Hebrews 7 (KJV)
7 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;
2 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;
3 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.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the
patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 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:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received
tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the
better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed
tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec
met him.
11 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?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity
a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another
tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which
tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but
after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a
better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (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:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not
suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood.
25 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.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 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.
28 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.
Verses 1-3,
Melchisedec of the old testament was a picture of Messiah who would be a divine
priest and remains a priest perpetually. Just like Melchisidec of the old
testament, Jehoshua is a Priest of the Most High God Jehovah. Jehovah is
Jehoshua‘s Father. Melchisedec of the old testament was called King of Righteousness
and King of Peace and was also made like unto the Son of God. All of the above
three descriptions fit Jehoshua perfectly. Jehoshua is called Jehovah our
Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6). He is also called the King of Kings (Revelation
19:16). Jehoshua is referred to as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jehoshua
is the only begotten Son of God who was made so much better than the angels, as
He hath by inheritance as a true Son, obtained a more excellent name “Jehovah”.
Melchisedec was
King of Salem, meaning Jerusalem, before David conquered it. Jehoshua is the
King of Jerusalem today as He was enthroned as such on the day of Pentecost
shortly after His ascension to heaven. Jehoshua fulfilled the oath sworn to
David by Jehovah that someone after his seed would be established as the
everlasting King on the Davidic throne (2 Samuel 7, Acts 2). Jehoshua inherited
the crown of David and the scepter of righteousness (Zechariah 6). As such,
Jehoshua was given a Kingdom shortly after His ascension on the day of
Pentecost. This Kingdom was not earthly Jerusalem but rather New Jerusalem
which is headquartered in heaven but is also on earth in the form of the
Church. New Jerusalem is the mother of the Church on earth (Galatians 4:26).
The Church on earth is equivalent to the Kingdom of Messiah. Unlike other
earthly Kingdom’s, the Kingdom of Jehoshua is spiritual not geo-political and
our King’s throne is in heaven not on earth. Let’s go to Genesis 14 to get a
better understanding of Melchisedec’s priesthood.
Genesis 14:18-20
(KJV)
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine:
and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most
high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God,
which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of
all.
Verse 18, note
that Melchisedec brought bread and wine to Abram. This was not a sacrifice but
a meal of thanksgiving. As king and priest, he foreshadowed Messiah. The bread
and wine foreshadowing what would become known as the Lord’s supper
representing the blood and body of Messiah (Psalm 110:4).
Melchisedec in
verses 19 and 20 blesses Abram acknowledging that it was Jehovah that gave him
the victory. In this verse Melchisedec also acknowledges that Jehovah is the
creator and rules over heaven and earth.
Abram gave Melchisedec tithes of the spoils from his victory over the
kings which was a sign of honor. This fact is key in understanding that
Melchisedec’s priesthood is far superior to the Levitical priesthood. Now let’s
go back to Hebrews 7 and look at verse 3:
Hebrews 7:3 (KJV)
3 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.
“Without
father…nor end of life”. Melchisedec’s lineage is not recorded in Genesis, a
book of genealogies. Nor did Genesis record his birth or death, as it often
does major figures. In this way, from a literary perspective, Melchisedec is
portrayed as similar to the Son of God who was begotten of the Father before
time began and is in essence eternal (Proverbs 8:22-31, John 1:1-3).
Verses 4-10 of
Hebrews, that Melchisedec was far superior in his priestly office than the
Levites is made evident that Levi through Abraham tithed to Melchisedec. This
also foreshadows the greatness of the Messiah in His person (divine nature).
Due to being the Son of God, Jehoshua as Melchisedec is superior in His person
than any of the Levitical priests ever were. Having shown that Melchisedec’s
priesthood is eternal, and thus Messiah’s priesthood is according to His human
and divine natures, the author turns to consider the subordination of the
Levitical priesthood to Melchisedec’s priesthood. The Levitical priesthood is
only according to the flesh, and thus was necessary for Messiah’s priesthood to
be after a different order.
Verse 4,
Abraham’s high tribute to Melchisedec reveals how great this man was. A tithe
or tenth part of belongings or wealth.
Verse 5, “verily,
truly. Sons of levi’. The genealogical principle that the Levitical priesthood
depended on one’s relationship to Levi. “have a commandment to take tithes of
the people according to the law”. The law provided for the provisions of the
Levites, but they were only permitted to collect a tithe from their brethren.
Jehoshua is far more than a brother because He is over the House of Jehovah
(Hebrews 3:1-6).
Verse 6, “descent
is not counted from among them”. Genealogies were of the utmost importance to
the Levites. “blessed him that had the promises”. Abraham was to bless the
nations (Genesis 12;3) but he was blessed by Melchisedec. Jehoshua is the source
of all blessing. This shows the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood to
that of the Levitical priesthood. The idea that Jehoshua’s Priesthood in heaven
has to follow the pattern of the Levitical priests in the earthly sanctuary is
error and completely ignores the contrasts between the two priesthood’s talked
about in the book of Hebrews.
According to a
genealogical principle, Levites were present in Abraham when Abraham paid a
tithe to Melchisedec. The Levites who were descendants of Abraham, could not
rise above Abraham’s status in the house of God. Again, this shows us the
absolute superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood over the Levitical Priesthood.
Jehoshua said that before Abraham was “I Am”, making Him above Abraham being
that He is Jehovah the Son. It’s important to understand the truth that Jehoshua
does not need to perform the Levitical priestly functions as He is superior to
them in every way. Whereas the Levitical priests were only priests, Jehoshua is
a King Priest. The Son of God doesn’t perform His priestly functions standing
up like the Levitical priests but rather He performs His mediation sitting on
the throne at the right hand of the Father.
Here is the scriptural evidence:
The mercy-seat
over the ark of the covenant symbolizes Jehovah's throne. This means His
throne, symbolized by the mercy-seat in the earthly sanctuary, was in the most
holy place. This is also true in the true tabernacle in heaven that Jehovah
pitched. His throne in heaven is in the most holy place. When Jehoshua ascended
into Heaven, he sat down on the right hand of God on His throne. Long live the
King and High Priest Jehoshua who performs the Melchizedek priestly duties from
His throne as King and not standing up as the imperfect Levitical priests.
After His
ascension, the Father told Jehoshua to SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I make
thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalm 110:1).
Enemies are made
Jehoshua's footstol right before the second advent! (1 Corinthians 15:25)
Zechariah 6:13
(KJV)
13Even he shall
build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and
rule upon his throne; and HE SHALL BE A PRIEST UPON HIS THRONE: and the counsel
of peace shall be between them both.
Jehoshua's
Priesthood is conducted from His throne not standing up like the earthly
Levites! Jehoshua is a King Priest not subject to performing the Levitical priestly
functions.
Hebrews 10:11-12
(KJV)
11And every
priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices,
which can never take away sins:12But this man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, SAT DOWN on the right hand of God;
Jehoshua said it
was finished at the cross and scripture affirms this over and over as we have
received the atonement! Jehoshua sat down at the right hand of God after His
ascension to receive His Kingdom and start His Priesthood after the order of
Melchizedek. No biblical record of Him performing His priesthood standing up
like the Levites. Jehoshua is a priest after a much better perfect order –
Melchizedek. “And every priest standeth daily ministering daily”. The Old
testament Priests stood (Deuteronomy 18:5); Of Jehoshua we read that He sat
down (Hebrews 1:3).
Psalm 99:1-5
(KJV)
1The LORD
reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the
earth be moved.2The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the
people.3Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.4The king’s
strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest
judgment and righteousness in Jacob.5Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at
his footstool; for he is holy.
Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 God,
who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers
by the prophets,
2 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;
3 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:
“brightness of His glory”. Unequivocally
divine, true God in every way (Colossians 1:15). “express image”. Like a kingly
seal being imprinted in wax. Jehoshua is truly begotten from the Father’s
substance possessing all the Father’s divine attributes. “upholding all things”.
The only begotten Son providentially governs all creation by the word of His
power and is bringing history to a final and glorious end or purpose.
Hebrews 7:7-28 (KJV)
7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.11If 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?12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.20And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:21For 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:)22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.23And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.25Wherefore 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.26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;27Who 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.28For 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.
Hebrews 7 Verses 7-10, according to genealogical principle, Levites were present in Abraham when Abraham paid a tithe to Melchisedec. The Levites, who were descendants of Abraham, could not arise above Abraham’s status in the house of God. This passage again shows the absolute superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood in comparison with the Levitical preisthood. As the Levites were limited in respect to their position in the house of Israel, the Son of God is Lord over the House of Israel. It stands to reason that Jehoshua's Priesthood also isn't limited to the Levitical functions. Jehoshua is Lord over the whole House of Israel and of the sanctuary. He surpasses the limitations imposed upon the Levites of having to stand and do daily ministration in the holy place.
Jehoshua being a divine King Priest and far superior to any Levite that ever lived, went right into the most holy place to start His ministration sitting down on the throne not standing up.
Verse 11, here Paul makes a clear distinction and difference between the imperfect Levitical preisthood after the fleshy line of Aaron and the perfect Priesthood of Jehoshua who is after the divine order of Melchisedec. Trying to make these two priesthoods similar in function is error and it diminishes Jehoshua's Priesthood to that of an imperfect fleshy ministry. However, this is exactly what Adventists do with the investigative judgment. They reduce Messiah to a Levitical standing preist instead of a King Priest that minister's sitting down upon His throne. The implications of the investigative judgment are serious and spiritually dangerous.
Verse 12, Paul is very clear that the Priesthood changed with the arrival of the new covenant and thereby the functions of the Priesthood as well. The way the Priesthood is conducted has been changed (Psalm 110:4). This change is in respect to the ceremonial law. Because of this, Jehoshua as High Priest need not offer daily sacrifices in the holy place and He has made the ultimate once and for all sacrifice on the cross and thereby gained access to the most holy place right away sprinkling His blood on the mercy-seat. It is here in the most holy place, that the Son of God began His Priestly ministry sitting upon the throne of David.
Verse 13-14, a reference to the Messiah who came after the order of Melchisedec. If Jehoshua were of the tribe of Levi and was a priest after their order then it would make sense that he would start His ministry in the holy place. However, Jehoshua is a Priest of a divine order and is not subject to the regulations and functionality of the human imperfect Levitical preists. This is why He can rightfully go directly to the most holy place at His ascension, because He is a priest after the order of an endless life noting His absolute divinity.
Verses 15-17, the passage above notes the positive implications of the comparison between Jehoshua and Melchisedec.
Even more clear the perfection was not possible under the Levitical preisthood. "after that the similitude" Since according to the likeness or pattern set by Melchisedec.
"Carnal commandment". The Levitical preisthood was based on fleshy descent, and with fleshly ordinances. Remember, the Melchisedec priesthood is of a divine ordinance and need be subject to the regulations and functionality of the human imperfect Levitical preisthood. This means that Jehoshua as High Priest need not do standing daily ministration in the holy place for 1800 years before He has access to the most holy place. As we have shown, the Son of God's priesthood is conducted from His throne as a King not a human priest.
"power of an endless life". Both eternal duration and powerful application are needed for an effective priesthood. Jehovah the Father testified that His Son Jehoshua is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec, Paul quotes from Psalm 110:4. This is an irrevocable decree. The Messiah having risen from the dead, has no successor, but intercedes through the ages for His people. Jehoshua's intercession for us never ends. This contradicts the Adventist teaching that we will be without an intercessor for a time period right before the Messiah's return. Even when the Messiah leaves the most holy place, the Spirit maketh intercession for us and we know that the Spirit proceeds out of the Messiah.
Melchisedec means "King of Righteousness". Jehoshua is called "Jehovah our Righteousness". He is called King of kings and Lord of lords.
Melchisedec was King of Salem and a Priest of the Most High God before David's Kingship and Aaron's priesthood, and thus a type of Messiah. Jehoshua unites the offices of priest and King in one person, implying that the Aaronic priesthood would become obselete. This is why it is a huge mistake in thinking that Messiah's preistly ministry has to emulate the old Levitical preistly ministry. That old covenant Levitical preistly ministration has been completely done away with forever.
The Son of God's priesthood being one which unites with His Kingship is far superior to the Levitical preisthood. This obviously follows sound logic that the functionality of the Melchisedec priesthood must also be far superior to the Levitical functions. One of the aspects of the Levitical functions was to do daily ministration in the holy place standing up for the entire year before they can even enter the most holy place (once a year).
Adventists, by teaching that Jehoshua has to follow the same pattern as the Levites, miss the entire point of the book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews says that Jehoshua has a more excellent ministry than the Levitical preists. The bible over and over again says that at the Son of God's ascension that He went directly to the most holy place. If so, then that means Jehoshua bypassed the daily ministerial functions of the Levitical preisthood and started immediately minstering in the most holy place.
After, the resurrection Jehoshua had to appear to the Father presenting Himself as the firstfruits. It is likely at this point that He sprinkled His blood on the mercy-seat in the most holy place. After this, the Messiah spent 40 days with the disciples before ascending to heaven. It is after His ascension that He sat down on the right hand of God being enthroned as the Davidic King and also being anointed as High Priest according to the order of Melchisedec.
With the sprinkling of blood on the mercy-seat, Jehovah's judgment is transformed into grace and mercy. This perfectly aligns with the narrative of the new covenant in which we are given an abundance of grace by the Father. Even Jehoshua says that we are given eternal life and do not come into condemnation meaning "pass into judgment" (John 5:24). This means that there is no future investigative judgment for the believer in Messiah as we have already been made righteous by faith in Jehoshua. Our judgment will consist of rewards for what we did with the gifts given to us.
In times past, our failure to adhere to strict obedience to the law would mean a fearful expectation of judgment. In the new and better covenant, we ask for grace and forgiveness in the time of need boldly going to the throne of grace. The throne of grace is in the most holy place. With the Adventist teaching of 1844, we would have to conclude that believers up until 1844 didn't have access to the throne of grace. They could only have this access if indeed Messiah went directly to the most holy place. If Jehoshua only went to the Holy place at His ascension, then believers were still in a time of judgment. This of course goes against the whole concept of the gospel and refutes the investigative judgment doctrine.
The day of atonement did not begin a duration of a time of judgment, it concluded it. The warning of judgment starts with the feast of trumpets and ends on the day of atonement which is when the priest would sprinkle the blood on the mercy-seat for his and the people's sins. Jehoshua by going to the most holy place after His resurrection to sprinkle the mercy seat with His blood, ended the time of judgment for those who would be cleansed by it. Once we are born again into the Messiah's Kingdom, our judgment ends and we have received the full atonement for sins. This means for the believer that the day of atonement is over. The teaching of a period of a day of atonement for believers is anti-gospel and contradicts scripture.
Romans 5:9-11 (KJV)
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Does this mean we still don't ask forgiveness of sins, of course not! However a believer in the Messiah does not come into condemnation and has received the atonement at His new birth. The thing that will cause a believer to pass into judgment, is a denial of the Son of God.
The very core of the gospel denounces any such doctrine that teaches that believers will come into a investigative judgment after they have fallen asleep or alive.
John 3:17-18 (KJV)
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Verse 18 of this passage destroys the investigative judgment doctrine as it says plainly "He that believeth on him is not condemned". The investigative judgment doctrine says that we pass into judgment which in the greek can also be rendered "condemnation". The above passage in John clearly teaches that only those who don't believe in the only begotten Son of God are condemned also meaning to "pass into judgment". So if anything, there is an investigative judgment but it will strictly be for unbelievers.
Believers have been granted access to the most holy place since the resurrection of the Messiah after He sprinkled His blood on the mercy-seat.
Now back to Hebrews Chapter 7:
Verses 18-19, "disannulling" canceling by God, the giver of the law. "weakness and unprofitableness". The law here is linked to the insufficiency of the Aaronic priesthood. "law made nothing perfect". The types and shadows of the ceremonial law were not effective in themselves to bring men near (nigh) to God; only in as much as they pointed to Jehoshua were they sufficient. "better hope". The Messiah's preisthood, the object of our hope (Hebrews 6:18-20).
If the Messiah's preisthood has to follow the same pattern as the Levites then we don't have much better of a hope. What makes the Messiah's preisthood a better hope is that now we have access into the most holy place through His flesh. Also, it's a better hope because we have been forgiven in full because of what was done at the cross. We have received the full atonement. Our sins that are forgiven are remembered no more according to Jehovah God. The question is, do you believe Jehovah God or the preachers in Adventistism who say that our life record including our sins are kept for further review in the investigative judgment? Let's go to Jeremiah 31 for the Father's precious words of hope:
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (KJV)
31Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:33But 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.
34And 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.
Jehovah says that in the new covenant that was to be made with the House of Israel, the sins of His people would be forgiven and remembered no more. Do you see what this means brethren? Once we are born again, all our sins are remembered no more. They are not kept on our life record pending a future investigation. As we walk our faith out, we come daily to the Father through His Son our High Priest and ask forgiveness of sins. This should be a daily and continual thing. The Investigative judgment also teaches that any unconfessed sin, even if it is something that we forget, will be held against us in the future judgment.
Brethren, this is not supported by scripture in regards to a believer who endures to the end having kept the faith in the Son of God. As noted in John 5:24, we do not come into condemnation meaning to pass into judgment.
Back to Hebrews 7, verse 20, Jehoshua has a superior priesthood in order to show that a change in the law has occurred, and the Messiah has ushered in a better covenant. Part of this better covenant is that we have received the full atonement through the once and for all sacrifice of Jehoshua's body and blood. There is no more need for animal sacrifices and daily ministration in the holy place. We now have direct access to God the Father in the most holy place through His Son. And we didn't have to wait until 1844! We don't have to wait unti our names come up in review in a future investigative judgment to receive the full atonement, we received when we became born again. Also, our sins are not transferred to the holy place when we become born again but rather they are remembered no more cast into the deep part of the sea and as far as the east is from the west. All this is because the Melchisedec priesthood blows the Levitical preisthood out of the water in terms of being better and superior.
This also leads to the beautiful truth that in the new covenant we are all priests and that as new covenant priests we aren't restricted to the Holy place and we don't ever again have to offer an animal sacrifice. As new covenant priests, we have direct access to the most holy through the Son of God and our sacrifices are now praising God's name, doing good, sharing with others, we now offer spiritual sacrifices.
Hebrews 13:15-16 (KJV)
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The teaching of the investigative judgment says that we don't have full atonement yet and that our sins are not forgotten but rather kept on record for further review. Also, it teaches that Jesus had to do daily ministration in the holy place for over 1800 years thereby meaning believers did not have access to the throne of grace which is in the most holy place for that amount of time. It also teaches that for 1800 years that believers didn't have direct access to the presence of Jehovah God because His Son was allegedly still in the holy place rather than the most holy place. The teachers of this doctrine will play around with these particulars to try and make their doctrine work but scripture doesn't support this blasphemous investigative judgment teaching. In order to try and make this doctrine work, they will say that Jehovah's throne is a moving throne or that the table of shewbread also represents that there is a throne in the holy place because of the crowns engraved on it. These are desperate attempts to make their false doctrine work as they know that the bible clearly teaches that the throne and presence is represented as being in the most holy place and that scripture teaches without controversy that the Son of God went directly to sit on the throne at the Father's right hand after His ascension.
Back to Hebrews 7, verses 20-21, "not without an oath" Jehovah appointed the Levites as priests by His divine word. The Messiah's preisthood was far greater, for He was made a Priest by divine oath. "The Lord sware and will not repent". Paul cites Psalm 110:4. An allusion to Jehovah's revoking of Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 2:30).
Verse 22, "surety" legal term for a person bound to perform the obligations of another. The oath makes Christ a surety of a better covenant (testament). In chapter 8 of Hebrews we will see the author discuss the greatness of the new covenant.
Verse 23, "suffered" Allowed. The earthly priests did not have a perpetual ministry, because death ended their priesthood. This again denotes the absolute superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood over the Levitical preisthood. The Melchisedec priesthood of Christ is a divine priesthood and it never ends as the Son of God ever liveth to make intercession for us. This point refutes the Adventist teaching that the Priesthood of Jesus has to mirror the Levitical preisthood in function and also refutes the Adventist notion that the end time saints will be without a mediator before the Father for a time.
The Melchisedec priesthood is a more excellent ministry than the Levitical preisthood in that there is no need for the Messiah to do the daily ministration in the holy place as He is a King Priest. Jehoshua conducts His Priesthood from His throne in the most holy place which began after His ascension.
Verse 24, Jehoshua received an incorruptible life, namely in His resurrection, and thus His Priesthood continueth forever. "Unchangeable" Jehovah's faithfulness is the foundation of the unchangeableness of the priesthood - to change this oath, the death of God would be necessary. The Son of God never stops being our priest hence "unchangeable" is described for His Priesthood. This means that He can never stop making intercession for us as by oath He is bound to do so.
Verse 25, "able...to save them." Not a mere possibility but a reality. The Messiah is mighty to save. "to the uttermost". Jehoshua fully and finally saves His people to all eternity. Perfection has come through Messiah. "come unto God by him" In and for the sake of Jehoshua, sinners can come into the very presence of God. "ever liveth to make intercession" The Son of God's work continues even now and forever as effective intercession on behalf of His people.
There is so much meat in verse 25. Those who come to the Father through the Son are saved completely. There is no conditonal salvation. The Adventist doctrine of the sanctuary teaches that we only receive conditional pardon and partial atonement through Jehoshua's sacrifice at the cross. However, Paul contradicts their false teaching by saying that Jehoshua is able to save us to the uttermost when we go to the Father in His name.
The Greek word for "uttermost" is "panteles" (Strongs 3838) and means "full ended, i.e. entire (completion), uttermost."
Brethren, the teaching that we only receive a conditional pardon of sins and partial atonement is a blasphemy from Satan and diminishes Jehoshua's death on the cross and His blood. Clearly as you can see from the meaning of the word uttermost, there is no doubt that Jehoshua's blood provided us with full pardon and complete atonement.
Also, we read in this verse that Jehoshua ever liveth to make intercession for us. In Adventistism they teach that right before the Son of God makes His return, He will stand up from the most holy place and then henceforth we will be without a mediator before the Father. Again Paul contradicts this false teaching. He says that Jehoshua's intercession for us is forever. On the surface, it may make sense that we will be without a mediator for a short time as Messiah will leave the most holy place to redeem His people but when we look a little deeper this scenario falls apart. So, how does Messiah still intercede for us if He has to leave the presence of the Father for a short period to come get us? Let's go to Romans 8:
"26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
As you can see brethren, the Holy Spirit also makes intercession for the saints. Remember, the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son of God. So it is the very Spirit of Jehoshua that makes intercession for us. So even when the Messiah leaves the most holy place to come get His saints, the Holy Spirit that eternally proceeds from Him will still intercede for us even though His bodily presence will not be in the most holy place. The Adventists leave this important detail out in their investigative judgment teaching.
John 20:22 (KJV)
22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
This is just one of the verses that shows that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the substance of Jehoshua.
This is good news brothers and sisters, when the very end of time arrives and the saints are tried in persecution, we don't have to worry about not having a mediator for us before the Father. The Holy Spirit which proceedeth from the Son of God will meditate on our behalf as the Jehoshua descends to earth to redeem us.
Rather than the bad news of the investigative judgment, Paul the apostle paints an encouraging and empowering picture of the surety we have in Jehoshua as we see below in Romans 8.
Romans 8:34-39 (KJV)
34Who 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.35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39Nor 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.
Contrary to the false doctrine of the investigative judgment, Paul says that Jehoshua is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. This was long before 1844. Adventists will say that this is in the holy place but anyone who knows about the sanctuary knows that the Father's throne is in the most holy place. Again, the Adventists are refuted by scripture.
Also, Paul says that nothing can seperate us from the love of Messiah. Neither tribulation, persecution or famine or sword can seperate us from His love. Yet Adventists would have us believe that during the most trying time in human history, we will be without our Lord and Saviour interceding for us. This is downright demonic. Again, Paul the apostle refutes the heretical Adventist doctrine of the investigative judgment.
In verses 38 and 39 of Romans 8, Paul reiterates that absolutely nothing and nobody can seperate us from the love of God the Father which is in Messiah Jehoshua our Jehovah. The investigative judgment doctrine leaves believers without assurance of salvation and without assurance of Fatherly and brotherly love from Jehovah and Jehoshua. It also leaves believers without an intercessor before the Father during the most difficult time in human history. Only Satan himself could come up with such a blasphemous scenario.
Now back to Hebrews Chapter 7, vwrse 26, "high priest became us" The Messiah is suitable and fitting for His people. "Holy" purity and devotedness to God. "Harmless" not touched by any defection or evil, but is perfectly morally qualified to serve as His people's priest. "Undefiled" Jehoshua's moral integrity. "seperate from sinners, and made higher than the the heavens" Morally seperated from sinners and physically lifted up from this world. Again, the Son of God unlike the Levitical preists was perfect and absolutely Holy who needs not to have His sins atoned for as He was the spotless Lamb of God. This is why it is an error to compare Jehoshua's Priesthood with the Aaronic priesthood. The Levitical preists were mere humans who had to daily offer sacrifice for their own sins also. This is also why they were only allowed to go to the most holy place once a year.
On the other hand, Jehoshua has never sinned and He is the divine Son of God thereby He has by inheritance the right to go directly to the most holy place to start His ministration as High Priest. He need not offer daily sacrifices for His sins. His blood is so pure and white that it even cleansed us sinners so that we also have access to the most holy place through Him.
The abominable investigative judgment doctrine not only keepsJehoshua out of the most holy place for over 1800 years but us also who the Son of God redeemed. Again, this is objectionable teaching from hell.
Verse 27, unlike the Levitical preists, the Messiah has no need to offer sacrifice for His own sin (Leviticus 16:6-10). "For this he did once" The finality of Jehoshua's sacrifice plays a prominent role in the author's understanding of the Son of God's sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12, 26, 28; 10;10). "Offered up Himself" Jehoshua was active in His role of being sacrificed (John 10:18).
It's very important to understand the absolute finality of the Son of God's sacrifice. The investigative judgment teaches that His sacrifice was not final but rather a down payment for our atonement. Paul refutes this satanic heresy and says Jehoshua's sacrifice was made once when He died on the cross. Oh, the Adventists will say all the right things about Jehoshua's sacrifice being final but in reality they teach a partial atonement. They say that our sins are still kept on record for further review in the investigative judgment. However, as note before we don't come into judgment (John 5:24; Romans 8:1). Who are you going to believe? The Son of God and His apostle or Ellen White and her disciples?
Verse 28 of Hebrews 7, "infirmity weakness" the word of the oath stands in contrast to the law and guarantees a better priest who remains a priest for ever. One priesthood (Levites) was carnal meaning temporal according to the Mosaic administration and the other priesthood is divine according to the oath of the Almighty God under a new and better covenant. Do you see why it is ridiculous to even compare Messiah's preisthood with the Levitical preisthood?
To say that Jehoshua's Priestly ministry has to follow the same pattern as the Levites is missing the whole point of the book of Hebrews which is that the Levitical preisthood, including it's functions, is far inferior to the Melchisedec priesthood which is of a divine order and is perfect. Long live the Melchisedec priesthood and thank Jehovah for giving us His Son as not only our High Priest but also our King and our God.
7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.11If 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?12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.20And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:21For 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:)22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.23And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.25Wherefore 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.26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;27Who 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.28For 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.
Hebrews 7 Verses 7-10, according to genealogical principle, Levites were present in Abraham when Abraham paid a tithe to Melchisedec. The Levites, who were descendants of Abraham, could not arise above Abraham’s status in the house of God. This passage again shows the absolute superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood in comparison with the Levitical preisthood. As the Levites were limited in respect to their position in the house of Israel, the Son of God is Lord over the House of Israel. It stands to reason that Jehoshua's Priesthood also isn't limited to the Levitical functions. Jehoshua is Lord over the whole House of Israel and of the sanctuary. He surpasses the limitations imposed upon the Levites of having to stand and do daily ministration in the holy place.
Jehoshua being a divine King Priest and far superior to any Levite that ever lived, went right into the most holy place to start His ministration sitting down on the throne not standing up.
Verse 11, here Paul makes a clear distinction and difference between the imperfect Levitical preisthood after the fleshy line of Aaron and the perfect Priesthood of Jehoshua who is after the divine order of Melchisedec. Trying to make these two priesthoods similar in function is error and it diminishes Jehoshua's Priesthood to that of an imperfect fleshy ministry. However, this is exactly what Adventists do with the investigative judgment. They reduce Messiah to a Levitical standing preist instead of a King Priest that minister's sitting down upon His throne. The implications of the investigative judgment are serious and spiritually dangerous.
Verse 12, Paul is very clear that the Priesthood changed with the arrival of the new covenant and thereby the functions of the Priesthood as well. The way the Priesthood is conducted has been changed (Psalm 110:4). This change is in respect to the ceremonial law. Because of this, Jehoshua as High Priest need not offer daily sacrifices in the holy place and He has made the ultimate once and for all sacrifice on the cross and thereby gained access to the most holy place right away sprinkling His blood on the mercy-seat. It is here in the most holy place, that the Son of God began His Priestly ministry sitting upon the throne of David.
Verse 13-14, a reference to the Messiah who came after the order of Melchisedec. If Jehoshua were of the tribe of Levi and was a priest after their order then it would make sense that he would start His ministry in the holy place. However, Jehoshua is a Priest of a divine order and is not subject to the regulations and functionality of the human imperfect Levitical preists. This is why He can rightfully go directly to the most holy place at His ascension, because He is a priest after the order of an endless life noting His absolute divinity.
Verses 15-17, the passage above notes the positive implications of the comparison between Jehoshua and Melchisedec.
Even more clear the perfection was not possible under the Levitical preisthood. "after that the similitude" Since according to the likeness or pattern set by Melchisedec.
"Carnal commandment". The Levitical preisthood was based on fleshy descent, and with fleshly ordinances. Remember, the Melchisedec priesthood is of a divine ordinance and need be subject to the regulations and functionality of the human imperfect Levitical preisthood. This means that Jehoshua as High Priest need not do standing daily ministration in the holy place for 1800 years before He has access to the most holy place. As we have shown, the Son of God's priesthood is conducted from His throne as a King not a human priest.
"power of an endless life". Both eternal duration and powerful application are needed for an effective priesthood. Jehovah the Father testified that His Son Jehoshua is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec, Paul quotes from Psalm 110:4. This is an irrevocable decree. The Messiah having risen from the dead, has no successor, but intercedes through the ages for His people. Jehoshua's intercession for us never ends. This contradicts the Adventist teaching that we will be without an intercessor for a time period right before the Messiah's return. Even when the Messiah leaves the most holy place, the Spirit maketh intercession for us and we know that the Spirit proceeds out of the Messiah.
Melchisedec means "King of Righteousness". Jehoshua is called "Jehovah our Righteousness". He is called King of kings and Lord of lords.
Melchisedec was King of Salem and a Priest of the Most High God before David's Kingship and Aaron's priesthood, and thus a type of Messiah. Jehoshua unites the offices of priest and King in one person, implying that the Aaronic priesthood would become obselete. This is why it is a huge mistake in thinking that Messiah's preistly ministry has to emulate the old Levitical preistly ministry. That old covenant Levitical preistly ministration has been completely done away with forever.
The Son of God's priesthood being one which unites with His Kingship is far superior to the Levitical preisthood. This obviously follows sound logic that the functionality of the Melchisedec priesthood must also be far superior to the Levitical functions. One of the aspects of the Levitical functions was to do daily ministration in the holy place standing up for the entire year before they can even enter the most holy place (once a year).
Adventists, by teaching that Jehoshua has to follow the same pattern as the Levites, miss the entire point of the book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews says that Jehoshua has a more excellent ministry than the Levitical preists. The bible over and over again says that at the Son of God's ascension that He went directly to the most holy place. If so, then that means Jehoshua bypassed the daily ministerial functions of the Levitical preisthood and started immediately minstering in the most holy place.
After, the resurrection Jehoshua had to appear to the Father presenting Himself as the firstfruits. It is likely at this point that He sprinkled His blood on the mercy-seat in the most holy place. After this, the Messiah spent 40 days with the disciples before ascending to heaven. It is after His ascension that He sat down on the right hand of God being enthroned as the Davidic King and also being anointed as High Priest according to the order of Melchisedec.
With the sprinkling of blood on the mercy-seat, Jehovah's judgment is transformed into grace and mercy. This perfectly aligns with the narrative of the new covenant in which we are given an abundance of grace by the Father. Even Jehoshua says that we are given eternal life and do not come into condemnation meaning "pass into judgment" (John 5:24). This means that there is no future investigative judgment for the believer in Messiah as we have already been made righteous by faith in Jehoshua. Our judgment will consist of rewards for what we did with the gifts given to us.
In times past, our failure to adhere to strict obedience to the law would mean a fearful expectation of judgment. In the new and better covenant, we ask for grace and forgiveness in the time of need boldly going to the throne of grace. The throne of grace is in the most holy place. With the Adventist teaching of 1844, we would have to conclude that believers up until 1844 didn't have access to the throne of grace. They could only have this access if indeed Messiah went directly to the most holy place. If Jehoshua only went to the Holy place at His ascension, then believers were still in a time of judgment. This of course goes against the whole concept of the gospel and refutes the investigative judgment doctrine.
The day of atonement did not begin a duration of a time of judgment, it concluded it. The warning of judgment starts with the feast of trumpets and ends on the day of atonement which is when the priest would sprinkle the blood on the mercy-seat for his and the people's sins. Jehoshua by going to the most holy place after His resurrection to sprinkle the mercy seat with His blood, ended the time of judgment for those who would be cleansed by it. Once we are born again into the Messiah's Kingdom, our judgment ends and we have received the full atonement for sins. This means for the believer that the day of atonement is over. The teaching of a period of a day of atonement for believers is anti-gospel and contradicts scripture.
Romans 5:9-11 (KJV)
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Does this mean we still don't ask forgiveness of sins, of course not! However a believer in the Messiah does not come into condemnation and has received the atonement at His new birth. The thing that will cause a believer to pass into judgment, is a denial of the Son of God.
The very core of the gospel denounces any such doctrine that teaches that believers will come into a investigative judgment after they have fallen asleep or alive.
John 3:17-18 (KJV)
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Verse 18 of this passage destroys the investigative judgment doctrine as it says plainly "He that believeth on him is not condemned". The investigative judgment doctrine says that we pass into judgment which in the greek can also be rendered "condemnation". The above passage in John clearly teaches that only those who don't believe in the only begotten Son of God are condemned also meaning to "pass into judgment". So if anything, there is an investigative judgment but it will strictly be for unbelievers.
Believers have been granted access to the most holy place since the resurrection of the Messiah after He sprinkled His blood on the mercy-seat.
Now back to Hebrews Chapter 7:
Verses 18-19, "disannulling" canceling by God, the giver of the law. "weakness and unprofitableness". The law here is linked to the insufficiency of the Aaronic priesthood. "law made nothing perfect". The types and shadows of the ceremonial law were not effective in themselves to bring men near (nigh) to God; only in as much as they pointed to Jehoshua were they sufficient. "better hope". The Messiah's preisthood, the object of our hope (Hebrews 6:18-20).
If the Messiah's preisthood has to follow the same pattern as the Levites then we don't have much better of a hope. What makes the Messiah's preisthood a better hope is that now we have access into the most holy place through His flesh. Also, it's a better hope because we have been forgiven in full because of what was done at the cross. We have received the full atonement. Our sins that are forgiven are remembered no more according to Jehovah God. The question is, do you believe Jehovah God or the preachers in Adventistism who say that our life record including our sins are kept for further review in the investigative judgment? Let's go to Jeremiah 31 for the Father's precious words of hope:
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (KJV)
31Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:33But 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.
34And 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.
Jehovah says that in the new covenant that was to be made with the House of Israel, the sins of His people would be forgiven and remembered no more. Do you see what this means brethren? Once we are born again, all our sins are remembered no more. They are not kept on our life record pending a future investigation. As we walk our faith out, we come daily to the Father through His Son our High Priest and ask forgiveness of sins. This should be a daily and continual thing. The Investigative judgment also teaches that any unconfessed sin, even if it is something that we forget, will be held against us in the future judgment.
Brethren, this is not supported by scripture in regards to a believer who endures to the end having kept the faith in the Son of God. As noted in John 5:24, we do not come into condemnation meaning to pass into judgment.
Back to Hebrews 7, verse 20, Jehoshua has a superior priesthood in order to show that a change in the law has occurred, and the Messiah has ushered in a better covenant. Part of this better covenant is that we have received the full atonement through the once and for all sacrifice of Jehoshua's body and blood. There is no more need for animal sacrifices and daily ministration in the holy place. We now have direct access to God the Father in the most holy place through His Son. And we didn't have to wait until 1844! We don't have to wait unti our names come up in review in a future investigative judgment to receive the full atonement, we received when we became born again. Also, our sins are not transferred to the holy place when we become born again but rather they are remembered no more cast into the deep part of the sea and as far as the east is from the west. All this is because the Melchisedec priesthood blows the Levitical preisthood out of the water in terms of being better and superior.
This also leads to the beautiful truth that in the new covenant we are all priests and that as new covenant priests we aren't restricted to the Holy place and we don't ever again have to offer an animal sacrifice. As new covenant priests, we have direct access to the most holy through the Son of God and our sacrifices are now praising God's name, doing good, sharing with others, we now offer spiritual sacrifices.
Hebrews 13:15-16 (KJV)
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The teaching of the investigative judgment says that we don't have full atonement yet and that our sins are not forgotten but rather kept on record for further review. Also, it teaches that Jesus had to do daily ministration in the holy place for over 1800 years thereby meaning believers did not have access to the throne of grace which is in the most holy place for that amount of time. It also teaches that for 1800 years that believers didn't have direct access to the presence of Jehovah God because His Son was allegedly still in the holy place rather than the most holy place. The teachers of this doctrine will play around with these particulars to try and make their doctrine work but scripture doesn't support this blasphemous investigative judgment teaching. In order to try and make this doctrine work, they will say that Jehovah's throne is a moving throne or that the table of shewbread also represents that there is a throne in the holy place because of the crowns engraved on it. These are desperate attempts to make their false doctrine work as they know that the bible clearly teaches that the throne and presence is represented as being in the most holy place and that scripture teaches without controversy that the Son of God went directly to sit on the throne at the Father's right hand after His ascension.
Back to Hebrews 7, verses 20-21, "not without an oath" Jehovah appointed the Levites as priests by His divine word. The Messiah's preisthood was far greater, for He was made a Priest by divine oath. "The Lord sware and will not repent". Paul cites Psalm 110:4. An allusion to Jehovah's revoking of Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 2:30).
Verse 22, "surety" legal term for a person bound to perform the obligations of another. The oath makes Christ a surety of a better covenant (testament). In chapter 8 of Hebrews we will see the author discuss the greatness of the new covenant.
Verse 23, "suffered" Allowed. The earthly priests did not have a perpetual ministry, because death ended their priesthood. This again denotes the absolute superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood over the Levitical preisthood. The Melchisedec priesthood of Christ is a divine priesthood and it never ends as the Son of God ever liveth to make intercession for us. This point refutes the Adventist teaching that the Priesthood of Jesus has to mirror the Levitical preisthood in function and also refutes the Adventist notion that the end time saints will be without a mediator before the Father for a time.
The Melchisedec priesthood is a more excellent ministry than the Levitical preisthood in that there is no need for the Messiah to do the daily ministration in the holy place as He is a King Priest. Jehoshua conducts His Priesthood from His throne in the most holy place which began after His ascension.
Verse 24, Jehoshua received an incorruptible life, namely in His resurrection, and thus His Priesthood continueth forever. "Unchangeable" Jehovah's faithfulness is the foundation of the unchangeableness of the priesthood - to change this oath, the death of God would be necessary. The Son of God never stops being our priest hence "unchangeable" is described for His Priesthood. This means that He can never stop making intercession for us as by oath He is bound to do so.
Verse 25, "able...to save them." Not a mere possibility but a reality. The Messiah is mighty to save. "to the uttermost". Jehoshua fully and finally saves His people to all eternity. Perfection has come through Messiah. "come unto God by him" In and for the sake of Jehoshua, sinners can come into the very presence of God. "ever liveth to make intercession" The Son of God's work continues even now and forever as effective intercession on behalf of His people.
There is so much meat in verse 25. Those who come to the Father through the Son are saved completely. There is no conditonal salvation. The Adventist doctrine of the sanctuary teaches that we only receive conditional pardon and partial atonement through Jehoshua's sacrifice at the cross. However, Paul contradicts their false teaching by saying that Jehoshua is able to save us to the uttermost when we go to the Father in His name.
The Greek word for "uttermost" is "panteles" (Strongs 3838) and means "full ended, i.e. entire (completion), uttermost."
Brethren, the teaching that we only receive a conditional pardon of sins and partial atonement is a blasphemy from Satan and diminishes Jehoshua's death on the cross and His blood. Clearly as you can see from the meaning of the word uttermost, there is no doubt that Jehoshua's blood provided us with full pardon and complete atonement.
Also, we read in this verse that Jehoshua ever liveth to make intercession for us. In Adventistism they teach that right before the Son of God makes His return, He will stand up from the most holy place and then henceforth we will be without a mediator before the Father. Again Paul contradicts this false teaching. He says that Jehoshua's intercession for us is forever. On the surface, it may make sense that we will be without a mediator for a short time as Messiah will leave the most holy place to redeem His people but when we look a little deeper this scenario falls apart. So, how does Messiah still intercede for us if He has to leave the presence of the Father for a short period to come get us? Let's go to Romans 8:
"26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
As you can see brethren, the Holy Spirit also makes intercession for the saints. Remember, the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son of God. So it is the very Spirit of Jehoshua that makes intercession for us. So even when the Messiah leaves the most holy place to come get His saints, the Holy Spirit that eternally proceeds from Him will still intercede for us even though His bodily presence will not be in the most holy place. The Adventists leave this important detail out in their investigative judgment teaching.
John 20:22 (KJV)
22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
This is just one of the verses that shows that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the substance of Jehoshua.
This is good news brothers and sisters, when the very end of time arrives and the saints are tried in persecution, we don't have to worry about not having a mediator for us before the Father. The Holy Spirit which proceedeth from the Son of God will meditate on our behalf as the Jehoshua descends to earth to redeem us.
Rather than the bad news of the investigative judgment, Paul the apostle paints an encouraging and empowering picture of the surety we have in Jehoshua as we see below in Romans 8.
Romans 8:34-39 (KJV)
34Who 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.35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39Nor 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.
Contrary to the false doctrine of the investigative judgment, Paul says that Jehoshua is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. This was long before 1844. Adventists will say that this is in the holy place but anyone who knows about the sanctuary knows that the Father's throne is in the most holy place. Again, the Adventists are refuted by scripture.
Also, Paul says that nothing can seperate us from the love of Messiah. Neither tribulation, persecution or famine or sword can seperate us from His love. Yet Adventists would have us believe that during the most trying time in human history, we will be without our Lord and Saviour interceding for us. This is downright demonic. Again, Paul the apostle refutes the heretical Adventist doctrine of the investigative judgment.
In verses 38 and 39 of Romans 8, Paul reiterates that absolutely nothing and nobody can seperate us from the love of God the Father which is in Messiah Jehoshua our Jehovah. The investigative judgment doctrine leaves believers without assurance of salvation and without assurance of Fatherly and brotherly love from Jehovah and Jehoshua. It also leaves believers without an intercessor before the Father during the most difficult time in human history. Only Satan himself could come up with such a blasphemous scenario.
Now back to Hebrews Chapter 7, vwrse 26, "high priest became us" The Messiah is suitable and fitting for His people. "Holy" purity and devotedness to God. "Harmless" not touched by any defection or evil, but is perfectly morally qualified to serve as His people's priest. "Undefiled" Jehoshua's moral integrity. "seperate from sinners, and made higher than the the heavens" Morally seperated from sinners and physically lifted up from this world. Again, the Son of God unlike the Levitical preists was perfect and absolutely Holy who needs not to have His sins atoned for as He was the spotless Lamb of God. This is why it is an error to compare Jehoshua's Priesthood with the Aaronic priesthood. The Levitical preists were mere humans who had to daily offer sacrifice for their own sins also. This is also why they were only allowed to go to the most holy place once a year.
On the other hand, Jehoshua has never sinned and He is the divine Son of God thereby He has by inheritance the right to go directly to the most holy place to start His ministration as High Priest. He need not offer daily sacrifices for His sins. His blood is so pure and white that it even cleansed us sinners so that we also have access to the most holy place through Him.
The abominable investigative judgment doctrine not only keepsJehoshua out of the most holy place for over 1800 years but us also who the Son of God redeemed. Again, this is objectionable teaching from hell.
Verse 27, unlike the Levitical preists, the Messiah has no need to offer sacrifice for His own sin (Leviticus 16:6-10). "For this he did once" The finality of Jehoshua's sacrifice plays a prominent role in the author's understanding of the Son of God's sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12, 26, 28; 10;10). "Offered up Himself" Jehoshua was active in His role of being sacrificed (John 10:18).
It's very important to understand the absolute finality of the Son of God's sacrifice. The investigative judgment teaches that His sacrifice was not final but rather a down payment for our atonement. Paul refutes this satanic heresy and says Jehoshua's sacrifice was made once when He died on the cross. Oh, the Adventists will say all the right things about Jehoshua's sacrifice being final but in reality they teach a partial atonement. They say that our sins are still kept on record for further review in the investigative judgment. However, as note before we don't come into judgment (John 5:24; Romans 8:1). Who are you going to believe? The Son of God and His apostle or Ellen White and her disciples?
Verse 28 of Hebrews 7, "infirmity weakness" the word of the oath stands in contrast to the law and guarantees a better priest who remains a priest for ever. One priesthood (Levites) was carnal meaning temporal according to the Mosaic administration and the other priesthood is divine according to the oath of the Almighty God under a new and better covenant. Do you see why it is ridiculous to even compare Messiah's preisthood with the Levitical preisthood?
To say that Jehoshua's Priestly ministry has to follow the same pattern as the Levites is missing the whole point of the book of Hebrews which is that the Levitical preisthood, including it's functions, is far inferior to the Melchisedec priesthood which is of a divine order and is perfect. Long live the Melchisedec priesthood and thank Jehovah for giving us His Son as not only our High Priest but also our King and our God.
Hebrews 8 study
Hebrews Chapter
8
1Now 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;2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:5Who 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.6But 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.7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.8For 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:9Not 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.10For 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:11And 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.12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Verse 1, again we see that Jehoshua as our High Priest was set on the right hand of the throne of God the Father and that it took place at His ascension. Where is God the Father's throne pictured in the old testament earthly sanctuary?
Exodus 25:17-22 (KJV)
17And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.18And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.19And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.20And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.21And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.22And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Jehovah's shekinah glory would dwell above the mercy seat between the two cherubim which was placed above the ark. All Adventists know that the ark of the covenant was located in the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary. Remember, that the earthly sanctuary was patterned after the original in heaven.
Numbers 7:89 (KJV)
89And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
Jehovah spoke to Moses from off the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony. We will show conclusively from the following scripture where the ark of the covenant was located within the tabernacle.
Exodus 26:33-34 (KJV)
33And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.34And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Verse 34 of Exodus is absolute evidence that the mercy-seat which sat upon the ark of the testimony was in the most holy place.
Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 7:89 show that right above the mercy seat upon the ark would be where Jehovah's presence would dwell via His Shekinah glory. This is where He would speak to Moses from.
The mercy-seat was symbolic of God's divine presence. With the sprinkling of blood on the mercy-seat, the judgment of God is transformed into grace and mercy. The mercy seat was made of pure gold. The two winged cherubs facing each other with their wings outstretched towards each other were on it. The mercy-seat was beaten or hammered from one solid piece of gold. It was placed above the ark.
So in regards to verse 1 of Hebrews 8, if Jehovah's throne was symbolized as being in the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary and the earthly is patterned after the heavenly, then we know for an absolute fact Jehovah's throne in heaven is in the most holy place. When Jehoshua ascended into Heaven and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty Jehovah God, there can be no other conclusion than that He went right into the most holy place at His ascension. The bible crystal clear on this absolute fact. God's throne didn't make a change of location all of a sudden after Messiah's ascension.
Jehoshua is a King Priest and thereby is not subject to the Levitical preists functions, which allowed access to the most holy place only once a year after ministration in the holy place for the rest of the year. Messiah is a King Priest who has returned to the glory of God. Unlike what Adventistism teaches, Jehoshua went directly to the most holy place at His ascension.
Verse 2, Messiah's priesthood in heaven surpasses the typical tabernacle/temple at which the Levitical preists served. The true tabernacle is in heaven and was not built by man but by the hand of God Himself. The book of Hebrews keeps showing us the superiority of the Messiah's preisthood over the Levitical preisthood. When we say that Jehoshua as High Priest has to perform the Levitical preistly functions in heaven, then we actually diminish His person (divinity), His Kingship and His priesthood. We lower Him down to a common priest rather than the Heavenly King Priest that He really is.
Verse 3, Every high priest was required to offer something to God. Jehoshua offered up Himself to God on behalf of the sins of His people.
Verse 4, the exaltation of the Messiah to heaven qualifies Him for a different priesthood. The Son of God's priesthood if it had remained on earth, would have been a priesthood that was not sufficiently greater than the Levitical preisthood.
Verse 5, the Levitical preists served a temporary and typological ministry. The old testament witnesses to the surpassing greatness of the Son of God, for He is the substance of the shadowy mystery of the priesthood. This is why it is a huge mistake to reduce Jehoshua's priestly ministry to the level of the Levitical preisthood, when we do so we inadvertently attack His person and Kingship. The functions of the Levitical preists were merely a shadow pointing to the substance of Messiah's preisthood. The substance is the real thing and the substance was Jehoshua's body that only needed to be offered once for all time. This is why Jehoshua could go right into the most holy place and sprinkle His blood on the mercy-seat. He as God’s Son and King was allowed by inheritance to skip the typical Levitical daily ministration in the holy place and therby enter through the veil into the most holy as He had made the atonement in full at the cross.
Verse 6, "more excellent ministry" The form in which it is ministered. This statement here by Paul continues to illustrate the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood, of which Messiah is a priest, over the Levitical preisthood. Adventists relegate the Son of God on an eqaul level with fallible men when they say that His priesthood in heaven has to be patterned after the Levitical preisthood in the old covenant. What makes Jehoshuas priestly ministry more excellent than the Levitical preisthood is the very thing Adventists deny, which is that Messiah went directly to the most holy place at His ascension and bypassed the holy place and it's daily ministration.
If Messiah paid the debt at the cross and if His sacrifice of Himself is a once and for all sacrifice then there is absolutely no need for Him to do daily ministration in the holy place. His blood ushered in the new covenant and is able to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
1 John 1;6-7 (KJV)
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Repentant sinners are counted clean and have fellowship with the Church, no longer shut out of Jehovah's holy presence. Where does Jehovah's presence dwell? In the most holy place! If we have had access to Jehovah God all the way back Messiah's ascension and His throne is in the most holy place, then that means the Son of God had to go right into the most holy place at His ascension. If the Son of God didn't go right into the most holy place at His ascension then we wouldn't have access to God the Father and we would still be in our sins and lost. Certainly we aren't above Jehoshua so if He didn't go to the most holy place at His ascension, the none of the saints could have access to the most holy place thereby meaning no access to the Father.
Hebrews 10:10-12 (KJV)
10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
It was Jehovah's will that we are sanctified through the offering of the Messiah's body. The emphasis here is the consecration Jehoshua's works effects for His people. The Son of God's incarnation was for the purpose of His atonement. "Once for all" the Messiah's sacrifice was final! This refutes the huge error that the atonement was only begun at the cross and that it continues in the heavenly sanctuary. Romans 5:11 also refutes the heresy that the atonement was not completed at the cross.
Romans 5:9-11 (KJV)
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Paul moves from the present reality to a ceratin future. Being justified in the present by His blood, summing up the benefit of the Messiah's atoning sufferings. Believers can be sure of safety from the wrath to come. When we were enemies we were reconciled (restored from wrath to a relationship of friendship); now the future is sure because of our living Savior's endless intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:24-25).
Not only is the future secure, but we exult and rejoice in Jehovah now because we already have atonement made in full in the Messiah. Remember, the Son of God said it was finished at the cross. Those who deny that Jehoshua finished the atonement at the cross tread dangerous ground as they count the blood of the Son of God as a common thing and thereby trample it under foot.
John 19:28-30 (KJV)
28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Verse 28, Jehoshua knew this was the time when "ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED". This verse leaves no doubt that what was about to transpire with the Messiah would finish His earthly ministry (John 17:4). Remember, one of the main purposes of His ministry was to reconcile the elect back to His Father. He could only do this by atoning in full for the elect. (Romans 5:9-11).
Verse 30, "It is finished". The Son of God had completed the work of fulfilling Jehovah's purposes (John 17:4) that He announced in Scripture (the same verb as "finished" is translated "accomplished" in verse 28. The full price is paid for the elect (John 10:14-15; Mark 10:45) and the wrath of God appeased toward believers (John 3;17, 36; 18:11).
It is serious error to deny that Jehoshua finished the atonement at the cross. Jehoshua confirms this in the passage above and Paul also leaves no doubt that the atonement has been made in full in Romans 5:9-11.
The investigative judgment is predicated on only partial atonement made at the cross or they say a down payment atonement. This teaching is also predicated on Jehoshua not going to the most holy place at His ascension as they know this would destroy their doctrine. To support their doctrine they need Messiah to emulate the old covenant Levitical preistly functions.
They say Messiah at His ascension, began His daily ministration in the holy place standing up. They teach that He didn't go into the most holy place until 1844 when He started cleansing the sanctuary beginning the antitypical day of atonement. This is when the investigative judgment starts for professed Christians of all time, the dead first then the living. They teach that the professed believer has his or her life record come into judgment in order to determine if they are worthy of Jehoshua's blood and eternal life.
This doctrine teaches that any unconfessed sin, even if it is something that was forgotten by the believer, will damn a professed believer to the lake of fire. As you can see from the scriptures we went over, this doctrine is contradicted by the bible and is outright blasphemous and demonic. It's an attack on the cross, Messiah's priesthood, His Kingship and ultimately on His divinity.
Luke 22:69-70 (KJV)
69Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.70Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
God's appointed King over all things for ever to sit at the right hand of the Father, the position of supreme Lordship, reigning with God's power (Psalm 110:1).
Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV)
13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
This took place after Jehoshua's ascension as He received His Kingdom which was inaugurated on earth on the day of Pentecost. Jehoshua received an everlasting Kingdom. He was anointed to have dominion over all tribes, tongues and nations. The gospel went out to all the world after the day of Pentecost and many people from various tribes, tongues and nations received it and were translated into the Son of God's Kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14).
We see from Luke 22 and Daniel 7, that the Son of God at His ascension would be brought to the Ancient of Days which is the Father. Jehoshua would be given His Kingdom by the Father and sit on the right hand of the Father's power
These two passages fit together like a glove. Clearly, the Father's throne is in the most holy place so we can safely conclude that the Son of man (Jehoshua) was brought to the most holy place. Luke 22 confirms that this would happen shortly after the Messiah's resurrection and ascension. This passage in Luke also confirms that the Son of God would dit down on the right hand of God after being brought to the Ancient of Days Jehovah.
Luke 20:41-44 (KJV)
41And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit tou on my right hand,43Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
This is another passage confirming from Jehoshua's own mouth that He was to sit on the right hand of God the Father. Jehoshua quotes Psalm 110;1-2. The Son of God is to sit at the right hand of God until His enemies be made his footstool which will be right before the second advent dispelling the myth of Him having to be a standing priest in the holy place.
Jehoshua conducts His Priesthood from His throne (sits on the right hand of God until enemies are His footstol) in the most holy place (right hand of God, upon mercy-seat-ark-throne). This happens at His ascension not 1800 years later (Hebrews 1).
This was the Messiah ultimately answering the scribes questioning of His authority. Jehoshua affirms His superiority over David implying His divinity and also affirms His coming Kingship.
Now back to verse 7 of Hebrews 8, many today are seeking to go back to a faulty covenant. Jehoshua came to earth and ratified the new covenant with His blood. God did not make a mistake with the old covenant but intentionally made it unable to take away people's sin. Those saved under the old covenant were saved by looking to Messiah, who was to bring in the new covenant.
Verse 8, the people were at fault for not being able to keep the old covenant and the Levitical preisthood was not sufficient to deal with their sin. The new covenant is a renewed covenant, not brand new however in it's substance. "House of Israel and House of Judah", not national houses of Israel and Judah but a spiritual house of those who by faith are the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:28-29).
Verse 9, National Israel continually broke the old covenant. This verse proves that the new covenant is different than the old and that while the substance is the same, the form of administration is different and far better. In the new covenant, the emphasis is living according to the Spirit of the Law. In the new covenant we offer spiritual sacrifices and have a King for our High Priest who already offered up Himself as the once and for all sacrifice. We now have access to the most holy place through the Son of God. We have received the full atonement and our consciences are clean due to the final sacrifice of Jehoshua's body and blood.
Our sins are forgiven and cast into the deep part of the sea as far as the east is from the west. The investigative judgment undermines all this and is a confusing mix of old covenant priestly functions, only a partial atonement made and supposedly still acknowledging justification by faith. The book of Hebrews by itself destroys the investigative judgment doctrine.
Verse 10, this refers to an internalization of the law. "I will be to them a God", this is standard covenantal formula from the old testament applied to the Church of the new testament (Genesis 17:7; Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12; Psalm 50:7; Jeremiah 7:23). There is continuity of substance between the old and new covenants.
Verse 11, though Jehovah has ordained preachers and teachers under the new covenant (Ephesians 4:11), all the new covenant people of God have an experiential knowledge of Jehovah by the Holy Spirit's work through the Word (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3-4, 13, 27).
Verse 12, "their sins and iniquities will I remember no more", there will no longer be any need to offer anything for sins because the Son of God has finally and fully offered Himself and atoned for sins. Do you see this? Jehovah God doesn't remember our sins anymore once we have become born again into His Son's Kingdom. The Investigative judgment teaches that our sins are kept on record for further review in the future (investigative judgment). This is heresy and contradicts the word of God. Jehovah Himself says that He will remember our sins no more as a result of the new covenant which was ratified by His Son's blood. Those who teach that we don't have full atonement at the cross and that our sins are not fully forgotten by the Father are calling Jehovah a liar.
As the scripture says, "Let God be true and every man a liar"!!
Verse 13, the old covenant was decaying and waxing old at the time of this writing. It had already been made old and invalid by the Son of God's ransom sacrifice but many of the Jews were still holding on to it. Paul said that it was ready to vanish away. Many place the book of Hebrews to be written in the AD 60's which would be shortly before AD 70 when the temple was destroyed by the Roman armies thereby for ever sealing the fate of the old covenant sacrificial ceremonial system.
The new covenant supercedes the old covenant by establishing better promises. The old covenant gave us an imperfect human priesthood with animal blood sacrifices that cannot clean the conscience. The new covenant gives us a Divine Priest that is perfect and gives us access to the most holy place (since His ascension) as He operates His Priesthood from the most holy place upon His throne. His sacrifice of Himself was once for all and His blood cleans our consciences clean as snow.
The investigative judgment doctrine seeks to take us back to the old covenant with a priest that has to stand up and do daily ministration in the holy place therby limiting our access to the first apartment of the sanctuary. The new covenant gives us a Priest that goes directly to the most holy place, performing His ministration upon His throne as King, thereby giving us direct access to the second apartment of the sanctuary.
1Now 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;2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:5Who 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.6But 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.7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.8For 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:9Not 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.10For 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:11And 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.12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Verse 1, again we see that Jehoshua as our High Priest was set on the right hand of the throne of God the Father and that it took place at His ascension. Where is God the Father's throne pictured in the old testament earthly sanctuary?
Exodus 25:17-22 (KJV)
17And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.18And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.19And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.20And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.21And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.22And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Jehovah's shekinah glory would dwell above the mercy seat between the two cherubim which was placed above the ark. All Adventists know that the ark of the covenant was located in the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary. Remember, that the earthly sanctuary was patterned after the original in heaven.
Numbers 7:89 (KJV)
89And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
Jehovah spoke to Moses from off the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony. We will show conclusively from the following scripture where the ark of the covenant was located within the tabernacle.
Exodus 26:33-34 (KJV)
33And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.34And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Verse 34 of Exodus is absolute evidence that the mercy-seat which sat upon the ark of the testimony was in the most holy place.
Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 7:89 show that right above the mercy seat upon the ark would be where Jehovah's presence would dwell via His Shekinah glory. This is where He would speak to Moses from.
The mercy-seat was symbolic of God's divine presence. With the sprinkling of blood on the mercy-seat, the judgment of God is transformed into grace and mercy. The mercy seat was made of pure gold. The two winged cherubs facing each other with their wings outstretched towards each other were on it. The mercy-seat was beaten or hammered from one solid piece of gold. It was placed above the ark.
So in regards to verse 1 of Hebrews 8, if Jehovah's throne was symbolized as being in the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary and the earthly is patterned after the heavenly, then we know for an absolute fact Jehovah's throne in heaven is in the most holy place. When Jehoshua ascended into Heaven and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty Jehovah God, there can be no other conclusion than that He went right into the most holy place at His ascension. The bible crystal clear on this absolute fact. God's throne didn't make a change of location all of a sudden after Messiah's ascension.
Jehoshua is a King Priest and thereby is not subject to the Levitical preists functions, which allowed access to the most holy place only once a year after ministration in the holy place for the rest of the year. Messiah is a King Priest who has returned to the glory of God. Unlike what Adventistism teaches, Jehoshua went directly to the most holy place at His ascension.
Verse 2, Messiah's priesthood in heaven surpasses the typical tabernacle/temple at which the Levitical preists served. The true tabernacle is in heaven and was not built by man but by the hand of God Himself. The book of Hebrews keeps showing us the superiority of the Messiah's preisthood over the Levitical preisthood. When we say that Jehoshua as High Priest has to perform the Levitical preistly functions in heaven, then we actually diminish His person (divinity), His Kingship and His priesthood. We lower Him down to a common priest rather than the Heavenly King Priest that He really is.
Verse 3, Every high priest was required to offer something to God. Jehoshua offered up Himself to God on behalf of the sins of His people.
Verse 4, the exaltation of the Messiah to heaven qualifies Him for a different priesthood. The Son of God's priesthood if it had remained on earth, would have been a priesthood that was not sufficiently greater than the Levitical preisthood.
Verse 5, the Levitical preists served a temporary and typological ministry. The old testament witnesses to the surpassing greatness of the Son of God, for He is the substance of the shadowy mystery of the priesthood. This is why it is a huge mistake to reduce Jehoshua's priestly ministry to the level of the Levitical preisthood, when we do so we inadvertently attack His person and Kingship. The functions of the Levitical preists were merely a shadow pointing to the substance of Messiah's preisthood. The substance is the real thing and the substance was Jehoshua's body that only needed to be offered once for all time. This is why Jehoshua could go right into the most holy place and sprinkle His blood on the mercy-seat. He as God’s Son and King was allowed by inheritance to skip the typical Levitical daily ministration in the holy place and therby enter through the veil into the most holy as He had made the atonement in full at the cross.
Verse 6, "more excellent ministry" The form in which it is ministered. This statement here by Paul continues to illustrate the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood, of which Messiah is a priest, over the Levitical preisthood. Adventists relegate the Son of God on an eqaul level with fallible men when they say that His priesthood in heaven has to be patterned after the Levitical preisthood in the old covenant. What makes Jehoshuas priestly ministry more excellent than the Levitical preisthood is the very thing Adventists deny, which is that Messiah went directly to the most holy place at His ascension and bypassed the holy place and it's daily ministration.
If Messiah paid the debt at the cross and if His sacrifice of Himself is a once and for all sacrifice then there is absolutely no need for Him to do daily ministration in the holy place. His blood ushered in the new covenant and is able to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
1 John 1;6-7 (KJV)
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Repentant sinners are counted clean and have fellowship with the Church, no longer shut out of Jehovah's holy presence. Where does Jehovah's presence dwell? In the most holy place! If we have had access to Jehovah God all the way back Messiah's ascension and His throne is in the most holy place, then that means the Son of God had to go right into the most holy place at His ascension. If the Son of God didn't go right into the most holy place at His ascension then we wouldn't have access to God the Father and we would still be in our sins and lost. Certainly we aren't above Jehoshua so if He didn't go to the most holy place at His ascension, the none of the saints could have access to the most holy place thereby meaning no access to the Father.
Hebrews 10:10-12 (KJV)
10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
It was Jehovah's will that we are sanctified through the offering of the Messiah's body. The emphasis here is the consecration Jehoshua's works effects for His people. The Son of God's incarnation was for the purpose of His atonement. "Once for all" the Messiah's sacrifice was final! This refutes the huge error that the atonement was only begun at the cross and that it continues in the heavenly sanctuary. Romans 5:11 also refutes the heresy that the atonement was not completed at the cross.
Romans 5:9-11 (KJV)
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Paul moves from the present reality to a ceratin future. Being justified in the present by His blood, summing up the benefit of the Messiah's atoning sufferings. Believers can be sure of safety from the wrath to come. When we were enemies we were reconciled (restored from wrath to a relationship of friendship); now the future is sure because of our living Savior's endless intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:24-25).
Not only is the future secure, but we exult and rejoice in Jehovah now because we already have atonement made in full in the Messiah. Remember, the Son of God said it was finished at the cross. Those who deny that Jehoshua finished the atonement at the cross tread dangerous ground as they count the blood of the Son of God as a common thing and thereby trample it under foot.
John 19:28-30 (KJV)
28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Verse 28, Jehoshua knew this was the time when "ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED". This verse leaves no doubt that what was about to transpire with the Messiah would finish His earthly ministry (John 17:4). Remember, one of the main purposes of His ministry was to reconcile the elect back to His Father. He could only do this by atoning in full for the elect. (Romans 5:9-11).
Verse 30, "It is finished". The Son of God had completed the work of fulfilling Jehovah's purposes (John 17:4) that He announced in Scripture (the same verb as "finished" is translated "accomplished" in verse 28. The full price is paid for the elect (John 10:14-15; Mark 10:45) and the wrath of God appeased toward believers (John 3;17, 36; 18:11).
It is serious error to deny that Jehoshua finished the atonement at the cross. Jehoshua confirms this in the passage above and Paul also leaves no doubt that the atonement has been made in full in Romans 5:9-11.
The investigative judgment is predicated on only partial atonement made at the cross or they say a down payment atonement. This teaching is also predicated on Jehoshua not going to the most holy place at His ascension as they know this would destroy their doctrine. To support their doctrine they need Messiah to emulate the old covenant Levitical preistly functions.
They say Messiah at His ascension, began His daily ministration in the holy place standing up. They teach that He didn't go into the most holy place until 1844 when He started cleansing the sanctuary beginning the antitypical day of atonement. This is when the investigative judgment starts for professed Christians of all time, the dead first then the living. They teach that the professed believer has his or her life record come into judgment in order to determine if they are worthy of Jehoshua's blood and eternal life.
This doctrine teaches that any unconfessed sin, even if it is something that was forgotten by the believer, will damn a professed believer to the lake of fire. As you can see from the scriptures we went over, this doctrine is contradicted by the bible and is outright blasphemous and demonic. It's an attack on the cross, Messiah's priesthood, His Kingship and ultimately on His divinity.
Luke 22:69-70 (KJV)
69Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.70Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
God's appointed King over all things for ever to sit at the right hand of the Father, the position of supreme Lordship, reigning with God's power (Psalm 110:1).
Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV)
13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
This took place after Jehoshua's ascension as He received His Kingdom which was inaugurated on earth on the day of Pentecost. Jehoshua received an everlasting Kingdom. He was anointed to have dominion over all tribes, tongues and nations. The gospel went out to all the world after the day of Pentecost and many people from various tribes, tongues and nations received it and were translated into the Son of God's Kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14).
We see from Luke 22 and Daniel 7, that the Son of God at His ascension would be brought to the Ancient of Days which is the Father. Jehoshua would be given His Kingdom by the Father and sit on the right hand of the Father's power
These two passages fit together like a glove. Clearly, the Father's throne is in the most holy place so we can safely conclude that the Son of man (Jehoshua) was brought to the most holy place. Luke 22 confirms that this would happen shortly after the Messiah's resurrection and ascension. This passage in Luke also confirms that the Son of God would dit down on the right hand of God after being brought to the Ancient of Days Jehovah.
Luke 20:41-44 (KJV)
41And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit tou on my right hand,43Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
This is another passage confirming from Jehoshua's own mouth that He was to sit on the right hand of God the Father. Jehoshua quotes Psalm 110;1-2. The Son of God is to sit at the right hand of God until His enemies be made his footstool which will be right before the second advent dispelling the myth of Him having to be a standing priest in the holy place.
Jehoshua conducts His Priesthood from His throne (sits on the right hand of God until enemies are His footstol) in the most holy place (right hand of God, upon mercy-seat-ark-throne). This happens at His ascension not 1800 years later (Hebrews 1).
This was the Messiah ultimately answering the scribes questioning of His authority. Jehoshua affirms His superiority over David implying His divinity and also affirms His coming Kingship.
Now back to verse 7 of Hebrews 8, many today are seeking to go back to a faulty covenant. Jehoshua came to earth and ratified the new covenant with His blood. God did not make a mistake with the old covenant but intentionally made it unable to take away people's sin. Those saved under the old covenant were saved by looking to Messiah, who was to bring in the new covenant.
Verse 8, the people were at fault for not being able to keep the old covenant and the Levitical preisthood was not sufficient to deal with their sin. The new covenant is a renewed covenant, not brand new however in it's substance. "House of Israel and House of Judah", not national houses of Israel and Judah but a spiritual house of those who by faith are the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:28-29).
Verse 9, National Israel continually broke the old covenant. This verse proves that the new covenant is different than the old and that while the substance is the same, the form of administration is different and far better. In the new covenant, the emphasis is living according to the Spirit of the Law. In the new covenant we offer spiritual sacrifices and have a King for our High Priest who already offered up Himself as the once and for all sacrifice. We now have access to the most holy place through the Son of God. We have received the full atonement and our consciences are clean due to the final sacrifice of Jehoshua's body and blood.
Our sins are forgiven and cast into the deep part of the sea as far as the east is from the west. The investigative judgment undermines all this and is a confusing mix of old covenant priestly functions, only a partial atonement made and supposedly still acknowledging justification by faith. The book of Hebrews by itself destroys the investigative judgment doctrine.
Verse 10, this refers to an internalization of the law. "I will be to them a God", this is standard covenantal formula from the old testament applied to the Church of the new testament (Genesis 17:7; Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12; Psalm 50:7; Jeremiah 7:23). There is continuity of substance between the old and new covenants.
Verse 11, though Jehovah has ordained preachers and teachers under the new covenant (Ephesians 4:11), all the new covenant people of God have an experiential knowledge of Jehovah by the Holy Spirit's work through the Word (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3-4, 13, 27).
Verse 12, "their sins and iniquities will I remember no more", there will no longer be any need to offer anything for sins because the Son of God has finally and fully offered Himself and atoned for sins. Do you see this? Jehovah God doesn't remember our sins anymore once we have become born again into His Son's Kingdom. The Investigative judgment teaches that our sins are kept on record for further review in the future (investigative judgment). This is heresy and contradicts the word of God. Jehovah Himself says that He will remember our sins no more as a result of the new covenant which was ratified by His Son's blood. Those who teach that we don't have full atonement at the cross and that our sins are not fully forgotten by the Father are calling Jehovah a liar.
As the scripture says, "Let God be true and every man a liar"!!
Verse 13, the old covenant was decaying and waxing old at the time of this writing. It had already been made old and invalid by the Son of God's ransom sacrifice but many of the Jews were still holding on to it. Paul said that it was ready to vanish away. Many place the book of Hebrews to be written in the AD 60's which would be shortly before AD 70 when the temple was destroyed by the Roman armies thereby for ever sealing the fate of the old covenant sacrificial ceremonial system.
The new covenant supercedes the old covenant by establishing better promises. The old covenant gave us an imperfect human priesthood with animal blood sacrifices that cannot clean the conscience. The new covenant gives us a Divine Priest that is perfect and gives us access to the most holy place (since His ascension) as He operates His Priesthood from the most holy place upon His throne. His sacrifice of Himself was once for all and His blood cleans our consciences clean as snow.
The investigative judgment doctrine seeks to take us back to the old covenant with a priest that has to stand up and do daily ministration in the holy place therby limiting our access to the first apartment of the sanctuary. The new covenant gives us a Priest that goes directly to the most holy place, performing His ministration upon His throne as King, thereby giving us direct access to the second apartment of the sanctuary.
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