Melchizedek

We first met Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Abraham was returning from his battle with Kedorlaomer in which he had rescued his nephew Lot. Melchizedek blessed Abraham and Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek.

Melchizedek is mentioned in history as we read the account of his encounter with Abraham in Genesis 14. He is a real person but very little information is given about him. Take time to read the story in Genesis 14:18 – 20.

Melchizedek is also mentioned in song. In Psalm 110 the Lord makes a prophecy regarding the Son when He says that He will be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

In Hebrews we see the argument developed that shows that Jesus is superior to Aaron because His priesthood is not temporary and conditional as was Aaron’s but permanent and unconditional.

One final note: Jesus was not made like Melchizedek but it was the other way around.

God's Word

I listened to a man who smuggled Bibles into North Korea. Those people are so grateful to get a Bible and we take it for granted. Some would give up meals and walk miles to get to even hear God's Word and we cannot even be bothered to bring our Bibles to church. We should be ashamed.

Looking for a Priest

I haven't written for over a week because I was in BC attending the Bibles for Missions board meeting and the Bible League of Canada's ministry day. I have a few thoughts regarding that day that I will share on another day.
A priest is one who intercedes to God on behalf of the people. Now I believe in the priesthood of all believers and we don't need someone to intercede for us but there are many people who come to one of us and asks us to pray for them. They feel that they need a priest to intercede on their behalf. As a Christian we should always be ready to stand in the gap for others.

If or Since

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. Hebrews 3:14
Someone said that the word "if" should be translated "since" but as I checked other translations the word is "if" not "since". Now it would fit our doctrines much better if the word was "since" but it is a conditional phrase and we are told that we have come to share in Christ if... Does this sound like works-righteousness? However, we need to be reminded that we can only work out what God has worked in. Do we not like the word "if" because it challenges our doctrine?

Sabbath Rest

I heard a speaker on the computer explaining the Sabbath rest. He said that because each day was as a 1000 years then we are now entering into the Sabbath. He went on to explain that the Sabbath was to be observed because of this. He missed one important point and that is why he drew these conclusions. He missed the point that the Sabbath was fulfilled in Jesus. He is our Sabbath rest.

Backwards

Today I was reading from Ephesians 6 where we are told to put on the whole armour of God then we are to stand. My rational mind tells me that this is backward. Shouldn't we be given the armour by God and then told to go and fight? It really shows that God's ways are different than our ways. We are told to do something, put on the armour, then we are told to do nothing but stand. In my study of Hebrews I am reminded that there is much that we are to do but it is only by God's grace that we can do it. This certainly isn't works righteousness. He tells us what to do and then He does it through us.

Come

Watch this powerful video by Paris Reidhead who talks about salvation is a person not a plan.

Now but not yet.

I was on the hot seat Sunday night as I described salvation as now but not yet. I said that there was a future aspect to salvation and some disagreed with me. Let me explain.
Salvation is definitely anchored in the past. There was a time when we were adopted into the family of God. This is the beginning of salvation. However, there are many who claim to have made that commitment but have not continued on. For salvation to be secure we must persevere to the end. Some call this works righteousness but it isn't because it is only by the grace of God that we can persevere to the end. Others criticize it because they say that no one will have assurance of salvation if this is the case but that is also not true. If you are running the race, pressing on to the end, then you know that you have eternal life.
How can anyone begin the race by looking to Jesus and then not look to Him any longer. As the writer of Hebrews says, "How can we escape if we neglect this great salvation." Remember, salvation is a person not a plan and that person is Jesus.

What is man?

When man was created by God he was created in the image of God and was given dominion over creation. However, because man sinned that image was marred and the dominion that was once his was shaken. But there was a second man, not created but begotten, the Son Christ Jesus and because of Him man can one day be restored to what was the Genesis 1 man.

Angels and the Law

One of the reasons that the Jewish people held angels in such high regard was that it was believed that the Law was given to Moses by the angels. C.f. Galatians 3:19 and Acts 7:53. If the author of Hebrews was going to show that Jesus was our high priest and our saviour he had to show that Jesus was superior to angels.

Did an angel save a girl from dying in hospital?

I watched this video new clip from NBC news and then I thought again of Jesus who is superior to angels. Was this little girl saved by an angel? Was the angel worthy of being worshipped? Scripture would tell us that if this girl was saved it would only be by Jesus and He alone is worthy of being worshipped. Watch the news clip and tell me what you think.

Angels are popular today

Angels are popular today but there is so much false teaching or understanding about angels. From movies to commercials we are fed false information.
In City of Angels, Nicolas Cage plays an angel who falls in love with a mortal woman and chooses to become mortal himself. In Michael, John Travolta is an irresponsible angel who smokes, eats too much sugar, and generally behaves badly. In countless other films, angels are shown helping humans fall in love or see the value of their lives (It’s a Wonderful Life) or even win baseball games (Angels in the Outfield).
How does this help us understand the Biblical teaching regarding angels as ministering spirits.
The popular show Touched by an Angel depicted a group of angels doing God’s will by helping people on earth. Many Christians loved that show because it was so positive and talked about God and emphasized the importance of making right choices. But how much did it talk about Jesus? And if a show about angels gives people the idea that they can get to heaven with the help of some wonderful angels but without Jesus, is it doing more harm than good?
The writer of Hebrews deliberately talks about angels and in doing so he shows us that Jesus is superior to angels. Angels are not feel-good beings they are messengers of God to show honour and glory to the Son, Jesus our Saviour.

Messianic Psalms

One question asked is, "Which Psalms are Messianic?" When you read Hebrews and see how the author of the book of Hebrews uses Scripture you would have to answer that all of the Psalms are Messianic. All Scripture is about Christ. Too often we divide Scripture so that we say that this is Messianic and this isn't but that is not the case. All Scripture speaks of Him.