A New Voice of Freedom

The controlling theme of our Podcasts is that we are all children of God who is no respecter of persons. We are all created equal by God. The primary purpose of a democratic republic is to protect that equality, making all laws equal to all citizens all the time. We need to return to the vision of our forefathers that "certain truths are self evident, that among our inalienable rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If we are to survive as a republic, we must hold firm to the Constitution and Bill of rights, to the balance of power, and above all, we must, as a Christian nation, hold firm to our belief that it is God who protects our freedom, and it is truth that makes us free. We must protect freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. All citizens must have the right to realize their own desires and pursue their own destiny.

A New Voice of Freedom is a religion podcast hosted by Ronald, with 1,000 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ronald hosts A New Voice of Freedom, a religion show with 1,000 episodes published.

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  Episode #130

  Podcast 130, Hebrews, “Pt 11 A, Ch 11”

  Aug 20, 202617 minS7

  Podcast 130, Hebrews, “Pt 11 A, Ch 11” Faith is the first principle of the gospel yet it is for some of us elusive and enigmatic. The question always remains, ‘What is faith?’ & ‘How does one build faith?’ Paul’s one-line definition of faith is one of the best there is. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Paul introduces two concepts to help us understand faith: substance and evidence. Some synonyms for ‘substance’ are matter, material, element, compound, essence, nature, being, reality, core, heart, quintessence, content, import, value. That is important because Paul takes faith from the abstract to the concrete. Faith is not merely a metaphysical concept. It is tangible. I love the word ‘quintessence.’ Originally quintessence referred to the fifth element or fifth essence after earth, air, fire, and water. Dictionary defines quintessence as “The essential nature or a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.” Related words are embodiment, epitome, ideal, distillation, and perfection. Granted that faith, being the ideal is still a little elusive, but the concept that it is a substance, a tangible commodity means that we can recognize it when we see it. That is why Paul devotes the entire chapter to giving examples. The second concept of faith is “evidence.” Some synonyms for evidence are proof, confirmation, verification, corroboration, substantiation, validation, authentication, documentation, sign, justification, data, facts, authority. However, faith is the ‘substance of things hoped for’ and the ‘evidence of things not seen.’ Hope is associated with desire, expectation, trust, promise, prospect, belief, expectation, trust and ambition. ‘Substance’ becomes evidence, but evidence of what? —evidence of the unseen world, the invisible, the hidden, or concealed. That is the magic of his definition. Faith connects the unseen world to the seen world. It makes the insubstantial substantial. Paul presents his evidence through examples from the lives of ancient prophets and others of Biblical importance. Through his examples, Paul allows us to see faith in action. Paul makes faith an action word. If we consider faith as active and not passive, as a verb and not a noun, we better understand its meaning. In other words, it makes faith more accessible. It involves us in the process. It doesn’t merely describe something God will do for us while we sit around. It describes something that God will with us when we set things in motion. We don’t sit around thinking about faith. We are up and doing. It is action that galvanizes faith. Among other things, galvanized means to shock, to excite, to inspire, to stimulate into action. It is through action that faith flourishes. Some refer to faith as ‘stepping into the dark.’ Faith works best in uncertainty. That connects faith with courage, fortitude, resolution, and steadfastness. Faith precedes hope. In fact, faith is the substance of hope. Hope cannot come without faith. Think of faith as the journey and hope as the destination. Or think of faith as the cause and hope as the consequence. Without faith, hope is nebulous and uncertain. Hope cannot exist without faith. Faith and hope are compound words. For example, sun plus light equals ‘sunlight.’ Take away the sun and you take away light. Take away faith and you take away hope. Just as the sun is the substance of light, faith is the substance of hope. Think of faith as a journey—say a journey searching for a city in the dark. Now think of hope as the glow of light you see in the distance that indicates that the city you are looking for is just over the hill. Without the journey you could not have the hope of finding the city. Without the glow of light, you can’t know where the city is. Faith brings you to hope and hope brings you to the destination which ultimately is the eternal city where God dwells. Let me introduce a grand paradox. There are certain other elements that faith requires. Some are patience, endurance, perseverance, courage, strength, determination, refusal to quit. Enemies to faith are fear, sloth, doubt, hesitation, indecision, apprehension, dread, and anxiety. Distraction is also a great enemy to faith. Here is the paradox: On the one hand, if those obstacles did not exist, faith would not be necessary. Faith thrives in uncertainty. Consider uncertainty as a blessing. The greater the uncertainty the greater the faith required to move forward. The greater the obstacle the stronger your faith grows as you press forward. Without the obstacles you could not develop faith. It may appear ironic, but the obstacles themselves define the faith necessary to move forward. It becomes an issue of problem solving. Uncertainty defines the problem. Faith defines the solution. Laws are involved in all challenges. Look for the law that unlocks the mystery. Once you discover the law, you may repeat the process for the same results and faith is no longer necessary. You move on to other obstacles. But sometimes nothing is as it seems. Fear creates illusion of failure, and logic itself becomes the obstacle. For example, what if the obstacle—say the enemy—is truly stronger than you. A small army faces a bigger army, and logic says you can’t win. That puts faith on another level. If you have right on your side, then you will have God on your side. Without God you would lose, but with God the odds turn in your favor very quickly. Paul proves that principle with his many examples. Therefore, when considering faith, we must separate what we mean. There are three levels of faith. There is faith in self. There is faith in others. And there is faith in God. Sometimes faith in self is all we need because God has already endowed us with all the gifts necessary to accomplish the task. Sometimes we must rely upon others for we cannot accomplish the task alone. Sometimes we must rely upon the Lord for he alone can help us. All three are noble endeavors. The greatest faith of all comes when we do it ourselves but give God the credit. When we reach that level we truly have hope of eternal life with God. We must never forget that God is the father of our spirits. God created us. God has given everyone special gifts. God gave us our potential. To recognize his hands in all things is the ultimate gift of Faith. Now, with that in mind, let’s consider the examples Paul gives of Faith. I shall divide them into Patriarchs, each Patriarch expanding our understanding of faith. Patriarch One: The Elders Hebrews 11:2-3 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. How else except through prophets do we know that ‘worlds were framed by the word of God.’ Of course, we learn that through Genesis. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. It is essential that we remember that God is the creator of all things. If we believe that there is nothing that God cannot do, that he is omniscient and omnipotent, that he is our loving Father in heaven who created us—that makes faith in him much easier. Patriarch Two: Abel Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Keeping the ordinances of God is an act of faith required for our salvation. Ordinance means “to arrange, regulate, or put in order.” Christian ordinances refer to practices such as baptism, partaking of the sacrament, laying on of hand for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Never underestimate the divine power of holy symbols. Partaking the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, for example, symbolizes the full atonement of Jesus Christ, that he gave his body and shed his blood for us, and we take the sacrament in remembrance of him. Patriarch Three: Enoch Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The Biblical account of Enoch is scarce. In addition to Paul above, we have Genesis. Genesis 5:22-24 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. In addition, we have Jude. Jude :14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

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  Episode #129

  Podcast 129, Hebrews, “Pt 10, Ch 10”

  Aug 18, 202619 minS7

  Podcast 129, Hebrews, “Pt 10, Ch 10” One of Paul’s great gifts is in explaining the law. Being a former Pharisee, he was strictly educated in the law of Moses. Paul is a transitional prophet because he lives in transitional times. The Lord has moved from the First, or Old Testament, to the Second, or New Testament. The First Testament has been fulfilled, and the sacrifice of animals has ended. The First Testament did not lead to perfection because it was administered by imperfect people on animals that had no power of forgiving sins. It was a symbol only. The entire purpose of the First Testament was to lead people to Christ who did have the power to forgive sins. In the beginning statement of Chapter 10 Paul said, Hebrews 10:1 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. The end goal is perfection. One statement made by our Savior Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount summarizes his entire mission. Let’s turn to Matthew 5. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. That is not an idle statement. That is why Christ came to earth to atone for our sins. Remember from our earlier reading of Paul—for perfection to come we must have two things. As stated above, first we must have the Second or New Testament. And as stated below, we must have the Melchizedek Priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Second or New Testament are inseparable. Hebrews 7:11-12 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. Paul explains the difference. Hebrews 7:15-17 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. Notice the emphasis on the phrases “the power of an endless life” and “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Animal Sacrifice came to an end in Christ. Animal sacrifice could neither perfect nor offer endless life. It was after the “law of carnal commandments” only. Notice Paul’s words, Hebrews 7:18-22 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: (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 was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Only through the Melchisedec Priesthood can we ‘draw night unto God.’ Perfection does not come in this life. It can only come in the next for it is of “endless duration.” Only by living in the presence of the Father can one be “made perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect.” Christ made it very clear. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Paul further explains why the Levitical Priesthood cannot perfect us. Hebrews 10:2-8 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. 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. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Isaiah taught that same principle hundreds of years before Paul. Isaiah fully understood the mission of Jesus Christ and the necessity of his atoning sacrifice. In the very beginning of his ministry he said, Isaiah 1:16-18 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah teaches that when Christ forgives, he will not remember our sins. Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Jeremiah, who also knew Christ, taught the same principle. He also is speaking of the New Testament, or “New Covenant.” Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Paul had Jeremiah in mind when he wrote, Hebrews 10: 9-22 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Christ symbolizes the veil of the temple. Remember the image in the New Testament after Christ was crucified. Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

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  Episode #128

  Podcast 128, Hebrews, “Pt 9, Ch 9”

  Aug 16, 202616 minS7

  Podcast 128, Hebrews, “Pt 9, Ch 9” The purpose of the Book of Hebrews is to teach us who Christ is and what exactly he has done for our salvation and exaltation. In the opening chapter we read, Hebrews 1:1-5 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? In Chapter 1 above we learn that Christ is The Son of God, the heir of all things, the express image of the Father, the atoning one who purged our sins. He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. In Chapters 2-6 we learn that · He suffered temptation that he might be able to succor them that are tempted. · He was the captain of our salvation made perfect through suffering · He was the apostle and high priest of our profession3 · Being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. · He was called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. In Chapter 7 we also learned the differences between the Levitical Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. In Chapters 8 & 9 we learn the difference between the First Testament and the Second Testament, also called the Old Testament and the New Testament. We also learn that perfection can only come both from the Melchizedek Priesthood and the New Testament. For example, let’s review what Paul has said about perfection in the first 9 chapters: 1. Hebrews 2:10 “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings .” 2. Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect , he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” 3. Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection ...” 4. Hebrews 7:11 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood ... what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec...?” 5. Hebrews 7:19 “For the law made nothing perfect , but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” 6. Hebrews 9:9 “...in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience ;” Chapter 9 is divided into 4 parts. Part 1 consists of verses 1-10; Part 2 consists of verses 11-17; Part 3 consists of verses 18-23; and Part 4 consists of verses 24-28. Parts 1 & 3 address the First Testament, also referred to as the Old Testament. Parts 2 & 4 address the Second Testament, also referred to as the New Testament. There is as much difference between the First testament and the Second Testament as there is between the Levitical (also called Aaronic) Priesthood and the Melchisedec Priesthood. The Levitical Priesthood is the heart of the First Testament. The Melchisedec Priesthood is the heart of the Second or New Testament. Only through the Melchisedec Priesthood and the New Testament can we become perfect. Part I Hebrews 9:1-10 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. 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; 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. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. Notice the limitation of the First Testament, “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience” That reminds us of Hebrews 7:11 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood…what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec…?” Everything before Christ was symbolic of Christ but was not Christ himself. He had to be the final sacrifice. There could be no stand-in. In Part I we learn that the high priest alone was allowed into the Holy of Holies once a year to offer sacrifice. But being imperfect he also had to offer sacrifice for himself. It is merely symbolic. Let’s contrast Part 1 with Part 2, where Christ himself is the High Priest with no substitute. Part 2 Hebrews 9:11-17 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. 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? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Notice the emphasis from the above on the following concepts: “more perfect tabernacle,” “eternal redemption for us,” purge your conscience from dead works,” “new testament,” “eternal inheritance.” Christ is “an high priest of good things to come.” The First Testament, meaning the Law of Moses and animal sacrifice, is done away in Christ because it could not bring about perfection. Christ had to offer himself as the final sacrifice. Let’s turn to Part 3, in which Paul continues his discussion of the Levitical Priesthood. Part 3 Hebrews 9:18-23 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. The purpose of the First Testament was to prepare the Children of Israel for the coming of Christ. But they were “patterns of things” and not the things themselves. It was necessary that “the heavenly things themselves “should have “better sacrifices than these.” In Part 4 Paul explains the necessity of Christ himself being the only true sacrifice. Part 4 Hebrews 9:24-28 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 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.

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  Episode #127

  Podcast 127, Hebrews, “Pt 8, Ch 8”

  Aug 13, 20269 minS7

  Podcast 127, Hebrews, “Pt 8, Ch 8” Of the 12 chapters in the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 9 speak of High Priests, Chapter 7 being the pivotal chapter. Chapter 8 opens with the following declaration. Hebrews 8:1-3 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. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. The Holy Priesthood is the power to act in God’s Name—and that name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Remember his words to Peter, Matthew 16:15-19 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Those keys are priesthood keys. That power is priesthood power, and as we learned from Hebrews 7, it is called the Melchisedec Priesthood. Paul said of Christ, Hebrews 7:21-24 (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 was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. It is the everlasting nature of the atonement of Christ, an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, that should always be at the forefront of our minds. Paul distinguishes between Christ as high priest and man as high priest, speaking of the Aaronic Priesthood. Hebrews 8:4-5 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 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. The high priests of the Levitical or Aaronic Priesthood were but “the example and shadow of heavenly things.” Only Christ, the High Priest, sits “on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Christ gives us a more excellent way. Hebrews 8:6 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. When Christ came to the earth, he fulfilled the covenant of Moses; therefore, it was fulfilled and replaced with a new and everlasting covenant of a higher order. Hebrews 8:7-10 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: 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: It is helpful here to review the Sermon on the Mount for it reveals the essence of that new covenant. For sake of economy, I shall just include the unsurpassing Beatitudes. Matthew 5:3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. That is a long way from ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ And as anyone can tell you who strives to live those laws, they are not always easy. I remember a delightful old comic strip called ‘Wilberforce.’ The father, red-faced and on fire with anger, was chasing his son. His wife said something to the effect, ‘Give him another chance.” The father answers, “What if he doesn’t do it again?” He, of course, represented the natural man whose righteous indignation often turns into revenge. Christ is trying to perfect us. Christ never sinned. We cannot reach that standard. That is why Christ gave us the law of mercy. Christ achieved perfection by the things he suffered, and he commanded us, Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Of course, that is not possible in this life; however, if we strive to keep the commandments and endure to the end in this life, Christ, through his atoning sacrifice, can make us perfect through the resurrection in the next life. Christ promises the faithful. Hebrews 8:11-13 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

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  Episode #126

  Podcast 126, Hebrews, “Pt 7, Ch 7”

  Aug 11, 202617 minS7

  Podcast 126, Hebrews, “Pt 7, Ch 7” It is difficult to find a more profound explanation of the priesthood than in Hebrews Chapter 7. Clearly there are two priesthoods, a lessor priesthood and a greater priesthood. The lessor priesthood is the Levitical or Aaronic Priesthood. The greater priesthood is the Melchisedec Priesthood. Priesthood is the power to act in God’s name. To have that Priesthood one must be ordained of God “as was Aaron.” Paul teaches the dramatic difference between the two. First, he teaches of the higher or Melchisedec Priesthood. Hebrews 7:1-4 For this Melchisedec, 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 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. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. We first read of Abraham meeting Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. In the stories of Jews and Christians, has there ever been a more important meeting, King David adds further insight. Psalm 110:4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. So far we learn that Melchisedec is King of Salem, Priest of the Most Hight God, & King of Righteousness. We also learn that Melchisedec was greater than Abraham for Melchisedec blessed Abraham and Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec. Melchisedec has Christ like qualities, but he is not Christ. Paul said, “but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Melchisedec is a High Priest to Christ, and as David teaches, Christ will be a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. In fact, the longevity of that priesthood is a primary theme of Hebrews 7. Hebrews 7:3 “But made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually”; 7:17 “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec”; 7: 24 “Because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood”; 7:27 “who is consecrated for evermore.” It is the Melchisedec Priesthood, however, that is “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” And David teaches us that Christ is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Paul echoes the words of David. Hebrews 7:22-28 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. In other words, Christ is the power of the priesthood. He continueth forever. He is able to save all that come unto him, Christ gives his priesthood to man. For example, it was Christ who gave that priesthood to Melchizedek and it was Melchizedek who gave that priesthood to Abraham for Abraham receives all the oaths and covenants or all the promises. Christ also gave that priesthood to Peter and the Apostles. It is through that same Priesthood that bind the oaths and covenants of God. The Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood did not have that power, but the Melchizedek Priesthood did for it is everlasting. Hebrews 7:18-21 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: (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:) To understand what those oaths and covenants are, let’s return to the Old Testament. Genesis 12:1-3 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. In other words, if we are to be blessed thorough the Melchizedek Priesthood, we must be of the seed of Abraham, not by birthright only as were the House of Jacob but by righteousness through obedience to the laws of Christ. who is the embodiment of the everlasting priesthood. Anyone who comes unto Christ via his Holy Priesthood, may inherit the blessings of Christ. The scope of the blessing to Abraham and his seed, including the Gentiles who become his adopted seed, is difficult to comprehend. Genesis 13:14-16 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. The covenant with Abraham is not an earthly covenant only. As we read in Genesis 13: “For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” That is not an idle promise. It is an eternal covenant. In Genesis we read Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. The Promised Land then covers not only real estate on earth but also real estate in heaven; otherwise, it would not be everlasting. The Levitical Priesthood does not contain that oath or covenant or promise. Only through the Melchizedek Priesthood can it be obtained. Another thing that separates the Aaronic Priesthood from the Melchizedek Priesthood is the difference in law. Law, the greatest gift of God, is often overlooked causing some to erroneously see God as arbitrary. God is a God of law and order, or he would not be God. Every blessing, every miracle, every prophecy, every ordinance, every commandment, every covenant—in fact everything that God does, he does according to law. It simplifies things for us. Obey the law and you get the predicated blessings. Disobey the law and you get the predicated cursings. There is one law of the Levitical or Aaronic Priesthood and a higher law for the Melchizedek Priesthood. Let’s see what Paul says of the Aaronic Priesthood. Hebrews 7:5-10 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. 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. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. We learn in the above that the Melchisedec Priesthood was first, the Aaronic Priesthood second. The Melchisedec Priesthood is greater, the Aaronic Priesthood is lessor. This is emphasized by Paul. Hebrews 7:11-14 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. 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.

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