Letter to the Hebrews Study

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Short Summary
The study explores the purpose of the Epistle to the Hebrews, emphasizing its aim to encourage early Hebrew Christians to recognize the superiority of Jesus over previous religious figures and systems, such as angels, Moses, and the Aaronic priesthood. It highlights Jesus as the mediator of a better covenant based on better promises, offering a perfect, eternal priesthood and a better hope for salvation than the old law, ultimately underscoring the transition from the old covenant to a new spiritual relationship with God through Christ.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Hebrews Epistle Study

Context and Purpose of Hebrews:
– Initially, the Book of Hebrews was studied as a historical interpretation of the wilderness tabernacle.
– The study shifted to understanding its original purpose: addressing young Hebrew Christians facing challenges from their Jewish families who questioned their faith.
– Families questioned the legitimacy of Christianity, citing lack of temple, priesthood, law, or covenant as in Judaism, and Jesus’ humble origins and crucifixion.
– The author (traditionally attributed to Paul, though debated) aimed to show these Christians that they possessed a superior covenant and faith through Christ.
– The letter was meant to strengthen their faith amidst opposition, not merely to offer historical interpretations.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NLT) Highlights:
– God spoke to ancestors through prophets but now speaks through His Son.
– The Son is heir of all things, creator, radiates God’s glory, sustains all by power, and after cleansing sins, sits at God’s right hand.
– This passage emphasizes moving beyond the Law to a relationship with Christ.
– Hebrews 2:1 warns to pay close attention to this revelation to avoid drifting away.

Challenges for Early Hebrew Christians:
– The temple still stood, so many doubted Jesus was Messiah since visible conditions hadn’t changed.
– Paul uses Old Testament figures and prophecies to show Jesus as their fulfillment.
– This bolsters faith by connecting Jesus to Jewish history and promises.
– There was tension between Jewish and Gentile Christians, with some straddling Jewish customs and Christian faith.
– The epistle addresses this by emphasizing Jesus’ superiority and the fullness of the Christian faith.

Jesus is Superior to Angels (Hebrews 1:4-5):
– Jesus is the Son, not a servant or angel.
– The resurrection is likened to “I have begotten you today,” showing Jesus’ superiority.
– Jesus is the Creator and sustainer of all, unlike angels who are created beings.
– Key verse: Hebrews 1:4 “He became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”
– Related scriptures: Philippians 2:9 (Jesus exalted to highest place), Psalm 2:7 (Sonship).

Jesus is Superior to Moses (Hebrews 3:3-6):
– Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house; Jesus is faithful as Son over God’s house.
– The builder has more honor than the house itself.
– This comparison shows Jesus’ greater glory and authority.
– Emphasizes transition from fleshly Israel (Moses) to spiritual Israel (Christ and believers).

Melchizedek is Superior to Abraham (Hebrews 7:4-7):
– Abraham, the patriarch, gave tithes to Melchizedek, implying Melchizedek’s superiority.
– Melchizedek was king and priest, while Abraham was neither.
– Levi (ancestor of Aaronic priests) was not yet born when Abraham paid tithes, indicating Aaronic priesthood’s inferiority.
– Jesus is a high priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” superior to Aaronic priesthood.

Jesus’ Priesthood is Superior to Aaron’s (Hebrews 7:11-17, 20-25):
– The Levitical priesthood was weak and could not perfect or fully atone for sin.
– Jesus is a priest of an eternal order, not by a fleshly command but by the power of an endless life.
– He holds his priesthood by oath (Hebrews 7:21), guaranteeing a better covenant.
– Unlike mortal priests who died and were replaced, Jesus lives forever to intercede for believers.
– Hebrews 8:1-2 describe Jesus as high priest serving in the true heavenly tabernacle, not one made by human hands.

Better Hope and Better Covenant (Hebrews 7:19; 8:6; 10:10-11):
– The old law was weak and could not bring perfection or remove sin.
– The new covenant, mediated by Jesus, offers better promises: spiritual blessings, eternal life, and direct relationship with God.
– Jeremiah 31:31-34 is referenced about God writing the law on hearts, not stone tablets.
– Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all, unlike repeated animal sacrifices.
– The new covenant mediates forgiveness and cleansing of sin, not just awareness of sin.
– Colossians 1:27 (“Christ in you, the hope of glory”) expresses the internalized spiritual hope.
– The new covenant involves the entire body of Christ as mediator, not just a single priest.

Jesus as the Fulfillment of Better Sacrifices (Hebrews 9:23-26):
– Heavenly things require better sacrifices than earthly ordinances.
– Jesus’ sacrifice at the end of the ages does away with sin once and for all.
– This replaces the old covenant sacrifices which could not truly cleanse sin.

Practical Lessons and Encouragement:
– The epistle encourages believers not to drift away or lose faith despite external challenges.
– It shows the continuity and fulfillment from the Old Testament to the New Testament in Jesus.
– The study encourages deep personal reflection on the superiority of Christ and the new covenant.
– The letter offers hope, patience, and endurance, especially in times of trial and transition.
– The Book of Hebrews is essential for understanding the relationship between Jewish and Christian faith, the nature of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the hope for eternal life.

Closing Reflections:
– The study highlighted the importance of the epistle in providing a complete understanding of God’s plan.
– The epistle clarifies the superiority of Christ’s priesthood, covenant, and sacrifice.
– It exhorts believers to hold firmly to their faith and the better hope offered through Jesus.
– The Book of Hebrews complements the Book of Revelation and overall Christian doctrine.
– Participants were urged to study the epistle deeply for its rich theological insights and encouragement in faith.

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Key Bible Verses Referenced:

– Hebrews 1:1-3 (NLT) — God’s final revelation through His Son.
– Hebrews 1:4-5 — Jesus superior to angels.
– Philippians 2:9 — God exalted Jesus.
– Hebrews 3:3-6 — Jesus superior to Moses.
– Hebrews 7:4-7, 11-17, 20-25 — Melchizedek priesthood and Jesus’ superior priesthood.
– Hebrews 8:1-6 — Jesus mediator of a better covenant.
– Jeremiah 31 (quoted in Hebrews 8) — Promise of new covenant.
– Hebrews 7:19 — Law was weak; better hope introduced.
– Hebrews 10:10-11 — Jesus’ one sacrifice for sins.
– Hebrews 9:23-26 — Jesus’ sacrifice once for all.
– Colossians 1:27 — Christ in you, hope of glory.
– John 6:35 — Jesus as the bread of life.

This detailed study provides a comprehensive understanding of the Book of Hebrews’ purpose, theological depth, and practical encouragement for believers navigating faith challenges.

Transcript

Initiated Paul’s response in writing this epistle, and in my own experience, I have come to appreciate this letter, this epistle, these admonitions in that context. My earlier studies of the Book of Hebrews was from a point of view that the Book of Hebrews was written so that The Harvest Church 2000 years later could make various interpretations of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Yes, I don’t take that approach any longer, but I found, I think, greater lessons and greater richness in realizing just what its purpose was. Thank you, Brother Obi.

It does give us, help us give those interpretations and understandings. But, yes, that was not the reason at the time, perhaps that it was written. The, the young Hebrew Christians, I think, were. Were being challenged by, by their, their families. Some have talk about, you know, our own coming into this faith and the challenge from our families with, with arguments.

I can, I can tell you the ones that my family advanced on me, why are you going to meet with those people? And they might have been saying, like, what evidence do you Christians have of the genuineness of your beliefs in God’s favor? Where’s your temple and priesthood? We have one instituted by God. You know, your leader was a carpenter’s son who was crucified as a criminal.

Who were his believers? Fishermen and tax collectors. You know, there were all kinds of things that were suggested. Where is your law, your covenant with God? And so the writer, who I believe was the Apostle Paul, but that’s not part of the study, and some have different opinions, but was, was to try and.

And show these young Hebrew Christians that they had something that was far superior to those arrangements. Other thoughts on these questions? Sister?

I’m getting to that age where I know what I want to say, and then my mind can’t say the word. Pastor Pat, I just wanted to read, and when I was looking at this study, I was reading the first chapter in the nlt, and I just want to read the first three verses because I think it really kind of brings it clear. It says Hebrews 1:1. Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.

And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The sun radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.

When we have had cleansed us, when he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor. At the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. So I think Paul really is emphasizing the importance of moving on from the law and moving into the relationship with Christ, accepting him, recognizing what he’s given us and the opportunity provided for us. Thank you, Pat, for reading those verses. That’s very important.

And on my notes, I also have the first few verses of chapter two, which continues that reference of talking with the Son about the Son, and in verse one, it says, we must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard so that we do not drift away. Yeah. Other thoughts on the first or second question. Brother Len, I think Paul understood how they felt and that he had to say something.

Think of it, and you’ve been raised that this Jewish faith is the faith, you know, that of God. At this point, the temple was still standing in Jerusalem and everything was going on and saying, well, if Jesus was the Messiah, why is everything just as it was? He came and went. So I think he had to bolster their faith, and that’s why we’ll see as we explore this Hebrews.

He uses a lot of the characters of the past and a lot of the events of the past to bring them to show how that was a prophetic. Jesus was a prophetic fulfillment of so much that they had in the past. So I think it really, he was trying to not reprimand them as much as he was bolster their faith that you are headed in the right direction. You know, I’m a Pharisee and, you know, I’m here to tell you that, you know, Jesus was the Messiah. You’re right.

And don’t lose the grip because of what you see around you, and you point out it’s very much the way we are dealing with now. We’ve gone through disappointments in the truth movement, many that drove people out. Well, see, this wasn’t what we thought it was. So it’s, you know, it’s a good lesson for us in here that to keep focused on what’s ahead and remember and to think about what has happened and what’s going forward.

So thank you, Len. Excellent comments. Anyone else before we start looking at the series of statements? Brother Comey? Yeah, I appreciate those comments.

I can’t argue about the overhang of Judaism over the young Christian church at the time. I think that was a lot of pressure. But I also wonder if whether or not Paul was, in addition to everything else that had been said, if Paul wasn’t trying to address a problem at its source, and why do I say that he was dealing with Galatians who were not Jews or being enticed by Jews to, and some of them were actually Jewish Christians, and he makes the case of, of the hypocrisy of Peter and how Barnabas was almost stumbled by the fact that they were straddling these two belief systems.

And so it would seem to me trying to get at the Jewish Christians to begin to see more clearly that they don’t have to straddle that in fact, Jesus sacrifice was superior and Jesus was superior and the Christian faith was superior to what they’ve had, what they’ve had all their lives. Whether or not that would also be a way of reducing the pressure on the Gentile Christians that were being harassed by these Jewish Christians. Excellent. Another facet of purpose there. Thank you.

Anyone else have a burning desire to comment on these first two opening questions?

Okay, well, let’s, let’s move to starting this litany of, of comparisons that Paul brings out in, in the letter, and the first one, get my fingers here, is that Jesus is better than the angels, and that is the beginning of that is in verse four of chapter one. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs, and that kind of relates to the Philippians 2.

Nine passage which we read earlier today. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. But there’s a whole litany of Old Testament quotations that, that the writer goes through to show that Jesus is better or superior to the angels. So if we went through every one of those, we could spend the entire study and more on that. But if anyone has a comment on any of those, we would entertain that comment.

How was Jesus superior better than the angels?

We actually gave the very first one in verse five in our discourse this morning, if anyone wants to repeat that point or, or pick up on one of the other comparisons that he makes.

Yes.

So in Hebrews 1:5, it says that thou art my son. So he’s not just a servant or a worker for the Father, but he’s the Son of the Father, and so that’s. It shows his position is one of family and of love. So that’s what we’re aiming for, is to be sons, sons of the Father.

Okay, He’s a son, he’s not an angel, he’s a son. Okay, and, and he says to which of the angels did he say today I’ve begotten thee, and remember, we brought it out in, in Acts this morning that, that wasn’t referring to his birth either long ago or in the womb of Mary. But Paul interprets that and says that’s referring to Jesus, resurrection day.

So there is an ultimate comparison to what of the angels? Has he brought them forth back from the dead and raised them? The answer is none. He’s the first. Thank you.

We’ll take Gretchen and then Teresa Parkinson.

Yeah, I was thinking of Jesus as the Logos is the creator of everything except himself, of what was created. Angel didn’t do that. Amen. Very good, and I think that’s covered in some of those comparisons.

Thank you. Sister Teresa, would you like to share your comment? My comment was very similar to Gretchen’s in First Corinthians. Basically just what she was saying, that Jesus was exalted above all and that he was trying to demonstrate that through the. I think it’s Psalms 2.

7. That is, that is quoted from over.

Thank you, Sister Parkinson. Online.

I was going to corroborate what Gretchen said and I was going to quote. We’re not hearing you if I know you’re not muted, but we’re not hearing Dan. Is that a. Are you able to hear me now, Teresa? Yes.

Okay. There’s something wrong with my phone then.

Can you hear me now? I don’t know. We hear you, Sister Teresa. You do? Yes.

I was. I was going to interfering in that one anyway.

If I turn mine. I was simply. I was simply going to corroborate what Sister Gretchen said by quoting Colossians chapter one, whereby Jesus was the first and only one created by God himself and then all the other angels were created through him. So obviously he is superior to the other angels. All right.

He created them. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Sister Teresa.

Anyone else on that point? Sister Debbie Moss.

We love the thought, and this came up earlier today too. The new and living way. The Jewish people only knew the Abrahamic promise as to bless all the families of the earth, that that was going to be a role that they would could enjoy if they were faithful. They did not understand the divine nature.

They did not understand the opening up of a new and living way that they were first offered before it went to the Gentiles. So it was such a transition to go from their history to this whole new level of divine nature that I think I find it a marvelous book and I think for our transition that Brother Lin was kind of alluded to. Now in this transition into the millennial age, we get a similar opportunity to be at a time of great changes. This book was written during that great transition. From one age to the next.

And now we get our transition from the Gospel age to the millennial over. Thank you. Thank you. Let’s go on to the next one, that Jesus is superior to Moses. How is Jesus superior to Moses?

And we’ve given the verses in chapter three. You, if anyone would like to read those, that’s fine, and then give your comment on what it’s saying about how Jesus is superior to Moses.

Sister Jan, Hebrews 3, 3. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone the builder of all things is, and here it says God, because this is the English Standard Version. Now, Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant to testify to the things that were to be spoken later.

Christ is faithful over God’s house as his Son, as we are his house, if we hope. Indeed we hold vast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Okay, thank you. The comparison of servant versus the Son Jesus was accounted of greater honor than Moses, and if you are reading this passage in the King James, which you weren’t, thankfully, because the King James has a word in there that is misleading. It’s talking about God’s house, and if you read it in the King James in verse six, it says, but Christ.

Well, I don’t know what it says, but it has the word over his own house, as if Christ had a house, and it leads you to think Moses had a house and Christ has his own house separate. That word is not in the Greek. It’s God’s house. One was a servant over his house or in his house, and one was a son over his house.

But it’s God’s house. It wasn’t Christ’s own house. It was his father’s house that he was serving over.

Anyone else wish to comment on on that comparison, Brother Derek?

Well, I’m just going to say the comparison is fleshly Israel over spiritual Israel. You know, Moses representing flesh Christ representing spiritual, the spiritual house, which is obviously much greater than. Because the blessing will come from that spiritual house, and that’s the Christ complete that does the blessing. Thank you.

Thank you.

The next comparison is in the seventh chapter of Hebrews. It says Melchizedek is better than Abraham. That’s Hebrews 4, 7 verses 4 through 7. Just think how great Melchizedek was. Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.

And skipping down, he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises, and without doubt, the lesser person is blessed by the greater. So how is Melchizedek greater than Abraham?

Anyone have a comment?

Sometimes the scripture just kind of says it directly itself and there’s nothing maybe to comment on. It tells us why he was greater. He paid tithes, and, and he.

Yeah, paid a tithe to Melchizedek, and, and the writer says, without doubt, the lesser person is blessed by the greater. Mr. Gretchen.

Well, this is super simplistic, but Melchizedek was a king and a PR and a priest, and Abraham was not a king and a priest. Yes, and Abraham was not. He was neither. Right.

Dan? Are you saying someone’s online? I’m not party. I am.

Oh, we put it down. Brother Jim, if you have a comment, we’ll be glad to entertain it.

Go ahead.

Just that when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, Levi hadn’t even been born yet, and therefore the Aaronic priesthood is lower than Melchizedek, and Jesus is of the Melchizedek priesthood.

Thank you. That’s one of the other details in that passage, and I appreciate you bringing it out. Yes, and it’s a very good point. Any. Anyone else?

Was there another hand up? Okay, Brother Dan.

And Melchizedek was greater because it is the greater that blesses the lesser, and Melchizedek blessed Abraham after the battle with the kings. Amen. Thank you.

A few verses. There’s a lot in the seventh chapter and a few verses on it tells us that Jesus priesthood is superior to Aaron’s priesthood in verses 11 to 17. If someone would like to read that, maybe I should use Brother Obi’s method and say, I’m thankful to so and so to volunteer that volunteered to read this.

Would anyone care to read that and comment in the back?

This is out of new King James.

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood, for under. For under it the people received the law, what further need was there? That another priest should rise according to the order of Melzedek and not be called according to the order of Aaron. For the priesthood being changed of necessity, there is also a change of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe from which no man has officiated at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood, and it is yet far more evident if in the likeness of Michelzadec there arise another priest who has come not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For am I. How far did you want me to go? Brother Tom, you can read verse 17, okay, where he testifies, you are a priest forever according to the order of Michelzedek.

Okay, and you’re so willing to read. Jump down and read verses 20 and. Well, read 20 through 25. Okay.

This is greatness of the new priest, and inasmuch as he was not made priest without an oath, for they have become priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him who said to him, the Lord has sworn and we will not relent, you are a priest forever according to the order of Michelzadec. By so much more, Jesus had become a surety of a better covenant. Also, there were many priests because they were. Also there were many, many priests because they were prevented by death from continuing.

But he, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost that those who come to God through him, since he always lives, since he always lives, to make intercession for them. Thank you. So what other features in the verses that she read tell us why Jesus priesthood is a superior? Or is his position as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek is superior to those in the Aaronic served in the Aaronic priesthood?

Sister debbie, I’ll just get it started. There’s so much we could say about this, isn’t it? It’s. We learned about types and anotypes and we know that the Jewish people again were looking for their law, their ceremonies to bless all the families of the earth. They had to learn that Jesus was now the high priest that they had been looking for and that he wanted to share with them the opportunity to be the under priest.

But that this priesthood has no end. No one’s going to die in this priesthood, and the Jews to this day, of course, are still looking for that third temple. They’re looking to get all of the instruments together so they could have that third temple, which may or may not happen. Literally.

I’m not don’t want to go there. I’m just trying to show that the higher thing is we are the temple and Jesus is the high priest and we are the under priests, and this is a great well that you were talking. That was being talked about too. When we look at the tabernacle that Paul in the book of Hebrews opens the keys so that we could see the antitype to this incredible type.

So that’s Hebrews seven to me. When we’re looking at Melchizedek helps us make that transition over. Yes, and you mentioned one of the, one of the reasons why this is his priesthood is superior is because he as high priest continues forever. The other priests cycled, they died.

Another one was put in place, they died. But his priesthood continues forever, and in that way it is superior. What was the other point brought out in the verses that were read? Comparison between Aaron and Jesus priesthood.

There. Oh, okay. Sister Shirell. Okay. Mine was on the earlier one.

Okay, I was just going to read chapter eight, verses one and two. Now the main point of what we are saying is this. We do have such a high priest who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven and who serves in the sanctuary the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. So the greatest way in which he is superior is that he is a spirit. He has been made a spirit being.

Okay. That would certainly give him much more power and that endless life that was talked about. What else was in there? What else did. Brother Len, there’s another feature comparing Aaron and Jesus.

I think one of the things pointed Melchizedek got his priesthood by an oath. Yes, and I think that’s the difference, and so Jesus guarantees a better covenant than what they could have there because the priesthood is a basis for a covenant, and now the Melchizedek priesthood is a covenant that lasts.

Goes beyond what the Aaronic priesthood could. Yes. God gave him his priesthood by an oath. Yes. Okay.

Any other further comments on that? Because we’ll. I’m happy to move on and, and cover as many of these points as we can. Okay. The next thing which we skipped over in the reading is verse 19 in the chapter and it says for where when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change in the law.

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless. For the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced by which we draw near to God. What is that better hope?

Better hope than Israel had under the law covenant. Sister pat.

Well, Hebrews 7:19, I’m reading the NLT for the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope through which we draw near to God, and we already talked about the solemn oath. But because Jesus under the law, the priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sins and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus was perfect.

He didn’t have sin, and he offered himself as a sacrifice for Adam’s sin to release mankind from the condemnation of Death and give them the. The better hope of life everlasting and for the Church, you know, to be sons of God. So that is obviously a much better hope that he can remove the sinfulness of mankind. Okay.

Yeah. The law, what Paul talks about, all it brought was an awareness of sin and condemnation. But here is the hope of eternal life through that arrangement. The Hebrews 7:27, Brother Tom says in the NLT, it says, unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people.

But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as a sacrifice for the people’s sins. You know, I just think the law appointed high priests who were limited by human weaknesses. After the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his son has been made the perfect high priest forever. Thank you. Yeah, all these verses contribute.

And we have a comment online.

Whoever has their hand raised, please feel free to comment.

Yes, thank you. As long as you can hear me here. It’s Bruce Some. I had to change appliances here. Thank you for the fellowship.

It reminded me of that when you. She read 19 that Melchizedek brought out bread and wine, but Jesus brought out himself in Romans 8 for the law, spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made me free from the law of sin and death, and Jesus said, I am the bread of life.

In John 6:35, topically moving along this as the living Father had sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. I was just thinking of the bread and the wine that he brought out and what Jesus personified as the bread of life. He that eats this bread shall live forever.

I appreciate the fellowship. Thank you. It was simulating over you. Thank you. Brother Bruce.

Yes. He who eats of you know, and drinks will live forever. So Jesus had that power within himself to guarantee that opportunity for eternity. Any other comments on the better hope? Verse 19, brother Ken?

Well, I think of the verse that if you are Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise, and you think about that, that Christ is through the promise, the Abrahamic covenant, and what we’re told in Hebrews and, and is that the law was a school mass. I don’t. It may not be Galatians 3, Galatians 3.

That the law was a school master to take us to Christ, and so when you look at Hagar and you look at Sarah, Sarah was barren. Hagar came and the law was sent because of sin because Paul said if I didn’t have the law, I wouldn’t know that I was sinful, and so I think that was that school master to take it to Christ to see that we have nothing to offer and that we are saved through Christ, and so that, that’s how we become heirs according to the promise.

And the promise is the Abrahamic promise in the end, in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, and so I think that’s how that Jesus is far superior to the, the shadow and the types of the better sacrifices of things to come which was shown in the area priesthood. That’s why everything in the tabernacle and everything in the law had to be done exactly the way it was, and if it, it was written down and if it wasn’t, then the penalty was death. Because these things were showing these tabernacles of pictures of the better things to come.

And I think we even seen when you look at Melchizedek’s name, you know it’s Melchizedek, and you look at Melchi is king and Zadok is peace, and when we look, we think about the Solomon’s peaceful kingdom being established in the picture of Solomon’s reign was that King Solomon had a priesthood Zadok that pictures and one more picture of that, that kingdom to come. So if we think of that as the millennial picture, we see king of priests, we go to Revelation, we see priesthood, kingdom of priests, and so that’s, that’s what, that’s what we have.

That’s what we are. That’s what we strive for, that better. Okay, and of course Israel, natural Israel, saw that part of the Abrahamic promise that was going to guarantee a better future here on earth. What they didn’t understand was the spiritual aspect of it and that that is part of the better hope.

When I think of a better hope, I like to bring out Colossians 1:27, which in King James reads christ in you, the hope of glory.

I really like it from the Phillips translation, and when I was studying this one time, some of you heard me say this before in Discourse. I went to the United Bible Society’s Translators Handbook that analyzes the Greek of each verse, and they said it’s rather difficult to understand what this exactly means, and they said perhaps Philip’s translation comes closest and to capturing it.

And Philip’s translation says, christ in you. Yes, Christ in you, bringing with him the hope of all the glorious things to come. The hope of all the glorious things to come. This is not a scripture talking about the wonderful personal glory that’s coming to you. It’s talking about that all the glorious things are going to come through Christ and you as working with Him.

And I think that’s just a wonderful, wonderful vision. Any other comments on the better Hope? Just a real quick comment. Yes, Brother Derek. So the law made nothing perfect other than typical justification.

Christ made everything perfect, actual justification. Amen. Amen.

Was there a comment? Oh, go ahead. Just a quick. Feel free to get my attention when I’m staring at my notes. Just a quick clarification of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek was the king of Salem according to Genesis 14, verse 18, and Salem does mean peace, but Melchi Zadok. Zadok means righteousness. He’s also the king of righteousness. Thank you.

Peaceful, gentle. Okay, thank you.

Our next one in which was read over already, but number F or part F, Jesus guarantees a better covenant, and we might roll this together with the next one which in chapter 8, verse 6, where we have a long quotation from Jeremiah 31, talks about Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant. So in what way is this a better covenant? That is part of these promises? And what is Jesus role here as the guarantee guarantor of that and the mediator of it?

We spoke a little bit about that this morning as well. So anyone want to talk about how the covenant, which other places is referenced as the New covenant, the mediator of the New Covenant in Hebrews 12? Why is the New Covenant a better covenant than the law covenant? And how does Jesus guarantee that and mediate that?

What. What could the law covenant not do? And what can the New Covenant actually do? The New Covenant has a mediator which is made up of all different, well, 144,000 personalities, characteristics, experiences, life experiences, a sympathetic high priest, and you know, the Old law basically had one high priest and one method of the law that you had performed.

Actually, everything perfect has been stated before. So the difference is with the New Law covenant, is it. It’s the mediator. It’s the. It’s a law.

It’s a rule of law that has to be followed. But the, the mediator is the Christ head and body. Okay, so that’s, that’s talking about how the mediator is better than going back to Jesus versus Moses. Moses was a mediator and Jesus is a better mediator. So the covenant is better because it has a better mediator.

Okay, that’s one important point. Brother David, did you have a thought?

Well, verse seven says if that covenant had been faultless. There’d be no need for a replacement. So there was no sin atonement that was complete in that covenant. There were pictures of atonement, but there was no really final atonement. But with Jesus, he came and actually provides atonement.

So now there’s going to be a, and when you look at the promise of the new Covenant in Jeremiah 31, he’s going to write the law of God in their hearts. It’s not going to be on stone tablets, not going to be a set of rules, but principles of righteousness. Everything is just superior to it. Thank you.

Yes. Would you like to look up and read for us, David?

There’s a lot could be read, but Hebrews 10:11. Hebrews 10:11, I think helps us. Hebrews 10:10 11, and every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this man, after he had one, offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down at the right hand of God.

Yeah, very nice. Thank you. Yeah. That covenant never could actually take away sin. The new covenant actually will operate to remove and cleanse sin from mankind, their minds and their hearts.

Other thoughts talked about how Jesus and his church working with him will be a better mediator, how the law can actually remove sin, and as David read in Jeremiah, write the law of God in their hearts.

Okay, so let’s move on. It says in also in. In Hebrews 8:6 that the covenant is based on better promises. What are those better promises? There may be some overlap in the comments and thoughts, but what do you think the writer means that it was based on better promises?

Anyone have a thought?

Well, I could. I could share a thought from. I was looking in Barnes notes, which is a commentary I like, which I would say is really, really good on the book of Hebrews and, and this was. This was part of the comment in Barnes notes.

The promises in the first covenant pertained mainly to the present life. They were promises of length of days, of increase, of numbers, of seed, time and harvest, of national privileges, and of extraordinary peace, abundance and prosperity. That was also that there was also the promise of eternal life. It would be wrong to doubt, but this was not the main thing. In the new covenant, however, the promise of spiritual blessings becomes the principal thing.

The mind is directed to heaven. The heart is cheered with the hopes of immortal life and the favor of God and the anticipation of heaven are secured in the most ample and solemn manner. I thought that was a good comment on this idea of better promises. Anyone Else have a comment on that?

Checking my time here. We have a few more minutes. Ken, you want to make a comment? Well, maybe, maybe it refers to that Abrahamic promise, that that was the promise that that was given for the interval of the law, and that that’s what those are, the better promises. Certainly that would encompass all of God’s promises of the things to come.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sister Debbie. Yeah, the better covenant. You know, again, throughout this book he’s comparing and contrasting, or correct me if I’m wrong, between the law covenant that couldn’t bring real reconciliation to God, as we’ve said, but this new covenant by the mediator, that will be head and body, we have the discussion. You know, Paul tells us distinctly that there needs to be the death of the testator before that mediation can begin. But the new mediator, when the body is complete, will be able to do actually and really do the reconciliation work that was typed by the law covenant.

And that’s the beauty of the transition that we’ve been offered to be a part of that mediator, that better mediator, which is sobering. Yes. So don’t leave your faith, don’t walk away from it, because there are better promises, there are better hopes. Reconciliation will happen. Reconciliation will actually take place between God and man.

Okay. In the ninth chapter it goes on to say, heavenly things are cleansed with better sacrifices.

And we could read a, a long, a long passage there.

How are we doing on top of five minutes? Well, In verse 23 it says, the heavenly things are cleansed with better sacrifices than these, after referring to all the old, old ordinances and so forth, and then on down in verse 26 it says, but now he has appeared one once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. So that is showing of how Jesus is the fulfillment of those old, the types of those former sacrifices that were ordered under the law.

We’re, we’re probably not going to get, ah, we’re not going to get much farther. If anyone has a comment on where we are at this point and wants to offer it, and then I’m going to close with a short reading.

Glenn, did you have a comment? Brother Len?

I was just on verses seven and eight there and I think it’s, it is maybe a key point and I, I don’t, you know, my own self believe this, that under the law covenant, okay, there was no provision for spiritual life that was not promised. Right. I don’t see under the new covenant that that was promised either. So that’s why I don’t necessarily look that the church is under the New Covenant because that covenant promises eternal life on earth. Now, I know that subject to discussion, but it was, for me, a key point in trying to understand, you know, this is a replacement covenant.

It has better benefits, better future. So just the idea that life is defined differently to me under these two. The New Covenant provides for eternal life, which, you know, that first one is faultless because the people were at fault. The second one, the people won’t be at fault because they’ll be atoned for and cleansed. So that can give them eternal life which never could come out of the first one.

Okay, yes, it really wasn’t promised under the first one, so. Well, I think we’re going to end the discussion there. I said that I have really appreciated over the years of utilizing Barnes Notes in addition to other sources on trying to understand this letter to the Hebrews, and he has a wonderful introduction to this book. I’d love to read the last three paragraphs, but I’m just going to read the last one because, wow, they take my breath away.

Here’s what he says. The Bible would have been incomplete without this book, and when I think of the relation between the Jewish and the Christian systems, when I look on the splendid rites of the ancient system and ask their meaning, when I wish a full guide to heaven and ask for that which gives completeness to the whole, I turn instinctively to the Epistle to the Hebrews, when I wish also that which would give me the most elevated view of the great author of Christianity and of his work, and the most clear conceptions of the sacrifice which he made for sin, and when I look for considerations that shall be most effectual in restraining the soul from apostasy and for considerations to enable it to bear trials with patience and with hope, my mind recurs to this book, and I feel the Book of Revelation and the hopes of man would be incomplete without it.

And I’ve got chills right now each time I read through that. But that’s how really important this work was to our understanding of these promises and Jesus’s role in all that God has laid out in his plan, and I thank you for your participation. I urge you to study this deeply on your own. It is.

It does all those things which we just read about. So thank you, brother.

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