The Reformation

]The reformation

We have been duly instructed saying; “The Holy Spirit indicating this that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 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 --concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:8-10).

So then, what are the better promises on which the New and better covenant has been established? The better promises on which the New and better covenant has been established are three-folds viz.

•           A better High Priest

Jesus Christ became a merciful and faithful High Priest, and a better Mediator, in performing the work of God, thus fulfilling God’s eternal purpose. Being the High Priest of God was the office He held before partaking of flesh and blood. He temporarily relinquished that office and became the Son of Man, so that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

We can hold fast to our confession because, we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, One who can sympathize with our weaknesses, because He was in all points tempted as we are being tempted, yet without sin. It is because of the everlasting position which Christ holds as High Priest, and the offering, He as High Priest is appointed to offer like all other high priests, that we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Therefore the work of Jesus Christ did not end at the cross, What it did was, it created in Him one new man from both Jews and Gentiles thus making peace, so that He might reconcile them both to God in one body. The cross opened the door, rend the veil, gave man direct access to the Father; but the hope of drawing near is the official responsibility of the High Priest, and since Jesus Christ continues forever, He has an unchangeable priesthood, and therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.

The once and for all signifies that, once and for all we have a High Priest who ever lives to make intercessions for us, and once and for all there is an offering which can present the worshiper perfect, blameless, and irreproachable in the sight of God, and thus fulfilling the will of God.

The office of High Priest is the office Jesus Christ held with the Father before He temporarily relinquished it, and assumed His position as the Son of Man. But after the completion of His preparatory work on earth, He prayed to the Father and said: “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was” (John 17:4-5).

That glory Jesus Christ had with the Father before the beginning of the world is that of being Priest of the Most High: For God Himself testifies of Christ saying; “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17).

Now according to the scriptures; “…This Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “King of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:1-3).

This is the first important aspect of the reformation which was established on better promises in order for humanity to have fellowship with the Father and that is to have an unchangeable priesthood and having One who is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

It is further stated that such a High Priest was fitting for us, One who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

This teaches us clearly that, offering the Lord the food for His offerings at their appointed time has not been abolished but has rather been reformed since Jesus Christ as High Priest always live to make intercession for us. Therefore, the command which states; “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” is current and effective as when it was first given to the children of Israel.

Because, the One who gave this command to the children of Israel is the same yesterday, today and forever and He forever lives to make intercessions for us.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph