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Jesus Christ: Anchor of the Soul

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If you are joining us for the first time, please be sure to read the previous posts in this series:

The last two verses of Hebrews Chapter 6 should actually be the first two verses of Hebrews Chapter 7 since they begin to address Melchizedek, which is who and what chapter 7 is largely about. Let’s look at these two verses as we close out our analysis of Hebrews 6:4-20.

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 6:19-20)

The first phrase of verse 19 is significant. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.” What do you think of when you think of an anchor? Often, the mind goes to a picture of a boat or ship whose anchor is solidly lodged in the sea bottom, keeping it from moving or being carried away by waves to careen toward rocks that might destroy the boat or ship with a gaping hole and sink it. In the same way, our “hope” in Christ is that sure “anchor” to keep us from self-destruction. Now indeed, just as Jesus said in the parable about the two types of foundation one may choose to build his house upon, regardless of which one you choose, you are going to encounter the “storms” of life:

24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26 “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.
(Matthew 7:24-27)

Having lived in Southern California for a number of years, I have been amazed at the lack of forethought among those who have chosen to build their homes on the side of an erosional cliff overlooking the sea. Indeed, the views can be quite exquisite, and the homes are incredibly beautiful, but it will be a very short-lived time of pleasantry if a major rain storm hits, or serious flooding occurs. In fact, as I am writing this, I can see in my mind the various homes over the years that have collapsed through erosion and fallen into the sea. What a picture that is for you and me!

What we are building the foundation of our lives upon? Is it a true, genuine, born again relationship with Jesus, based on His Word of Eternal Truth, or is it simply being a “church member,” as you have gone to church most of your life, and perhaps even made an emotional response to the Gospel, but the truth of Jesus actually being your only Lord and Savior and forgiving you of all your sins —the only way to have a relationship with the Father (John 14:6)—never really took “root” in your life. Indeed, that is exactly what Paul was writing to the Corinthian believers in the following passage: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you– unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). How do we “test ourselves to see if we are in the faith?” The following are the means by which I was tested on October 1. 1965, and I discovered I was only a “church member,” not a born again believer in Jesus, but I soon became one:

  1. If you were to die right now, do you have the intrinsic assurance that you would spend eternity in heaven with the Lord? If not, might not have invited Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior and repented and turned from your sin to Jesus to be your only Lord and Savior.
  2. Do you have the full assurance that your sins are forgiven in Christ’s shed blood on the Cross, or are you depending on your “works” to somehow get you into heaven? If the former, then you are born again, for that assurance is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in your heart and life that no human being can place there! If, on the other hand, you are depending on your works, then you might not have truly responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit that you are a sinner to the core of your being, and the very best you can ever do is comparable to a “used menstrual cloth” (Isaiah 64:6), versus the blood of Jesus alone cleansing you from your sin, which is the second thing the Holy Spirit convicts us of and points us to—the righteousness of Jesus alone is what takes away our sin. And the third thing the Holy Spirit convicts us of is the reality of Hell—that it is an absolute reality and apart from the Saving Grace of Jesus, and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, we will spend eternity there.
  3. Do you constantly sense God dealing with you and pulling you toward Himself, even when you have compromised and walked in your own willful pride and sin? And have you felt His powerful, but loving hand of conviction and discipline in bringing you back to a point of brokenness and repentance over your sin and failure, and into a deeper walk of holiness with Him? Or, in contrast, do you live a life of willful sin and disobedience without any real concern or conviction that what you are doing is sin and in rebellion against God? And do you have no serious thought of the consequences of your sin? If the former, then you are indeed a child of God as Hebrews 12:4-11 delineates:
4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
(Hebrews 12:4-11)

If, on the other hand, you have no real conviction of the sin you are engaged in, and you are not experiencing any “discipline” of the Lord in your life, pointing out your sin and its destructiveness to you and others, then you may indeed merely be a “church member” and not a “born again believer.” The good news for you is that Jesus is standing with His arms outstretched to you to receive you unto Himself as His child and your Savior for all Eternity:

9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:9-13)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
(Romans 3:23)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:8)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23)

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart “– that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; 13 for “Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved [not “might be saved,” but “will be saved” – my note]. (Romans 10:8-13)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice [regardless of what your sin and past has been – my note] and opens the door, I will come in to him (not, “may come into him,” but “will come in to him” – my note) and will dine with him, and he with Me.
(Revelation 3:20)

Therefore, I want to encourage you that if you think you may have “failed the test” in examining yourself to see whether or not Jesus is in you, and you realize He is not, then I want to tell you once again that there is good news for you! Jesus is standing waiting with outstretched arms to receive you unto Himself as His child for all eternity.

With reference to Melchizedek, there are two prevailing views: The first is that Melchizedek is really a Christophany, that is, an appearance of Jesus Christ in bodily form prior to His incarnation through His physical birth through Mary. Others, however, see Melchizedek as an example of God’s Eternal Truth being ministered through men, in spite of the perpetual darkness in this world, and that God always has his men, to present his truth, throughout the world, in all time periods and places. Thus, even though mankind pursued their own self-deification through their attempt to build the “Tower of Babel,” after its destruction God still had His chosen men to proclaim His truth to a lost and dying world. Thus, the “order of Melchizedek” is that “order” of men and women who are God’s men and women who proclaim His truth, regardless of the culture, religion, or political administration in place. In other words, the “order of Melchizedek” transcends the incredible limitations of man’s “religious efforts” to “share the Gospel,” but for those who trust in God implicitly through His Word and prayer, God will work in and through them far beyond their limitations as the glory and honor will be focused on Him, not any man, nor group of men:

18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, 29 that no man should boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
(1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

Therefore, regardless of which position you may lean toward or subscribe to, Jesus has been, is now, and will forever be our “high priest,” having taken upon Himself the punishment of our sins and has provided for us through His righteousness an eternal entrance into Heaven to be with the Father: “20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
(2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

Comments

  1. Almighty is without limit. There is no barrier, no proof against the will of God.

    Deu 32:39, 1Jo 1:9
    Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.
    Luk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

    Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Eph 6:23 Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
    1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

    Rom 8:34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
    Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
    Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
    Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
    Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
    Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Jhn 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

    Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

    Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
    Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
    Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
    Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
    Eph 3:21 Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

  2. the “order of Melchizedek”…sir, you have given me something to chew on.

    Thank you,
    Mark (Cov)

  3. I am one who holds to Melchisedec being a Christophany. In trying to find sound biblical reasoning to refute the LDS Church’s belief that there is a Melchizedek priesthood, I found that the word “order” (taxis, Strong’s G5010) in Hebrews 6:20 means “character, fashion, quality, style” and is not a designation for any type of group. According to Thayer’s, “order” means “after the manner of the priesthood [A.V. order] of Melchizedek.” Given the fact that there is only one “High Priest of our profession” (Heb. 3:1b), Jesus Christ, and that Hebrews 7 further defines Melchisedec, a living, breathing entity (v. 15) in terms identical to Christ (esp. vv 1-4) to the exclusion of every other entity, then it follows that Melchisedec was the pre-carnate Christ.

    Barbara

  4. I have a hard time with this particular “person(Mel)”, as far as him being a Christophany. Abraham did not recognise him as the same YAHWEH that he had dinner with on the plains of Mamre.

    And Yahshua and Abraham were good friend, lol 🙂
    Of which I believe they(abe and sara) had dinner with Yahshua or a Christophany as theologians would call it.

    So I do not believe they could have been the same “Person”.
    It might have been one of Shem’s offspring, dunno though.

    Just where I am right now.

    • A Sheep~

      You didn’t mention it, but have you considered Hebrews 7? There are many interesting and important points in this chapter that need to be taken into account when deciding who Melchisedec is. Specifically, verse 3 says that he is “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.” There are only three entities above the animal kingdom, God, angels, and man, and the very precise descriptors put forth in this verse can only be attributed God, specifically the second person of the Trinity.

      Yours in Christ~
      Barbara

  5. Thanks Barbara, and yes I have in the past espoused that theory.

    Nonetheless, all the “Theophianies” and “Christophanies” as “trinitarians” have tried to explain them lack true textual exegesis, and turn into “isogesis”, as that has to be their filter of explanation. Only because they believe that YAHWEH is three seperate persons.

    Thanks though,and may JESUS bless you as you keep seeking HIM!

    a sheep

  6. Barbara, as a post-script, wish we could edit our posts 🙂

    I do believe “Mel” was a type and shadow of Christ/Yahshua in regards to a the/particular office, just as David was as King, but not the same LORD/YHWH he(Abe) had dinner with on the plain of Mamre, just as David was not, “THE CHRIST”, but only as type and shadow. Many times in The Holy Scripture we see YAHWEH saying David shall be thier KING forver, but we know it is not the person of David ressurected, but he is a type and shadow of YAH’S Messiah.

    Or the same person,(Mel that is) that the elders and Moses had dinner with on the Mountain. Remember they saw The God of Israel and ate with HIM!! Exodus 24

    Both those times (Abe ..and Moses/leaders) I believe it was Yahshua, and not Mel.

    Nowhere else in the Torah or Prophets is he mentioned and only one other time in psalms 110 after ” the appointed order”, although I do reitterate I am aware of him(Mel) being a type of Christ in Priesthood. As the textual evidence is overwhelming in Hebrew 7, and in the OT, but the shadows were never the substance.

    Sorry, I felt the need to clarify that.

    • A Sheep~

      I appreciate your thoughts. I really don’t have the time to engage in an extended dialogue right now, which really isn’t fair, I know. Sometimes I read something and then post a quick comment without thinking that it may be a topic that might continue for a while. As you may or may not know, Justin wrote a rather lengthy response to my objections about eternal security, and I am in the process of addressing what he wrote, and I really shouldn’t be getting side tracked with other issues, so I apologize for doing just that. However, I do a have a quick thought or two for you to consider, and if you want to continue in week or so, I will be happy to although I still owe a response to Eric.

      As I understand your posts, you think that I am reading a “Trinity” into Scripture, what you refer to as a “filter of explanation” in order to come to the conclusion that Melchisedec is the pre-carnate Christ rather than a “type” of Christ like David. Let’s take the Trinity claim first, that I am reading something into Scripture. I assume from how you used the word “trinitarians” [sic] that you reject the idea that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God. To keep this brief, however, because we are discussing Christ, I will limit my comments to Him.

      In Matthew 3:1-3, we read, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” In these verses, John the Baptist is heralding the arrival of Jesus Christ, whom the translators referred to as “Lord,” a term that is slightly ambiguous. However, in the cross-referenced verse out of Isaiah, the translators used different terms: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Is. 40:3). The “Tanach” reads, “Hark! one calleth: ‘Clear ye in the wilderness the way of HaShem, make plain in the desert a highway for our G-d.”

      In just this one example, Jesus is referred to as “Lord,” “LORD,” “HaShem,” and “God/G-d”). Please explain, taking each one of these titles into consideration, how the Trinitarian claim that Jesus is God (theos), implying a Truine God, is due to “isogesis” rather than a “true textual exegesis.” Please explain, exactly, what I have read into these verses that is fallicious.

      The second issue is that of whether Melchisedec was a “type” of Christ as we understand David, Moses, Joshua, Boaz, Jonah, and others to be or whether he was, indeed, the pre-carnate Christ. I don’t understand your comment that “… the textual evidence is overwhelming in Hebrew 7, and in the OT, but the shadows were never the substance.” How can you say that “…the textual evidence is overwhelming in Hebrew 7, and in the OT,” and then deny what this chapter is saying? As one would rightly expect, we are given enough information and detail from Scripture to understand the difference between the “shadows” and the “substance.” As is very clear with regard to David and the other “people types,” their personas and lives are markedly different than that of Christ’s, unmistakably setting them apart as mere types of Christ rather than Christ Himself. However, such is not the case with Melchisedec, and just as nothing should be read into Scripture, as you rightly wrote, nothing should be subtracted from Scripture either. With that in mind, let’s go back to Hebrews 7:3 which says that he is “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.” In one recent commentary that I read, the author says, in reference to this verse, that no information is given about Melchisedec’s parents, but that is simply not true. It’s not that there is “no” information, that his parentage is not mentioned as he asserts; it’s that there are no parents at all, that he was “without father, without mother, without descent.” In addition, we are told that this person has “neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” You failed to address these very specific truths in your earlier posts, so I am asking you to do so now without bringing in any other verses or scenarios for the time being. There are two very simple questions:

      1) Who (God, angels, or man) is “without father, without mother, [and] without descent”?
      2) Who (God, angels, or man) has “neither beginning of days, nor end of life”?

      Your answer needs neither Scripture nor explanation. It needs only one word. Who fits the description put forth in Hebrews 7:3?

      Again, I apologize for starting something that I cannot finish right now. You can post your answer, and then we can pick this up in a week or two if you want.

      Yours in Christ~
      Barbara

  7. Barbara, I appreciate you taking the time to reply, But before I begin allow me to preface my reply with the following.

    I for one find long and endless replies on forums trying to prove my position an exercise in futility. I prefer speaking face to face or on the phone in a complicated discussion, as that allows me to forego the arduous task of preparing a long typed out reply, which is not fun and quite time consuming. Nevertheless, I do enjoy commenting on occasion as I feel led by The Holy Spirit, and if a person can glean anything from my post that’s great, but if they do not agree with my comments I do not feel the need to provide a thesis to explain my position, nor do I feel the need to require one at any point in the discussion about another’s position. Neither do I feel the need to prove them wrong, but rather I would simply pray that The Lord would guide them and open their understanding, as He is The Spirit of Truth and He Himself is our Teacher.
    He is The Word of God, and no one knows Himself, like Himself, and He will guide those whom are seeking Him into all truth. In my humble opinion, The Truth does not need defending, only to be proclaimed, for “those who have ears to hear” ‘My sheep hear my voice.”

    That being said, I have been reading these forums for a few years now, and I have seen the long and seemingly endless discussions you have had with other posters on these forums, and quite frankly, after all that time, I have yet to see any conceding results or positions retracted, if their has been any I have missed it. Justin was very gracious in cataloguing and responding to all the specific verses regarding your position on ‘Eternal Life”, which must have taken him days, I copied it to read and it was well over 40 pages.
    And forgive me for assuming, but I think it would be safe to say for all the days you have spent responding to his response, you will not change his mind or has he yours.
    The only way I believe a person changes a position or stance on any part of doctrine or scripture, is by their alone time with the Holy Spirit, as He speaks to their heart through the written Word of God, and that could take days/months and even years of studying and alone time with The Holy Spirit day by day. Logic never prevails in these discussions and debates, as faith only comes by “hearing the Words of Christ/God.”

    However, since it is Saturday and I have some free time, I felt the need to address your concerns regarding my statements, not by compulsion, but out of respect. I am not looking for or need a reply, I believe what I believe as do you, and only The Holy Spirit can change either of our positions or convictions as we both continue studying God’s Word. Hopefully, you may glean something from what I write. I am typing this up in Microsoft word and will post it on the forum, so if it does not paste properly, please forgive me.

    May Jesus bless you, as you keep seeking Him.

    ******************************************

    #1 You wrote : “As I understand your posts, you think that I am reading a “Trinity” into Scripture, what you refer to as a “filter of explanation” in order to come to the conclusion that Melchisedec is the pre-carnate Christ rather than a “type” of Christ like David. Let’s take the Trinity claim first, that I am reading something into Scripture. I assume from how you used the word “trinitarians” [sic] that you reject the idea that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God. To keep this brief, however, because we are discussing Christ, I will limit my comments to Him.”

    Nothing could be farther from the truth Barbara. I know you have spoken with, “Oneness” people on these forums and they deny the deity of Christ, and nothing could be more scary than for a believer to deny the only Lord and Christ as supreme deity. I am Oneness, but not like Dale or Jim, or others who say Jesus was not, is not, nor is to come as God. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Christ, and The Lord is that Spirit, 2Cr 3:17. And yet, I have never felt compelled to try and correct them with long explanations, as I would only be using the same words they read everyday, and if they will not hear what the Holy Ghost is saying, and I will be repeating those same words, it seems futile. If they will not hear HIM, then my repeating it to them will do nothing. Again, I pray that The Holy Spirit will open their eyes of understanding.

    And if you go back and read my initial response post to you again, my issue was that of textual exegesis as opposed to eisegesis when it pertains to OT Theophanies and Christophanies and sometimes even angelophanies. To which you responded with a interpretation of a Messianic Prophecy which is not the same as a Theophany, Chrstophany, or angelophany. Your interpretation of that particular verse is accurate, JESUS is Yahweh, The Name, Adoni, and God. But again, the verses you cited are not Theophanies/Christophanies/angelophanies. And everything you said is true, but nowhere is he mentioned as the second person of anything( remember you said understanding the second person of the trinity), which is one of many of my contentions with the catholic trinity. If you do a NT word search on “person” and “persons” you will find that true. But I am not here to debate why I know the trinity is wrong, as that would take months typing/debating online, and I really have no time to start such a debate, except by phone or face to face.

    So in summary to bring some closure to your first point of contention with me, your assumption that I do not believe in Jesus or The Holy Ghost as God Himself is incorrect.
    Furthermore, I completely agree with your statement about the interpretation of those Prophetic verses pointing to The Messiah as God Himself in the flesh. But I contend that saying JESUS is the second person of anything is absolutely incorrect. I can say The Father sent The Son, and The Son sent The Holy Spirit, and many other theological conclusions without ever saying first, second, or third person of the trinity. So we can move on to your second issue with me.

    #2 You wrote: “The second issue is that of whether Melchisedec was a “type” of Christ as we understand David, Moses, Joshua, Boaz, Jonah, and others to be or whether he was, indeed, the pre-carnate Christ. I don’t understand your comment that “… the textual evidence is overwhelming in Hebrew 7, and in the OT, but the shadows were never the substance.” How can you say that “…the textual evidence is overwhelming in Hebrew 7, and in the OT,” and then deny what this chapter is saying? “

    Again sis, go back and re-read what I wrote, perhaps a comma was in order as opposed to starting a new sentence, but I was postulating that from context of both OT and NT passages, Mel was a definitely a type of Christ, but not The Christ Himself. My apologies if I did not make that clear enough.

    I believe Paul wrote The Book of Hebrews, so indulge me if I say it that way, I know that is a point of contention for some, and that is fine I have no problem saying God inspired it, regardless of the author. But since Paul was the most educated at the time and having sat under Gamaliel, and if I am not mistaken, only those candidates whom had the entire Tanahk memorized would be eligible to sit under him as a student, this would seem to be the most plausible author because The Book of Hebrews is initially to Hebrews, which is all about “ a better”. Comparing all those OT types, covenants, promises, etc, to “a better _____”(fill in the blank as needed). Comparing etc …

    With that being said, First off the author had no problem saying Jesus is “better” than angels, and reiterating his assertion with scripture. Here he is comparing The Son of God, to other manifestations of the sons of God(angels) as angels were called sons of God in the OT. The author had no problem calling Jesus the God whose Throne was from forever. He was not saying anything short of JESUS being The God. So even from this first chapter we see the author not afraid to regard any particular prophecy in reference to where it was a type or the actual person. Here he says JESUS is “That Person”, he does not say after the order or after the manner or type of anything.

    So if even from the beginning of the book, from the first chapter, as I am not going to make this an exhaustive list, he is willing to clearly put forth and state whether he is talking about an actual person or type or manner or order, why would he deviate from it later on. In my humble opinion, he would not. Therefore it stands to reason when he begins making a comparison between the Levitical Priesthood and the Priesthood of Melchizedek he would stay consistent, as to whether he is referring to an order a manner or a type.

    Since he is comparing the order and not trying to convince the reader that JESUS was the actual Melchizedek, unlike in the first chapter. The author is comparing the two Priesthoods, and again JESUS is after the order of “ a better priesthood” and “a better Priest”. Here are a few points for you to consider as to why I believe it was worded the way it has been written.

    Levitical Priesthood/order: has a begging and ending point in Israel
    1) must begin no earlier than 30 years old (starting point)
    2) ends at 50 years old or at death (ending point)
    3) parental descent must be recorded in the genealogical register
    4) Jewish mother a must
    5) Levitical father a must
    6) Cannot be a Priest and King
    7) always has successors, after the appointed descent of Aaron

    Melchizedek Priesthood/order: predates Aaronic order and never ends
    1) no beginning of life ( no starting point)
    2) no end of life (no ending point)
    3) no genealogy descent necessary
    4) mother is irrelevant
    5) father is irrelevant
    6) Is both King and Priest
    7) no successors, must be appointed each time by God Himself

    I believe that’s the basic point the author makes, and thereby showing the order of Melchizedek not only predates the Aaronic order but is complete and better, by showing a fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 110 which was not possible under the Aaronic order. There is so much more regarding the comparison of the two orders that the author makes in Hebrew 7, but I want to keep this short as possible. A main point being there is no successor to this particular Priesthood, because it was given as by an Oath to this ONE person we call Christ from eternity. So if Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek even though in Abram’s loins, it stands to reason the transfer of a blessing and a Priesthood was likewise inferred. So when Melchizedek met Abram and blessed him, and since Aaron and Levi were in his loins I postulate the Aaronic order/Levitical Priesthood was confirmed upon (the future)Aaron and the Levitical order. The Melchizedek Priesthood was an appointed by God without successors, so after this man Melchizedek died, the Melchizedek Priesthood DIDN’T END EVER!, and could have continued with each appointment by God Himself, but was awaiting the coming of the ONE to Whom it was already appointed from eternity. God’s personal appointments could have continued until Aaron was instituted as High Priest, and then God would make no further appointments in regard to “that order” as it would not be necessary until Christ came, and then Aaronic Priesthood would stop, as we see John turning it over to Jesus, and God confirming it by Saying this is my Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. Which also speaks of “The Spirit of Adoption” as according to Jewish custom, but I will let you research that for yourself.

    In my humble opinion, I believe the Aaronic Priesthood was in effect, until the coming of Christ. At which time we see John the Baptist ( he met all the requirements of that Aaronic order) baptizing JESUS and returning the order again from the Aaron Priesthood and thus ending it, returning us to the Melchizedek Priesthood.. to THE ONE to Whom it was appointed, and allows understanding of why Jesus tells John, we need to fulfill all righteousness, to his objection of baptizing Him, and thereby ending the Aaronic order, which again I could say much more about, but lack time. The Aaronic order was appointed by God upon Aaron, through the blessing of Melchizedek on Abram, but could not begin until Israel was called out of Egypt and God’s people needed this order for sacrificial purposes, ministering, and service to The LORD, and again I reiterate Melchizedek’s order of Priesthood was appointed by God upon this man, whom many believe to be Shem, as he did supposedly outlived Sarah, but his death never stopped the order of his Priesthood as it was always an appointment of The LORD, whom was the first High Priest, as in reference to his actions after Adam and Eve sinned, Him killing and animal(probably a lamb) and making atonement for them, providing a covering of sorts to their nakedness, which is a type of sinful status. It is important to note since The LORD God was the first High Priest at least in actions towards Adam and Eve, and men didn’t start to call on the name of The LORD until a child was born unto Seth. Thus why I am not sure if Melchizedek was Shem, or a son of his appointed by God. So you can clearly see that by The LORD acting as the first High Priest, this “better Priesthood” is Eternal, and only appointed as God so chooses “a man” there is no succession as in the Aaronic order, by descent. (another comparison of “ a better Priesthood” ) And JESUS is the First and Final appointment, by God Himself! This all comes full circle, to me anyway. That is why in The Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, we are called Kings and Priests, that would never have been possible under the Aaronic order. Which at this point I could interject the “Azazel Goat” never returning again with a white cloth after JESUS died, but that is way to complicated to try an examine at the moment.

    These are just a few things the Holy Spirit has led me to believe, as I said in my post that is where I am at this moment. The Holy Spirit can change my mind, and if He did, truly that and that alone would change my mind, and I am open to His leading. I am positive there is much more we could discuss regarding Hebrews, but unfortunately I have limited time to make such lengthy postulations. Forgive me if some thoughts overlap and seem repeated.

    There is no need to reply, as I am not looking to debate and I hope you are able to glean even the smallest grape of truth from this short exchange. Continue to read Hebrews 7 over and over again looking up each word in your concordance and I will do the same, if we are being lead by the same Holy Spirit, we will always come to the same conclusion, no matter how many years it takes! I will be praying for you, as I hope you would for me.

    May JESUS bless you, as you continue to seek HIM.

    • A Sheep~

      I did read your post and will not attempt to engage you in any further dialogue as you have asked. I do have one, short passage, however, regarding your thought that “The Truth does not need defending, only to be proclaimed, for ‘those who have ears to hear’ ‘My sheep hear my voice.’”

      “I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (II Tim. 4:1-5).

      Yours in Christ~
      Barbara