed to reconcile man and Gods relationship . It sort of begins to make sense tangibly why Jesus needed to become a man which is rerally interesting . The first seven or eight chapters of Hebrews really are a lot about melchezideks order and Christs identity and preistly role in the heavenly Jerusalem as well as being king of kings he also became high priest and intercessor

Then chaoter8 really begins to drill down on the two covenants and two worlds

“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.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Christs role as preist is really what they are communicating in the earlier chapters then it goes into the tabernacle and city ect

“but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:22-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The last part there remember how the letter had began

“hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I find Hebrews a fascinating read that honestly sheds a lot of light and helps understanding revelations vision ALOT

 

[SilverFox7]

[QUOE="Pilgrimshope, post: 5397182, member: 300996"]I find Hebrews a fascinating read that honestly sheds a lot of light and helps understanding revelations vision ALOT[/QUOTE]

I agree, brother, that Hebrews is filled with a lot of quality meat for us to chew on and slowly digest, and it is truly a joy to dive into the Word with you and explore the depth and riches God has for us in the Bible. Look at what the author of Hebrews has to say to his audience after he explains to them how Christ was "called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek" (Heb. 5: 10):

11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The author of Hebrews doesn't put frosting on a pile of dung but instead chastens his audience to wake up and get with the program. This letter is filled with stern warnings that we as Christians need to take this work seriously, and we need to have solid food so that we are energized to promote the good and fight against the forces of evil.

I love the first verse of chapter 6, "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection..." (v. 1). Our goal should be the same as Jesus': to do the will of God and finish His work, spreading the good news and developing Godly character with the target being perfection - Jesus Christ.

I was thinking back to our discussion about Jesus as High Priest greeting John in the temple of the third heavens as it relates to this discussion of Hebrews and Melchizedek, who comes on the scene during Abraham's day. The ascended Christ who sits at the right of the Father is our High Priest forever. Jesus as a human served priestly roles during his ministry by forgiving people of their sins as one example (I'm sure we can note many others).

And, it appears that the Word in the form of Melchizedek kicks off the priestly covenant with Abraham. Like you noted, the Levitical priesthood materializes under Moses and is a temporary type/shadow of the heavenly priesthood that will last forever. What struck me as we've continued this fascinating discussion of Jesus as High Priest is how he revealed Himself to John in heaven at the end of the Biblical story in Revelation.

The Word kicks off the earthly priesthood in the form of Melchizedek at the roots our Judaeo-Christian heritage in Abraham. Christ is a King and a Priest like Melchizedek, king and priest of the terrestrial Salem (Jerusalem). Christ is King and Priest of the heavenly Jerusalem, and that's a story we will be living out and writing in the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem!

 

[TheLearner]

rth