Tag Archives: Hebrews

Christ Our Sacrifice

1 Reply

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:1

What is the purpose of The Law? Often we read or hear about Gods Law and wonder why did God institute this? Was this just a way for God to control us? No , as the scripture states “The Law was a shadow of the good things to come” You see we cant understand what sin is without The Law, and without Sin there is no understanding of why we need Jesus

Secondly once we recognize our sin from The Law, we can never be reconciled by The Law. Yearly atonement sacrifices were made for sin, but they could never fully satisfy the debt that we owe. The wages of our sins is death, and we need a transformation not just a substitution. 

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Hebrews 10:2-4

Its interesting the author of Hebrews says the the sin sacrifices of the Old Covenant never forgave us for our sins, it was just a reminder of our sins. Only God alone can forgive your sin and cleanse it with His blood. The sacrificial rituals of the Old Covenant was just a reminder of our sinful state and how we need Jesus

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Hebrews 10:5-6

This is why, Jesus came into this world, God became Flesh (John 1:14) to be the final sacrifice for our sins. The spotless Lamb of God , who never sinned, became our sin, so we might become righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21) 

Judgement Of God

2 Replies

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27

Many false teachings have arisen over the centuries in Christianity, including the doctrine of Purgatory. This is the belief where you can die, remain in Purgatory for awhile to purge your sins, then eventually work your way to Heaven. This is a total Heresy. As the scripture teaches us “We die one and then go to judgement” There are no second chances in Hell

It reminds me of the story Jesus taught about the Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31) The rich man died and went to Hell and he begged Abraham to give him some relief from the torment of Hell, however Abraham reminded him once your in Hell you can’t get out! Don’t believe the lie that you can die in your sins and eventually go to Heaven, if there is a breathe left in your body, repent to the Lord Jesus Christ, for he is the only one who can forgive you of your sins

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. Hebrews 9:28

This is not a work based salvation, Jesus died once on the cross for the sins of all. As the old hymn says “Jesus paid it all”, there is no working your way into Heaven. You might say “ I don’t understand how Jesus can forgive all of the world’s sin”? An eternal God has control over eternity. You dont understand the power and precious blood of Christ, the blood shed by God Almighty as atonement for your sins

Just like at the end of the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Abraham said “If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets (Word of God) they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead (Resurrection) (Luke 16:31) Jesus rose from the dead over 2,000 years ago and we still have people demanding a sign from God, people who still don’t believe in the supernatural, people who still reject Christ

Don’t believe the lies of this world, don’t die today and end up in Hell for eternity! Trust the Risen Savior! Repent to the only One who can forgive you of your sins and grant you eternal life, Jesus Christ , Amen!

Christ Our Mediator

6 Replies

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; 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. Hebrews 9:11-12

The continual theme of Hebrews is to show us how the elements of the Old Covenant are all foreshadows of Christ! The sacrifices, the Temple, the High Priests, are all pointing to Jesus. But now Christ built us a better Temple, a perfect Tabernacle, not made by human hands but by his own body

The blood of animals could never full satisfy the debt for our sins, it gave us temporary atonement, however Christ is the perfect Lamb of God who paid the ransom for the sins of the world, obtaining eternal redemption

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: 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? Hebrews 9:13-14

If the blood of animals can provide limited atonement for sin, imagine what the blood of the Living God could provide, not only can your sins be forgiven, but you can become transformed by the Holy Spirit. 

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15

Jesus is our Mediator between us and God, nobody can come to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6) Why? Because Jesus paid it all, He is the perfect ransom for our sins. And through Christ we may receive the eternal inheritance Amen!

New Covenant Part 2

2 Replies

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. Hebrews 9:1-2

The First Covenant or more known as the Old Covenant, was full of foreshadows of Christ. There were requirements and ordinances in the Old Covenant, things that seem foreign to us Gentiles, but when you take a deeper look you understand, they are all about Jesus

The Word (Jesus) became Flesh and made his dwelling or Tabernacle among us (John 1:14) As we see throughout the Old Covenant , there was a Tabernacle, a Temple, this symbolized Christ body. And when Jesus came down from Heaven, God’s Tabernacle lived among us in the Flesh

As Jesus said “Destroy this Temple in 3 days and then I will raise it up “ (John 2:19) Christ was talking about his physical body, He was prophesying about His Resurrection. The Jews believed He was referring to the physical Temple, however they misunderstood this was just a foreshadow of the Christ to come

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 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; Hebrews 9:3-4

When Jesus said on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) The Veil was torn, humanity was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies because Christ has paid the price for our sins. The ark of the covenant, is The Law, which Jesus fulfilled and the Holy Spirit writes on our hearts

The manna, the shewbread, its Christ body, that was the atoning sacrifice to be the ransom for our sins. When you see this, and understand all this, the beauty of the Old Covenant comes into mind, but it can never satisfy as the New Covenant does

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Hebrews 9:5-6

All of these have now been fulfilled by Jesus, everything that was required by God has been fulfilled by Christ. The whole purpose of the Old Covenant was to prepare us for the New Covenant in Jesus Christ Amen!

The New Covenant

1 Reply

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

There are many people who want to argue that this is no New Covenant, that we are still in the same Covenant as Moses. However The Bible tells us differently, just as Jesus declared as the Lords Supper “This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood” (Luke 22:20) the author of Hebrews declares that Jesus has provided a better Covenant!

Notice Jesus is the Mediator, as we talked about previously, Jesus is our High Priest, the mediator between us and God. By the shedding of his blood for our sins, He has provided a New and Better Covenant , that we may inherit eternal life and be reconciled back to the Father

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 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: Hebrews 8:7-8

A new Covenant is not a new concept, as God foretold about his in the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah foretold about this including other prophets, notice if the first covenant had been faultless, then a New Covenant would not have been needed, so what happened? 

Mankind is what happened, God made a Covenant with Israel, and we have all fallen short. However Christ being God in the flesh, can never fail. The sinless Lamb of God, is what the world needed to be atoned for their sin. 

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.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 Hebrews 8:9-10

This New Covenant will not be the same as the Old Covenant, why? Because God is going to write his Law on our hearts, how? The Holy Spirit baptizes and seals us when we become Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) The Old Covenant didnt have the Spirit of God living inside of us. The Old Covenant didnt have the blood of Jesus Christ to purify us from all our sins Amen!

Jesus The High Priest Part 3

4 Replies

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Hebrews 8:1-2

Again we continue to see the theme in the book of Hebrews of Jesus role as the High Priest and his supremacy over the old priesthood , the old covenant. Not only do we have a High Priest, but our High Priest sits at the right hand of God in Heaven. Our High Priest is not only the minister of the tabernacle, He is the tabernacle and made his dwelling among us

When we understand how Christ has fulfilled all things, we understand He is all we need. Its a blessing to know that God is our High Priest and our Sanctuary in which we dwell

For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Hebrews 8:3-4

Its amazing when you understand, that Christ not only made offering on our behalf, but he offered himself to take our place! The Son of God loved you enough to die for your sins, the personal relationship with God cant be found any other place than in Christ for this reason

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. Hebrews 8:5

Everything about the Old Covenant was a foreshadow of the New Covenant, Moses was directed to make thing exactly as God commanded, why? Because all these things were shadows of Christ. When you studying these things in depth, your understand who Jesus truly is, the eternal High Priest who paid the atonement for your sins Amen!

Line of Melchizedek Part 2

1 Reply

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? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Hebrews 7:11-12

The book of Hebrews give a great explanation of the fulfillment of the Old Covenant and the birth of the New Covenant. As the author explains here, since Jesus is now our eternal High Priest, the law must change. The Levitic priesthood was part of the Old Covenant and necessary for people to have a mediator between them and God

However now that Christ, being our Lamb of God, has reconciled us back to the Father. Jesus is our mediator with God, Jesus is our eternal High Priest, Jesus fulfilled The Law. 

For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.  Hebrews 7:13-14

The Messiah or Christ was to rule from Judah, which Jesus fulfilled. Christ is the Lion of Judah, however no priest were ever prophesied from the line of David. The Levitical line of priests was another foreshadow of Christ to come. This has now been fulfilled and Jesus is our eternal High Priest

And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 7:15-17

Jesus the eternal High Priest, was not from The Law, but from the power of the Resurrection. For the Law brings death, but Grace brings eternal life. Just as Melchizedek was an eternal figure, he was a foreshadow of the eternal High Priest who is Jesus

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: Hebrews 7:18-20

For The Law made nothing perfect, The Law actually brings death. However Christ made us righteous before the Father. Therefor because Jesus fulfilled The Law, he is now our High Priest. Now because of Christ, we can now draw near to God, because our sins have been atoned for

(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:)by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:21-22

Jesus has made a better covenant, a better testament, because He has fulfilled The Old Covenant. Jesus is our Lamb of God, Jesus is our High Priest, Jesus is our Lord and Savior Amen!

Line of Melchizedek

4 Replies

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blesse 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;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. Hebrews 7:1-3

 

As you continually read through the book of Hebrews, you notice that its really emphasizing the role of Jesus as our High Priest. Here we see a figure Melchizedek, that is referenced with Christ. Some scholars believe this figure actually was Christ when he met Abraham. 

 

Melchizedek was an intriguing character in the Bible, as he almost appears God-like, which is why many believe its Christ himself. It says basically he is eternal and a King of Righteousness. The really interesting thing is he introduced bread and wine to Abraham (Genesis 14:18) obviously a foreshadow of Communion that Christ introduced to us

 

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. Hebrews 7:4-6

 

Notice how exalted this Melchizedek is that he received a tithe from Abraham, the father of Israel. This I believe is more evidence that this was actually Christ , showing his priesthood authority over everyone including Abraham

 

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Hebrews 7:7-8

 

Melchizedek blessed Abraham when he met him, it states in the scripture that “the less is blessed by the better” Meclchizedek was considered  greater than Abraham, which is a profound statement since we all know Abraham is the patriarch of Israel

 

Also notice it ends with “He Liveth” meaning hes immortal, we know Christ lives yesterday, today, and forever! As Jesus said “Before Abraham was I AM” (John 8:58)

Anchor of Our Soul

1 Reply

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:13-15

 

When God called out Abraham and made him a promise that his descendants would be more numerous the stars or the sand on the shore, it seemed impossible since Abraham was almost 100 years old and childless. However as we need to understand , God does not lie, Gods does not go back on his promises. What God says is going to happen we can guarantee it will happen

 

Now we might not know how its going to happen or have all the details. But remember God is sovereign and in complete control of the world. As Abrham kept being led through barren land, he must of thought “Where am I going”? “What in the world is God doing”? However by faith Abraham obeyed God

 

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: Hebrews 6:16-17

 

God made a covenant with Abraham, just as Christ made a covenant with us! What is a covenant? Its like a contract, its a promise, its a guarantee that God has made. The only difference is God doesnt break his promises! 

 

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: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Hebrews 6:18-19

 

How can we be assured that we are saved, because its impossible for God to lie. Those who are saved with Christ, have an anchor for their soul. God is not dangling a carrot in front of you, leading you along

 

If you are Born Again through Christ, you are saved! We have blessed assurance in the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

 

Eternally Saved

2 Replies

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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. Hebrews 6:1-3

The following scriptures we are reading today are about becoming mature Christians. When we first become saved, we become very zealous and almost a legalist with the Word of God. We are trying to learn everything in a short time, and when other Christians dont agree or follow our interpretation of scripture we start causing division. This is why Christianity today has over 40,000 different denominations today.

But as we mature as a Christian, we understand that we need to stay focused on the essential doctrines of Christianity and not get divided over interpretations of others. The Apostles Creed is a great place to start, if you can affirm the Apostles Creed then you are an Orthodox Christians. The Deity of Christ, The Virgin Birth, The Death and Resurrection of our Sins, The Church, The Second Coming of Christ. These are all essential doctrines of Christianity. Whether somebody believes in a Pre Trib, Mid Trib, or Post Trib Rapture, shouldnt divide the Church. Keep it simple , preach the Gospel of Christ

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, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Hebrews 6:4-5

The following scriptures are some of the most controversial in the entire Bible. Some will argue that this is teaching that we can lose our salvation after becoming Born Again. I disagree , as this would contradict alot of the BIble. Also Jesus promised us eternal life, are we calling Jesus a liar by taking this away?

I think to understand this scripture we need to look at the context, who is the audience? This epistle was written specifically for Hebrew Christians. What issue did alot of Hebrew Christians have coming to Christ? Many still wanted to remain under The Law even after they were saved, read Acts 15

I think this scripture is in reference to those who proclaimed to be Christians but yet kept themselves under the Law. As we know you cant be under the law and under grace at the same time. Your either one or the other, secondly if you were truly Born Again, we would understand the power of the blood of Christ and his grace

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. Hebrews 6:6

Becoming Born Again (John 3:3) is a one time spiritual rebirth, those who claim to have “fallen away” I would have to wonder if they were ever truly saved? This has become a major issue in todays Church as well, many false conversions. Today we tell people, say the “Sinners Prayer” and your saved, Jesus never preached that, Paul never preached that, Peter never preached that

Jesus said “Repent or Perish” In order for somebody to come to Christ, they need to understand their own depravity. Why do they need a Savior? A golden ticket to Heaven? No , they need to become Born Again because of our wickedness. The Law of God is a mirror for us to see our need for Christ! Amen!