We
have been duly instructed saying; “For on the one hand there is an annulling of
the former commandment because of its weakness and non profitability, for the
law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a
better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7;18-19).
Because
of the massive delusion, confusion and lies that are being promulgated by the
many false prophets and teachers who themselves are deceived and are deceiving
others, I will have to take some time to define both the former procedure that
has been annulled, and the new way and better hope that has been implemented by
which we can draw near to God.
1. In the former procedure the deficiencies
of former protocol were as follows:
·
It was weak, unprofitable, because it made
nothing perfect (Hebrews
7:18-19)
·
The
way to the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first
tabernacle was still standing” (Hebrews 9:8).
·
It
was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are
offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to
the conscience , it was concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings,
and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:
9-10).
·
The
(ceremonial) law being a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very
image of the things, could never with these same sacrifices, which they offer
continually year by year, make those who approach perfect (Hebrews 10:1).
·
These
sacrifices could present the worshiper perfect; if they could they would not
have ceased to be offered: For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no
more consciousness of sins (Hebrews 10:2).
·
But
in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year, for it is not
possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins (Hebrews 10:3-4).
·
The
high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy place only once a year on the
Day of Atonement. As it is written, “But into the second part the high priest
went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for
the people's sins committed in ignorance” (Hebrews 9:7).
·
Please
note carefully that, all these procedures (protocols) were copies or, shadows
of the things in the heavens, and their objectives were to purify the people; but
we are told that, the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than
these (Hebrews
9:23).
The
principal thing to note is that, the objective or the rationale for the Old
Testament protocol by which one could draw near to God has not been changed, it
remains the same, only the method that has been reformed but not obsolete: So
let us now look at the reformation:
2. The new protocol by which one can
now draw to God whose objective and rationale remains the same but requires
different procedures are:
·
While
the former procedure because of its weakness and non-profitability could not
make nothing perfect; we now have on the other hand, the bringing in of a
better hope, through which we draw near to God (Hebrews 7:19).
·
As
long as the first tabernacle was still standing, the way to the Most Holy Place
had not yet been disclosed: Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the
things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these” (Hebrews 9:23).
·
While
the sacrifices in the old procedure could not present the worshiper perfect, but
Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and
more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not
with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
·
While
under the old procedure, the high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy
place only once a year on the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for the sins
of the people, under the new procedure, we are admonished to, “Let us therefore
come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to
help in time of need” (Hebrews
4:16).
So
we see clearly that, the protocol by which one can draw near to God has not
been made obsolete, but rather has been reformed, bringing in of a better hope,
through which we draw near to God. Therefore, the new protocol in drawing near
to God is simply this:
1)
We
now have a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is,
not of this creation, but a tabernacle which is in heaven (Hebrews 9: 11).
2)
The
sacrifices of animals, has now been replaced with Jesus’ own body and blood
when He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal
redemption: Because, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God? 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: 12, 14-15).
3)
The
High Priest: For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and
sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to
offer (Hebrews
8:3).
However,
the prescribed manner and the appointed times of worship have not been reformed,
for the Lord spoke to Moses saying; "Command the children of Israel, and
say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet
aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers
28:2).
And
the appointed time to offer the Lord the food for His offerings is clearly chronologically
defined in the 28th and 29th chapter of numbers, which
are:
v
The
thanksgiving daily offering, to thank the Lord for His loving kindness in the
morning and His faithfulness in the evening.
v
The
peace or fellowship offering, on the weekly and annual Sabbaths.
v
On
the New Moon, which is the beginning of a new month. Therefore, we are without
excuse.
With
brotherly love
Lucius
Joseph
No comments:
Post a Comment