August 14, 2005
Scripture:
Scripture:
I would like to go back to Hebrews again; our brother read a precious and important verse in chapter 10 exhorting us to enter the Holiest. What strikes me is that before that verse could be written, we have Hebrews 9:24: “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.” How precious for us to be able to enter the Holiest by faith, drawing nigh to the Lord; oh, to think, it is our privilege, through the rent veil. But this verse makes us realize that He too had to go into the Holy of Holies. Recently in children’s meeting we were going through the tabernacle, and we had Tabitha of the tabernacle, who can be anyone, starting at the gate and going all the way through and reaching the Holy of Holies, speaking of Salvation and communion. Before any of us could tread that path, the Lord had to come to the altar and be the sacrifice; He went into the Holy of Holies so we could go in also. That’s what we remembered this morning. He gave his blood for us and satisfied a holy God who then rent the veil; and the Lord went into the Holiest, as it were. We have just as much right to enter in as He did. He could go in through the virtue of his perfect sacrifice that met God’s requirements and man’s need. We can enter in on the basis of that work. When we were bankrupt sinners, he did it all and now he says “Peace be unto you.” That peace is eternal.
EG Hymn 341–Jesus bids us shine Prayer Numbers 32:1–33—World Bordering, or falling short of God’s desire • The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the Manassites saw that the land on the east side of the Jordan River was good for cattle, which they had. They went to Moses and asked him if they could settle there. Moses was afraid that if they did that, the rest of the tribes would want to do that also, and none would go into the land. He told them that it was because their fore-fathers didn’t want to go in that they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They agreed that if their men came and helped the other tribes drive out the inhabitants if the land, they could live on the east side of Jordan. But they were not in God’s will for them; He wanted them to be in Canaan. How could they come and worship God in the tabernacle or temple? They couldn’t and as a result got farther and farther away from God. When Israel was taken captive, those outside the land were the first to go. We should always be in God’s will for us.
Hebrews 5:1–14 • When you read Hebrews, you would think there were only two kinds of Priesthood: the Aaronic and the Melchisedec. But there is also the Phinehas Priesthood. In numbers 25, Phinehas does a rather violent deed, but he is credited with doing a priest’s job; but he is also credited with making atonement for the people by his act. The Phinehas Priesthood will by revived in the Millennium; it was an everlasting Priesthood (Numbers 25:1 3). Part of this was fulfilled in Zadok, a descendant of Phinehas. As important as the Phinehas Priesthood is, it is not mentioned in the book of Hebrews. Why? Because it is for the Millennium, not for the Christian era; it would interrupt the picture. (See “Phinehas Priesthood” booklet for more on the subject.) • The Lord can be seen in all three Priesthoods: 1. Aaronic—Jesus was called, as was Aaron 2. Melchisedec—speaks of blessing, which we have through Jesus 3. Phinehas—made an atonement, as the Lord did for us • Someone once asked, “Will there ever e a time when we don’t need a high priest?” The answer was, “There will never be a time when we do not need a mediator.” “[There is] … one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” • Vv. 6–10—Between the two verses saying the Lord is a “priest after the order of Melchisedec”, we have a sandwich with the qualifications for a priest. • V. 7–crying and tears—Many times the Lord would go and pray for a whole night, shedding many tears. The night before he was crucified, He was praying with many tears, because it seems that Satan tried to sway Him from the path of obedience. He tried to do it when He was beginning His ministry and he tried again when the Lord was about to die, but he could not move Him. • … to save Him from death—Darby says, “… to save Him out of death.” This wouldn’t mean stopping the Lord from dying, but bringing Him “out of death” after he was dead, resurrection. • V. 8—The Lord learned obedience when He became man to do the will of His Father. Before, in Heaven, there was no need for obedience because He and the Father were one. • V. 9–Author—Darby says He is the Causer, the One who caused eternal salvation. He made it happen. • It seems the reward for all that He has done is to become a high priest to us. It doesn’t seem like a very good reward, almost a burden, but He is happy to have it. • Melchisedec was the King of Salem as well as a priest. Salem means peace, which is what we will have when the Lord is a Melchisedec Priest. EG Hymn 171–On the lamb our souls are resting, Prayer[pic]