Randy Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "high-priest"
Double-edged Attorney – Part 1
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
The famous criminal defense attorney Yen Actlike has a new client. Of course the client is accused of first degree murder. Actlike wouldn’t waste his time or talent on anything less. So the client comes to Actlike’s office to enumerate the facts of the case to his attorney.
I am fabricating this case, so don’t try finding it to watch on the internet. The client is Ms. Chastity. She could never do the dastardly deed as she is accused of…even if she had the smoking gun in her hand.
Leave it to Actlike to get her off. He’ll probably prove the bullet holes in the victim’s head are really snake holes. The victim was killed by a brood of vipers, not by bullets from Ms. Chastity’s gun. Anyway, that’s Actlike’s interpretation of the facts, and he is determined to sell it to the twelve arbiters who comprise the jury.
Across the aisle sits the country’s most famous D.A., a certain Mr. Snidely Whiplash. Scratch that. The dude is already taken. He is the arch villain who makes life miserable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Dudley Do-Right. So we’ll name our D.A. Dudley Adversary.
Well, D.A. Adversary isn’t intimidated by Actlike’s reputation. He has a few tricks up his sleeve too. According to him, a smoking gun is a smoking gun. And that resolves the matter. It is the sum total of whatever evidence might be required to convict.
Mr. D.A. Adversary once saw another attorney say, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” So he decided to borrow the parlor trick for use in his own case. Actlike wasn’t about to pull the wool over the eyes of his jurors, you see.
So Mr. D.A. Adversary pronounced in their hearing, “If the gun is smoking, you must be joking!” He couldn’t figure why the jurors all had dropped jaws and blank stares on their faces. Apparently the lights were on but nobody was home…not with the jurors, mind you, but with the good D.A. Adversary. Actlike should expect a slam dunk.
Sitting in the magistrate’s chair and wielding his gavel was the most notable judge this side of heaven, the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He would brook no shenanigans in his courtroom, he wanted both attornerys to know…even though he only looked at Actlike when he threatened reprisals.
On the morning of the trial everyone is present in the courtroom, everyone, that is, except the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He was in the wing, awaiting his summons by the court bailiff. Suddenly the bailliff’s voice echoes through the room and into the judge’s chambers,
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Honorable Blindside Barabbas’ courtroom is called to order. His Honor is about to make his entrance. Stand and salute him, one and all!
This is about to get good, dear friends. Be sure to return after the commercial break, or rather, tomorrow. It is now time to visit with the Lord Jesus a bit.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The famous criminal defense attorney Yen Actlike has a new client. Of course the client is accused of first degree murder. Actlike wouldn’t waste his time or talent on anything less. So the client comes to Actlike’s office to enumerate the facts of the case to his attorney.
I am fabricating this case, so don’t try finding it to watch on the internet. The client is Ms. Chastity. She could never do the dastardly deed as she is accused of…even if she had the smoking gun in her hand.
Leave it to Actlike to get her off. He’ll probably prove the bullet holes in the victim’s head are really snake holes. The victim was killed by a brood of vipers, not by bullets from Ms. Chastity’s gun. Anyway, that’s Actlike’s interpretation of the facts, and he is determined to sell it to the twelve arbiters who comprise the jury.
Across the aisle sits the country’s most famous D.A., a certain Mr. Snidely Whiplash. Scratch that. The dude is already taken. He is the arch villain who makes life miserable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Dudley Do-Right. So we’ll name our D.A. Dudley Adversary.
Well, D.A. Adversary isn’t intimidated by Actlike’s reputation. He has a few tricks up his sleeve too. According to him, a smoking gun is a smoking gun. And that resolves the matter. It is the sum total of whatever evidence might be required to convict.
Mr. D.A. Adversary once saw another attorney say, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” So he decided to borrow the parlor trick for use in his own case. Actlike wasn’t about to pull the wool over the eyes of his jurors, you see.
So Mr. D.A. Adversary pronounced in their hearing, “If the gun is smoking, you must be joking!” He couldn’t figure why the jurors all had dropped jaws and blank stares on their faces. Apparently the lights were on but nobody was home…not with the jurors, mind you, but with the good D.A. Adversary. Actlike should expect a slam dunk.
Sitting in the magistrate’s chair and wielding his gavel was the most notable judge this side of heaven, the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He would brook no shenanigans in his courtroom, he wanted both attornerys to know…even though he only looked at Actlike when he threatened reprisals.
On the morning of the trial everyone is present in the courtroom, everyone, that is, except the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He was in the wing, awaiting his summons by the court bailiff. Suddenly the bailliff’s voice echoes through the room and into the judge’s chambers,
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Honorable Blindside Barabbas’ courtroom is called to order. His Honor is about to make his entrance. Stand and salute him, one and all!
This is about to get good, dear friends. Be sure to return after the commercial break, or rather, tomorrow. It is now time to visit with the Lord Jesus a bit.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 2
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
The Honorable Blindside Barabbas sits at the judge’s bench, presiding over the two prima donnas who occupy the attorneys’ chairs. The defense prima donna, er, I mean the defense attorney, is Mr. Yen Actlike, while the district attorney is Mr. Dudley Adversary. Attorney Actlike’s client is Ms. Chastity, yes, none other than the sweet and innocent Ms. Chastity, one and the same.
As is customary with all “innocent until proven guilty” societies, the D.A. has to present his case first. Either he proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Chastity did the foul deed, or else Ms. Chastity doesn’t even have to prove her innocence. The only thing she need do is adequately dispute Dudley Adversary’s evidence if need be. And that is Yen Actlike’s job anyway, not Ms. Chastity’s.
So D.A. Adversary goes first.
If it please the court, I’d like to request an adjournment for a month or so.
To which Mr. Actlike responds,
Objection, Your Honor. This is a delaying tactic because no real evidence exists to support the charges against my client.
Dudley Adversary doesn’t take too kindly to the insinuation and retorts with vehemence,
Oh, yea. What do you call the photos of Ms. Chastity holding the smoking gun while standing over the warm corpse, you shyster you?
He shouldn’t have spoken so harshly to Attorney Actlike. Now ol’ Yen’s dander was up, and was he riled. He countered,
And seeing that no substantive evidence exists to support the charges against my client, I move to dismiss.
Judge Barabbas gets into the act. Rapping his gavel on the judge’s desk, he thunders,
Both attorneys make excellent points. Court is both adjourned for several months, and the case is dismissed due to the lack of evidence! So go home and watch my TV show.
Didn’t I caution you at the conclusion of the last study not to miss out on this exciting court case. Have you ever witnessed such a sterling display of jurisprudence by a judge? Did two attorneys ever go at it any better than Yen Actlike and Dudley Adversary?
Oh, but we must go to commercial break at this time. We will meet back here same time, same channel, tomorrow. See you then, and see Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Honorable Blindside Barabbas sits at the judge’s bench, presiding over the two prima donnas who occupy the attorneys’ chairs. The defense prima donna, er, I mean the defense attorney, is Mr. Yen Actlike, while the district attorney is Mr. Dudley Adversary. Attorney Actlike’s client is Ms. Chastity, yes, none other than the sweet and innocent Ms. Chastity, one and the same.
As is customary with all “innocent until proven guilty” societies, the D.A. has to present his case first. Either he proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Chastity did the foul deed, or else Ms. Chastity doesn’t even have to prove her innocence. The only thing she need do is adequately dispute Dudley Adversary’s evidence if need be. And that is Yen Actlike’s job anyway, not Ms. Chastity’s.
So D.A. Adversary goes first.
If it please the court, I’d like to request an adjournment for a month or so.
To which Mr. Actlike responds,
Objection, Your Honor. This is a delaying tactic because no real evidence exists to support the charges against my client.
Dudley Adversary doesn’t take too kindly to the insinuation and retorts with vehemence,
Oh, yea. What do you call the photos of Ms. Chastity holding the smoking gun while standing over the warm corpse, you shyster you?
He shouldn’t have spoken so harshly to Attorney Actlike. Now ol’ Yen’s dander was up, and was he riled. He countered,
And seeing that no substantive evidence exists to support the charges against my client, I move to dismiss.
Judge Barabbas gets into the act. Rapping his gavel on the judge’s desk, he thunders,
Both attorneys make excellent points. Court is both adjourned for several months, and the case is dismissed due to the lack of evidence! So go home and watch my TV show.
Didn’t I caution you at the conclusion of the last study not to miss out on this exciting court case. Have you ever witnessed such a sterling display of jurisprudence by a judge? Did two attorneys ever go at it any better than Yen Actlike and Dudley Adversary?
Oh, but we must go to commercial break at this time. We will meet back here same time, same channel, tomorrow. See you then, and see Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 3
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
We’ve been enthralled the past couple of studies by the courtroom theatrics of D.A. Dudley Adversary and Defense Attorney Yen Actlike. The Honorable Blindside Barabbas got into the act too.
But sorry. We must now switch channels to watch an even better courtroom scenario. This is necessary so that we can learn how all of this applies to our Bible verses. I do apologize though. I didn’t mean to yank the show in midseason and leave you hanging.
Our Bible verses afford us a panoramic view of a courtroom in eternity. Off in the distance we can see Judge Theos sitting on His judge’s bench with gavel in hand. Standing there in front of Him is that disgusting ogre, D.A. Diabolos, bringing countless charges against a good deal of mankind.
Not to worry though. In our corner is Defense Attorney Yeshua HaMashiach, the renowned Israeli world champion. He will have a thing or two to say about El Diabolos’ infernal lies.
How does this relate to our Bible verses? It’s like this. Jesus is God’s great High Priest, given to stand before the eternal throne and defend every person who comes to Him to live. Let’s examine how this is so, as it is presented in Hebrews 2:17-18.
In verse 17 we are taught that Jesus was 100% perfect humanity, just like you and me, sin excepted. That is the significance of the words “made like His brethren in all things”. The eternal Son of God took upon real humanity. He became one of us, while still remaining fully God. He is the God-man. He is not a hybrid of the two natures, nor is He God with an appearance of flesh and blood. He was made like us “in all things”.
The reason He fully became one of us is expressed in the words “so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Jesus’ ministry as the God-man was to be God’s high priest on behalf of sinful man.
To adequately fulfill His ministry, Jesus had to be both a merciful high priest and a faithful high priest. A high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”. God chose His priests. No one was ever permitted to take this honor unto himself. God had to appoint him to the ministry.
His duties were to do the things God required of him, not to make up his own rules and regulations. His role was to “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. This means he had to appease God, Who was angered over the violations of His Law by sinful man. This is an excellent example of how the high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”.
Wow! Already our time is up! We will conclude this topic on the morrow. For now we are privileged to learn from our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit imbue His teaching into our heads and hearts.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We’ve been enthralled the past couple of studies by the courtroom theatrics of D.A. Dudley Adversary and Defense Attorney Yen Actlike. The Honorable Blindside Barabbas got into the act too.
But sorry. We must now switch channels to watch an even better courtroom scenario. This is necessary so that we can learn how all of this applies to our Bible verses. I do apologize though. I didn’t mean to yank the show in midseason and leave you hanging.
Our Bible verses afford us a panoramic view of a courtroom in eternity. Off in the distance we can see Judge Theos sitting on His judge’s bench with gavel in hand. Standing there in front of Him is that disgusting ogre, D.A. Diabolos, bringing countless charges against a good deal of mankind.
Not to worry though. In our corner is Defense Attorney Yeshua HaMashiach, the renowned Israeli world champion. He will have a thing or two to say about El Diabolos’ infernal lies.
How does this relate to our Bible verses? It’s like this. Jesus is God’s great High Priest, given to stand before the eternal throne and defend every person who comes to Him to live. Let’s examine how this is so, as it is presented in Hebrews 2:17-18.
In verse 17 we are taught that Jesus was 100% perfect humanity, just like you and me, sin excepted. That is the significance of the words “made like His brethren in all things”. The eternal Son of God took upon real humanity. He became one of us, while still remaining fully God. He is the God-man. He is not a hybrid of the two natures, nor is He God with an appearance of flesh and blood. He was made like us “in all things”.
The reason He fully became one of us is expressed in the words “so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Jesus’ ministry as the God-man was to be God’s high priest on behalf of sinful man.
To adequately fulfill His ministry, Jesus had to be both a merciful high priest and a faithful high priest. A high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”. God chose His priests. No one was ever permitted to take this honor unto himself. God had to appoint him to the ministry.
His duties were to do the things God required of him, not to make up his own rules and regulations. His role was to “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. This means he had to appease God, Who was angered over the violations of His Law by sinful man. This is an excellent example of how the high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”.
Wow! Already our time is up! We will conclude this topic on the morrow. For now we are privileged to learn from our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit imbue His teaching into our heads and hearts.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 4
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
In eternity’s courtroom God is the Judge. The devil accuses God’s people and Jesus defends them against the devil’s charges. Hebrews 2 makes note of this under the job title “high priest”.
Because Jesus has the ministry of defending God’s people against the devil’s charges, it is necessary that Jesus be able to relate to us in a real way. God knows all things, yes, but God doesn’t have the mindset, worldview, weaknesses, attitudes, and emotions of sinful men and women.
The question to be answered is, “How can a thrice holy God who is far above mankind, who is sinless and incapable of sin—how can such a One relate to sinful mankind. God and man are so far removed from each other that they cannot connect on any level.”
God resolved this apparent dilemma. God the Father gave God the Son to mankind as man’s Savior. In order to resolve the dilemma just noted, the eternal Son of God became a real flesh and blood human, all the while remaining the eternal Son of God. Verse 18 of Hebrews 2 explains what this accomplished:
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Do we sinful humans go hungry? So too did Jesus. Do we hurt? So too did Jesus? Do we become sleepy, suffer poverty, miss our family and friends, face countless temptations…and the list could be extended to cover every facet of being human? Yes, we do. So too did Jesus.
Jesus became one of us so that He could experience for Himself who we are and what we go through. That qualifies Him to represent us to God, don’t you think? We can no longer assert that God doesn’t know what it’s like to… You can fill in any answer you want. We are without excuse now. In Jesus God not only knows all things, but He also experienced all things human, sin excepted. He is qualified to be our representative to God.
God’s high priest had a two-fold ministry. His ministry made Him a “double-edged attorney”, if you would. The priest stood between God and man. On the one hand he represented man to God, on the other he represented God to man.
As man’s representative to God, the priest served as man’s defense attorney. As God’s representative to man, the priest served as the one who taught God’s Law to man.
On the basis of obedience to God’s Law man was allowed to be a part of God’s people. Disobedience to God’s Law made man a lawbreaker, a criminal, at which time the devil entered the story as the D.A. to bring charges against man for breaking God’s Law.
Jesus is one of us in truth. He can relate to us and represent us to God, dear friends. This spiritual truth is taught us so that we will flee to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Won’t you go to Him now and ask Him to be your eternal defense attorney? His suffering and death allows Him to win your pardon at the bar of God.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Categories: Church Age
In eternity’s courtroom God is the Judge. The devil accuses God’s people and Jesus defends them against the devil’s charges. Hebrews 2 makes note of this under the job title “high priest”.
Because Jesus has the ministry of defending God’s people against the devil’s charges, it is necessary that Jesus be able to relate to us in a real way. God knows all things, yes, but God doesn’t have the mindset, worldview, weaknesses, attitudes, and emotions of sinful men and women.
The question to be answered is, “How can a thrice holy God who is far above mankind, who is sinless and incapable of sin—how can such a One relate to sinful mankind. God and man are so far removed from each other that they cannot connect on any level.”
God resolved this apparent dilemma. God the Father gave God the Son to mankind as man’s Savior. In order to resolve the dilemma just noted, the eternal Son of God became a real flesh and blood human, all the while remaining the eternal Son of God. Verse 18 of Hebrews 2 explains what this accomplished:
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Do we sinful humans go hungry? So too did Jesus. Do we hurt? So too did Jesus? Do we become sleepy, suffer poverty, miss our family and friends, face countless temptations…and the list could be extended to cover every facet of being human? Yes, we do. So too did Jesus.
Jesus became one of us so that He could experience for Himself who we are and what we go through. That qualifies Him to represent us to God, don’t you think? We can no longer assert that God doesn’t know what it’s like to… You can fill in any answer you want. We are without excuse now. In Jesus God not only knows all things, but He also experienced all things human, sin excepted. He is qualified to be our representative to God.
God’s high priest had a two-fold ministry. His ministry made Him a “double-edged attorney”, if you would. The priest stood between God and man. On the one hand he represented man to God, on the other he represented God to man.
As man’s representative to God, the priest served as man’s defense attorney. As God’s representative to man, the priest served as the one who taught God’s Law to man.
On the basis of obedience to God’s Law man was allowed to be a part of God’s people. Disobedience to God’s Law made man a lawbreaker, a criminal, at which time the devil entered the story as the D.A. to bring charges against man for breaking God’s Law.
Jesus is one of us in truth. He can relate to us and represent us to God, dear friends. This spiritual truth is taught us so that we will flee to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Won’t you go to Him now and ask Him to be your eternal defense attorney? His suffering and death allows Him to win your pardon at the bar of God.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Categories: Church Age
One of My Favorite Days
Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption [Hebrews 9:12].
In the Old Testament the Lord employed visible physical realities to teach invisible spiritual truths. The holidays of Israel are no exception to this. The high priest was a type of Jesus, our great High Priest. The other priests were types of the Christian.
The tabernacle/tent of meeting was a type of heaven, or rather a type of a meeting place between heaven and earth. It was broken down into two compartments. The outer one went by the name the holy place and symbolized man’s meeting place with the Lord. The inner compartment bore the name the most holy place and represented heaven, the abode of God. The one tent of meeting was divided in half by a veil, thus forming the two compartments.
The holy place was where the priests entered daily to trim the menorah and burn incense on the golden incense altar. No one was allowed to enter the most holy place because sin separated man from God and the Lord dwelt in inside the most holy place. He appeared in the form of the Shekinah cloud of glory, perched atop the mercy seat which covered the Ark of the Covenant.
There was one exception to this interdiction from entering the most holy place, however. Once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) the high priest, dressed in his sumptuous regalia, took the blood of the sin offerings inside the most holy place. Inside he sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat. When he came out alive, it signified that the Lord accepted the blood covering over Israel’s sins for another year.
The holidays of Israel followed a yearly cycle, just as our holidays today do. They taught Israel’s history from the time of the exodus out of Egypt to the end of the Millennium. Thus each year represented the fulfillment of Israel’s history. This means that on Yom Kippur, when the high priest entered the most holy place to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering, it symbolized that he did so once and only once. He did so every year, yes, but each year represented all of Israel’s history.
Now recall who the high priest and the other priests typified. And don’t forget what the holy place and most holy place typified. Do you recognize what is symbolized by Yom Kippur?
Jesus Christ is both the high priest and the sin offering. He died on the cross (symbolized by the bronze altar) for man’s sins, was buried, and three days later He rose out of death and ascended into heaven. As our High Priest He entered heaven and sprinkled His blood on the throne of God. He did this once-for-all (symbolized by the Yom Kippur holiday occurring only once in the year).
We as priests minister before Him by offering up prayers. This was symbolized by Israel’s priests entering the holy place to minister to the Lord at the golden incense altar. We also see by the light of the Lord, symbolized by the 7-branch menorah in the holy place. We also feed upon the sinless body of our Lord, symbolized by the unleavened bread of the presence on the golden table in the holy place.
In all of this we minister in the holy place outside of heaven (i.e., the most holy place), while only our great High Priest Himself enters into heaven, and that only once. I state this in the context of Yom Kippur, not in any other context. Jesus enters heaven more than once, but not to sprinkle His blood as payment for the penalty of our sins.
Now that Jesus has entered heaven and sprinkled His blood there, man is no longer shut out of the Lord’s presence. We who are born again have ready access to the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. No temptation is more than we can handle because the Lord provides us a means of escape. We find it at the throne of grace in heaven, where we are most welcome.
This is indeed marvelous spiritual truth, dear friends. I can’t contain myself. I must needs hie off to the prayer closet and avail myself of my Savior’s presence. I want to sit at His feet at the throne of grace a while, while He teaches me His Word. Care to join in?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
In the Old Testament the Lord employed visible physical realities to teach invisible spiritual truths. The holidays of Israel are no exception to this. The high priest was a type of Jesus, our great High Priest. The other priests were types of the Christian.
The tabernacle/tent of meeting was a type of heaven, or rather a type of a meeting place between heaven and earth. It was broken down into two compartments. The outer one went by the name the holy place and symbolized man’s meeting place with the Lord. The inner compartment bore the name the most holy place and represented heaven, the abode of God. The one tent of meeting was divided in half by a veil, thus forming the two compartments.
The holy place was where the priests entered daily to trim the menorah and burn incense on the golden incense altar. No one was allowed to enter the most holy place because sin separated man from God and the Lord dwelt in inside the most holy place. He appeared in the form of the Shekinah cloud of glory, perched atop the mercy seat which covered the Ark of the Covenant.
There was one exception to this interdiction from entering the most holy place, however. Once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) the high priest, dressed in his sumptuous regalia, took the blood of the sin offerings inside the most holy place. Inside he sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat. When he came out alive, it signified that the Lord accepted the blood covering over Israel’s sins for another year.
The holidays of Israel followed a yearly cycle, just as our holidays today do. They taught Israel’s history from the time of the exodus out of Egypt to the end of the Millennium. Thus each year represented the fulfillment of Israel’s history. This means that on Yom Kippur, when the high priest entered the most holy place to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering, it symbolized that he did so once and only once. He did so every year, yes, but each year represented all of Israel’s history.
Now recall who the high priest and the other priests typified. And don’t forget what the holy place and most holy place typified. Do you recognize what is symbolized by Yom Kippur?
Jesus Christ is both the high priest and the sin offering. He died on the cross (symbolized by the bronze altar) for man’s sins, was buried, and three days later He rose out of death and ascended into heaven. As our High Priest He entered heaven and sprinkled His blood on the throne of God. He did this once-for-all (symbolized by the Yom Kippur holiday occurring only once in the year).
We as priests minister before Him by offering up prayers. This was symbolized by Israel’s priests entering the holy place to minister to the Lord at the golden incense altar. We also see by the light of the Lord, symbolized by the 7-branch menorah in the holy place. We also feed upon the sinless body of our Lord, symbolized by the unleavened bread of the presence on the golden table in the holy place.
In all of this we minister in the holy place outside of heaven (i.e., the most holy place), while only our great High Priest Himself enters into heaven, and that only once. I state this in the context of Yom Kippur, not in any other context. Jesus enters heaven more than once, but not to sprinkle His blood as payment for the penalty of our sins.
Now that Jesus has entered heaven and sprinkled His blood there, man is no longer shut out of the Lord’s presence. We who are born again have ready access to the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. No temptation is more than we can handle because the Lord provides us a means of escape. We find it at the throne of grace in heaven, where we are most welcome.
This is indeed marvelous spiritual truth, dear friends. I can’t contain myself. I must needs hie off to the prayer closet and avail myself of my Savior’s presence. I want to sit at His feet at the throne of grace a while, while He teaches me His Word. Care to join in?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 1
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
The famous criminal defense attorney Yen Actlike has a new client. Of course the client is accused of first degree murder. Actlike wouldn’t waste his time or talent on anything less. So the client comes to Actlike’s office to enumerate the facts of the case to his attorney.
I am fabricating this case, so don’t try finding it to watch on the internet. The client is Ms. Chastity. She could never do the dastardly deed she is accused of…even if she had the smoking gun in her hand.
Leave it to Actlike to get her off. He’ll probably prove the bullet holes in the victim’s head are really snake holes. The victim was killed by a brood of vipers, not by bullets from Ms. Chastity’s gun. Anyway, that’s Actlike’s interpretation of the facts, and he is determined to sell it to the twelve arbiters who comprise the jury.
Across the aisle sits the country’s most famous D.A., a certain Mr. Snidely Whiplash. Scratch that. The dude is already taken. He is the arch villain who makes life miserable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Dudley Do-Right. So we’ll name our D.A. Dudley Adversary.
Well, D.A. Adversary isn’t intimidated by Actlike’s reputation. He has a few tricks up his own sleeve. According to him, a smoking gun is a smoking gun. And that resolves the matter. It is the sum total of whatever evidence might be required to convict.
Mr. D.A. Adversary once saw another attorney say, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” So he decided to borrow the parlor trick for use in his own case. Actlike wasn’t about to pull the wool over the eyes of his jurors, you see.
So Mr. D.A. Adversary pronounced in their hearing, “If the gun is smoking, you must be joking!” He couldn’t figure why all the jurors had dropped jaws and blank stares on their faces. Apparently the lights were on but nobody was home…not with the jurors, mind you, but with the good D.A. Adversary. Actlike should expect a slam dunk.
Sitting in the magistrate’s chair and wielding his gavel was the most notable judge this side of heaven, the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He would brook no shenanigans in his courtroom, he wanted both attornerys to know…even though he only looked at Actlike when he threatened reprisals.
On the morning of the trial everyone is present in the courtroom, everyone, that is, except the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He was in the wing, awaiting his summons by the court bailiff. Suddenly the bailliff’s voice echoes through the room and into the judge’s chambers,
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Honorable Blindside Barabbas’ courtroom is called to order. His Honor is about to make his entrance. Stand and salute him, one and all!
This is about to get good, dear friends. Be sure to return after the commercial break, or rather, tomorrow. It is now time to visit with the Lord Jesus a bit.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The famous criminal defense attorney Yen Actlike has a new client. Of course the client is accused of first degree murder. Actlike wouldn’t waste his time or talent on anything less. So the client comes to Actlike’s office to enumerate the facts of the case to his attorney.
I am fabricating this case, so don’t try finding it to watch on the internet. The client is Ms. Chastity. She could never do the dastardly deed she is accused of…even if she had the smoking gun in her hand.
Leave it to Actlike to get her off. He’ll probably prove the bullet holes in the victim’s head are really snake holes. The victim was killed by a brood of vipers, not by bullets from Ms. Chastity’s gun. Anyway, that’s Actlike’s interpretation of the facts, and he is determined to sell it to the twelve arbiters who comprise the jury.
Across the aisle sits the country’s most famous D.A., a certain Mr. Snidely Whiplash. Scratch that. The dude is already taken. He is the arch villain who makes life miserable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Dudley Do-Right. So we’ll name our D.A. Dudley Adversary.
Well, D.A. Adversary isn’t intimidated by Actlike’s reputation. He has a few tricks up his own sleeve. According to him, a smoking gun is a smoking gun. And that resolves the matter. It is the sum total of whatever evidence might be required to convict.
Mr. D.A. Adversary once saw another attorney say, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” So he decided to borrow the parlor trick for use in his own case. Actlike wasn’t about to pull the wool over the eyes of his jurors, you see.
So Mr. D.A. Adversary pronounced in their hearing, “If the gun is smoking, you must be joking!” He couldn’t figure why all the jurors had dropped jaws and blank stares on their faces. Apparently the lights were on but nobody was home…not with the jurors, mind you, but with the good D.A. Adversary. Actlike should expect a slam dunk.
Sitting in the magistrate’s chair and wielding his gavel was the most notable judge this side of heaven, the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He would brook no shenanigans in his courtroom, he wanted both attornerys to know…even though he only looked at Actlike when he threatened reprisals.
On the morning of the trial everyone is present in the courtroom, everyone, that is, except the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He was in the wing, awaiting his summons by the court bailiff. Suddenly the bailliff’s voice echoes through the room and into the judge’s chambers,
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Honorable Blindside Barabbas’ courtroom is called to order. His Honor is about to make his entrance. Stand and salute him, one and all!
This is about to get good, dear friends. Be sure to return after the commercial break, or rather, tomorrow. It is now time to visit with the Lord Jesus a bit.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 2
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
The Honorable Blindside Barabbas sits at the judge’s bench, presiding over the two prima donnas who occupy the attorneys’ chairs. The defense prima donna, er, I mean the defense attorney, is Mr. Yen Actlike, while the district attorney is Mr. Dudley Adversary. Attorney Actlike’s client is Ms. Chastity, yes, none other than the sweet and innocent Ms. Chastity, one and the same.
As is customary with all “innocent until proven guilty” societies, the D.A. has to present his case first. Either he proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Chastity did the foul deed, or else Ms. Chastity doesn’t even have to prove her innocence. The only thing she need do is adequately dispute Dudley Adversary’s evidence if need be. And that is Yen Actlike’s job anyway, not Ms. Chastity’s.
So D.A. Adversary goes first.
If it please the court, I’d like to request an adjournment for a month or so.
To which Mr. Actlike responds,
Objection, Your Honor. This is a delaying tactic because no real evidence exists to support the charges against my client.
Dudley Adversary doesn’t take too kindly to the insinuation and retorts with vehemence,
Oh, yea. What do you call the photos of Ms. Chastity holding the smoking gun while standing over the warm corpse, you shyster you?
He shouldn’t have spoken so harshly to Attorney Actlike. Now ol’ Yen’s dander was up, and was he riled. He countered,
And seeing that no substantive evidence exists to support the charges against my client, I move to dismiss.
Judge Barabbas gets into the act. Rapping his gavel on the judge’s desk, he thunders,
Both attorneys make excellent points. Court is both adjourned for several months, and the case is dismissed due to the lack of evidence! So go home and watch my TV show.
Didn’t I caution you at the conclusion of the last study not to miss out on this exciting court case. Have you ever witnessed such a sterling display of jurisprudence by a judge? Did two attorneys ever go at it any better than Yen Actlike and Dudley Adversary?
Oh, but we must go to commercial break at this time. We will meet back here same time, same channel, tomorrow. See you then, and see Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Honorable Blindside Barabbas sits at the judge’s bench, presiding over the two prima donnas who occupy the attorneys’ chairs. The defense prima donna, er, I mean the defense attorney, is Mr. Yen Actlike, while the district attorney is Mr. Dudley Adversary. Attorney Actlike’s client is Ms. Chastity, yes, none other than the sweet and innocent Ms. Chastity, one and the same.
As is customary with all “innocent until proven guilty” societies, the D.A. has to present his case first. Either he proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Chastity did the foul deed, or else Ms. Chastity doesn’t even have to prove her innocence. The only thing she need do is adequately dispute Dudley Adversary’s evidence if need be. And that is Yen Actlike’s job anyway, not Ms. Chastity’s.
So D.A. Adversary goes first.
If it please the court, I’d like to request an adjournment for a month or so.
To which Mr. Actlike responds,
Objection, Your Honor. This is a delaying tactic because no real evidence exists to support the charges against my client.
Dudley Adversary doesn’t take too kindly to the insinuation and retorts with vehemence,
Oh, yea. What do you call the photos of Ms. Chastity holding the smoking gun while standing over the warm corpse, you shyster you?
He shouldn’t have spoken so harshly to Attorney Actlike. Now ol’ Yen’s dander was up, and was he riled. He countered,
And seeing that no substantive evidence exists to support the charges against my client, I move to dismiss.
Judge Barabbas gets into the act. Rapping his gavel on the judge’s desk, he thunders,
Both attorneys make excellent points. Court is both adjourned for several months, and the case is dismissed due to the lack of evidence! So go home and watch my TV show.
Didn’t I caution you at the conclusion of the last study not to miss out on this exciting court case. Have you ever witnessed such a sterling display of jurisprudence by a judge? Did two attorneys ever go at it any better than Yen Actlike and Dudley Adversary?
Oh, but we must go to commercial break at this time. We will meet back here same time, same channel, tomorrow. See you then, and see Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 3
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
We’ve been enthralled the past couple of studies by the courtroom theatrics of D.A. Dudley Adversary and Defense Attorney Yen Actlike. The Honorable Blindside Barabbas got into the act too.
But sorry. We must now switch channels to watch an even better courtroom scenario. This is necessary so that we can learn how all of this applies to our Bible verses. I do apologize though. I didn’t mean to yank the show in midseason and leave you hanging.
Our Bible verses afford us a panoramic view of a courtroom in eternity. Off in the distance we can see Judge Theos sitting on His judge’s bench with gavel in hand. Standing there in front of Him is that disgusting ogre, D.A. Diabolos, bringing countless charges against a good deal of mankind.
Not to worry though. In our corner is Defense Attorney Yeshua HaMashiach, the renowned Israeli world champion. He will have a thing or two to say about El Diabolos’ infernal lies.
How does this relate to our Bible verses? It’s like this. Jesus is God’s great High Priest, given to stand before the eternal throne and defend every person who comes to Him to live. Let’s examine how this is so, as it is presented in Hebrews 2:17-18.
In verse 17 we are taught that Jesus was 100% perfect humanity, just like you and me, sin excepted. That is the significance of the words “made like His brethren in all things”. The eternal Son of God took upon real humanity. He became one of us, while still remaining fully God. He is the God-man. He is not a hybrid of the two natures, nor is He God with an appearance of flesh and blood. He was made like us “in all things”.
The reason He fully became one of us is expressed in the words “so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Jesus’ ministry as the God-man was to be God’s high priest on behalf of sinful man.
To adequately fulfill His ministry, Jesus had to be both a merciful high priest and a faithful high priest. A high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”. God chose His priests. No one was ever permitted to take this honor unto himself. God had to appoint him to the ministry.
His duties were to do the things God required of him, not to make up his own rules and regulations. His role was to “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. This means he had to appease God, Who was angered over the violations of His Law by sinful man. This is an excellent example of how the high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”.
Wow! Already our time is up! We will conclude this topic on the morrow. For now we are privileged to learn from our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit imbue His teaching into our heads and hearts.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We’ve been enthralled the past couple of studies by the courtroom theatrics of D.A. Dudley Adversary and Defense Attorney Yen Actlike. The Honorable Blindside Barabbas got into the act too.
But sorry. We must now switch channels to watch an even better courtroom scenario. This is necessary so that we can learn how all of this applies to our Bible verses. I do apologize though. I didn’t mean to yank the show in midseason and leave you hanging.
Our Bible verses afford us a panoramic view of a courtroom in eternity. Off in the distance we can see Judge Theos sitting on His judge’s bench with gavel in hand. Standing there in front of Him is that disgusting ogre, D.A. Diabolos, bringing countless charges against a good deal of mankind.
Not to worry though. In our corner is Defense Attorney Yeshua HaMashiach, the renowned Israeli world champion. He will have a thing or two to say about El Diabolos’ infernal lies.
How does this relate to our Bible verses? It’s like this. Jesus is God’s great High Priest, given to stand before the eternal throne and defend every person who comes to Him to live. Let’s examine how this is so, as it is presented in Hebrews 2:17-18.
In verse 17 we are taught that Jesus was 100% perfect humanity, just like you and me, sin excepted. That is the significance of the words “made like His brethren in all things”. The eternal Son of God took upon real humanity. He became one of us, while still remaining fully God. He is the God-man. He is not a hybrid of the two natures, nor is He God with an appearance of flesh and blood. He was made like us “in all things”.
The reason He fully became one of us is expressed in the words “so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Jesus’ ministry as the God-man was to be God’s high priest on behalf of sinful man.
To adequately fulfill His ministry, Jesus had to be both a merciful high priest and a faithful high priest. A high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”. God chose His priests. No one was ever permitted to take this honor unto himself. God had to appoint him to the ministry.
His duties were to do the things God required of him, not to make up his own rules and regulations. His role was to “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. This means he had to appease God, Who was angered over the violations of His Law by sinful man. This is an excellent example of how the high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”.
Wow! Already our time is up! We will conclude this topic on the morrow. For now we are privileged to learn from our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit imbue His teaching into our heads and hearts.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Double-edged Attorney – Part 4
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
In eternity’s courtroom God is the Judge. The devil accuses God’s people and Jesus defends them against the devil’s charges. Hebrews 2 makes note of this under the job title “high priest”.
Because Jesus has the ministry of defending God’s people against the devil’s charges, it is necessary that Jesus be able to relate to us in a real way. God knows all things, yes, but God doesn’t have the mindset, worldview, weaknesses, attitudes, and emotions of sinful men and women.
The question to be answered is, “How can a thrice holy God who is far above mankind, who is sinless and incapable of sin—how can such a One relate to sinful mankind. God and man are so far removed from each other that they cannot connect on any level.”
God resolved this apparent dilemma. God the Father gave God the Son to mankind as man’s Savior. In order to resolve the dilemma just noted, the eternal Son of God became a real flesh and blood human, all the while remaining the eternal Son of God. Verse 18 of Hebrews 2 explains what this accomplished:
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Do we sinful humans go hungry? So too did Jesus. Do we hurt? So too did Jesus? Do we become sleepy, suffer poverty, miss our family and friends, face countless temptations…and the list could be extended to cover every facet of being human? Yes, we do. So too did Jesus.
Jesus became one of us so that He could experience for Himself who we are and what we go through. That qualifies Him to represent us to God, don’t you think? We can no longer assert that God doesn’t know what it’s like to… You can fill in any answer you want. We are without excuse now. In Jesus God not only knows all things, but He also experienced all things human, sin excepted. He is qualified to be our representative to God.
God’s high priest had a two-fold ministry. His ministry made Him a “double-edged attorney”, if you would. The priest stood between God and man. On the one hand he represented man to God, on the other he represented God to man.
As man’s representative to God, the priest served as man’s defense attorney. As God’s representative to man, the priest served as the one who taught God’s Law to man.
On the basis of obedience to God’s Law man was allowed to be a part of God’s people. Disobedience to God’s Law made man a lawbreaker, a criminal, at which time the devil entered the story as the D.A. to bring charges against man for breaking God’s Law.
Jesus is one of us in truth. He can relate to us and represent us to God, dear friends. This spiritual truth is taught us so that we will flee to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Won’t you go to Him now and ask Him to be your eternal defense attorney? His suffering and death allows Him to win your pardon at the bar of God.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Categories: Church Age
In eternity’s courtroom God is the Judge. The devil accuses God’s people and Jesus defends them against the devil’s charges. Hebrews 2 makes note of this under the job title “high priest”.
Because Jesus has the ministry of defending God’s people against the devil’s charges, it is necessary that Jesus be able to relate to us in a real way. God knows all things, yes, but God doesn’t have the mindset, worldview, weaknesses, attitudes, and emotions of sinful men and women.
The question to be answered is, “How can a thrice holy God who is far above mankind, who is sinless and incapable of sin—how can such a One relate to sinful mankind. God and man are so far removed from each other that they cannot connect on any level.”
God resolved this apparent dilemma. God the Father gave God the Son to mankind as man’s Savior. In order to resolve the dilemma just noted, the eternal Son of God became a real flesh and blood human, all the while remaining the eternal Son of God. Verse 18 of Hebrews 2 explains what this accomplished:
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Do we sinful humans go hungry? So too did Jesus. Do we hurt? So too did Jesus? Do we become sleepy, suffer poverty, miss our family and friends, face countless temptations…and the list could be extended to cover every facet of being human? Yes, we do. So too did Jesus.
Jesus became one of us so that He could experience for Himself who we are and what we go through. That qualifies Him to represent us to God, don’t you think? We can no longer assert that God doesn’t know what it’s like to… You can fill in any answer you want. We are without excuse now. In Jesus God not only knows all things, but He also experienced all things human, sin excepted. He is qualified to be our representative to God.
God’s high priest had a two-fold ministry. His ministry made Him a “double-edged attorney”, if you would. The priest stood between God and man. On the one hand he represented man to God, on the other he represented God to man.
As man’s representative to God, the priest served as man’s defense attorney. As God’s representative to man, the priest served as the one who taught God’s Law to man.
On the basis of obedience to God’s Law man was allowed to be a part of God’s people. Disobedience to God’s Law made man a lawbreaker, a criminal, at which time the devil entered the story as the D.A. to bring charges against man for breaking God’s Law.
Jesus is one of us in truth. He can relate to us and represent us to God, dear friends. This spiritual truth is taught us so that we will flee to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Won’t you go to Him now and ask Him to be your eternal defense attorney? His suffering and death allows Him to win your pardon at the bar of God.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Categories: Church Age
One of My Favorite Days
Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption [Hebrews 9:12].
In the Old Testament the Lord employed visible physical realities to teach invisible spiritual truths. The holidays of Israel are no exception to this. The high priest was a type of Jesus, our great High Priest. The other priests were types of the Christian.
The tabernacle/tent of meeting was a type of heaven, or rather a type of a meeting place between heaven and earth. It was broken down into two compartments. The outer one went by the name the holy place and symbolized man’s meeting place with the Lord. The inner compartment bore the name the most holy place and represented heaven, the abode of God. The one tent of meeting was divided in half by a veil, thus forming the two compartments.
The holy place was where the priests entered daily to trim the menorah and burn incense on the golden incense altar. No one was allowed to enter the most holy place because sin separated man from God and the Lord dwelt in inside the most holy place. He appeared in the form of the Shekinah cloud of glory, perched atop the mercy seat which covered the Ark of the Covenant.
There was one exception to this interdiction from entering the most holy place, however. Once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) the high priest, dressed in his sumptuous regalia, took the blood of the sin offerings inside the most holy place. Inside he sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat. When he came out alive, it signified that the Lord accepted the blood covering over Israel’s sins for another year.
The holidays of Israel followed a yearly cycle, just as our holidays do today. They taught Israel’s history from the time of the exodus out of Egypt to the end of the Millennium. Thus each year represented the fulfillment of Israel’s history. This means that on Yom Kippur, when the high priest entered the most holy place to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering, it symbolized that he did so once and only once. He did so every year, yes, but each year represented all of Israel’s history.
Now recall who the high priest and the other priests typified. And don’t forget what the holy place and most holy place typified. Do you recognize what is symbolized by Yom Kippur?
Jesus Christ is both the high priest and the sin offering. He died on the cross (symbolized by the bronze altar) for man’s sins, was buried, and three days later He rose out of death and ascended into heaven. As our High Priest He entered heaven and sprinkled His blood on the throne of God. He did this once-for-all (symbolized by the Yom Kippur holiday occurring only once in the year).
We as priests minister before Him by offering up prayers. This was symbolized by Israel’s priests entering the holy place to minister to the Lord at the golden incense altar. We also see by the light of the Lord, symbolized by the 7-branch menorah in the holy place. We also feed upon the sinless body of our Lord, symbolized by the unleavened bread of the presence on the golden table in the holy place.
In all of this we minister in the holy place outside of heaven (i.e., the most holy place), while only our great High Priest Himself enters into heaven, and that only once. I state this in the context of Yom Kippur, not in any other context. Jesus enters heaven more than once, but not to sprinkle His blood as payment for the penalty of our sins.
Now that Jesus has entered heaven and sprinkled His blood there, man is no longer shut out of the Lord’s presence. We who are born again have ready access to the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. No temptation is more than we can handle because the Lord provides us a means of escape. We find it at the throne of grace in heaven, where we are most welcome.
This is indeed marvelous spiritual truth, dear friends. I can’t contain myself. I must needs hie off to the prayer closet and avail myself of my Savior’s presence. I want to sit at His feet at the throne of grace a while, while He teaches me His Word. Care to join in?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
In the Old Testament the Lord employed visible physical realities to teach invisible spiritual truths. The holidays of Israel are no exception to this. The high priest was a type of Jesus, our great High Priest. The other priests were types of the Christian.
The tabernacle/tent of meeting was a type of heaven, or rather a type of a meeting place between heaven and earth. It was broken down into two compartments. The outer one went by the name the holy place and symbolized man’s meeting place with the Lord. The inner compartment bore the name the most holy place and represented heaven, the abode of God. The one tent of meeting was divided in half by a veil, thus forming the two compartments.
The holy place was where the priests entered daily to trim the menorah and burn incense on the golden incense altar. No one was allowed to enter the most holy place because sin separated man from God and the Lord dwelt in inside the most holy place. He appeared in the form of the Shekinah cloud of glory, perched atop the mercy seat which covered the Ark of the Covenant.
There was one exception to this interdiction from entering the most holy place, however. Once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) the high priest, dressed in his sumptuous regalia, took the blood of the sin offerings inside the most holy place. Inside he sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat. When he came out alive, it signified that the Lord accepted the blood covering over Israel’s sins for another year.
The holidays of Israel followed a yearly cycle, just as our holidays do today. They taught Israel’s history from the time of the exodus out of Egypt to the end of the Millennium. Thus each year represented the fulfillment of Israel’s history. This means that on Yom Kippur, when the high priest entered the most holy place to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering, it symbolized that he did so once and only once. He did so every year, yes, but each year represented all of Israel’s history.
Now recall who the high priest and the other priests typified. And don’t forget what the holy place and most holy place typified. Do you recognize what is symbolized by Yom Kippur?
Jesus Christ is both the high priest and the sin offering. He died on the cross (symbolized by the bronze altar) for man’s sins, was buried, and three days later He rose out of death and ascended into heaven. As our High Priest He entered heaven and sprinkled His blood on the throne of God. He did this once-for-all (symbolized by the Yom Kippur holiday occurring only once in the year).
We as priests minister before Him by offering up prayers. This was symbolized by Israel’s priests entering the holy place to minister to the Lord at the golden incense altar. We also see by the light of the Lord, symbolized by the 7-branch menorah in the holy place. We also feed upon the sinless body of our Lord, symbolized by the unleavened bread of the presence on the golden table in the holy place.
In all of this we minister in the holy place outside of heaven (i.e., the most holy place), while only our great High Priest Himself enters into heaven, and that only once. I state this in the context of Yom Kippur, not in any other context. Jesus enters heaven more than once, but not to sprinkle His blood as payment for the penalty of our sins.
Now that Jesus has entered heaven and sprinkled His blood there, man is no longer shut out of the Lord’s presence. We who are born again have ready access to the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. No temptation is more than we can handle because the Lord provides us a means of escape. We find it at the throne of grace in heaven, where we are most welcome.
This is indeed marvelous spiritual truth, dear friends. I can’t contain myself. I must needs hie off to the prayer closet and avail myself of my Savior’s presence. I want to sit at His feet at the throne of grace a while, while He teaches me His Word. Care to join in?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
