KennethBow's Blog

10.1-10 the author wants to nail down the finality of Christ’s sacrifice. This has been mentioned in chapters seven and nine beforehand. It now becomes the focal point of the argumentative proof. The Mosaic law was a repetitious system repeated yearly for centuries and millenniums. Those sacrifices were offered year by year continually. Now by Christ’s one time sacrifice we are sanctified (hagiazo-make holy), once and for all. We should have no more conscience (suneidesis- the consciousness of anything) of sin. The brilliance of the argument is the author uses the law to prove it is now replaced by greater law and truth. The argument is over in that Christ is the eternal Priest and King. Therefore every rival priesthood and kingship has ended.

10.11-18 one sacrifice for sins for ever. Christ’s death was a self immolation. His one sacrifice was sufficient for all ages and all people. The daily offering of Old Testament sacrifices proves their imperfection. By Christ only offering once it is eternal proof the sacrifice is perfect.

10.19-25 confidence versus condemnation. For thousands of years men approached God with trepidation and fear due to their sins. The writer is encouraging these wavering saints to see the difference Jesus Christ has made. Now we can approach God with boldness and confidence. The word used is parrhesia-confidence. Believers now have a direct access into the very Holy Place of God. We can draw near with a true heart in full assurance. We are to provoke (stir up) one another to good works. The final admonition of not forsaking the assembling together covers much more than just physical attendance. It involves opportunity to encourage one another and strengthen one another. It provokes us to good works when we assemble together. The church is the body of Christ interacting, getting fed, and lifting one another. Love and good works need to be stirred up because they do not just occur. The author does not use the usual word for church here, but rather a compound form of the word synagogue, which specifically means the local physical gathering of believers. This provided for the assembly of all New Testament believers of Jew and gentile alike. The coming day of judgment underscored the importance of assembling together. Ignatius says, “When ye frequently, and in numbers meet together, the powers of Satan are overthrown, and his mischief is neutralized by your likemindedness in the faith.” 

10.26-29 if we sin willfully. This verse has been a verse of consternation for many. Without stopping to understand the entire panorama of the author’s purpose it is easy to miss the whole point here. The sin here mentioned is not an individual act or failure by a person who is trying to live right. This sin (hamartano-to miss the mark), is referring to the whole problem that spawned the writing of the epistle in the first place. This sin was the walking away from the new way of Christianity and returning to the old way of Judaism. If a person willfully did that, there is no more sacrifice for sin, because Jesus Christ is now the only atonement. It is a strong appeal to these wavering saints to hold fast, stay true, because Christianity is better than Judaism. The return to Judaism was a death nell and they would be left on their own to face the fiery judgment of God. The return to Judaism threw away the advocacy of Jesus Christ and His atonement for our sins which is the only atonement now. To throw away the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ is worthy of greater judgment than the Old Testament judgment. The verb and participles used here speak of future judgment that is yet to come, not past judgment because of apostasy. By using the term we, the author demonstrates the warning is for all.

10.30-39 the severity and certainty of judgment. Some have said the judgment should be milder during the age of grace. These verses abrogate that false illusion. Rather, this passage harmonizes with the teaching of Jesus Christ. He who receives greater revelation receives greater judgment (Mt 11.20-24). To whom much is given, much is required (Lk 12.48). Greater knowledge should strengthen faith, not weaken it. The author encourages these wavering saints to recall their former endurance which occurred soon after they were illuminated and converted. They had been ridiculed for their faith, and sacrificed of their own goods for the cause of Christianity. They had believed with confidence they had an enduring substance in heaven. The author continues to lead up to placing them alongside the great heroes of faith he will present in chapter 11. He invokes confidence, patience, faith and persistence so they will not draw back into perdition (apologia-ruin or loss). No doubt when reading these verses those early Christians remembered their trials and early days of testing which they had experienced. The call here was, don’t throw it all away now. Stick it out. Don’t quit. Hang on. It won’t be long now until Jesus returns.

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The story of Oscar.

Born deformed, twisted, a monster. Children of the village were afraid of him. Oscar lived alone by the river. He ate out of the garbage. He roamed the village like an animal. 

One night hearing singing and music Oscar went to the church. The ushers stopped him at the door. He resisted and a scuffle ensued. The pastor said bring him forward. The pastor laid his hand on Oscar. The Pastor felt Oscar begin to rise, taller and taller. Oscar was changing. His twisted limbs were being straightened. His cruel expression was being changing to normal. In a few moments he was whole, normal, free, delivered. 

The next day the missionary came to visit. The pastor told him he had something to show the missionary. They walked to the edge of a steep hillside and looked down at the river below. Far down the mountain was a shanty, a shack, a lean to. The pastor yelled. Out of that wild living place came a man. The man was tall, straight, and normal. The pastor yelled come here and the man ran and stumbled and climbed up the hillside. 

When the pastor introduced Oscar to the missionary, the missionary was shocked. The change was miraculous. It was then Oscar reached in his pocket and pulled out a picture of the old Oscar. It was a photo of him when he was disfigured and horrible. Some one had taken the photo and thrown it away. Oscar had found it in the trash while looking for something to eat. 

With a big Holy Ghost smile Oscar showed what he used to be before he met God.

Thanks for reading today. 

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9.1 the dissolving of the first covenant. This is critical to Christianity. Nowhere in the Bible does it speak of two new covenants. There is only one new covenant. Whatever soteriological position you accept, this fact is established. This argument is paramount to Christianity. The new covenant is founded on Christ and His death. Christ is the perfect sacrifice and the completion of all Old Testament sacrifices (Rom 3.25). All attempts to explain away the creation of a new people in God by Jesus Christ fail when viewed in the light of the new covenant. Paul declared in Romans 2.29 that now a Jew is “he is one inwardly”. Paul also declared in Ephesians 3.6 that the Gentiles “should be fellowheirs, and of the same body”. Then in verse 11 “according to the eternal purpose which he purposes in Christ Jesus our Lord”. One must decide who was this eternal purpose? Was it national Israel that Paul argues was cut off? (Romans 3). No, for Paul states in Romans 3.29, “Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also;”. The new covenant was instituted for the new family created by Jesus Christ when he became the second Adam (Romans 5.14-21). 2 Cor 3.6 Paul declares He is a minister of this new covenant. This new covenant broke down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. Jesus Christ hath made them both one. (Eph 3.14). The new body of Christ is now one, comprised of Jew and Gentile. The church comprised of both Jew and Gentile, is the heir of Abraham, and shall be joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom 4.13-25, Rom 8.17). This is the fulfillment of the new covenant.

9.2-5 the golden censer. Here we see the two chambers of the mosaic tabernacle. There is an issue here because the censer is mentioned as being behind the veil and there is no record of that in the record of the primary golden censer. It seems that the author is most likely referring to the situation in Lev. 16.12-13, where the priest was to take a censer and bring it into the vail, before the mercy seat. The beautiful analogy here is that our High Priest, Jesus Christ does that for us. All censers used in the tabernacle were of gold ( 1 Ki 7.50). Rev 8.3 also reveals golden censers are still the norm for incense.

9.6-10 access to the presence of God. Through this typology, we see the picture of the tabernacle. Man did not have direct access to the presence of God while the first tabernacle stood. That Mosaic tabernacle was a figure, a physical symbol for all to see. Access to the holiest of all was not open. This was imperfect because man was never allowed to see the end result of his sacrifice. Atonement happened inside the tabernacle, and had to be repeated many times in a lifetime. Now, Christ hath entered once and for all to atone for the sins of all mankind.The figure (tabernacle) is now complete with an ever living and interceding High Priest, Jesus Christ. Reality has superseded the type.

9.11-12 a greater tabernacle. This statement alone is worthy of note. To those who had lived a life of Judaism, the temple was the ultimate place of reverence. No place on earth was held in higher esteem. Here the writer establishes this tabernacle is greater and more perfect, made by God himself. This tabernacle is dedicated by the blood of God himself, not the blood of animals. This tabernacle does not provide temporary propitiation, but it offers eternal redemption. Never again will God accept the blood of animal sacrifice, nor the blood of a martyr for redemption, for He has shed His own blood for the salvation of all mankind for eternity. Jesus Christ has obtained eternal redemption for us. It is essential in living under the new covenant to have a superior sanctuary and an infinitely superior sacrifice.

9.13-14 the red heifer. This refers to Num 19. The priest would take a heifer outside the camp, kill it then burn it. As it was burning the priest would throw cedar, hyssop and scarlet wool on it. The ashes would be saved and stored outside the camp. If anyone became ceremonially unclean because of contact with a dead body, these ashes would be mixed with water and sprinkled on the person. This represented the coming day when our sacrifice (Jesus) was taken outside the camp (Jerusalem) and offered as our sacrifice. Out of His side came blood and water, the elements of our salvation. When we are baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, the water represents His blood and we are cleansed. If an Old Testament Saint could be made clean after this manner, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge our conscience from dead works. The writer continues to prove the superiority of Jesus Christ heavenly ministry.

9.15-18 the mediator. The animal sacrifices in the Old Testament could not take away sin (10.4); they made temporary atonement, a temporary covering for sin. Jesus Christ sacrifice reached back and covered all those sins as well as any future sins that are confessed. Never again will the blood of an animal or human being forgive sin. The ultimate price has been paid and provided. When a person writes a check, the paper itself is worthless. The only value is what is in the account that backs that piece of paper. So Christ was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. All Old Testament sacrifices were dependent on the deposit made on Calvary. Calvary covered all Old Testament sacrifices. The death of Christ and His blood validate all forgiveness past and present. As John the Baptist proclaimed, behold the lamb of God.

9.19-22 the blood. The importance of blood is included here to illustrate the better covenant of the New Testament. The conclusion is that the blood of animals was temporary. It provided forgiveness until Jesus Christ came. Now the Blood of Jesus Christ is eternal and never needs to be shed again, therefore it is a better covenant. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (aphesis-pardon). This repudiates the doctrine of just believe on the Lord and you are saved. For the blood to be fully applied you must repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

9.23-28 the pattern. God spent several thousand years laying the foundation of the pattern. All the earthly patterns were set in place to show the heavenly tabernacle. The superiority of the heavenly is that it is once and for all. Christ was once offered. Sin is forever put away once and for all. The only thing that remains is for Christ to return. Now once in the end of the world (age), Christ appeared to put away (athetesis) sin once and forever. It is axiomatic that every person must die. There is also the surety of judgment. There is no second chance, no reincarnation, we only get one chance to prepare for judgment. There is a beautiful analogy in this passage. As man dies once, so Christ dies once also. There is a coming reality beyond death and judgment. Those that look for him, to them shall Christ appear. 

Thanks for reading today….

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Chapter Eight

8.1-6 the sum: kephalaion-principal thing, main thing. The author now offers the glory of Jesus Christ. He has proclaimed in chapter one Christ’s eternal power and godhead and mediator glory. In the chapters two through seven he presents Christ’s human nature, Christ’s offices, and His priesthood. The author presents that Christ has purged our sins, and has moved to His throne in Glory and sat down having finished the grand plan of eternal salvation for humanity. And now, the author presents the principal thing. He does so in a fashion of words found no where else in Holy Scripture: this is the sum. The whole of revelation is here stated: The person of Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus. In Jesus we have an advocate who hears our prayers always. In Jesus we have everlasting assurance, He will provide. He who was dead and is alive, and now liveth forevermore is on the throne of the majesty on high. He reigns, waiting for His people, waiting to be gracious, clothed in a priestly vesture dipped in blood. This is the sum.

8.7-13 the covenant. The author now introduces one of his most prolific arguments for Christianity being better than Judaism. Thousands of years of history were built on this old covenant with the Jewish nation. He introduces the comparison of the two covenants. Jesus Christ came to rewrite the script for the future. Jesus Christ brought a superior covenant with better promises and this new covenant was without fault. This argument had need to be addressed because of the weight of the Old Testament. The old covenant had been the shield for the Jew against the world for thousands of years. It was their identity in every country of the dispersion. Therefore, it was not easy for these who had been steeped in this life for so long to let it go. The author masterfully addresses this subject. He announces the old, former covenant is palaioo: worn out. This covenant is kainos: new in age, freshness. The author further establishes there are but two covenants. There is an old and a new, a first and a second. There are no more covenants. The old was the blood of animals for the atonement of a soul’s sin. The new covenant is based solely in the blood of Jesus Christ. All attempts to fabricate salvation and atonement outside these two covenants is non Biblical. The law in its morality was blameless-amomos, but in saving us it was defective, and so not faultless, amemptos. The old covenant has faded under the shadow of the cross and vanished away, never to return. It was an apt moment when Jesus on His way to the cross, stopped and wept over Jerusalem and said, “behold, your house is left unto you desolate”. The house of animal sacrifice has been replaced with an upper room and a better covenant. On the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, when the Jewish world came together to celebrate the giving of the law on Sinai, Jesus Christ gave the first fruits of the New Covenant.

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2 Thessalonians

Introduction 

This second Epistle was probably written shortly after the first. The Apostle appears to have heard of some who claimed to be acting on his authority, and were announcing the immediate coming of the Lord. This had so excited and unsettled the disciples of Thessalonica that they were neglecting their means of livelihood. Writing from Corinth, where he was staying at the time, Paul endeavored to allay that spirit of unrest and to call these disciples back to their everyday employment. This epistle which was sent about half a year after the first, is designed to comfort and support the Thessalonians in their afflictions and persecutions they were enduring for the sake of the Gospel. A secondary purpose was to also to exhort this church to take notice of disorderly persons such as were idle, and busy bodies, and withdraw from them, and remove them from their communion. A third purpose concerned a letter claiming to be from the apostle that was being circulated among them. Paul is writing to clear the air on these matters. Paul instructs them about the conditions that must exist before Jesus Christ returns again. He is admonishing them to return to work, and live Godly lives until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Date of writing~Probably the spring of 53AD

Author~Paul the Apostle

Chapter 1

1.1-12 this letter is Paul’s shortest letter to a church. This second epistle to the church at Thessalonica uses a much sterner note than the previous letter to this same church. Most of the subjects are the same. Paul covers the second coming of Christ, spiritual growth, and people who do not work. The first letter was warm and tender, this time Paul speaks with a stern voice. It appears the Thessalonians failed to listen well the first time. Instead of coaxing, Paul now commands. He commands “stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught” (2.15) The return of Jesus Christ dominates the entire book. Church members were stirred up by a false report that alleged the last days had already arrived. Paul admonishes the saints to be patient and steady. In this first chapter Paul addresses the christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith. He let’s us know life is not fair. Ultimately life will prove to be victorious for the child of God. Verse seven promises rest or release from tribulation and persecution. The world will experience flaming fire and everlasting destruction, while the saint will be glorified! The name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in His saints.

Chapter 2

2.1-6 The church at Thessalonica had become greatly troubled about the subject of the day of the Lord. The word shaken in verse two denotes great anxiety and pain. These saints needed an Apostolic reassurance and instruction. Paul introduces the coming of the man of sin. This is the beast out of the sea of Rev 13.1, the little horn of Dan 7.8, often called the Antichrist. This will be accompanied with a great falling away. (Greek apostasia). This Antichrist will actually sit in the temple of God, verse four. Paul reminds them he spoke of these issues when he was with them. The man of sin will be revealed in his time.

2.7-12 Paul introduces the mystery of iniquity. This is a counterfeit work to the mystery of godliness in 1 Tim 3.16. Mystery in scripture means that which is hidden for a while, but is manifested in due time. Satan will oppose the imminent appearing of Jesus by appearing in the man of sin who is in-dwelt by Satan himself. Satan will attempt to maintain control of the world. At the first coming of Christ, Satan rushed to dwell in as many people as possible, in hopes of keeping many from being filled with the Spirit of God. Before the second coming of Christ, Satan will in dwell a man and this man is noted as the man of sin. Satan always mimics and copies God. In Zech 4.14 there are two who stand by God, so in chap 5 verse 9-10 Satan also has two that hold evil. This is the same spirit of lawlessness Paul speaks of here in chapter two. There must be a great apostasy and the unveiling of the mystery of lawlessness, which even at that time was already at work. First the man of sin, then the Son of man. First He that sets Himself forth as God, then God manifest in the flesh. First the revelation of sin, then the revelation of perfect salvation. In verse 9 the same term is used for the coming of the man of sin as for the coming of Christ, parousia. The coming of Jesus will absolutely destroy this power of Antichrist. For a time Satan’s power will be manifested. Satan will use power and signs and lying wonders. Satan does this because Christ used signs and wonders, Acts 2.22, Heb 2.4 and Satan will attempt to show Himself as God. This will be very effective and many will be deceived, Matt 24.24. The protection against being deceived is to have a love of the truth.

2.13-17 the admonition to stand fast and hold the traditions they had been taught. Tradition: paradosis; par-ad’-os-is from G3860; transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law. The new assembly needed to hold on to the teachings of Paul. Paul reminds them they are the beloved of God. Comfort one another with this admonition.

Chapter 3

3.1- 5 finally…Paul prays for free course of the Word, and for the Word to be glorified in them. He further prays that they be delivered from wicked men. He assures them God will keep them from evil. Again, the encouragement to wait patiently for Christ.

3.6 The apostle now proceeds to the last and closing part of the epistle, which respects church discipline, and the removing of disorderly persons from their communion; and introduces it with a request to pray for him, and the rest of his fellow ministers. Paul commands them to withdraw from those who would destroy unity. Unity is the bond of peace in the body of Christ.

3.7-16 Paul leaves the high spiritual revelation of the coming of the Lord and concludes with his final word to them. He speaks of living life until Christ comes. They are to work, even as he worked while he was among them. He speaks against any who would not work and those he calls busybodies. These busybodies simply went around meddling in other peoples business, and not working. Paul clearly tells the church to disassociate from any one like this. Paul uses his Apostolic authority to command such people to to work with quietness, and eat their own bread (mind their own business). He clearly states if any man does not obey this command, then have no company with him. He says to note that man or distinguish that man. They were to have no company with such a one, for they harm the body of Christ. Paul closes with an appeal to the Lord of peace. This is needed because of the confusion brought by those who acted disorderly.

3.17-18 Paul signs off himself to give the proof of authenticity. Grace from the Lord Jesus Christ is entreated upon them.

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Wrath. 

It is sad to find so many people who misunderstand the wrath of God. Some people actually want to apologize for God. It is as though they wish this part of God was not there. It is like they see it as a blemish on his divine character. They are far from regarding it with delight. 

 May I tell you this part of God like all other parts, is his divine perfection. Yes ~it is terrifying. Some go so far as to say his wrath is not consistent with his goodness. God’s wrath is not a blotch on his divine character. They say things like “how can a God of love turn people into hell?” 

God has made no attempt to conceal the fact of his wrath. He is not one bit ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong to him. Listen to his word on himself; “see now that I even I and he and there is no God with me: I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand….If I whet my glittering sword and mine hand take hold on judgment I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me”. Deut 32.39-41 

There are more references in scripture to the anger, fury, and wrath of God than there are his love and tenderness. God is holy, he hates sin, therefore his anger burns against the sinner every day. The wrath of God is just as much a divine perfection as faithfulness or power or mercy, for God has no blemish, and he is perfect in all his ways. If in fact God were indifferent to sin, that would be a blemish and wrong. 

God is the sum of all excellence therefore he cannot look on sin and not feel the fury of wrath. How could he who is infinitely holy ignore sin and its horror. The very nature of God makes hell a necessity just like it makes heaven a necessity. A holy God detests sin and unrighteousness. 

It is the holiness of God that is stirred into action against sin. What kind of God would he be if he did not react to sin. What kind of parent would you be if you never corrected your child? Sin is rebellion against God. It is rebellion against his authority in our life. Sin opposes his sovereignty in our life. 

The divine wrath is one of the perfections of God. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven. Rom 1.18. That is why you see judgment at the garden of Eden, Noah’s flood, Sodom and Gomorrah and death upon every person who has ever lived. The whole creation groans and travails because God is holy and sin is rampant. 

Calvary showed the wrath of God more vivid than all those other tokens. Christ sufferings and death were more awful than all those moments. God’s hatred of sin was in full view on that hill outside Jerusalem in April of AD29. Right now wrath and grace stand like sentinels waiting for your choice. 

We must remember God hates sin. We gloss it over and pooh-pooh it, but God sees it as hideous and horrible and heinous. Thus your Bible says let us have grace…for our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12.28. In Psalm 50.21 God says thou thougtest that I was altogether as thyself. Deut 32.43 God does not see sin like we do. God hates it. Rejoice..for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful to his people. Rev 19-true and righteous are his judgments for he hath judged the great whore… 

 When you see him for the first time, he will be wearing a vesture dipped in blood. Make no mistake the wrath of God is real. God will vindicate his majesty, he will magnify his justice, and overthrow every one of the proud rebels who dare to defy him. Our great God who could speak every rebel into hell tonight is patient. Today he offers mercy and grace, tomorrow he offers wrath. 

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

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Jude 1.13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.(KJV)  wild ocean waves leaving nothing on the beach but the foam of their shame; Lost stars in outer space on their way to the black hole. (MSG)

All backsliding eventually progresses to missing church. All. It progresses to missing church and telling the pastor what you will do, you inform him. You do not seek permission, you tell him what you are doing. You would never do that to your employer. You become comfortable informing the spiritual leader in your life what you are doing. 

Then it progresses to missing and not telling the pastor. In my opinion, at that point you have become your own priest. You make your own decisions. The spiritual leadership fades from your life. You are and have become, the spiritual leader of your own life. You do not have spiritual oversight from another. 

It may take time, but people rarely recover once they have started down this path of pastoring themselves. I am not sure I have ever had one person recover from this drift and go back to being a loyal committed sheep in the flock. I cannot remember one example of recovery from this path of becoming your own spiritual leader, in my 40 years of preaching. 

I have watched many start down this trail and I have grieved knowing they are slowly, inexorably, beginning a journey they will probably never correct. They slowly drift out to the edge of the church, lose contact with the body of Christ, and some where they simply drift away.  

It is truly one of the saddest things in this life. A person who held eternal life in their grasp, exchanging it for control of their own life. Resisting spiritual leadership and taking over their own life when they were safely in the plan of God. 

It is God’s plan for you to have a spiritual leader in your life. I truly believe if you do not trust your pastor, it would be far better for you to go find someone you trust, than for you to take over your own spiritual authority in your life. 

Once you start down the path of making your own spiritual decisions, not seeking counsel from your spiritual overseer, you will probably never reverse that drift. You will become what Jude called a wandering star, forever drifting away from God, farther and farther and farther.

Thanks for reading today.

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7.1-3 the introduction of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. The author introduces again the priesthood of Melchizedek. Caution must be observed to not be distracted by Melchizedek, because the emphasis is on the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek is but a shadow and a type of the great ministry of Jesus Christ. The author illustrates Jesus’ conspicuity similar to Melchizedek. Jesus is first of all unlike any other priest ever before. Jesus, like Melchizedek was apator-without father. The meaning is literally one who has no father or whose father has died or who was born after his father died or no recorded paternity. To some Melchizedek was a theophany, a temporary manifestation of God. To others he was a man, the King of Salem (Jerusalem). To the Jews historically he was Shem, the son of Noah who had lived until this time. The opinion given by Josephus, is that he was a pious Canaanitish prince, a person eminently endowed by God, and who acted as the priest of his people. All of this is of interest, but the author is establishing the ministry of Jesus Christ. To lose sight of the author’s goal is to be avoided. This is about Jesus Christ, not Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a type of Christ because he unites righteousness and peace. Melchizedek is a type of Christ because he unites Jew and Gentile. This is the purpose for his typology. Judaism has no monopoly on eternal truths.

7.4-17 Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, and the ancestor of the Levitical priesthood. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, therefore the High Priesthood of Jesus is better that the High Priesthood of Levi. Levi, the ancestor of the whole Levitical priesthood, might be said to have paid tithes in Abraham, and thus to have acknowledged his inferiority to Melchizedek, and consequently to the Son of God, who was of the order of Melchizedek. The author shows that perfection could not arise out of the Levitical priesthood, and that a priesthood that introduced a perfect state must be superior. In the prosecution of this argument, he states that perfection could not be arrived at under the Hebrew economy, and that there was need that a priesthood of another order should be formed. A change of the priesthood involved of necessity a change in the law or administration. The necessity of change of the law also followed from the fact that the great high priest was now of another tribe than that of Levi. Jesus Christ is of the tribe of Judah. The Christian High Priest was constituted not after a commandment pertaining to the flesh and liable to change, but after the power of an endless life and adapted to a life that was never to change or to end. Jesus is after the Homoiotes-resemblance, of Melchizedek. There is a subtle yearning for a better priesthood throughout the history of Judaism. This caused the Jewish people at times to stray to other Gods and religions. Now that is no longer true. The emphasis is again on better. Jesus is a better priest. The priesthood of Jesus is not temporary, but eternal. It is forever, aion-perpetuity, specifically the (Jewish) messianic period, present or future. 

7.18 this verse is interesting. There is a disannulling (athetesis: cancellation). Many times we attempt to fulfill all Old Testament types and shadows. Looking for their completion in the New Testament. In this case the author says it was cancelled, set aside. The new commandment is better.

7.19-21 the oath. The oath begins with a sacerdotal phrase: by the which we draw nigh unto God. This emphasis on the priest drawing nigh to God is presenting Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest. To this God gives His oath. This is the strongest affirmation possible. The immutable God who cannot lie is giving absolute endorsement of himself as our great High Priest. From the beginning any oath given by God was unchangeable. Oaths were given to Abraham, Moses, and David, and all were unchanging. This oath given here is from that same unchanging God. The priests of Judaism were made without an oath, but not so with our High Priest. Why? Because theirs was a changing, temporary priesthood. Jesus Christ is forever our High Priest. The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever. The author again shows Jesus Christ is a better High Priest.

7.22-28 Jesus was made a surety. To guarantee a better testament, Jesus pledges himself as surety. No longer will there be a new High Priest when the former dies. Our High Priest will continue forever as He has an unchangeable priesthood. Our High Priest is able to save to the uttermost because he ever liveth to make intercession. Our High Priest of Christianity is holy, undefiled, and made higher than the heavens. Our High Priest has no need to daily offer up sacrifices as those priests did. The former high priests had to offer up for their own sins as well as the sins of the people. Our High Priest offered himself once for the sins of all mankind. The law made men high priests that had astheneia: feebleness, weakness. But now, by the word of the oath, Our High Priest is forever, throughout all eternity. Therefore, Christianity has a better high priest than Judaism. The High Priesthood of Jesus Christ has an endless duration, it is eternal, and therefore better.

Thanks for reading today…

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This story is about a beautiful, expensively dressed lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt that her whole life was empty, it had no meaning.So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness.

The counselor called over the old lady who cleaned the office floors.

The counselor then said to the rich lady “I’m going to ask Mary here to tell u how she found happiness. All I want u to do is listen to her.”

So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story:

“Well, my husband died of malaria and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody. I had nothing left. I couldn’t sleep, not even with my backrest pillow for bed, I couldn’t eat, I never smiled at anyone, I even thought of taking my own life. Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I got some milk, and the kitten licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg and, for the first time in months, I smiled.

Then I stopped to think, if helping a little kitten could make me smile, may be doing something for people could make me happy.

So, the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbor who was sick in bed.

Every day I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy.

Today, I don’t know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do.

I’ve found happiness, by giving it to others.”

When she heard this, the rich lady cried. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things which money cannot buy.

“The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are; but on how happy others can be because of you…”

Happiness is not a destination, it’s a journey.

Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now.

Happiness is not dependency, it is a decision.

Happiness is what you are, not what you have.

Thanks for reading today….

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Hebrews 6.4-6

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,

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Heb 6:6 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.

6.4-6 this short passage may qualify as the most misunderstood passage in the Bible. This short concise concept sheds great enlightenment on enlightenment. True revelation only comes once on a particular subject. These believers had experienced that moment of illumination at salvation. The author is again letting them know there is no more enlightenment available. That is impossible. You have already been enlightened. The impossibility is because a one time moment has already occurred. Much like being born in the natural. It is impossible for that to happen again. If the believer allows the vessel to leak out and become empty, the believer only needs to refill the vessel. There is not another conversion experience for them to experience. That would in essence require another crucifixion of Jesus to replace the crucifixion they have already been blessed by. The author is holding up the cross of Jesus Christ as the ultimate conversion. There is none other. The cross is the final act of propitiation. This they had already experienced.

Thankful for the propitiation today!

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