Hebrews 9, the Priesthood of Jehoshua

My study on Hebrews 9, the priesthood of Jehoshua

Hebrews Chapter 9

1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.2For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;5And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.6Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.7But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:8The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,20Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.21Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Verses 1-7, this section describes various parts of the old covenant ministry of the priests in the tabernacle. Jehoshua's ministry is better. It's important to understand that there is a marked difference between the Levitical priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. In these first seven verses of Hebrews 9 we see a description of the sanctuary. Paul uses the term tabernacle rather than temple possibly due to the wilderness theme throughout the book of Hebrews. The tabernacle and temple kept the same basic design. The outer sanctuary was accesible only to the levites, and the inner sanctuary to the High Priest once a year on the day of atonement. The first sanctuary or holy place in the tabernacle had the candlestick, table of shewbread and altar of incense. These articles of furniture had/have typological significance pointing to the person and work of Messiah.

In verse 3, the second veil is referenced. There were two curtains in the tabernacle, one separating the court from the holy place and the second, the holy place from the most holy place (Exodus 26:31-35). Tabernacle, Holy of Holies (Holiest of all). This is key to remember because it tells us when Jehoshua went into the most holy place.

Verse 4, the most important piece of furniture in the tabernacle is the ark of the covenant. The ark contains the mercyseat where the blood of the atonement was sprinkled once a year (Exodus 25:10-16). Jehoshua as the first fruits had to present Himself to the Father after His resurrection. If the Father's throne is in the most holy place as the sanctuary tells us, both in earthly type and in the original in heaven, then Messiah had to go to the most holy place to present Himself. The bible says He atoned for our sins at the cross and He presented Himself after His resurrection to the Father sprinkling His blood on the mercyseat. This could only be done if Jehoshua went to the most holy place after His resurrection.

1John 2:1-2 (KJV)

1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The word propitiation comes from the Greek word "hilasmos" (Strongs 2434) and means "atonement, i.e., an expiator, propitiation."

Continuing in verse 4, The manna that was in the ark of the covenant represents Jehovah's faithfulness and provision for His people. As the Israelites of old, we as Messianics are in our own wilderness experience as pilgrims waiting for the arrival of our permanent home which is New Jerusalem. Jehoshua is also the manna, the bread of life that came down from heaven. We eat of His body spiritually as He even said so in John 6:51-54:

51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world 52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

In verse 4 we also see Aaron's rod mentioned. This represented Aaron's as the designated chosen head of the priestly line. Jehoshua is now our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Levitical priesthood is abolished. The tables of the covenant are in the most holy place and they contain the 10 commandments. As the 10 commandments were in the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary, they are also in the heavenly sanctuary which is the sanctuary that Jehovah pitched.

Revelation 11:16-19 (KJV)

16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.18And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Understanding he truth about the heavenly sanctuary is very important for today's beleiver in Messiah. The above pasaage in Revelation 11 reveals that there is a literal heavenly temple with a literal ark of the covenant containing the testimony i.e. 10 commandments. It's also key to recognize the importance of the the Messiah's priestly ministry. The Son of God sits at the right hand of Jehovah in the most holy place interceding for us. We are told by the beloved disciple John in his 1st epistle to not sin but that if we do we have Jehoshua as our advocate.

The word advocate comes from the Greek word "parakletos" which means "an intercessor, consoler: advocate, comforter"

It's noteworthy that the 10 commandments are also in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary where the Son of God intercedes for us as we are told in 1 John chapter 3 that sin is the transgression of the law:

4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Sin is the transgression of the law and we are told to sin not, yet if we do sin we have a comforter who intercedes for us. This passage refutes the antinomian churches that the law of Jehovah is abolished. In verse 6 where it says "whoever sinneth hath not seen him", this is in the greek present tense meaning continuing in constant sin without repentance.

We are told to boldly come before the throne of grace. The throne of grace is the mercyseat where our Messiah intercedes for us. When we fall into temptation we must come to the Father in the name of the Son and ask forgiveness. This is a function of the Son of God as our High Priest to ask forgiveness when we transgress the law.  John encourages beleivers to not sin but he also lets them know that if they do, Messiah will intercede for them provided they come to the throne of grace.

1 John 5:2-3 (KJV)

2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

It is ridiculous to say that God's law is done away with when we are told by John to keep the commandments and also encouraged not to violate them which is sin. This is why the commandments are so prominent in the book of Revelation as it relates to the heavenly temple and priesthood of Messiah and the end time importance of all these things.

Verse 5 of Hebrews 9, the cherubims of glory. Jehovah's glory rested over these angelic beings symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. Mercyseat. The covering of the ark of the covenant where blood was sprinkled. The mercyseat represented the way of access to Jehovah, and God's forgiveness of His people.

Verse 6, priests would enter into the holy place  (first tabernacle) daily. These priests were faithful in their daily ministrations.

Verse 7, the second, the holy of holies. Once every year. Day of atonement. The High Priest had to offer blood for himself and the sins of the people.

Verse 8, the Holy Spirit declared the rituals to show that the earthly tabernacle was just a type or picture of true salvation. The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest. The tabernacle and priestly ordinances were not able to give perfect access to God in the Holy of Holies. The tabernacle veiled people from unbroken communion with God. Verse 8 makes no sense if the Messiah only went to the holy place at His ascension. While the first tabernacle was standing, the way into the most holy place wasn't made manifest meaning "revealed". This infers that the way into the Holy of Holies has now been revealed now that the first tabernacle and it's services are now obselete.

Matthew 23:38 (KJV)

38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Matthew 27:51 (KJV)

51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Acts 17:24 (KJV)

24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

So if the way into the Holy of Holies was made manifest in the new covenant as declared by the Holy Spirit, then clearly Jehoshua had to go right to the most holy place at His ascension showing us the way into the most holy place. If He had to wait until 1844, then verse 8 makes no sense and believers all the way up to 1844 had not been revealed the way into the holiest and didn't have direct access to the throne of grace which is in the Holy of Holies. This would then mean they were still in the old covenant until 1844 as they and the Messiah only had access to the first tabernacle.

Back to Hebrews 9, verse 9, the tabernacle is a comparison of the heavenly tabernacle. The sacrifices of priests could not cleanse the conscience but were merely an outward cleansing.

Verse 10, Jehoshua was the original reformer. The whole old testament system was unable to bring the people to perfection. It served only a temporary function, and pointed forward to a time when great change and renewal (reformation) would be administered. One of the things that makes Jehoshua a reformer is that He through His death abolished the imperfect Levitical priesthood and became our High Priest of a much better order. One of the key factors of Jehoshua's priesthood being better and being a complete reformation from the old order, is that He doesn't have to follow the Levitical protocol. As Priest of the Melchizedek order, Messiah went right to the most holy place at His ascension and conducts His priesthood from His throne sitting down.

The Levitical priests could only go to the most holy place once a year after conducting their daily service in the holy place standing up. The Levitical priesthood did not grant the people direct access to Jehovah God except once a year on the day of atonement. If the Son of God had to wait until 1844 to go to the most holy place, then there really was no reformation done by Jehoshua at the cross and in effect the saints before 1844 were in the same predicament as the Israelites of old. This means they would have had no access to God the Father until 1844. Clearly, God the Father's throne is in the most holy place as represented in the earthly sanctuary which is a copy of the true heavenly one. If Messiah at His ascension went to sit at the Father's right hand, then we can be assured that He went right to the throne room which is clearly in the most holy place.

Verses 11-12, a comparison between the ceremonial aspects of the old covenant and Messiah's works, described in Levitical terms. "good things to come", likely to be understood in both the present time and a future time. "by a greater and more perfect tabernacle" Jehoshua entered the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 7:26;8:2) to bring His people into the presence of God. This could only be true if the Son of God went directly to the most holy place at His ascension. Remember that Jehovah's shekinah presence in the earthly sanctuary was in the most holy place above the mercy seat. The same is true in the true heavenly sanctuary.

"Eternal redemption" and "once into the holy place" - unlike the Levitical High Priest that entered the holy place every year to cover the sins of Israel, Jehoshua entered the holy place through His death only once yo offer everlasting atonement. The Son of God's sacrifice only needed to be offered once, not continually or daily.  This is why it makes no sense for the Messiah to have to wait until 1844 to go into the most holy place. If He only went to the holy place to emaulate the old covenant protocol of daily ministration in the first apartment then in effect thatbis saying that the Son of God didn't obtain eternal redemption for us thereby nullfying His sacrifice on the cross.

This is the very thing that seperates the Levitical High Priest from the Melchizedek High Priest. One had to do daily ministry in the holy place standing up with the blood of calves and goats and only had access to the most holy place once a year. The other went directly to the most holy place making atonement with His very own blood and conducts His priesthood from His throne as a King-Priest.

By reducing the Messiah's priesthood to a replica of the Levitical priesthood we are disresepecting His finished work at the cross. Because in effect we are saying His blood wasn't enough to make atonement for sins and thereby reducing the value of His blood to that of goats and calves.

"For us" Jehoshua's death was for His people, that is, for their benefit and in their place.

Verses 13-14, the author of Hebrews lays out the implications of Jehoshua's sacrifice for beleivers. The priestly sacrifices cleansed only the flesh. The Messiah's death (blood) cleanses (purge) the conscience, laden with guilt of sins as it is. By virtue of Messiah's divine nature (eternal Spirit), His sacrifice was a spiritual sacrifice and is therefore effective. The Son of God was the perfect (without spot) Lamb of sacrifice. The Messiah had the fullness of the Father's eternal Spirit in Him.

"Dead works". Any works we might seek to perform to gain acceptance with God are defiled by sin like a dead body. Through Jehoshua's sacrifice, beleivers are able to offer themselves as living sacrifices and thus enabled to serve the living God. This verse proves that the living God is the Father not a trinity. Jehoshua through the Holy Spirit purged our conscience from dead works to serve the Living God. This shows that neither Jehoshua or the Holy Spirit are the living God themselves but that through Jehoshua's death, they both worked to bring us in right relationship with the  the remaining member of the Godhead which is the Father i.e. the Living God.

Verse 15, the Son of God perfects the mediation between Jehovah and His people. "And for this cause" Jehoshua's work shows Him to be the mediator of the new covenant. "For the redemption of the transgressions" that is, all sins past and present committed by the people for whom He died. Even sins committed under the old covenant were not forgiven by the blood of bulls and goats, but in advance, by virtue of what Messiah's sacrifice  was sure to accomplish. Those effectually called by the gospel already receive the benefits of the promise, though they still wait for their eternal inheritance.

Verse 16, "testament" the Greek word diatheke commonly means "covenant", and translates the Hebrew word for covenant, berith. However the author is bringing in the added significance of a firm anf settled testament, being effectual onlu upon death of the One who makes it. "Necessity" MesI siah's death was required so that He could pass on His inheritance to His brothers. We are joint heirs with our elder brother Jehoshua proving that the Godhead is a Family with Jehovah as our Father. This is a total rebuke to the SDA Tri theistic godhead teaching of the three independent god beings united as a committee locking us out of the Godhead as in this antichrist view there are no family relations in the Godhead . We as sons and daughters of God are part of the Godhead family in which we are a people called by Jehovah's name.

Verse 17, a testament or covenant cannot exist without the shedding of blood. As with the first covenant (Ex 24:6-7), the second was also established through blood, specifically through the blood of Messiah. Once the testator has died there is no way to annul the testament, rendering it absolute.

Verse 18, "whereupon". Therefore, drawing a conclusion from verses 16-17. "First testament". The Mosaic covenant was Instituted with blood  because there was a self-malediction curse incorporated with the covenant. "Dedicated". Inaugurated. The old covenant was inaugurated by the blood of animals.

Verse 19, "for when Moses had spoken". An allusion to Exodus 24:3-8. "Sprinkled both the book, and all the people." Everything under the old covenant was ceremonially purified with blood.

Verses 20-21 Jehovah commanded perfect obdience from the people in the Mosaic covenant  (Leviticus 18:5). Moses sprinkled the tabernacle and all its vessels.

Verse 22, remisson meaning forgiveness. Thankfully we no longer have to sacrifice animals to receive remission of sins, we have the one time sacrifice of Jehoshua's shed blood that provided forgiveness of our sins.

Verse 23, the pattern tabernacle on earth was purified with the blood of calves and goats (verse 19) "the heavenly things themselves". Not that heaven was unclean, but the bringing of guilty sinners into the Holy places would defile them unless they were purified with the Messiah's blood.

Verse 24, why cling to a brick and mortar building if the Son of God is in heaven itself? Jehoshua only needs to to appear in the presence of Jehovah on behalf of His people and it is more than enough. We might want to ask, where is the presence of Jehovah in the heavenly 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.

The mercy seat was symbolic of Jehovah's divine throne and presence. With the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat, the judgement of God is transformed into grace and mercy. Clearly, any believer with even a bit of bible knowledge knows that the mercy seat sat on top of the ark of the covenant which is in the most holy place in the sanctuary. Remember, that the earthly sanctuary is merely a copy of the heavenly which means that Jehovah's divine presence and throne in heaven is also in the most holy place.

So if the Messiah appeared in the presence of God at the time of the writing of the book of Hebrews and clearly according to Exodus 25:17-22 the presence and throne of Jehovah is in the most holy place, then that means that Jehoshua went to the most holy place way before 1844. The book of Hebrews was likely written before AD 70.

Verse 25, Jehoshua only had to make one atonement for sins and that was at the cross. Unlike the earthly priesthood of the Levites, the priesthood of Melchizedek is far superior in that only one had sacrifice had to be made for atonement (Messiah's death on the cross). Also, Melchizedek's (Jehoshua) priesthood was granted permanent access to the most holy place once the atonement was made. The Levitical priests were only granted access to the most holy place once a year on the day of atonement and then had to return to their daily ministry in the first apartment (holy place).

In verse 26 of Hebrews, Jehoshua's death is only once. "End of the world" Not a reference to the temporal end of history, but the perfection of the ages. History moves toward a definite goal and the Son of God is moving His people to this goal. "Put away" remove or cancel.

Verse 27, man dies once so this should caution us in believing in these stories where people claim they died and went to heaven or hell and then came back to tell about it. After death, the next event for man will be the judgement. The judgement takes place right after the second advent of Jehoshua. This then negates the false teaching that men go right to heaven after they die or to hell. One cannot be granted entry into heaven or the lake of fire without being judged and since the judgement is after the second advent and there is no interim purgatory type place then what becomes of man at death?

Well, he simply sleeps as the bible says the dead know nothing. He will be awaken at the resurrection whether the resurrection of the just or unjust and then he will face judgement.

Verse 28, "to bear the sins of many" an allusion to Isaiah 53:4, emphasizing substitution. "Shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation". When Jehoshua returns with the clouds, He will not appear bearing the sins of His people in order to die again, but to bring His final salvation in.