The book of Hebrews is commonly quoted off point and out of context to demonstrate that we have no current need of the Levitical Priesthood.  This simply is not true, rather, Hebrews proves that not only does the law of God still exist today, but so should the Levitcal Priesthood.  To get a better understanding of  the Tabernacle and the Levitical Priesthood please watch my video "The Sacrificial System." 

          The book of Hebrews is a difficult study to undertake.  It was written to a group who were, "unskilful in the word of righteousness" and were, "babes" in their faith (Heb. 5:12-14).  The writer is urging them to, "go on unto perfection" and leave the simple doctrines such as, "baptisms," the, "laying on of hands," and the, "resurrection" (Heb. 6:1-2).  It is not that these doctrines are bad, for the Hebrews already received these doctrines.  All who practice faith in the Messiah need to start with these doctrines; however, the problem is that they have not moved any further.  The purpose of this epistle is to instruct the Hebrews in the, "meat" of the word of God and thereby bring them further in their sanctification.  Chapters seven through ten will be dealing with biblical concepts that are hard to understand.  We need a good understanding of God's Law to understand what the writer is saying.  With this in mind, lets take a look at chapter seven.

          To gain some background to understand the next few chapters we first must understand the Day of Atonement and it's purpose.  Throughout the year when Israelites sinned (committed a crime), they were tried by the priesthood, or judges, at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deut. 19:15).  If found guilty, they would owe a sin offering (Lev. 4:13, 22, 27).  The priest would sprinkle the blood of the sin offering seven times before the veil of the tabernacle (Lev.4:6, 17).  This was a picture of their sins being placed before the vail in preparation of the Day of Atonement.  On the Day of Atonement the High Priest would go through that vail to cleanse the Tabernacle and the children of Israel from all their sin (Lev. 16:19, 30, 33).  Once a year on the Day of Atonement all sins from that year were forgiven (Heb. 9:7).  This is a picture of what the Messiah did.  Where the high priest would remove the sin for the entire year, the Messiah paid for all of sin for eternity.  This is a picture of the Messiah removing our sin problem with God.  He took care of all of sin for us.  Keep this in mind as we continue.  For more information on the Day of Atonement please watch my video teaching here.

Who is Melchisedec?

          The first topic of chapter seven is someone with the title of Melchisedec.  It is important to remember that Melchisedec is not a name, but rather a title.  He was the High Priest at the time of Abraham.   There are two predominant theories as to the identity of Melchisedec.  First, Hebrew history proclaims Melchisedec as Shem, the son of Noah.  This view is supported in the Book of Jasher where it says, "And Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech. And Adonizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth from all that he had brought from the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek was a priest before God" (Book of Jasher 16:11-12).  Several other historical Hebrew accounts clearly place Shem as the very Melchisedec of Genesis 14.

          The second theory is that Melchisedec is the Messiah Himself, preincarnate.  This theory arises much later during New Testament times.  Either theory does not change the point to Hebrews chapter seven.  Melchisedec was a different priesthood than that of the Levitical Priesthood.  This is the High Priesthood of the Messiah.  This is an eternal priesthood of which the Messiah has now taken upon Himself.  It is not the point of this article to debate this topic, but rather to identify the purpose of this priesthood.  Melchisedec was the king of Jerusalem, which is called Salem (Heb. 7:1-2).  He was priest of the Most High God (Heb. 7:1).  He is the king of righteousness whom Abraham tithed a tenth part to (Heb. 7:2,4).  He was, "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life" (Heb. 7:3).  This is either taken literally and refers to the Messiah, or is taken figuratively and refers to Melchisedec's lack of recorded genealogy (Heb. 7:6).  This priesthood differs from the Levitical Priesthood in that those who serve are eternal (Heb. 7:8).  The point here is that there is a difference between these two priesthoods.

Two Priesthoods:

          In verses five through ten a difference is noted between the levitical priesthood and the Melchisedec Priesthood.  The Levites received the priesthood according to the commandment.  They receive tithes from their brethren (Heb. 7:5).  Melchisedec, however, is an eternal priest according to the promise of Abraham.  He received tithes from Abraham (Heb. 7:6).  These are two different priesthoods.  We need to remember, there is an earthly tabernacle pitched by man and a heavenly tabernacle pitched by the Messiah (Heb. 8:2-5).  This earthly tabernacle is a shadow of the heavenly tabernacle.  We need to keep in mind that this is literal.  There is a literal tabernacle in the third heavens that the Messiah made.  He is there now making intercession for us (Heb. 7:25, Rom. 8:34, Col. 3:1).  He is our advocate (lawyer) before the throne of God (1 John 2:1, 1 Tim. 2:5).  This tabernacle deals in heavenly matters and has an eternal High Priest who is God Himself.  The levitical tabernacle deals in earthly matters and has a human high priest (Heb. 7:8).  This heavenly tabernacle in no way abolishes the earthly tabernacle for we still have earthly matters to deal with, which is why the, "less is blessed of the better" (Heb. 7:7).  Just as Abraham received blessing from Melchisedec, so our earthly tabernacle receives blessing from the heavenly tabernacle.  Though men paid tithes to the earthly tabernacle, Abraham paid tithes to the heavenly tabernacle, of which we participate in through Abraham and the promise (Heb. 7:9-10).

The Priesthood is transferred to heaven:

         If perfection were made through this earthly tabernacle (levitical priesthood), then there would be no need for another tabernacle and Melchisedec's priesthood (Heb. 7:11).  This levitical priesthood was never intended to bring perfection.  It only dealt with earthly matters and not heavenly matters.  For since the, "priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Heb. 7:12).  At first glance this appears to be saying that the law has changed, but a careful study will show otherwise.  The Greek word translated, "change" is metathesis which literally means, "transposition, that is, transferal to heaven" (Strong's Concordance - G3346).  The writer is not saying that the law was changed or abolished, but rather transferred.  The law was transferred from an earthly tabernacle to a heavenly tabernacle.  The evidence of this is that the Messiah is not from the tribe of Levi, but from Judah (Heb. 7:13-14).  No one from the tribe of Judah gave, "attendance at the altar."  This is why it is evident that another priest should rise, "after the similitude of Melchisedec" (Heb. 7:15).  This new, "priest" is not after a, "carnal commandment" but after, "the power of an endless life" (Heb. 7:16-17).  The Greek word for carnal is sarkikos which literally means, "pertaining to flesh" (Strong's Concordance - G4561).  The levitical priesthood pertains to matters of the flesh, but the Messiah's priesthood is after the promise and pertains to spiritual matters.  This was foretold by the prophets.  In Jeremiah 31:34, God said He, "will put [His] law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts."  This new covenant is spiritual.  The church has now received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) and the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to, "reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness" (John 16:8).  The Holy Spirit is our, "Comforter" to, "abide with [us] for ever" (John 14:16).  The Greek word for, "Comforter" is paraklētos which literally means, "called to one's side, called to one's aid" (Strong's Concordance - G3875).  The Holy Spirit comes to our side so we can, "walk in the Spirit" so we do not, "fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16, Gal. 5:25).  You might ask, what does it mean to, "walk in the Spirit?"  Ezekiel tells us that the Spirit was given that we might, "walk in [His] statutes, and ... shall keep [His] judgments, and do them" (Eze. 36:27, Eze. 11:19-21).

           We can conclude that the purpose of the Levitical Priesthood was to enforce the law and not to bring perfection.  It was not God's intent that the Levitical Priesthood provide us our sanctification.  Our sanctification comes through faith in the Messiah and His promised Holy Spirit.  The Levitical Priesthood only dealt with earthly matters.  The Holy Spirit deals with spiritual matters.  Keep in mind, the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to, "reprove the world of sin" and, "put [God's] law in [our] hearts" (John 16:8, Jer. 31:34).  The end result is we will, "walk in the spirit" which causes us to, "walk in [His] statutes ... and keep [His] judgments, and do them" (Gal. 5:16, Eze. 36:27).  God has come along side us to help us practice His law.  This is our sanctification and it does not come through the Levitical Priesthood.

The new Priesthood is eternal:

          The benefit to this new priesthood is that it is, "forever" and after a different, "order" based on the promise of God.  Think of the two covenants here spoken of.  The mosaic law was based on a contract between God and the Israelites.  God has a duty to perform on this contract as well as the Israelites.  Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 explain both parties duties pertaining to this contract.  "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you ..." a number of blessings (Lev. 26:3-4).  However, "if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:  I also will do this unto you ..." and God lists a number of curses (Lev. 26:15-16).  The Mosaic contract was a contract between two parties, God and the Israelites, of which both parties had to perform.  The terms and conditions of the contract are all based on fleshly/earthly matters.  The Abrahamic contract (the promise) was a contract between two parties, but only based on God's performance/promise.  In Genesis 15, God instituted this contract with Abram based on Abram's faith (Gen. 15:6, Gal. 3:6).  It was ratified in Genesis 15:17-18 when God passed through the sacrifices as a, "burning lamp."  During this time God put a, "deep sleep" on Abram and he was not part of the ratification (Gen. 15:12).  This covenant was a contract between God and Abram, but God had the only duties because of Abram's faith.  God then changed Abram's name to Abraham (Gen. 17:5) and Sarai's name to Sarah (Gen. 17:15).  The difference between these two names is very significant.  God simply added the Hebrew "hey" to the end of their names.  The letter "hey" appears in the name of God twice.  In ancient Hebrew pictographs this letter is represented by a man standing with his hands towards the heavens () and means, "behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation" (Ancient Hebrew.org, Hey, Jeff A. Benner).  This letter gives reference to the rûach (spirit of God).  Note the significance.  This covenant of promise gives rise to the Spirit of God in their lives.  This is demonstrated in their name change.  At the ratification of this covenant both Sarai and Abram were given the Holy Spirit as exemplified by their names ending in "hey", the Spirit of God.  Clearly two different covenants are portrayed here.  One is based on contract and has earthly benefits and the other is based on promise and has heavenly benefits.  Both covenants still have a place for today.

A commandment is disannulled:

          The next verse has caused much confusion in the church today.  "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof" (Heb. 7:18).  Many espouse this verse as saying that the Law of God is abolished or disannulled.  Others use this to determine that the law concerning the levitical priesthood is abolished or disannulled.  It is clear that something has been abolished or disannulled, but what?  The Greek word for, "disannulling" is athetēsis which literally means, "cancellation - disannulling, put away" (Strong's Concordance - G115).  The question is, what is cancelled?  The verse tells us that, "the commandment" was disannulled.  Keep in mind, this phrase is singular.  There is a commandment (singular) that has been disannulled, but not all of the commandments.  Only one commandment has been disannulled.  The answer is given in the next verse, which says, "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb. 7:19).  The commandment that has been disannulled is the commandment "by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb. 7:19).  The only way to "draw nigh unto God" in the Old Testament was on the Day of Atonement (Ex. 25:22, Lev. 16:2).  On this day the High Priest would offer sacrifcie for his sins and the sins of the people and enter the Holy of Holies to meet God face to face before the Mercy Seat.  This commandment is explained more in chapter nine as the commandment for the High Priest concerning the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat (Heb. 9:6-7).  Once a year the High Priest went behind the veil to offer a sacrifice for the people's sins against God.  This was done on the Day of Atonement where blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat.  The writer identifies this law by saying, "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest" (Heb. 9:8).  God had, "not yet made manifest" the way into His presence.  The high priest going into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to sacrifice for himself and the people is now abolished, for the Messiah did this once and for all.  We know this because when the Messiah died this veil into the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45).  God made it clear to us which law was abolished, although it was not really abolished as much as completed once and for all.  The levitical priesthood and tabernacle is still in force today to deal with earthly matters such as our sins against each other.  The heavenly tabernacle with the Messiah as our High Priest deals with heavenly matters such as our sins against God.  These two tabernacles and priesthoods are still needed today for we still sin against God and our brethren.  The high priest ministering in the holy of holies dealt with our sin problem against God.  This has been transfered to heaven where the Messiah sits at the right hand of God interceding for us in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 8:1-2).  If we did not have an earthly tabernacle (judicial court) then who would enforce the law if someone stole a car?  The Levitical Priesthood would hear this matter and make a judgment.  Remember, the tabernacle is what we would call a judicial court today.  For more on how this earthly tabernacle works please see my video "The Sacrificial System".

         The levitical priesthood cannot make anything perfect, which is why another priesthood was necessary (Heb. 7:19).  The levitical priesthood was made, "without an oath," but the Melchisedec priesthood was made, "with an oath" made by God Himself (Heb. 7:20-21).  Our Messiah is the, "surety" of this better covenant (Heb. 7:22).  This covenant is better because our Messiah is a High Priest that is eternal and the previous High Priest was not (Heb. 7:23-24).  Since He is eternal He, "ever liveth to make intercession for [us]" (Heb. 7:25-26).  His sacrifice is better because it is one sacrifice offered once and for all.  He does not have to offer up sacrifices daily (Heb. 7:27).  The words used for daily in verse 27 is kata (G2596) and hēmera (G2250), which are most often translated as daily.  However, we know that the High Priest offered for himself and the people once a year on the Day of Atonement.  This would be more accurately translated as continually.  This fits the context better as well.  The high priest continualy offered for the people while the Messiah offered once and for all time.  The High Priests of the earthly tabernacle are sinful men (they are not perfect like the Messianic priest) and their sacrifices are not eternal, so they have to offer sacrifices over and over again.  The Messiah has removed this sacrifice given on the Day of Atonement and replaced it with His own sacrifice once and for all.  He is conducting the business of the Holy of Holies now by sitting at the right hand of God in the tabernacle of heaven.  He is there making intercession for us continually (Heb. 7:25, Rom. 8:34, Col. 3:1).  The rest of the levitical priesthood is still in full force and effect today because it dealt with our sins against each other.  The Day of Atonement sacrifice dealt with our sins against God and is now abolished, or rather, completed once and for all.  To continue this study in Hebrews please click here.

By Steve Siefken