A Priest Forever After the Order of

Melchizedek
1. Heb 1:1-2—Jesus is better than the PROPHETS
2. Heb 1:3-14—Jesus as the Son of God is better than the ANGELS (sons of God)
a. Verse 3—express image of the Father’s person while the angels are called ministering
spirits (verse 14)
b. Verse 4—he has by inheritance a more excellent name than they
c. Verse 6—angels commanded to worship Him even when he came as a man lower than the
angels
d. Verse 8-9—called “God” by His Father
e. Verse 9—(as the archangel Michael), He is anointed above his fellows
f. Verse 11—called Lord who created all things
g. Verse 13—sits at the right hand of the Father while angels cannot
h. Most all, remained loyal to God; angelic perfection failed in heaven
3. Hebrews 2—Jesus as Son of man is better than ADAM
a. Verse 8---Although a commanded to have dominion over all of creation (Gen 1:28), he
does not have it now; Jesus does
b. Verse 2, 10, 18---Jesus remained loyal to God, obeyed Him while suffering under
temptation, while Adam failed a small test of loyalty that required no suffering
“. . .The human will of Christ would not have led him to the wilderness of temptation, to fast, and
to be tempted of the devil. It would not have led him to endure humiliation, scorn, reproach,
suffering, and death. His human nature shrank from all these things as decidedly as ours shrinks
from them. He endured the contradiction of sinners against himself. The contrast between the life
and character of Christ and our life and character is painful to contemplate. What did Christ live to
do? It was the will of his heavenly Father. Christ left us an example, that we should follow in his
steps. Are we doing it?” --St Oct 24, 1894.

4. Hebrew 3---Jesus is better than MOSES and better than the nation of ISRAEL
a. Verse 5---Moses faithful to God’s house as a servant while Jesus is faithful as Son
b. Moses failed; Jesus remained faithful
c. Verse 7-19---Jesus is better than Israel, God’s firstborn, because He obeyed while they
were rebellious and unbelieving;
5. Hebrews 4---Jesus is better than JOSHUA; Jesus is the better REST
a. Verses 4:8-11—Joshua could only give physical rest (Joshua 1:13-15, John 21:24 Heb.
nuach); therefore there is a call to enter into God’s rest (Heb. “shabat,” Gr. “Sabatismos”);
the spiritual rest Christ offers through His Priestly ministration is much better (Matt 11:28-
30); there remaineth a rest (sabatismos) therefore to the people of God
6. HEBREWS 5---As Priest, Jesus is better than AARON
a. Verse 2---compassed with infirmity

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 b. Verse 3—had to offer sacrifice for his own sin
c. Verse 9—perfect while Aaron was not
d. Verse 8, 10—Jesus made a priest after the order of Melchizedek with an oath

1. **Verse 11-14—Paul reproves the Hebrew Christians for being “dull of hearing”; in need of milk
when they should be teachers (implies spiritually sluggish and mentally lazy; implies lack of
personal knowledge of Scriptures, specially the part that deals with the High Priestly work of Christ)

It is too late in the day to feed with milk. If souls a month or two old in the truth, who are about to enter
the time of trouble such as never was, cannot hear all the straight truth, or endure the strong meat of the
straightness of the way, how will they stand in the day of battle? Truths that we have been years learning
must be learned in a few months by those who now embrace the Third Angel's Message. We had to search
and wait the opening of truth, receiving a ray of light here and a ray there, laboring and pleading for God to
reveal truth to us. But now the truth is plain; its rays are brought together. The blazing light of truth when
it is presented as it should be can be now seen and brought to bear upon the heart. There is no need of
milk after souls are convinced of the truth. As soon as the conviction of truth is yielded to and the heart
willing, the truth should have its effect, the truth will work like leaven, and purify and purge away the
passions of the natural heart. It is a disgrace for those who have been in the truth for years to talk of
feeding souls who have been months in the truth, upon milk. It shows they know little of the leadings of
the Spirit of the Lord, and realize not the time we are living in. Those who embrace the truth now will have
to step fast. There will have to be a breaking up of heart before the Lord, a rending of heart, and not the
garment. MS 22, pages 33-34, 1854.

7. HEBREWS 6—the Faith of Jesus is better than the faith of ABRAHAM

a. Verses 1-3—Spiritual immaturity defined as becoming stagnant and failing to advance in
the Christian walk; six very basic doctrinal points are given as example of “milk” upon
which baby Christians feed on: repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands (followed
baptism to receive the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:16-17; Acts 19:5-6), resurrection from the dead,
eternal judgment;
b. Verses 19-20—the call to follow Jesus into the heavenly sanctuary follows the call to leave
behind the (basic, rudimentary) principles of the doctrine of Christ and going unto spiritual
maturity; the call to follow Jesus into the heavenly sanctuary is only possible if one knows
the “way” into the heavenly sanctuary
c. Verses 12-15—the faith of Abraham in God’s promise showcased; this faith was not strong
and consistent like the faith of Jesus who endured Calvary even though His feelings and His
senses told Him that God had abandoned Him;
8. HEBREWS 7—Jesus’ priesthood is superior to that of LEVI (the LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD)
a. Seven reasons why Melchizedek’s priesthood is superior to Aaron’s
i. Verses 4-6—Abraham paid tithes to him
ii. Verses 7—Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek
iii. Verse 8—Melchizedek’s priesthood is a continuous priesthood because he does
not die; he is a type of One who does not die
iv. Verses 9-10—Levi paid tithe to Melchizedek

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 v. Verses 11, 19—the Levitical priesthood made nothing perfect
vi. Verse 20-21—Melchizedek’s priesthood founded upon an oath
vii. Verse 24—Melchizedek’s priesthood is an unchangeable one in contrast to the
constant changes in the Levitical priesthood
b. Seven-fold summary statement describing the Melchizedek priesthood of Christ
i. Verse 26—an absolutely sinless priesthood (holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners)
ii. Verse 26—an exalted kingly priesthood (made higher than the heavens)
iii. Verse 27—needs no sacrifice for Himself
iv. Verse 27—Priest and victim (offered himself only once)
v. Verse 28—a Priesthood with no (moral) infirmity
vi. Verse 28—priesthood backed by the word of an oath
vii. Verse 28—a perfect Priesthood (Gr. “teleios,” literally meaning “perfected” instead
of “consecrated” forevermore)

Conclusion
1. Is Christ’s priesthood better than anything to us? Are we advancing in this knowledge or are we dull of
hearing, still feeding on milk needing to be taught when we should be teachers…?
2. Do we know enough about His work as High Priest to be able to follow Him into the heavenly sanctuary
by faith within the veil?
3. Most of all, do we understand the cost of the benefits we are receiving as a result of His powerful work
of intercession? The Melchizedek priesthood of Christ is an highly exalted all-powerful priesthood, but
more than anything else, it is condescending, suffering priesthood. . .the work of atonement is not a
pain-free process. . .

His intercession is that of a pierced and broken body, of a spotless life. The wounded hands, the pierced
side, the marred feet, plead for fallen man, whose redemption was purchased at such infinite cost. GC
416.

Christ as high priest within the veil so immortalized Calvary that though He liveth unto God, He dies
continually to sin, and thus if any man sin, he has an advocate with the Father. 1SM 343.

As you near the cross of Calvary there is seen love that is without a parallel. As you by faith grasp the
meaning of the sacrifice, you see yourself a sinner, condemned by a broken law. This is repentance. As you
come with humble heart, you find pardon, for Christ Jesus is represented as continually standing at the
altar, momentarily offering up the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is a minister of the true
tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. 1SM 343.

“. . .the atoning sacrifice through a mediator is essential because of the constant commission of sin. Jesus
is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain. Jesus
presents the oblation offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner. 1SM 343-344.