THE PRIESTHOOD BEING CHANGED
Part Two
Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
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; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and 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. 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:
In reviewing, in part one we have seen that the priesthood of God has now reverted back to the order of the priesthood as it was before Moses and Aaron came on the scene for them to originate Israel’s exclusive priesthood. The point of contact with our current spiritual priesthood is Melchisedec, the priest of the most high god. (See Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4). This order of priests is continuously established through the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 6:19 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.
And as our Hebrews 8:1 verse tells us, the Lord Jesus Christ is the high priest of God, as a king-priest, ruling & interceding from his throne on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3). And that which God described prior to the giving of the law, that he would have a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation has been fulfilled in the church, the kingdom of the Lord. Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Then we must take note of that which is listed above in Hebrews 8:3,4. For it tells us that the ascension of the Lord was essential, for if the Lord had remained on earth, he could not have entered into the holy place of the Jews temple to officiate as the high priest, as he was not of the tribe of Levi. He was of the tribe of Judah. Therefore he entered into “the true tabernacle, … on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”
And this is where we find him, revealed to John to cause him to stop his weeping as he realizes that the Jewish temple with its priesthood is abolished. Revelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And this final priesthood is everlasting, as the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, ever liveth. Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath 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. And this is the reason that our Hebrews 7:12 verse clearly states that there is a necessary change in the law of the priesthood, because there is now an eternal, world-wide priesthood, unlike the priesthood under the law of Moses.
And there is no other priesthood on earth with authority to rule over the Lord’s people. They are priests in their own right, capable of coming boldly to God, without any earthly mediation. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
This being the case, what sacrifices do these believer-priests have to offer? What is the activity that these priests undertake under the only high priest, our Lord Jesus Christ?
First they must sacrifice their own personal ambitions, and live the death life! For they must live each day, not for themselves, but for the Lord Jesus Christ who bought them with his own blood! Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
And this “sentence of death” causes them to be directed to live in faith, trusting in the Lord Jesus to raise them by the indwelling Holy Spirit each time he would use them for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
For the following passage is speaking, not of physical water baptism, nor of the physical bodily resurrection. But it is referring to being immersed into the Holy Spirit at one’s regeneration, and being enabled by the Spirit to accomplish the Lord’s biddings in their daily walk! Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
So there must be an entering into the death of the Lord Jesus if there is to be a manifestation of the life of Jesus seen in the believer-priest’s daily life. 2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
It is only the religionist who ‘prays,’ “Come go with me god,” as they arise from their beds every morning. But the true believer-priests, living that death life, sacrificing themselves daily, pray, “Not my will, thine be done.” For the sheep never leads the Shepherd! The religionist has an ‘add-on god!’ But to the true believer, as he is a living sacrifice, Christ is his life. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Notice that it does not just say, “faith IN,” but the “faith OF the Son of God!”
Secondly, these believer-priests, who include every born again child of God, have to sacrifice the fruit of their lips! Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
The speech of the lips is extremely serious! For one’s speech shall either be the advocate to support, or the opposing counsel to convict your soul! Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Therefore the fruit of our lips must be an acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord, who monitors all matters of our hearts! Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Hebrews 4:12 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. 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.
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (“utterances”) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The third and final thing that the borned again, believer-priests have to offer is of their substance. Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. This is where the young ruler failed. This is also where the rich farmer with the abundance of produce failed!
It must be remembered that one’s identity is not defined by that which they possess! Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And one’s life is not to be defined by their personal relationships, nor of their present emotional condition! 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Becoming fixed to the world’s commodities for one’s identification will separate you from God, consigning your eternal soul to eternal darkness. Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Providing the needs of others of the Lord’s people is, to Him, is a well pleasing sacrifice! Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
3 John 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Christ would not have had anything to offer if he had remained on earth. Therefore those practicing religion, but who are not believer-priests, being carnal, and earthly minded have nothing to offer. It is the believer-priests who sit in heavenly places who can offer these sacrifices of praise to the living God!
Pastor Gene Breed
August 24, 2017
