Letter to the Hebrews Volume 67

The Absolute Necessity for a New Priesthood Part 6

Hebrews 7:23-24 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this Man, because He continueth forever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood. KJV

Next the writer of Hebrews here makes for us the clear, complete, and certain distinction of those men who made up the Levitical priesthood as descendants of Aaron with the Priesthood that is our Lord Jesus Christ and that being the Aaronic priesthood consisted of Mortal men who each died at some point during their earthly dwelling and never returned from the dead, therefore, we now read these words from the writer of Hebrews, "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:" (Hebrews 7:23) (KJV). The English phrase 'they were not suffered' is translated by the Greek word kōluō which means to estop, that is, prevent (by word or act): - forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand. In other words, Mortal man (no matter who they are or how high their earthly status or position) is not able to stop or prevent their death from happening, it is inevitable, therefore, with the constant change of high priest among the Hebrews brought about different ideas, ideology, and even made some into idols which caused chaos, confusion, and conflict among the Hebrew people and caused so many heavy burdens to be attached to the worship of God that were impossible for the Hebrew people to adhere to, as our Lord Jesus Christ rebuked them of that very thing with these words, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." (Matthew 23:1-4) (KJV). Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of Hebrews 7:23, "There were many common priests at a time; and though there was but one high priest at a time, yet there were many of them in a line of succession from Aaron down to the Apostle's time. The Jews say, that under the first temple eighteen high priests ministered, and under the second temple more than three hundred: this shows the imperfection of this priesthood, since it was in many hands; no one continuing and being sufficient to execute it; but Christ is the One and Only High Priest; there is no other, nor is there any need of any other: the reason why there were so many under the law was, death has a power to forbid a long continuance in this world, and no man does continue long here: death puts a stop to men's works, and to the exercise of their several callings; no office, even the most sacred, exempts from it; no, not the office of high priests: these were but men, sinful men, and so died; and their discontinuance by reason of death shows the imperfection of their priesthood: there was another reason besides this which the Apostle gives, why the high priests were so many, and especially about this time; and that is, the office was bought for money, and men that would give most were put into it: hence there were frequent changes; the Jews themselves say, they changed every twelve months."

However, the God/Man Jesus Christ died once on the Cross (for the sins of the entire world) and rose again or resurrected from the dead and in so doing ushered in a new life for mankind, an eternal life with a new glorified body that comprised flesh and bone and which would never be subject to death anymore, therefore, we read these next words from the writer of Hebrews, "But this Man, because He continueth forever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood." (Hebrews 7:24) (KJV). Because our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ will never die, then, He is the singular High Priest forever with no successor ever to replace Him. The English word 'continueth' is translated by the Greek word menō a primary verb which means to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand. The little English phrase 'an unchangeable' is translated by the Greek word aparabatos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning not passing away, that is, untransferable (perpetual): - unchangeable. Jesus Christ testified to the early disciples when He appeared to them (after His Resurrection) with these words as documented for us by the Gospel writer Luke, "And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have. And when He had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before them. And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on High." (Luke 24:36-49) (KJV). The most wonderful thing for me and for everyone who is born again and belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ is that we will have a glorified body like unto His when we are with Him in heaven forever, as it is written, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:1-2) (KJV). Here is what Dr. John Gill says of Hebrews 7:24, "Though He died, death did not forbid Him to continue, as it does other men; He was not forced to die, He died voluntarily; and He continued but for a small time under the power of death; besides, His death was a branch of His Priestly office: so that He not only continued in His divine nature, which still had the human nature in union with it, but He continued in His office as a Priest, and quickly rose from the dead; and the virtue of His sacrifice always remains, and He Himself ever lives as an intercessor: wherefore He hath an unchangeable Priesthood; which will never be antiquated, and give place to another; nor does it, or ever will it pass from Him to another, for it is needless, seeing He lives, and no other is sufficient for it; and it would be injustice to pass it to another; the glory of it is due to Him; and this is matter of comfort to the saints, that He sits a Priest upon His throne, and that His Priesthood always continues."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…