Summary of Bible references on the Rapture
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Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
The sabbath day is a picture, God labored for six days and then on the seventh day He rested. In our case man was created on the end of the sixth day and so you begin your new life as a day of rest, but then you must labor for six days to enter into that rest on the seventh. So consider this, Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, on the sixth day, the day of creation, and then spent the entire 24 hours of the next day in the tomb, in a day of rest, on the sabbath. But then He rose from the dead on the first day of the week, the eighth day. As a result in the new creation we can labor, we can work, and this will conclude with the millennial reign which will be a thousand years, a day of rest to God. Our Christian life begins when we are crucified with Christ. This requires us to die to self, sin, the flesh and the world. We must abide in that death, but if our old man is buried and we are abiding in that death, then we can rise in the newness of life and now it is no longer I that am doing anything but Christ who lives in me. If we labor according to this pattern of faith, then we won't fall after the same example of unbelief we see in the Old Testament.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Jesus Christ is the incarnated word of God. He is the one who is living inside of you, but that would be indistinguishable from the incarnated word of God living inside of you. In spiritual warfare the sword of the Spirit is the word of God infused with the Spirit of God. But, the way you take hold of that word is by that word being a sharp sword like a scalpel that has been a discerner of your thoughts and intents of your heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
This is the breakthrough that we must have, to learn that those thoughts and intents we are scared of being revealed are in fact common to all the creatures. When you allow the word of God to operate on you, and discern your thoughts and intents, it becomes a sword in your hand that will manifest the thoughts and intents of every creature.
14 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.
So you see, the incarnated word of God operating in you, is a great high priest. He passed from the earth, through the lowest parts of Hades and Tartarus, into the heavens. He has conquered every creature, not just men, but also the fallen angels and the demons. So then, when the battle is fiercest, hold fast onto Him.
15 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.
Jesus understands what we are going through and what we need. He can see what we are going to need before we even realize it. He is like the coach in the corner, He sees the fight we are going through and help us with exactly what we need to stand up to the opponent we are battling.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Think about that boxer, he didn't go into the ring by himself. The corner men went with him. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are our corner men. It isn't just us, all by ourselves, fighting this fight. Therefore we can come boldly unto them. In between rounds you get to sit on the stool, get some water, get blood wiped off, obtain mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need. For example, I remember the first gospel meeting I went to as a believer. Everyone in the church had been praying around the clock for this prior to the meeting, and we had brought a number of gospel contacts. However, the brother who was preaching was getting destroyed. He was losing everyone. When he sat down it was reasonable to conclude the fight was over and it had been lost. But then I had a word inside of me, and it said this is halftime. Yes, we lost the first half of this fight, but now every member can rise with a testimony and as much as we lost the first half we can win the second half. So I was the first out of my seat, not in defeat, but believing in victory. Before I had finished an older brother was also out of his seat and I felt he had the same word, that now it is up to us to turn the defeat into victory, and before he was finished there were others out of their seats. Everything changed in that instant as everyone in the congregation realized "now it is our turn". That day I saw the fulfillment of what 1 Corinthians 14:24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
We have many "high priests" in our life. Gus D'Amato was a high priest to Mike Tyson. Bill Belichick was Tom Brady's high priest at New England. Think of the word "high priest" referring to a mentor or coach.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
These coaches are not perfect, sometimes the game is lost because the player makes a mistake, sometimes the game is lost because the coach makes a mistake.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
When you are a kid you can play basketball or football and dream and train to be a great player. But no one gets to decide they will be the coach. Think of Phil Jackson or Steve Kerr, both of these coaches are great coaches who have won multiple championships and both of them played professional basketball. But they were not the stars. Steve Kerr played with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, three hall of fame basketball players. But the superstars rarely if ever are great coaches. Phil Jackson played with Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Earl Monroe, three hall of fame players as well. In this example Moses was the "superstar" and Aaron was the sidekick who became the high priest, the superstar coach.
The sabbath day is a picture, God labored for six days and then on the seventh day He rested. In our case man was created on the end of the sixth day and so you begin your new life as a day of rest, but then you must labor for six days to enter into that rest on the seventh. So consider this, Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, on the sixth day, the day of creation, and then spent the entire 24 hours of the next day in the tomb, in a day of rest, on the sabbath. But then He rose from the dead on the first day of the week, the eighth day. As a result in the new creation we can labor, we can work, and this will conclude with the millennial reign which will be a thousand years, a day of rest to God. Our Christian life begins when we are crucified with Christ. This requires us to die to self, sin, the flesh and the world. We must abide in that death, but if our old man is buried and we are abiding in that death, then we can rise in the newness of life and now it is no longer I that am doing anything but Christ who lives in me. If we labor according to this pattern of faith, then we won't fall after the same example of unbelief we see in the Old Testament.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Jesus Christ is the incarnated word of God. He is the one who is living inside of you, but that would be indistinguishable from the incarnated word of God living inside of you. In spiritual warfare the sword of the Spirit is the word of God infused with the Spirit of God. But, the way you take hold of that word is by that word being a sharp sword like a scalpel that has been a discerner of your thoughts and intents of your heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
This is the breakthrough that we must have, to learn that those thoughts and intents we are scared of being revealed are in fact common to all the creatures. When you allow the word of God to operate on you, and discern your thoughts and intents, it becomes a sword in your hand that will manifest the thoughts and intents of every creature.
14 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.
So you see, the incarnated word of God operating in you, is a great high priest. He passed from the earth, through the lowest parts of Hades and Tartarus, into the heavens. He has conquered every creature, not just men, but also the fallen angels and the demons. So then, when the battle is fiercest, hold fast onto Him.
15 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.
Jesus understands what we are going through and what we need. He can see what we are going to need before we even realize it. He is like the coach in the corner, He sees the fight we are going through and help us with exactly what we need to stand up to the opponent we are battling.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Think about that boxer, he didn't go into the ring by himself. The corner men went with him. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are our corner men. It isn't just us, all by ourselves, fighting this fight. Therefore we can come boldly unto them. In between rounds you get to sit on the stool, get some water, get blood wiped off, obtain mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need. For example, I remember the first gospel meeting I went to as a believer. Everyone in the church had been praying around the clock for this prior to the meeting, and we had brought a number of gospel contacts. However, the brother who was preaching was getting destroyed. He was losing everyone. When he sat down it was reasonable to conclude the fight was over and it had been lost. But then I had a word inside of me, and it said this is halftime. Yes, we lost the first half of this fight, but now every member can rise with a testimony and as much as we lost the first half we can win the second half. So I was the first out of my seat, not in defeat, but believing in victory. Before I had finished an older brother was also out of his seat and I felt he had the same word, that now it is up to us to turn the defeat into victory, and before he was finished there were others out of their seats. Everything changed in that instant as everyone in the congregation realized "now it is our turn". That day I saw the fulfillment of what 1 Corinthians 14:24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
We have many "high priests" in our life. Gus D'Amato was a high priest to Mike Tyson. Bill Belichick was Tom Brady's high priest at New England. Think of the word "high priest" referring to a mentor or coach.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
These coaches are not perfect, sometimes the game is lost because the player makes a mistake, sometimes the game is lost because the coach makes a mistake.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
When you are a kid you can play basketball or football and dream and train to be a great player. But no one gets to decide they will be the coach. Think of Phil Jackson or Steve Kerr, both of these coaches are great coaches who have won multiple championships and both of them played professional basketball. But they were not the stars. Steve Kerr played with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, three hall of fame basketball players. But the superstars rarely if ever are great coaches. Phil Jackson played with Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Earl Monroe, three hall of fame players as well. In this example Moses was the "superstar" and Aaron was the sidekick who became the high priest, the superstar coach.
Hebrews 5:5 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. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Jesus was not born into a priestly family. He was made a priest after the order of Mechisedec, and the process for that to happen is the nazarite vow. Samson is an example of a nazarite vow.
7 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;
If you are one who is a priest after the Nazarite vow then you will conquer death. The vow is broken if you touch a dead thing. Think of Jesus, He had a nazarite vow, and he touched a dead body. What happened? The dead body came to life. If the nazarite vow is unbroken you have a life that conquers death. Think about Samson, his hair was a profession of his faith. When he allowed Delilah and the Philistines to cut his hair, removing that profession of faith, his vow was broken. If you have a ministry Delilah and the Philistines will try to infiltrate that ministry and cut your profession of faith. This is what happened to Charlie Kirk. His name is very meaningful, Charles or Charlie means "man" and Kirk means church. What happened to Charlie Kirk is what happened to Laodicea, the church that is run by man and not Jesus Christ. Charlie Kirk was a nazarite but he allowed his ministry to be infiltrated and ultimately kill him. However, like Samson, in death his ministry achieved more than it had in his life.
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
This is why the role players become great coaches and not the superstars. When Michael Jordan was asked if the transition from college to the pros had been hard his first year, he said no. The superstars do not go through the pain and suffering the role players have to go through every day to simply make the team. Everything revolves around the superstars and the role players have to figure out how to fit into that team to be productive. That is the mindset of a coach, how can I make each player on this team productive while emphasizing our strengths and playing to them. Phil Jackson had a superstar named Michael Jordan and the first thing he did was to take the ball out of Michael's hand and have him shoot it less. Why? First, he wanted Michael to be at full strength and didn't need him wasting energy bringing up the ball and facilitating each play. Second, he had seen what happened to Wilt Chamberlain, the most dominant player the NBA ever saw. If you don't develop the players around him they'll double team the superstar. By making the rest of the team just as dangerous as Michael it made it impossible to beat the Bulls by double teaming Michael. The difference between a superstar in the NBA and a role player is that a superstar can score while being covered and even double teamed. A role player can score just as well when he is open. So if they double team Michael he can hit the open man.
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
This is what a good coach is, he is the author of salvation. So many times I remember seeing the underdog win a game or a match when no one thought they could. How? Their coach had come up with a game plan, he had been the author of salvation for that team. Jesus Christ is the best coach. You may be an underdog, but He can come up with a game plan for you and if you obey Him then He will be your "author of eternal salvation".
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Jesus was not born into a priestly family. He was made a priest after the order of Mechisedec, and the process for that to happen is the nazarite vow. Samson is an example of a nazarite vow.
7 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;
If you are one who is a priest after the Nazarite vow then you will conquer death. The vow is broken if you touch a dead thing. Think of Jesus, He had a nazarite vow, and he touched a dead body. What happened? The dead body came to life. If the nazarite vow is unbroken you have a life that conquers death. Think about Samson, his hair was a profession of his faith. When he allowed Delilah and the Philistines to cut his hair, removing that profession of faith, his vow was broken. If you have a ministry Delilah and the Philistines will try to infiltrate that ministry and cut your profession of faith. This is what happened to Charlie Kirk. His name is very meaningful, Charles or Charlie means "man" and Kirk means church. What happened to Charlie Kirk is what happened to Laodicea, the church that is run by man and not Jesus Christ. Charlie Kirk was a nazarite but he allowed his ministry to be infiltrated and ultimately kill him. However, like Samson, in death his ministry achieved more than it had in his life.
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
This is why the role players become great coaches and not the superstars. When Michael Jordan was asked if the transition from college to the pros had been hard his first year, he said no. The superstars do not go through the pain and suffering the role players have to go through every day to simply make the team. Everything revolves around the superstars and the role players have to figure out how to fit into that team to be productive. That is the mindset of a coach, how can I make each player on this team productive while emphasizing our strengths and playing to them. Phil Jackson had a superstar named Michael Jordan and the first thing he did was to take the ball out of Michael's hand and have him shoot it less. Why? First, he wanted Michael to be at full strength and didn't need him wasting energy bringing up the ball and facilitating each play. Second, he had seen what happened to Wilt Chamberlain, the most dominant player the NBA ever saw. If you don't develop the players around him they'll double team the superstar. By making the rest of the team just as dangerous as Michael it made it impossible to beat the Bulls by double teaming Michael. The difference between a superstar in the NBA and a role player is that a superstar can score while being covered and even double teamed. A role player can score just as well when he is open. So if they double team Michael he can hit the open man.
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
This is what a good coach is, he is the author of salvation. So many times I remember seeing the underdog win a game or a match when no one thought they could. How? Their coach had come up with a game plan, he had been the author of salvation for that team. Jesus Christ is the best coach. You may be an underdog, but He can come up with a game plan for you and if you obey Him then He will be your "author of eternal salvation".
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
This is a fascinating verse
Leviticus 26:18 “‘If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.
It is fascinating because it doesn't tell us seven times what, just seven times more than the punishment described in verses 14-17. Then if you continue to not repent the Lord says
Leviticus 26:21 “‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve.
Again, if you don't repent He will make the punishment even worse.
23 “‘If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me, 24 I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over.
Again, if they don't repent
27 “‘If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, 28 then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over.
This is how the Bible is written, we can't know how long the punishment is without knowing how long the initial punishment was that we then get 4 sets of 7 times more. But later in Jeremiah we learn they are punished for 70 years. That is the initial time period that we get 4 more periods of 7x70 of punishment. You could claim that this is speculative except that Jesus confirms that you are to forgive someone 70x7 times. Once we combine these three sections, the historical record of how long Israel was punished when they were sent to Babylon, plus the law of how God will deal with them in the event they refuse to repent and He must punish them for their sins. What really locks this up as solid is the destruction of the temple. If the destruction of the temple marked the 70 year period starting when they were carried off to Babylon, then the destruction of the temple in 70 AD marks the start of this period of 4x7x70 punishments or 1,960 years of punishment.
Taken altogether there is a solid Biblical frame to say that the time period that this is based on is 70 years, and if they still have not repented after all that then you get 4x7x70 years of punishment as a maximum amount. That is 1,960 years and without a doubt the crucifixion of Jesus is proof that they had refused to repent after that initial 70 year period of punishment. They were given 40 years to come to repentance because they were given the sign of Jonah and that included Jonah walking throughout the city for forty days telling them to repent.
In addition there is an escalation of God mirroring their rebellion so that the way they treat God is the way He treats them. This will culminate in the tribulation period. But when the period of forgiveness ends then the period of God pouring out His wrath begins. That would be shortly after the two witnesses are killed and then resurrected before all. So then the 9th of Av in 70 AD starts a countdown of 1,960 years until the beginning of the pouring out of God's wrath on the 9th of Av in 2030. That would be sometime after the midpoint of the tribulation. Most expositors agree that the pouring out of God's wrath takes place in the last 42 months of the seven year tribulation, a period known as the great tribulation.
This does not tell us when the rapture is, this does not tell us when the tribulation begins, what it does tell us is that the pouring out of God's wrath will likely begin in the Summer of 2030 and 3 1/2 to 4 years before that the seven year tribulation will begin.
Ezekiel's Prediction of the Rapture Year Was the Same as Daniel's and Hosea's
Leviticus 26:18 “‘If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.
It is fascinating because it doesn't tell us seven times what, just seven times more than the punishment described in verses 14-17. Then if you continue to not repent the Lord says
Leviticus 26:21 “‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve.
Again, if you don't repent He will make the punishment even worse.
23 “‘If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me, 24 I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over.
Again, if they don't repent
27 “‘If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, 28 then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over.
This is how the Bible is written, we can't know how long the punishment is without knowing how long the initial punishment was that we then get 4 sets of 7 times more. But later in Jeremiah we learn they are punished for 70 years. That is the initial time period that we get 4 more periods of 7x70 of punishment. You could claim that this is speculative except that Jesus confirms that you are to forgive someone 70x7 times. Once we combine these three sections, the historical record of how long Israel was punished when they were sent to Babylon, plus the law of how God will deal with them in the event they refuse to repent and He must punish them for their sins. What really locks this up as solid is the destruction of the temple. If the destruction of the temple marked the 70 year period starting when they were carried off to Babylon, then the destruction of the temple in 70 AD marks the start of this period of 4x7x70 punishments or 1,960 years of punishment.
Taken altogether there is a solid Biblical frame to say that the time period that this is based on is 70 years, and if they still have not repented after all that then you get 4x7x70 years of punishment as a maximum amount. That is 1,960 years and without a doubt the crucifixion of Jesus is proof that they had refused to repent after that initial 70 year period of punishment. They were given 40 years to come to repentance because they were given the sign of Jonah and that included Jonah walking throughout the city for forty days telling them to repent.
In addition there is an escalation of God mirroring their rebellion so that the way they treat God is the way He treats them. This will culminate in the tribulation period. But when the period of forgiveness ends then the period of God pouring out His wrath begins. That would be shortly after the two witnesses are killed and then resurrected before all. So then the 9th of Av in 70 AD starts a countdown of 1,960 years until the beginning of the pouring out of God's wrath on the 9th of Av in 2030. That would be sometime after the midpoint of the tribulation. Most expositors agree that the pouring out of God's wrath takes place in the last 42 months of the seven year tribulation, a period known as the great tribulation.
This does not tell us when the rapture is, this does not tell us when the tribulation begins, what it does tell us is that the pouring out of God's wrath will likely begin in the Summer of 2030 and 3 1/2 to 4 years before that the seven year tribulation will begin.
Ezekiel's Prediction of the Rapture Year Was the Same as Daniel's and Hosea's
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
According to the law you cannot be forgiven of sins and trespasses without the shedding of blood, that is what took place when Jesus was crucified. The point is, when you sin against someone, you have to pay the price. If you want to be reconciled to them you have to pay the price, and that is what "the shedding of blood" refers to. Jesus paid the price for us that we could be forgiven, both of God and of others.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The ordinances are not the ten commandments. Anyone who tells you the ten commandments has been nailed to the cross doesn't know what they are talking about.
I don't know where you get your information but no respectable Bible teacher teaches that the ten commandments were nailed to the cross. The commandments nailed to the cross which were against us were all the regulations for the Jewish religion that separate Jews from Gentiles. If you are a Gentile those regulations are against you, clearly against you. Especially the three pillars of the Jewish religion: keeping the sabbath, dietary laws, and circumcision.
What the new testament teaches is that Jesus fulfilled the law on the Sabbath by being in the grave for the entire sabbath day, that was His day of rest. If we abide in the death of Christ we are "keeping the sabbath". The dietary laws were allegorical, the clean and unclean animals refers to those who sanctified and those who aren't. The two criteria, chewing the cud refers to eating the word of God, and cloven hoofs refers to our walk being marked by the cross of Christ. As for circumcision we are told clearly that the cross of Christ circumcises our heart. Hence, Jesus Christ broke down the middle wall of separation and has joined Jews and Gentiles together, He is the corner stone.
Now if you notice neither circumcision nor dietary regulations are in the ten commandments. But keeping the sabbath is. The only way you can keep the ten commandments is if you are abiding in the death of Christ and walking in the resurrection. That means your daily walk has been touched by the cross, your heart has been circumcised by the cross and you daily eat the word of God.
According to the law you cannot be forgiven of sins and trespasses without the shedding of blood, that is what took place when Jesus was crucified. The point is, when you sin against someone, you have to pay the price. If you want to be reconciled to them you have to pay the price, and that is what "the shedding of blood" refers to. Jesus paid the price for us that we could be forgiven, both of God and of others.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The ordinances are not the ten commandments. Anyone who tells you the ten commandments has been nailed to the cross doesn't know what they are talking about.
I don't know where you get your information but no respectable Bible teacher teaches that the ten commandments were nailed to the cross. The commandments nailed to the cross which were against us were all the regulations for the Jewish religion that separate Jews from Gentiles. If you are a Gentile those regulations are against you, clearly against you. Especially the three pillars of the Jewish religion: keeping the sabbath, dietary laws, and circumcision.
What the new testament teaches is that Jesus fulfilled the law on the Sabbath by being in the grave for the entire sabbath day, that was His day of rest. If we abide in the death of Christ we are "keeping the sabbath". The dietary laws were allegorical, the clean and unclean animals refers to those who sanctified and those who aren't. The two criteria, chewing the cud refers to eating the word of God, and cloven hoofs refers to our walk being marked by the cross of Christ. As for circumcision we are told clearly that the cross of Christ circumcises our heart. Hence, Jesus Christ broke down the middle wall of separation and has joined Jews and Gentiles together, He is the corner stone.
Now if you notice neither circumcision nor dietary regulations are in the ten commandments. But keeping the sabbath is. The only way you can keep the ten commandments is if you are abiding in the death of Christ and walking in the resurrection. That means your daily walk has been touched by the cross, your heart has been circumcised by the cross and you daily eat the word of God.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
We have been called by God to the ministry. I like to compare this to being drafted to the NBA or to the NFL. I have also used the example of professional boxing but ministry is a team sport, so although your Christian walk is a warfare and can be compared to a heavyweight fight, the team sports are a more complete analogy. Now you are not eligible for this draft if you have not laid the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith towards God. Notice this is not talking about repentance from sins. Both Paul and James are great examples of "repentance from dead works". Paul was zealous for the dead Jewish religion and so was James. I believe these two brothers had a very big influence on the writing of Hebrews. What they have said so far, up to this point, is that Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit are like three coaches that we have to lead us to victory. We have been drafted already for the ministry, and that means we are being called to "go on unto perfection". This word perfection is only used twice in the New Testament. First time is in Colossians to "put on love, which is the bond of perfection". Love is stronger, Ephesians talks about "knowledge surpassing love". Love does things that could never be done by knowledge. It is hard to view "warfare" and "love" working together. But think about the movie "Hacksaw Ridge" about an army medic who refused to carry a gun because he didn't want to kill anyone, he wanted to help people being killed. You can see how love was operating in him in the midst of the warfare and what he did surpassed what anyone could do based solely on knowledge. John and Jude describe this warfare as pulling people out of the fire.
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These are all the things that are the foundation of our Christian life. Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. But you have to go beyond all that to have a ministry. Think of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. This TV show for children was a ministry. The man responsible for this ministry had laid this foundation. But the show went beyond that, it put on love, the bond of perfectness. The focus was on loving your neighbor as yourself. It didn't shy away from the tough issues. It tackled racism, it tackled the Vietnam war, and it tackled the perverse world of children's tv. It did this in a way that even a gorilla watching the show understood and loved it.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Don't skip this verse. People have come up with the most creative and amazing ways to minister. Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was an example, TV was new and no one really knew what we should do with it. So you have to take your burden to God and He permits, then you can follow that calling. It is crucial that you get this permission up front, that way when attacked by the enemy you can stand on the fact that you have been given permission by the God of the universe to do what you are doing.
We have been called by God to the ministry. I like to compare this to being drafted to the NBA or to the NFL. I have also used the example of professional boxing but ministry is a team sport, so although your Christian walk is a warfare and can be compared to a heavyweight fight, the team sports are a more complete analogy. Now you are not eligible for this draft if you have not laid the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith towards God. Notice this is not talking about repentance from sins. Both Paul and James are great examples of "repentance from dead works". Paul was zealous for the dead Jewish religion and so was James. I believe these two brothers had a very big influence on the writing of Hebrews. What they have said so far, up to this point, is that Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit are like three coaches that we have to lead us to victory. We have been drafted already for the ministry, and that means we are being called to "go on unto perfection". This word perfection is only used twice in the New Testament. First time is in Colossians to "put on love, which is the bond of perfection". Love is stronger, Ephesians talks about "knowledge surpassing love". Love does things that could never be done by knowledge. It is hard to view "warfare" and "love" working together. But think about the movie "Hacksaw Ridge" about an army medic who refused to carry a gun because he didn't want to kill anyone, he wanted to help people being killed. You can see how love was operating in him in the midst of the warfare and what he did surpassed what anyone could do based solely on knowledge. John and Jude describe this warfare as pulling people out of the fire.
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These are all the things that are the foundation of our Christian life. Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. But you have to go beyond all that to have a ministry. Think of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. This TV show for children was a ministry. The man responsible for this ministry had laid this foundation. But the show went beyond that, it put on love, the bond of perfectness. The focus was on loving your neighbor as yourself. It didn't shy away from the tough issues. It tackled racism, it tackled the Vietnam war, and it tackled the perverse world of children's tv. It did this in a way that even a gorilla watching the show understood and loved it.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Don't skip this verse. People have come up with the most creative and amazing ways to minister. Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was an example, TV was new and no one really knew what we should do with it. So you have to take your burden to God and He permits, then you can follow that calling. It is crucial that you get this permission up front, that way when attacked by the enemy you can stand on the fact that you have been given permission by the God of the universe to do what you are doing.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
This is an explanation of the book of Hebrews. Every person who is saved has been redeemed by the Lord. He purchased you with His blood just like you might purchase a plot of land. Now all land gets rain from heaven falling on it, and all land will bring forth vegetation. Now if the vegetation is suitable for God who purchased it, then it will be blessed. It could be trees for lumber, it could be herbs for a salad, or flowers for mother's day. There are a lot of productive ways we can use land to grow stuff. But it only does that if you have a farmer tending the land. However, if you don't actively tend the land it is going to bring forth thorns and briers. The best way to clear that land is to burn it. The land itself doesn't get burned, just the plants on the land, the "works" that the land produced. The book of Hebrews is telling us that we are the land that God has purchased, but we have to go on from being purchased to becoming a farm that produces fruit for God. Now just like there are many different ministries, there are also many different ways that land can be used productively and it often depends on where you live. In one location a rice farm makes sense, in another a wheat farm, and in a third you would grow tea. I know a brother who drives Uber and speaks to his passengers about the Lord. I know a second brother who sells bread. He goes door to door giving a loaf of bread away while also sharing the gospel. Meanwhile this blog is my ministry. But think about some of the other ministries online that I post here, they use Youtube, and post dreams and sermons. Many different ministries, all trying to produce something fit for the master's use.
This is an explanation of the book of Hebrews. Every person who is saved has been redeemed by the Lord. He purchased you with His blood just like you might purchase a plot of land. Now all land gets rain from heaven falling on it, and all land will bring forth vegetation. Now if the vegetation is suitable for God who purchased it, then it will be blessed. It could be trees for lumber, it could be herbs for a salad, or flowers for mother's day. There are a lot of productive ways we can use land to grow stuff. But it only does that if you have a farmer tending the land. However, if you don't actively tend the land it is going to bring forth thorns and briers. The best way to clear that land is to burn it. The land itself doesn't get burned, just the plants on the land, the "works" that the land produced. The book of Hebrews is telling us that we are the land that God has purchased, but we have to go on from being purchased to becoming a farm that produces fruit for God. Now just like there are many different ministries, there are also many different ways that land can be used productively and it often depends on where you live. In one location a rice farm makes sense, in another a wheat farm, and in a third you would grow tea. I know a brother who drives Uber and speaks to his passengers about the Lord. I know a second brother who sells bread. He goes door to door giving a loaf of bread away while also sharing the gospel. Meanwhile this blog is my ministry. But think about some of the other ministries online that I post here, they use Youtube, and post dreams and sermons. Many different ministries, all trying to produce something fit for the master's use.
Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Notice this expression "things which accompany salvation". We are not saved by works, we are saved by grace. It is not of ourselves, Jesus paid the price we couldn't pay. However, if you are saved it is like an apple tree being planted. That seed will, after a few years, bring forth fruit. Apples accompany a healthy, thriving apple tree.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Even apple trees have a season in which they bring forth fruit and a season in which they are dormant, a winter time. If you were a farmer with an apple orchard you aren't going to wake up in February having forgotten that those trees bear fruit in the summer and just cut them all down.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Notice this word "inherit the promises". You can't inherit the promises if you aren't born again, you need to be born of the Father before you become an heir. So inheriting the promises is not a reference to our salvation experience. When you plant an apple seed and it sprouts that would be equivalent to us "being born again". When that seed sprouts there is a promise that it will bring forth apples, but that is only going to happen if you are not slothful but through faith and patience inherit that promise. You water that seed, keep weeds and bugs away, give it plenty of light and fertilizer, and as a result that seed will over time bring forth apples.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Think about who is making this promise, the one who created the whole universe. He has done this a thousand times already. If anyone is capable of blessing and multiplying you, it is the God of the universe.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Abraham obtained the promise, the father of faith. So when we say that Abraham patiently endured and inherited the promise, faith is implied.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
This is why we need a superpower to negotiate peace between two warring countries.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
This is quite a picture. We have a ship in the sea, waves and wind are hitting this ship, trying to drive it onto the rocks but it is held fast by two immutable ropes, anchoring this ship to the Holy of Holies. This is a picture of your ministry. You will come under attack, like a ship in a storm. It will appear overwhelming. What do you need, wisdom? Ask God, He is the one that called you for this ministry and gave you permission to do this ministry, He'll have the wisdom to carry it through. Do you need mercy? Ask God. Do you need timely help? Ask God. A ministry will be like a pioneer breaking new ground, Jesus was a forerunner, He is your example, and you are connected to Him with that anchor into the Holy of Holies. Now you understand what a high priest is. He is your mentor. He is your coach. And his mentorship is after the order of Melchisedec, supplying bread and wine when you need it most.
Notice this expression "things which accompany salvation". We are not saved by works, we are saved by grace. It is not of ourselves, Jesus paid the price we couldn't pay. However, if you are saved it is like an apple tree being planted. That seed will, after a few years, bring forth fruit. Apples accompany a healthy, thriving apple tree.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Even apple trees have a season in which they bring forth fruit and a season in which they are dormant, a winter time. If you were a farmer with an apple orchard you aren't going to wake up in February having forgotten that those trees bear fruit in the summer and just cut them all down.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Notice this word "inherit the promises". You can't inherit the promises if you aren't born again, you need to be born of the Father before you become an heir. So inheriting the promises is not a reference to our salvation experience. When you plant an apple seed and it sprouts that would be equivalent to us "being born again". When that seed sprouts there is a promise that it will bring forth apples, but that is only going to happen if you are not slothful but through faith and patience inherit that promise. You water that seed, keep weeds and bugs away, give it plenty of light and fertilizer, and as a result that seed will over time bring forth apples.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Think about who is making this promise, the one who created the whole universe. He has done this a thousand times already. If anyone is capable of blessing and multiplying you, it is the God of the universe.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Abraham obtained the promise, the father of faith. So when we say that Abraham patiently endured and inherited the promise, faith is implied.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
This is why we need a superpower to negotiate peace between two warring countries.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
This is quite a picture. We have a ship in the sea, waves and wind are hitting this ship, trying to drive it onto the rocks but it is held fast by two immutable ropes, anchoring this ship to the Holy of Holies. This is a picture of your ministry. You will come under attack, like a ship in a storm. It will appear overwhelming. What do you need, wisdom? Ask God, He is the one that called you for this ministry and gave you permission to do this ministry, He'll have the wisdom to carry it through. Do you need mercy? Ask God. Do you need timely help? Ask God. A ministry will be like a pioneer breaking new ground, Jesus was a forerunner, He is your example, and you are connected to Him with that anchor into the Holy of Holies. Now you understand what a high priest is. He is your mentor. He is your coach. And his mentorship is after the order of Melchisedec, supplying bread and wine when you need it most.
Hebrews 7:1 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; 2 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; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
When a prize fighter wins a fight he gives ten percent to the trainer. First and foremost our trainer is the King of Righteousness, after that He is the King of Peace. To stand for righteousness often involves a fight, even a slaughter of the unrighteous. But after that fight there will be peace. However, He is unlike every other mentor, they don't abide continually, they are not made like unto the Son of God. In the world a mentor will have a source, a father and mother, and they will have a resume, a descent, a background.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Now you listen to every great fighter and they will tell you they learned that from their trainer. So consider how great Jesus, and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are. You judge a trainer by how well those he trained did.
5 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:
All the worldly mentors have their source in Abraham, the father of faith. But Abraham was trained by our trainer. This means that every insight, every piece of wisdom that all those worldly trainers have, that all came from our trainer. Rocky Marciano's training was very different from Mohammed Ali's and that was very different from Mike Tysons. Those trainers figured out how to help three very different fighters to become champions. The same is true of Vince Lombardi, very different from Bill Belichick, who in turn was very different from Tom Landry. But again, those three coaches figured out how to lead their respective teams to championships. The source of all that wisdom comes from Jesus Christ.
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
All of those fighters, all of those teams know that they were blessed by their coaches and trainers. They know that it was the coach or the trainer that made them a champion. Before Lombardi the Packers were losers, the same thing with the Patriots before Belichick. Everyone agrees that Rocky Marciano was not the most skilled fighter, but his training overcame his weaknesses. Mike Tyson was too short, but again, his training overcame his weaknesses.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
All those great coaches will give credit to having faith. It was Belichick that drafted Brady when everyone else wouldn't and it was Belichick who chose to keep Brady when everyone else would have let him go. The story of Seabiscuit is the story of a horse that everything about him made him look like a loser, but the trainer looked in his eyes and saw something no one else could see, and he had the wisdom how to fix all the things that were nor right.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
This is what these coaches and trainers will tell you, much of their insight came from reading the accounts of the men who came before them. They studied the great men of faith that had preceded them.
When a prize fighter wins a fight he gives ten percent to the trainer. First and foremost our trainer is the King of Righteousness, after that He is the King of Peace. To stand for righteousness often involves a fight, even a slaughter of the unrighteous. But after that fight there will be peace. However, He is unlike every other mentor, they don't abide continually, they are not made like unto the Son of God. In the world a mentor will have a source, a father and mother, and they will have a resume, a descent, a background.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Now you listen to every great fighter and they will tell you they learned that from their trainer. So consider how great Jesus, and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are. You judge a trainer by how well those he trained did.
5 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:
All the worldly mentors have their source in Abraham, the father of faith. But Abraham was trained by our trainer. This means that every insight, every piece of wisdom that all those worldly trainers have, that all came from our trainer. Rocky Marciano's training was very different from Mohammed Ali's and that was very different from Mike Tysons. Those trainers figured out how to help three very different fighters to become champions. The same is true of Vince Lombardi, very different from Bill Belichick, who in turn was very different from Tom Landry. But again, those three coaches figured out how to lead their respective teams to championships. The source of all that wisdom comes from Jesus Christ.
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
All of those fighters, all of those teams know that they were blessed by their coaches and trainers. They know that it was the coach or the trainer that made them a champion. Before Lombardi the Packers were losers, the same thing with the Patriots before Belichick. Everyone agrees that Rocky Marciano was not the most skilled fighter, but his training overcame his weaknesses. Mike Tyson was too short, but again, his training overcame his weaknesses.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
All those great coaches will give credit to having faith. It was Belichick that drafted Brady when everyone else wouldn't and it was Belichick who chose to keep Brady when everyone else would have let him go. The story of Seabiscuit is the story of a horse that everything about him made him look like a loser, but the trainer looked in his eyes and saw something no one else could see, and he had the wisdom how to fix all the things that were nor right.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
This is what these coaches and trainers will tell you, much of their insight came from reading the accounts of the men who came before them. They studied the great men of faith that had preceded them.
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?
Jesus' ministry was perfection and yet that was only the first step towards perfection. Jesus was the forerunner, the prototype. But now the ministry of Jesus as the High Priest is to lead many sons into glory.
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
We have a proverb, "If you do the same things everyone else does you will get the same results everyone else gets". Hence, there is a necessity that if you want to get better results you have to change what you are doing.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Boxing is an altar. Football is an altar. If you want to be a champion you have to give yourself fully. You will go through suffering and hardship. This is true of everything else in life.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
This is the incredible insight in Hebrews, we are being brought unto perfection, we have a coach, and He is not leading us in the way that everyone else is going, He is taking us in a new way that He cut. He was the forerunner of this new way and it is a way that was totally unexpected. Prior to Jesus the way everyone always took was best described by Patton, "your job is not to die for your country, your job is to make the poor bastard on the other army to die for his country". That made sense, and then Jesus flipped the script, He embraced death, He embraced the cross and He said anyone wanting to follow Him would have to do the same.
Jesus' ministry was perfection and yet that was only the first step towards perfection. Jesus was the forerunner, the prototype. But now the ministry of Jesus as the High Priest is to lead many sons into glory.
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
We have a proverb, "If you do the same things everyone else does you will get the same results everyone else gets". Hence, there is a necessity that if you want to get better results you have to change what you are doing.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Boxing is an altar. Football is an altar. If you want to be a champion you have to give yourself fully. You will go through suffering and hardship. This is true of everything else in life.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
This is the incredible insight in Hebrews, we are being brought unto perfection, we have a coach, and He is not leading us in the way that everyone else is going, He is taking us in a new way that He cut. He was the forerunner of this new way and it is a way that was totally unexpected. Prior to Jesus the way everyone always took was best described by Patton, "your job is not to die for your country, your job is to make the poor bastard on the other army to die for his country". That made sense, and then Jesus flipped the script, He embraced death, He embraced the cross and He said anyone wanting to follow Him would have to do the same.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Which coach do you want, the one who has Lombardi's books on coaching and is following his instructions, or the coach who rose from the dead, lives forevermore, and is leading others to do the same? No one in all of football had the career that Tom Brady had. Regardless of what you think about him as a quarterback everyone must admit his career beats all of theirs. Likewise with Rocky Marciano. Likewise with Seabiscuit. Everyone wants a coach that can take a perennial loser and turn him into a champion that can't be beat.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Think of how huge this verse is in the Bible! The Bible is talking about priests from the time of Moses, it is a major line in the Bible. However, the Bible also tells you that there are two lines, that of Levi and that of Melchisedek. Levi means "joined" or "attached". Levi got the priesthood when he joined Moses to stand against the idolatrous worship of the Israelites. It took faith for one tribe out of twelve to take a stand. levi wasn't the source of faith, rather he joined those who were of the faith.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
In the same way we see this with great coaches. Tom Brady did not fit the mold for what a quarterback in the NFL was, so Belichick had to annul that commandment in order to draft and then keep Brady. Mike Tyson didn't fit the mold, so his coach also had to annul that commandment. Seabiscuit didn't fit the mold so his trainer had to annul that commandment.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
What is the better hope? The better hope is that I can be pulled out of the pit and made to stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, the king of kings. The law describes what that person would look like and so everyone falls short. What we need is a priest of the order of Melchisedek to give us this better hope.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
This is what God was looking for, "a surety of a better testament". The Old Testament was the measuring stick so you could see who measures up. Everyone failed except one, Jesus Christ. That was the point of the Old Testament, let's find that person who can be the surety of a better testament and let's let everyone see that He is that man chosen by God. A testament is "proof, evidence or strong statement of belief". Jesus being the surety of a better testament means He is guarantor that all these failed humans which God created will have a better hope of measuring up. Think of it this way. God created the angels, Satan is the captain of the fallen angels. So God created man to be a championship team that defeats Satan and the fallen angels. Out of all these men God needed a captain, that is Jesus Christ. He also needed a coach, that also is Jesus Christ. Very often those who played the game will later go on to coach the game. This team has a captain and a coach, and God has made it clear with an oath that this is the team He has chosen and will not repent of, that will defeat Satan and the fallen angels.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Once again, throughout history we saw one change after another. With each new champion we came up with a new set of rules of what makes a champion. So it is easy to complain that it will be the same with Jesus Christ. Except for one thing, the reason we always had to change was because people keep dying. But that is not true of Jesus Christ, He continues and hence He has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth 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.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Which coach do you want, the one who has Lombardi's books on coaching and is following his instructions, or the coach who rose from the dead, lives forevermore, and is leading others to do the same? No one in all of football had the career that Tom Brady had. Regardless of what you think about him as a quarterback everyone must admit his career beats all of theirs. Likewise with Rocky Marciano. Likewise with Seabiscuit. Everyone wants a coach that can take a perennial loser and turn him into a champion that can't be beat.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Think of how huge this verse is in the Bible! The Bible is talking about priests from the time of Moses, it is a major line in the Bible. However, the Bible also tells you that there are two lines, that of Levi and that of Melchisedek. Levi means "joined" or "attached". Levi got the priesthood when he joined Moses to stand against the idolatrous worship of the Israelites. It took faith for one tribe out of twelve to take a stand. levi wasn't the source of faith, rather he joined those who were of the faith.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
In the same way we see this with great coaches. Tom Brady did not fit the mold for what a quarterback in the NFL was, so Belichick had to annul that commandment in order to draft and then keep Brady. Mike Tyson didn't fit the mold, so his coach also had to annul that commandment. Seabiscuit didn't fit the mold so his trainer had to annul that commandment.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
What is the better hope? The better hope is that I can be pulled out of the pit and made to stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, the king of kings. The law describes what that person would look like and so everyone falls short. What we need is a priest of the order of Melchisedek to give us this better hope.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.This is what God was looking for, "a surety of a better testament". The Old Testament was the measuring stick so you could see who measures up. Everyone failed except one, Jesus Christ. That was the point of the Old Testament, let's find that person who can be the surety of a better testament and let's let everyone see that He is that man chosen by God. A testament is "proof, evidence or strong statement of belief". Jesus being the surety of a better testament means He is guarantor that all these failed humans which God created will have a better hope of measuring up. Think of it this way. God created the angels, Satan is the captain of the fallen angels. So God created man to be a championship team that defeats Satan and the fallen angels. Out of all these men God needed a captain, that is Jesus Christ. He also needed a coach, that also is Jesus Christ. Very often those who played the game will later go on to coach the game. This team has a captain and a coach, and God has made it clear with an oath that this is the team He has chosen and will not repent of, that will defeat Satan and the fallen angels.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Once again, throughout history we saw one change after another. With each new champion we came up with a new set of rules of what makes a champion. So it is easy to complain that it will be the same with Jesus Christ. Except for one thing, the reason we always had to change was because people keep dying. But that is not true of Jesus Christ, He continues and hence He has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth 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.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Hebrews 8:1 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;
We have a high priest who can save to the uttermost, those that come to Him.
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Think about that, all those other mentors, they are ministers of vanity. Suppose you have a mentor who is helping you succeed at work, or succeed to get rich, or whatever. All those things are vanity, they will vanish like a puff of smoke. The day will come when no one will care who won the Superbowl or who won the NBA championship. The day will come when having a billion dollars will be completely worthless. Everyone knows this, which is why they say "you can't take it with you". When you die you can't take your rings, or trophies or bank account with you. Jesus is not only the greatest coach, the greatest mentor, the high priest, but He is directing you towards the sanctuary that belongs to the true tabernacle. This is the one that God pitched, not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
The high Priest in the Jewish religion is a great example, so let's use him. Those sacrifices indicated that those animals being sacrificed were giving themselves 100%. This is what we expect from our mentors and coaches. Michael Jordans college coach tells a story about how Michael told the coach he was going to be the best player he had ever seen. The coach told him "he'd have to work harder than any player" and he responded "I work as hard as they do". The coach responded "oh excuse me, I thought you said you were going to be better than them". His point was you can't just work as hard. To that Michael responded "you'll see, no one will work as hard as me". This is what you are offering, when you get on that playing field people are seeing how hard you have worked, how much you have sacrificed.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 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.
The Jewish religion is a shadow of the true temple. It isn't the true, it is simply a shadow and that is true of everything on earth. Football is a shadow of the spiritual warfare, basketball is a shadow of this warfare. Business is a shadow.
6 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.
What are the promises of football? If you work really hard in JHS and HS and college you might get drafted into the NFL. Less than 2% of college players make the NFL. They'll pay you good money, but the risk of serious bodily injury is very great and you may not last all that long. The average NFL career is 3.3 years long and most of those who played in the NFL will be "unknown". But if you are the top 1% of NFL players and make the hall of fame then your career will on average be around 12 years and you will be "known". About 16% of NFL players will file for bankruptcy within 12 years of retiring, or by the time they are in their early 30s. That is the covenant, or the contract for those who want to be professional football players. That kid dreaming of playing in the NFL, that is the promise. First, they are promising that only 0.002% of those playing college football will make it to the NFL, have a career close to 12 years long, and be famous with a certain amount of glory. The kids may not understand this, but the coaches certainly do. This is the ministry you obtain as a coach of football at any level.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
When I was 12 years old I was thinking about what I wanted to give my life to. I had just played two years of Pee Wee football, we had been undefeated for two years running, we had won our bowl games. I figured if I gave myself 100% and if I had a great coach, I could repeat this, so I started thinking about what I wanted to give myself to. I figured I would be too small for football, but I was good at hockey. But I realized my career in either hockey or football would most likely be over at 35, and that is the best case scenario. Why pursue a career where the high point is over by the time you are thirty five? Everything I considered just wasn't worth the sacrifice of my whole life, and then I heard this verse of Jesus returning on the clouds in great glory as the commander of a host. As soon as I heard that I thought 'that is something that is worth giving your life to!'
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Do you understand? Our covenant doesn't simply have a much greater goal that is not vanity, it isn't simply a career that you can pursue for your entire life, but you also have the promise that if you stumble the Lord is not going to discard you. Look at what happened to Joe Montana, great quarterback, won four superbowls and was MVP at three of them. He gets hurt and San Francisco discards him. Once he is better he can no longer be the first string quarterback. They relegate him to the bench. The same thing happened to Tom Brady. They did the same thing to the Chicago Bulls, Phil Jackson won six NBA championships and after winning the sixth they fired him (terminated his contract). This is the contract you have in professional sports. This is the contract you have in the world.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
The contract we have is to be God's people. You don't discard a son or daughter simply because they got hurt. Your family members stay your family members for life.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
There is a famous quote from some movie "there is no crying in baseball". What they meant is "there is no mercy in professional sports". There are exceptions to this rule, Tom Coughlin showed mercy to a football player named David Tyree, and later David Tyree made two catches that were critical in Coughlin winning the Superbowl against the Patriots.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
But what is typical is what happened to Montana or what happened to the Chicago Bulls. Look at the NBA, it has waxed old and decays. Corruption and pretense have replaced genuine sacrifice. When Hebrews was written the Jewish religion had waxed old and decayed. The temple door wouldn't close, the atoning sacrifice had not been accepted for decades, and they were on the brink of the Romans coming and destroying their temple. Likewise with football, everyone realizes it is the modern day equivalent of gladiators, after the CTE scandal it has suffered irreparable harm. What parent wants their kid to play football?
We have a high priest who can save to the uttermost, those that come to Him.
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Think about that, all those other mentors, they are ministers of vanity. Suppose you have a mentor who is helping you succeed at work, or succeed to get rich, or whatever. All those things are vanity, they will vanish like a puff of smoke. The day will come when no one will care who won the Superbowl or who won the NBA championship. The day will come when having a billion dollars will be completely worthless. Everyone knows this, which is why they say "you can't take it with you". When you die you can't take your rings, or trophies or bank account with you. Jesus is not only the greatest coach, the greatest mentor, the high priest, but He is directing you towards the sanctuary that belongs to the true tabernacle. This is the one that God pitched, not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
The high Priest in the Jewish religion is a great example, so let's use him. Those sacrifices indicated that those animals being sacrificed were giving themselves 100%. This is what we expect from our mentors and coaches. Michael Jordans college coach tells a story about how Michael told the coach he was going to be the best player he had ever seen. The coach told him "he'd have to work harder than any player" and he responded "I work as hard as they do". The coach responded "oh excuse me, I thought you said you were going to be better than them". His point was you can't just work as hard. To that Michael responded "you'll see, no one will work as hard as me". This is what you are offering, when you get on that playing field people are seeing how hard you have worked, how much you have sacrificed.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 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.
The Jewish religion is a shadow of the true temple. It isn't the true, it is simply a shadow and that is true of everything on earth. Football is a shadow of the spiritual warfare, basketball is a shadow of this warfare. Business is a shadow.
6 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.
What are the promises of football? If you work really hard in JHS and HS and college you might get drafted into the NFL. Less than 2% of college players make the NFL. They'll pay you good money, but the risk of serious bodily injury is very great and you may not last all that long. The average NFL career is 3.3 years long and most of those who played in the NFL will be "unknown". But if you are the top 1% of NFL players and make the hall of fame then your career will on average be around 12 years and you will be "known". About 16% of NFL players will file for bankruptcy within 12 years of retiring, or by the time they are in their early 30s. That is the covenant, or the contract for those who want to be professional football players. That kid dreaming of playing in the NFL, that is the promise. First, they are promising that only 0.002% of those playing college football will make it to the NFL, have a career close to 12 years long, and be famous with a certain amount of glory. The kids may not understand this, but the coaches certainly do. This is the ministry you obtain as a coach of football at any level.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
When I was 12 years old I was thinking about what I wanted to give my life to. I had just played two years of Pee Wee football, we had been undefeated for two years running, we had won our bowl games. I figured if I gave myself 100% and if I had a great coach, I could repeat this, so I started thinking about what I wanted to give myself to. I figured I would be too small for football, but I was good at hockey. But I realized my career in either hockey or football would most likely be over at 35, and that is the best case scenario. Why pursue a career where the high point is over by the time you are thirty five? Everything I considered just wasn't worth the sacrifice of my whole life, and then I heard this verse of Jesus returning on the clouds in great glory as the commander of a host. As soon as I heard that I thought 'that is something that is worth giving your life to!'
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Do you understand? Our covenant doesn't simply have a much greater goal that is not vanity, it isn't simply a career that you can pursue for your entire life, but you also have the promise that if you stumble the Lord is not going to discard you. Look at what happened to Joe Montana, great quarterback, won four superbowls and was MVP at three of them. He gets hurt and San Francisco discards him. Once he is better he can no longer be the first string quarterback. They relegate him to the bench. The same thing happened to Tom Brady. They did the same thing to the Chicago Bulls, Phil Jackson won six NBA championships and after winning the sixth they fired him (terminated his contract). This is the contract you have in professional sports. This is the contract you have in the world.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
The contract we have is to be God's people. You don't discard a son or daughter simply because they got hurt. Your family members stay your family members for life.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
There is a famous quote from some movie "there is no crying in baseball". What they meant is "there is no mercy in professional sports". There are exceptions to this rule, Tom Coughlin showed mercy to a football player named David Tyree, and later David Tyree made two catches that were critical in Coughlin winning the Superbowl against the Patriots.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
But what is typical is what happened to Montana or what happened to the Chicago Bulls. Look at the NBA, it has waxed old and decays. Corruption and pretense have replaced genuine sacrifice. When Hebrews was written the Jewish religion had waxed old and decayed. The temple door wouldn't close, the atoning sacrifice had not been accepted for decades, and they were on the brink of the Romans coming and destroying their temple. Likewise with football, everyone realizes it is the modern day equivalent of gladiators, after the CTE scandal it has suffered irreparable harm. What parent wants their kid to play football?
The Book of Job as Gospel Typology
Job opens by offering burnt offerings as propitiation for his children's sins. This establishes him as a priestly figure who voluntarily offers himself on behalf of others. God accepts this offering, and Satan is dispatched — not as an autonomous adversary but as an unwitting instrument of divine administration, unknowingly executing the very redemptive purpose he thinks he is subverting. This mirrors Acts 2:23 — Christ delivered up by the predetermined plan of God through the hands of wicked men.
The first ten children die in their sins, before the propitiating sacrifice is applied. This depicts the condition of humanity prior to the Cross — under the full weight of sin's consequences with no covering yet in place. Dead in our sins and trespasses.
The stripping away of everything — wealth, children, health, reputation — maps onto Jesus emptying Himself being found in fashion as a man the humbling of Himself culminating at the Cross. The suffering is not punishment, not arbitrary, and not evidence of God's absence. God is in the midst of it, speaking through it, executing a redemptive purpose that Jesus would be the savior of all mankind.
The three friends represent the law's accusation — suffering equals guilt. Their theology condemns rather than redeems. Job must ultimately intercede for them, just as Christ intercedes for those whose religion produced accusation rather than salvation. Father forgive them for they know not what they do.Elihu speaks on behalf of the triune God and his speech operates on three levels simultaneously:
- Historical — addressing Job directly in his suffering
- Christological — pointing to Christ as the mediator and ransom from the pit
- Ecclesiological — describing the minister's calling under suffering
His key contributions are:
- God cannot do wickedness — the suffering is not arbitrary
- God speaks through suffering and dreams to draw men back from the pit
- A mediator exists who can ransom a man and restore him to health and righteousness
- The proper response to suffering is humility, not accusation
- God is not an absentee judge — He is present in the suffering
- Job's error is speaking without knowledge, which is rebellion requiring repentance
Job asks what profit is my righteousness — a transactional view that treats righteousness as a currency God owes a return on. The correct question is what profit is my life if I have the life of God in me — because the man who carries the life of God has the voice and arm of God to speak life to the perishing and pull them from the fire (Jude 23, Job 40:9).
God speaks through suffering to draw the minister toward Him. The minister goes to God on his knees, receives comfort and understanding, and that received comfort becomes the content of a ministry to others in similar suffering. Job's suffering, properly received, was always intended to produce a Job-shaped ministry. The book ends with Job interceding for his accusers — precisely this ministry being enacted.
The second set of children are given in equal number, not doubled like the rest of Job's restoration — suggesting they are not mere replacements but something qualitatively different. The daughters are named, described as most beautiful in the land, and given inheritance alongside their brothers — an almost unprecedented act in the patriarchal narrative. This depicts redeemed believers transformed by propitiation, given full inheritance rights as co-heirs (Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:28-29).
The book moves from sin uncovered → voluntary propitiation → suffering that speaks → the mediator's ransom → restoration and full inheritance. This is the gospel hidden in Israel's wisdom literature, with Job as the type, Elihu as the prophetic herald, and the restored household as the redeemed church.
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
So then, since we have a new covenant what is the divine service involved and what is our sanctuary in this world?
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
We have the same things in the New Covenant. We can enter into this tabernacle and find light to guide our path, we have bread in the word to strengthen us, and then to enter the Holy of Holies we must pass through the second veil. We do that with prayers, the golden censer indicates that our prayers are mingled with the word of God and according to the word the God. This brings us into the throne room where God sits, but His throne is an ark, it contains the covenant. Inside His throne He has the golden pot of hidden manna, specific words that meet every need from the word of God, and we have Aaron's rod that budded, the resurrection power displayed in the authority of the High Priest. We also have the tables of the covenant, the image and likeness of God. The standard by which we will be judged. Which brings us to the mercy seat where we find grace and mercy and where the Holy angels are observing the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, the savior.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
The service was threefold. You go to God for light from His word, for the life supply from His word, and ultimately this light and life should turn you to pray for the salvation of this world.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
The blood is necessary for you to appear before God.
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
The tabernacle was a shadow, a pattern of the heavenly things. It was pointing to Jesus blood as the key that would allow us to enter into the Holy of Holies and bring our petitions and prayers before God. Our needs can be broken into three categories. First, the treasure of wisdom and knowledge Hidden in Christ. Second, the power of the resurrection life that conquers death and gives us our authority. Third, the image of the invisible God.
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Think of the architects building a huge skyscraper. They'll make a model of that skyscraper so everyone can see what it looks like and they'll draw up blueprints for the building. That is what the Old Testament is, they had a model and they had the blueprints. But then the contractor comes to build this and he isn't playing around with the model, he is building the real thing. That is what Jesus did.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
All of this is a picture of what is possible if you serve the living God. All of the power and glory of the triune God can be manifested in that service. Whenever you need something there is an open door for you to go and ask God. This is what Jesus meant when He said "no one comes to the Father but by Me".
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
This is our inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
When Jesus died all that He had became our inheritance. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the surpassing greatness of the resurrection power, and the image of the invisible God are all deeded to us through the New Testament. Of course, you must pass through the two veils before you can even make your petition. That means you must be dead to self, and sin.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Think about that our mediator is Jesus Christ, but the force of the New Testament is only in effect once He died. We must abide in the death of Christ if we are going to experience the outstanding resurrection of Jesus Christ.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
That is what the blood signifies. You pour out your blood, your life, that is how you are dedicated or consecrated as a servant of the most high God.
So then, since we have a new covenant what is the divine service involved and what is our sanctuary in this world?
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
We have the same things in the New Covenant. We can enter into this tabernacle and find light to guide our path, we have bread in the word to strengthen us, and then to enter the Holy of Holies we must pass through the second veil. We do that with prayers, the golden censer indicates that our prayers are mingled with the word of God and according to the word the God. This brings us into the throne room where God sits, but His throne is an ark, it contains the covenant. Inside His throne He has the golden pot of hidden manna, specific words that meet every need from the word of God, and we have Aaron's rod that budded, the resurrection power displayed in the authority of the High Priest. We also have the tables of the covenant, the image and likeness of God. The standard by which we will be judged. Which brings us to the mercy seat where we find grace and mercy and where the Holy angels are observing the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, the savior.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
The service was threefold. You go to God for light from His word, for the life supply from His word, and ultimately this light and life should turn you to pray for the salvation of this world.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
The blood is necessary for you to appear before God.
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
The tabernacle was a shadow, a pattern of the heavenly things. It was pointing to Jesus blood as the key that would allow us to enter into the Holy of Holies and bring our petitions and prayers before God. Our needs can be broken into three categories. First, the treasure of wisdom and knowledge Hidden in Christ. Second, the power of the resurrection life that conquers death and gives us our authority. Third, the image of the invisible God.
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Think of the architects building a huge skyscraper. They'll make a model of that skyscraper so everyone can see what it looks like and they'll draw up blueprints for the building. That is what the Old Testament is, they had a model and they had the blueprints. But then the contractor comes to build this and he isn't playing around with the model, he is building the real thing. That is what Jesus did.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
All of this is a picture of what is possible if you serve the living God. All of the power and glory of the triune God can be manifested in that service. Whenever you need something there is an open door for you to go and ask God. This is what Jesus meant when He said "no one comes to the Father but by Me".
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
This is our inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
When Jesus died all that He had became our inheritance. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the surpassing greatness of the resurrection power, and the image of the invisible God are all deeded to us through the New Testament. Of course, you must pass through the two veils before you can even make your petition. That means you must be dead to self, and sin.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Think about that our mediator is Jesus Christ, but the force of the New Testament is only in effect once He died. We must abide in the death of Christ if we are going to experience the outstanding resurrection of Jesus Christ.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
That is what the blood signifies. You pour out your blood, your life, that is how you are dedicated or consecrated as a servant of the most high God.
Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Wool is the covering of a goat. We are goats, but we have been sprinkled with both the blood of Jesus Christ and the water from the word. This is how we are enjoined to the service. There are two things that tie us to the ministry the water in the word and the blood of Jesus Christ.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Not only so but the church and all the saints have also been sprinkled with the blood. Every born again believer and every gathering of the saints is tied together with this one thing, the blood of Jesus Christ has redeemed us.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
When we get saved we are desperate for remission of sins. We know we can't serve a holy God because we have been defiled by our sins. But when we abide in the death of Christ, and we stand on the Lord's blood having no righteousness of our own, then we can be purged of all those sins.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
So then, the Jewish temple and their priestly service was like a model made of legos. It depicts the spiritual reality, but compared to the real thing it is a child's toy.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Think about that. When Jesus rose from the dead and said "don't touch Me I haven't ascended to My Father yet" He wasn't talking about going up to the temple mount and going into the temple, He was talking about heaven and the true tabernacle of God. He is our High Priest, He is our forerunner, He has opened the way for us to follow Him.
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
This is the key principle in the world "what have you done for me lately". You can win four Superbowls, but then they replace you with the next quarterback. They did it to Montana, they did it to Brady, and they did it to Jerry Rice. Everything in this old covenant is inferior to the New Covenant which is eternal.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
You can't enter into the Holy of Holies without abiding in the death of Christ. However, once you do die you will have to appear to be judged. So it is your choice, when you appear do you want to be standing on the Lord's blood or not?
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Jesus offered to bear your sins, how arrogant and foolish it would be to turn down that offer.
Wool is the covering of a goat. We are goats, but we have been sprinkled with both the blood of Jesus Christ and the water from the word. This is how we are enjoined to the service. There are two things that tie us to the ministry the water in the word and the blood of Jesus Christ.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Not only so but the church and all the saints have also been sprinkled with the blood. Every born again believer and every gathering of the saints is tied together with this one thing, the blood of Jesus Christ has redeemed us.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
When we get saved we are desperate for remission of sins. We know we can't serve a holy God because we have been defiled by our sins. But when we abide in the death of Christ, and we stand on the Lord's blood having no righteousness of our own, then we can be purged of all those sins.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
So then, the Jewish temple and their priestly service was like a model made of legos. It depicts the spiritual reality, but compared to the real thing it is a child's toy.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Think about that. When Jesus rose from the dead and said "don't touch Me I haven't ascended to My Father yet" He wasn't talking about going up to the temple mount and going into the temple, He was talking about heaven and the true tabernacle of God. He is our High Priest, He is our forerunner, He has opened the way for us to follow Him.
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
This is the key principle in the world "what have you done for me lately". You can win four Superbowls, but then they replace you with the next quarterback. They did it to Montana, they did it to Brady, and they did it to Jerry Rice. Everything in this old covenant is inferior to the New Covenant which is eternal.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
You can't enter into the Holy of Holies without abiding in the death of Christ. However, once you do die you will have to appear to be judged. So it is your choice, when you appear do you want to be standing on the Lord's blood or not?
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Jesus offered to bear your sins, how arrogant and foolish it would be to turn down that offer.