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The official blog of Blue Letter Bible

Christ for Us – part 3

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Different characteristics of Christ which appear for us in Hebrews 9 & 10.

As the Exalted Man in glory

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God”
(Hebrews 10:12)

Think about that one. Christ did not stay in the tomb to rot. Instead, He rose from the grave and ascended on high, confirming the reality of God’s salvation. And just as Christ is risen, we are risen to new life in Him.

As the Expectant One, to triumph

“waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.”
(Hebrews 10:13)

One day, all of God’s enemies—Satan, sin, death—will sit under His feet. He will triumph over them!

As the Perfecter of His people

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
(Hebrews 10:14)

This sanctification is of God’s people—His elect (1 Peter 1:2). Our standing is perfected in Christ as we are being sanctified into His likeness.

As the Fore-runner, to procure

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh”
(Hebrews 10:19-20)

Jesus inaugurated the coming of His kingdom and our entering into that place. We have a living hope in Him; it is not a hope that is dead.

As the High Priest, to represent

“and since we have a great priest over the house of God”
(Hebrews 10:21)

Jesus is one who is at once King and “Priest on His throne” ( Zec 6:13 )—a royal Priest, and a priestly King. He reigns over the house of God—namely, the church and whole family of God’s people.

This study is taken from the notes of F.E. Marsh, which will be added to the Blue Letter Bible commentaries in 2012. Please consider helping us add to and maintain our commentaries and other study tools.

 

Comments

    • Questions:

      Has anyone ever been to the Holyland?
      Seen Bethlehem?

      Could you share with us some of the highlights of your trip?

  2. Revelations tells us that He “hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
    Just like Jesus we have been given the authority of a king and the responsibility of a priest. We must declare and decree, with confidence, the word of God over our lives and speak blessing, as a priest does, over our families.

    • Chad, I like what you said, “…and speak blessing, as a priest does, over our families.” What godly households of those fathers who do that in their family. I have a feeling you are one of them. Have a very Merry Christmas, and may God continue to bless and guide you as you lead your family in Him.

  3. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto to me LORD LORD shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doeth the will of my FATHER which is in heaven

    Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of patience that after you have done the will of GOD you might receive the promise

    Luke 6:46 And why call you me LORD LORD and do not the things which I say

    Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me

    Psalm 119 :139 My zeal hath consumed me because mine enemies have forgotten thy words

    Ezekiel 18:31&32 Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby you have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will you die O house of Israel (32) For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the LORD GOD wherefore turn yourselves and live ye

    Isaiah 30:8-11 Now go write before them in a table and note it in a book that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever (9) that this is rebellious people lying children that will not hear the law of the LORD (10) Which say to the seers see not and to the prophets prophesy not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things prophecy deceits (11) get you out of the way turn aside out of the path cause the HOLY ONE of ISRAEL to cease from before us

    • 1Cr 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

  4. We have a new baby in our family. I am a Grandma for the first time. As I read today’s blog of BLB, I thought of Jesus as an infant. Yet, He was God incarnate. The whole thing is so humbling. I am grateful that I can look at all the glitz of the world and know that I have been saved by grace, and not by my works. This season is about Jesus’ birthday (whether he was born in December or not, it doesn’t matter, really). I am caring this around in my heart with joy: joy for the birth of our new grandson, and joy for the birth of Jesus who was born, who died, who rose again and is seated at the right hand of God.

    • Greetings Debi C!

      What wonderful news of the new baby in your family!h

      Newness and great hope. I share in your sentiments completely.

      I hope our sister Angela is doing well. That God has shown her the way to a first step. I do think of her everyday and say a special prayer for her.

      I have shared a similiar pain as I was abused also. One thing I know for sure, someone who hits you does not love you. The pattern is a powerplay to take from another to put guilt where none is warranted.

      Thanks also goes to Renee who sent her encouraging words to Angela. A sister crying out for

  5. I agree with Chad and Debi C.

    Isiah prophesied over baby Jesus in chapter 9 verse 6.

    Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

    Fathers ought to prophesy over their new born children, and continue to speak the Word of God over them as they grow.

    As as father, I have prophesied great Godly things over my three children from the moment of their birth, and placed them in God’s hands. As they continue to grow, I have seen the enemy try many things, but God continues to lesd them and protect them. They excell in everything they pursue, and are admired by many because of their character and attitude. That is God at work.

  6. …Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto to me LORD LORD shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doeth the will of my FATHER which is in heaven…

    The harshest criticism is for the ministry who mislead those trying to be good Christians. Steve, I understand where you are coming from but I hold out great hope more and more people will be saved by studying, following, and having proper guidance. All should be incredibly discerning which church they attend that follows Bible teaching.

    I applaud mothers, fathers, and grandparents who are supporting their children as they grow to be witnesses to God’s greatness. Part of the first fruit. Those who exhibit the fruit of the spirit. Those who bring children and others to the Lord are especially blessed. These children are cognizant that their parents never did feed them the lie of Santa Claus. Parents make sure also their children understand there is no Easter (named after a Pagan goddess) but there is Passover. Christ is our Passover Lamb.

    Parents are stewards to their children and have a special call to teach their children yea means yea and nay means nay.

    As we remember the birth of the Savior, most likely born during the Fall Feast of Tabernacles may all celebrate each and every day Father cared so much for us He sent His only begotten Son. May every Sabbath of first fruit each week be strengthened by corporate prayer.

    • Bible Studier; I agree with what you said and I understand about the “harsh” criticism part, but where do we draw the line between Criticism and speaking the truth. I would like to point out that Steve was not actually Criticizing anyone but posting Bible verses. Yes, he followed a particular thread there but it was never the less nothing more and nothing less then that which Jesus might have posted if He were on the Website Himself. Hypothethically speaking that is.

      I would just like to add that Jesus never commanded His followers to Observe His birthday. None of the early (First Century Christions), Church of God, ever observed December 25th or the true birthday of Jesus. Neither in the Bible or in historic records do we see mention the Birthday of Jesus Yet December 25 is recognized as a pagan holiday. So why do “Christian” do that which is not commanded to do? Who gave us that command if God did not command us then???

      I am not trying to judge anyone but if we participate in a lie, does that not make us liars? And if we as Christians stay Quite and say nothing, Does that not make us worse then liars? If we know the truth and speak not then we are liars and hypocrites for staying quite when Jesus Himself would have called us a hypocrite to our own faces!

      The Majority of “Christians” in the world claim to be honoring the birth of the Lord Jesus but also participate in a lie when they tell their children about Santa Claus or just decorate their homes with Christmas Time decoration and stuff, never realizing that those are pagan, unChristian traditions. The fact that December 25th is not the Lords birthday at all, is itself a lie. Can we as Christians truly eat at the table of the Lord of Truth and at the table of the father of lies, at the same time?

      Don’t we as True Followers of the Lord Jesus have an obligation to speak up where ever we may be, whether at work or at home or what ever website we may visit and say, “Hey, That’s not true!” If it isn’t? Even if it alienates us from others, Even if we lose friends and family? Will God truly hold us guiltless for looking the other way and saying absolutely nothing at all???

      If we criticize others because in our hearts, we think ourselves to be better, then we are wrong and God is judging us in the here and now and we know that God will not be mocked. What ever a man sows that shall he reap (Galatians 6:7). And also if a man is teaching and preaching the truth from a humble and sincere heart, God also knows for He looks not upon the man or his words but upon the attitude of the heart.

      I myself understand that people think that I criticized others for their deceived belief that they think that they are honoring the Lord and not doing what He says but the truth is that I myself can not just stand by and participate in a lie even if I do not know anyone at the site. I feel an obligation to either say the truth or not read or participate in any way whatsoever on that site.

      After all, if I don’t like what they are saying, I don’t have to read these blogs in the first place. For the most part I normally stay quite but around this time of the year I really can’t just stay quite and not sound off the truth.

      But I do enjoy reading these blogs and the comments and at the same time I do feel an obligation to speak the truth and say, “Hey, That’s not true!” simply because it is not. And I am quite certain that Steve is also just following his humble heart and using God’s own words to point out the truth.

      Christmas does not honor Jesus but it does tarnish the true Gospel message that Jesus wants us to know, and was never commanded by the lord Jesus or any of the Apostles at any time. And that is the humble truth whether you see it as criticism or not.

  7. Thank you God for showing us your salvation through Jesus who is the Christ my Lord and Savior! Thank you for the Gift of all Gifts. Salvation nothing that we earned but it is a free gift from you. Thank you I am truly grateful.

  8. Colossians 2:16-19
    16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not[d] seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

    True Christians celebrate Christmas everyday. This doesn’t mean that the cultural celebrations of the Christmas Season are sinful, even if some of the dates and names are derived from pagan celebrations. The truth is that Jesus owns Christmas and Jesus owns Easter. The human heart is good at ruining everything, we must remember that the only healthy approach is to remember the end of verse 17 of Colossians 2… “the substance is of Christ.”

    • Hi Chris:

      Colossians 2:16-19
      16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not[d] seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

      Chris, if you really were to think and look into this, you would find that the true Sabbath Keeping Church of God is the only one that was Judged by this worlds false Christianity for two thousand years for observing the Sabbath’s New Moon and God’s Holy Festivals which this worlds False Christianity has forgotten and denied. This is the reason why the true Church of God went underground as soon as Jesus ascended into heaven. This is why you hardly see the true church of God observing the Sabbaths, New Moons and Holy commanded Festivals of God and instead see a false religious system holding fast to the traditions (such as Christmas and Easter), of men. Because of men judging the true beliefs to the point of persecution. If we truly did observe the birth of Jesus everyday in or lives then there would be no reason to observe December 25th or any other day as special for that matter???

      I know that you do not want to see it that way but it never the less is the truth. You show me where Christmas is commanded in the Bible as the day to observe the birthday of Christ and I will start doing so right away. As to the Sabbath, Chirst said…

      Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

      Which to clarify means that he created and rules the Sabbath. Why would Jesus say such a thing and then permit his followers to observe another day? That just does not make any sense.

      This is why we read… “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,”

      Mark 7:8 “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men,…”

  9. Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits [fn] of the world, and not according to Christ.

    [next speaking of judgmental (basically holier than thous)]

    Then…

    Col 2:23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

    Both are to be mediated upon.

    We still have an obligation to set the record straight as to what is and what is not of the truth. Is it of the Word (Jesus) or is it of man going along with what has become untruthful human tradition based upon Pagan rituals?

    Parents still need to be cognizant to teach their children that commercialization and permutation of what is meant to celebrate and praise God has been twisted by false traditions of men.

    Tell our children that Christ was most likely not born on December 25 and Easter used one time in the KJV improperly. The proper rendering is not Easter but rather Passover.

    To tell the truth is not negative in the least. One can impart to children the sheer joy of knowing the Father sent us His son. His son will once again come to earth. This is the blessed hope, the basis of our faith. The true good news!

    The point of Col 2 is to allow no one to rob one of the joy of our God. His grace and mercy given freely to us. At a great price. For God so loved the world…

  10. An interesting article I ran across. I admire the teachings of R C Sproul and would like to learn more of him.

    Do You Believe in a Santa Christ?

    http://www.ligonier.org/blog/do-you-believe-in-a-santa-christ/

    And other on point article of the subject of humility we have been studying.

    “Relying on God’s Grace”

    http://www.erictyoung.com/2010/07/10/r-c-sproul-on-prideful-humility-and-true-humility/

    2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

  11. But then again R C Sproul has his detractors 🙁

    R. C. SPROUL
    Raging Heretic and Blasphemer

    http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/resource/rcsproul.htm

    I tend to find their to be a tug of war of sorts which “theology” is correct. The ultimate arbitor of course is Scripture proving Scripture.

    I find some TV ministers to be off the mark also and on some very shakey ground. Some proclaim them heretics also.

    It is clear that we do need to learn more about the Early Christian Church. Our modern worship in some very vital ways does differ. A worthy study to pursue also.

    God does not expect us to remain stagnant. The road to sanctification is purely a personal journey as we seek to become a better example as we learn more and more of Jesus. To abide in Him alone. To be humble to His words.

    I definitely will pursue more of the teachings of Spurgeon. Both sides of the aisle so-to-speak do revere His work and His lifelong commitment to Our Lord.

    Meanwhile my currect project is to reread the Four Gospels. I find reading and listening simultaneously a very orderly and meaningful way to study using the Berean method. I am neither a strict Calvinist nor an Armenian by theology.

    I hasten to add…

    Nor do I make up my own kind of theology. What the Bible says goes. Finding the closest we can to the Logos to the fullness of understanding a huge undertaking but essential.

    I join my sisters and brothers in rememberance of Christ born to us in the humblest of circumstances to be our Savior, Lord, King, and High Priest.

    Thank you Father for your gift to us, your Son. He was born, died on the cross, and rose again.

    • Be Steadfast In Standing for the Truth — Charles Spurgeon (Quote of the Day)

      “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58

      …
      “…
      According to all that I can understand of modern liberalism, religion is a mere matter of opinion, and no opinion is of sufficient importance to be worth contending for…

      Beloved, beware of falling into this state of mind; for if you do so I boldly assert that you are not Christian at all, for the Spirit which dwells in believers hates falsehood, and clings firmly to the truth. Our great Lord and Master taught mankind certain great truths plainly and definitely, stamping them with his “Verily, verily;” and as to the marrow of them he did not hesitate to say, “He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned;” a sentence very abhorrent to modern charity, but infallible nevertheless. Jesus never gave countenance to the baseborn charity which teaches that it is no injury to a man’s nature to believe a lie. Beloved, be firm, be steadfast, be positive. There are certain things which are true; find them out, grapple them to you as with hooks of steel. Buy the truth at any price and sell it at no price…
      “

      • Be Steadfast In Standing for the Truth — Charles Spurgeon (Quote of the Day)

        http://www.erictyoung.com/tag/charles-spurgeon/

        Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
        taken from: Motives for Steadfastness, Sermon No. 1111, May 11, 1873.
        http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1111.htm

        Related Posts:

        • “Every True Christian Should Know and Love the Truth” — John MacArthur (Quote of the Day)
        • Love of the Truth by Archibald Alexander
        • God’s Word: The Final Authority, Period — Charles Spurgeon
        • “Truth is Truth, and Error, Error” — Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) (Quote of the Day)

  12. Just found this article that makes clearer what I was attempting to say. I have so far to go!

    True Christians Are to Be Salt and Light to A Dying World — J.C. Ryle (Quote of the Day)

    “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
    “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:13-16

    …
    “there must be something marked, distinct, and peculiar about our character, if we are true Christians. It will never do to idle through life, thinking and living like others, if we mean to be owned by Christ as His people. Have we grace? Then it must be seen. Have we the Spirit? Then there must be fruit. Have we any saving religion? Then there must be a difference of habits, tastes, and turn of mind, between us and those who think only of the world…”