◄ What Does Hebrews 7:16 Mean? ►

The Bible outlines the story of redemption, from the very beginning and on into the eternal ages to come. Eve knew her Seed would crush the serpent's head and Abraham looked for a city, whose Builder and Maker was God.

Israel were promised a land and a kingdom of peace and prosperity, with a descendant of king David sitting on the royal throne – and the Lord Jesus was sent to earth at God's appointed time, to take up His position as King of Israel and Saviour of the world.

"Repent Israel, for the kingdom of God is at hand," was the cry of John the Baptist, but Israel rejected the kingdom and their King – and they crucified their Messiah. They cried with a loud voice, "We will not have this Man to rule over us," and so the kingdom was set aside for a season and Jesus, the Crown-Prince of heavenly glory, returned to His Father's throne until a future time when He would be accepted by His people, seated on the throne of David, and crowned as their eternal King, Sovereign Lord, and promised Messiah.

Today, the kingdom has been postponed and the Prince of Peace continues to be Israel's 'King-in-Waiting'. Today, Jesus is seated on the throne of His Father, until that time when the very nation that rejected Him will cry out with one voice for Him to save them: "Hosanna!" they will cry, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord." On that day, they will all acknowledge Him as God's anointed Messiah and enthrone Him, on David's throne, as their long-awaited King.

The Church age is that period of time before the Lord returns to set up that promised Kingdom and be crowed King of all kings. Today, Christ's role is neither Prophet nor King. Jesus came as Prophet 2000 years ago, but they did not believe Him. He came as King, but they did not crown Him.

Today, the Lord Jesus is functioning as our great High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek. He is our heavenly Mediator Who is continuously interceding for us. He is acting as High Priest in heavenly places for the Church… and Hebrews sets out clearly Christ's present, High Priestly ministry.

Hebrews emphases that the temporary, inferior Aaronic priesthood, after the order of Levi, had been set aside for Christ's permanent, superior, and eternal Priesthood. The kingly Lion of the tribe of Judah is also God's great High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus did not become a High Priest based on a legality concerning physical descent – like Israel's priestly inherited line. Jesus became High Priest based on the power of an indestructible life. Jesus, the God-Man, became the Mediator of a New and better Covenant because He gave His life as the ransom price for the sin of the world and was raised to life – based on the power of an inextinguishable life.

Jesus was fully God and fully Man. As MAN, He offered Himself as humanity's sacrifice for sin. He shed His own lifeblood and died on the Cross to pay the price for the sin of the World. But as GOD – as the immortal, eternal, deathless Son of the most High God, He rose from the dead – based on the supernatural POWER of His indestructible life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us that Jesus is the great Prophet, the great King of the Jews Who will sit on David's throne. He is the promised Messiah of Israel and the Saviour of mankind. Thank You that today, Jesus is seated on the throne of His Father acting as our great High Priest and is interceding for His Church night and day. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.