HEBREWS CHAPTER 7 verses 20-28 

Melchizedek, the ancient king of Salem, having been mentioned in passing to the sluggish Hebrew Christians, now in this chapter is taken up by Paul in earnest, in hope of their minds and hearts being more prepared for deeper instruction. Paul’s argument here centers on Jesus Christ/Son of Man, who was not of the tribe of Levi, and therefore was never intended to be a high priest after the order of Aaron, but was always intended to be re-appointed after the order of the Eternal Son of God. As was Melchizedek in type, in that it is recorded in verse 3 that Melchizedek was “…made like unto the (Eternal) Son of God’. (John 17:5,24) 

Christ, having been before incarnation the Royal (King) Priest of Heaven, is after which Melchizedek’s, more ancient and royal order than Aaron’s, was patterned. Genesis 14:18 also declares Melchizedek as priest of the Most High God, not High Priest, as the pre-incarnate Son of God then occupied that place/position in Heaven. From this it can be seen that Melchizedek is a type for the royal priesthood in the millennium who are priests under the HIGH Priest, Christ. It should also be understood that God had always intended to re-appoint the victorious Son of Man back to Royal High Priest, and that it would then be forever. This is that which was obscured in Scripture from man and fallen spirits, that which had the “princes of this world knew…they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”  And therefore this exalting to the Right Hand of the Father was accomplished in His unwarranted violent murderous death in the Wisdom of God (1st Corinthians 2:8) and was instituted in His Resurrection out from among the dead. (Hebrews 7:23–24; Acts 2:22-36) This is that Wisdom of suffering in loving service which the heavenly calling of ‘saved’ men is patterned after. (Hebrews 3:1 with 1st Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6) Yes, we are required to suffer in order to inherit. But thankfully, we have the opportunity to daily approach the Throne of our High Priest to dispense to us mercy and grace in our time of need.   

Thus the Scriptural facts of Melchizedek should introduce to our hearts the wonder of God’s Salvation Plan to “…go on unto perfection” /complete fullness predetermined in Jesus the Son of Man. In that there was/is from ancient times a far superior spiritual economy with its greater royal priesthood, unto which redeemed Israel was called and failed (Exodus 19:5–6) and that which resulted was the Mosaic priesthood and ritual. Which was only a temporary stop-gap spiritual economy until the Son of God and Son of Man was to manifest, after which now Heaven has again its Royal High Priest now established. “For we have not an high priest (on earth) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but (a High Priest at the right hand of the Father in Heaven who) was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” … “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them (unto the inheritance of royal priesthood in the heavenly calling) that are tempted” (in the giving up for reason of suffering). And this He does by the means of granting mercy and grace/the power of the Holy Spirit unto our divine nature/reborn spirit/inward man to those who sincerely seek and persist in obediently following Him in the overcoming of the flesh, the world, and satan. (Hebrews 4:16 with Revelation 12:11) 

Unto this great typical priesthood Abram gave homage. (Hebrews 7:4) The chief part of this argument in chapter 7 being; Jesus is not a high priest but the only High Priest, (and as the Levitical priesthood has been dis–annulled, the only priest at this time, on which we will have more to say later). As there is no other, nor will there ever be. And hinges on this Scriptural fact and understanding; that he who would draw near to God, unto the perfection He desires and requires (korban), must do so through this Royal High Priest or he cannot do so at all. (Korban being sacrifice unto the Lord. A sweet savor unto the Lord is us laying down our flesh upon the altar as a spiritual sacrifice unto Him. 

“For the law made nothing * perfect, but the bringing in of a ** better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” (Hebrews 7:19) 

(*As the Mosaic economy of Law with the Levitical priesthood was inevitably to prove temporary because it could not bring God’s desired goal; that of bringing a worshiping soul into a perfect state {verses 11,19} perfect G5046 meaning complete, mature. To complete, make perfect by reaching the intended goal of God. The whole Mosaic ritual law of Moses; its priesthood, Temple, it services, and observances, all have to do with the purifying of the flesh. (Hebrews 9:13) It was weak and unprofitable in itself for perfecting the follower and was dis–annulled. What is tragically destructive is that many so called “priests” claiming to be of Christian origin are practicing various contrary rituals, some of which are, in different degrees, steeped in Mosaic ritual Law, observances, practices, ceremonies, settings and attire. Rome’s system of priests and Masses are but one wicked example that stands in direct contradiction to Hebrews 7:27. These all have failed to rightly discern the Word of God. 

We as Christians, neither kings or priests of any earthly order, are “called”  unto ruling worthiness in the heavens at resurrection and are therefore in the process of being made fit to rule as a royal priesthood in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. We are to be faithful witnesses and ambassadors of Christ, neither reigning nor lording over others in this life, but being servants to all. Those who desire to offer worship fully acceptable to God, and be found worthy, should abandon such priest-ruled systems. 

(**Better hope is established upon a superior High Priest…Who is better than Angels chapter 1, better than Moses Hebrews chapter 3, better than Joshua chapter 4, better than Aaron chapter 7, better than the law chapter 10 with better Covenant 7:22, with better promises 8:6, with better sacrifices 9:23, with better substance 10:34, with better country 11:16, with better resurrection 11:35, with better thing 11:40.) 

Hebrews 7:20: “And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without and oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec;) By so much was Jesus made a surety (unfailing security) of a better testament (Covenant).” This appointment by God the Father of Jesus to High Priest is superior to that of Aaron inasmuch as Christ’s was confirmed by an oath. “(The Lord (the Father) sware, and will not change His mind, Thou art (no “a”) priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament (Covenant).” (Hebrews 7:20–22; Psalm 110:4) This appointment with an Oath, by God the Father, of Jesus as High Priest at His right hand, now some 2000 years ago, has given Christ’s faithful followers unfailing security. In that He never by oath secured the priesthood of Aaron, as some 83 high priests lived and died before Titus destroyed the Temple and its priesthood. But unto the resurrected Son of Man He swore by oath; His Priesthood is endless, as Jesus Christ is Resurrected unto an endless life. In that as the incarnate Son of Man, He defeated satan, sin, and death and has now, as our High Priest, been given all authority power over them. (John 5) “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will…..Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead (who all are alive in Hades Acts 2:29,34a) shall hear the voice of the Son of God (at the last judgment trump and the shout of the Lord 1st Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 14:14-16): and they that hear (those worthy) shall live (arise from among the dead Luke 21:35; Philippians 3:11). For as the Father hath life (resurrection power) in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves (a synonym of Hades) shall hear his (the Royal High Priest’s) voice, And shall come forth (from the center of the Earth); they that have done good, unto the (FIRST) resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the (Second) resurrection of damnation (1000 years later Revelation 20:5–6). This is the materializing of the faithful ministry of the High Priest to the Father; the heavenly calling of many sons Hebrews 3:1–2 now manifest. 

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” This expression to the uttermost (greek eis to panteles; means completely, wholly, entirely) is found in another place in the New Covenant Scripture: Luke 13:10-16 “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, (this being one of the “signs” of the Messiah unto the wayward Nation of Israel and “types” for Christendom {1st Corinthians 10:6} The significance of the long time has to do with the long standing of the infirm condition) and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself (to the uttermost eis to panteles….not “saved” unto the furthest extent, the condition of ancient Israel bent over under the Law through human inability, and reflective of modern Christendom bent over spiritually with the cares of the World, the deceitfulness of wealth, lust of other things, steeped in religious Laodicean presumptuous apathy. They are “saved” indeed as it relates to duration, yet only half-saved as regards to all that is necessary for the glory–filled resurrection. They are unable or unwilling to be saved to the uttermost). 

And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, (as the High Priest mercifully calls unto His own bent over; “….as He ever liveth to make intercession for them”) and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity (the promise of God in Christ Jesus with the gift of the divine nature, as the Royal Priest can “save” to the uttermost them that draw near unto God in communion with His High Priest’s Divine ability. Those who have separated themselves unto seeking and obeying Him habitually, in all tests, trials, sufferings, will find that through Him, God will finish the work He began to the uttermost Hebrews 7:25). 

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Set completely, wholly, entirely upright in the first resurrection power, forever glorifying God in grateful wonder! That which Aaron nor any of his successors, nor the law and the ceremonies could do. For they pointed to the need and the way, but could not bring them or us there, and by reason of their own infirmities, could not raise others to a state higher than their own (verse 23, & 28). 

They, nor their sacrifices they offered were not adequate for the eternal uttermost standing with God, as their repeated frequency of offering is testimony of this (verse 27 with 10:4).     

Hebrews 7:26: “…for such a high priest became us…” (He is exactly and completely suited to afford “saved” sinners power to be saved overcomers to the uttermost; for He is) “holy, guileless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. (In nature, character, conduct, and position He is all that the Most Holy God requires and all that sinful man needs for perfection) “which (is) since the law (since supposes the annulling of the law of Moses… God in the oath maketh the Son, perfected “forevermore” the) “…the author and finisher of our faith…” (verse 28). 

Only saved sinners need a High Priest. What is now required of the saved that we might benefit to the fullest from the Atonement afforded in the Royal Priest? Paul has noted that Abram received the blessing from the royal priest Melchizedek after he returned from the slaughter of the kings. (Hebrews 7:1 with Genesis 14:17) And that no doubt being with the aid of God. So it is in like manner that we war, aided with unseen power. That is in the power of the Spirit/spirit, and our warfare is in the spirit realm; as we wrestle not with flesh and blood but against wicked spirits in the heavens associated with this World. Abram’s war was unto death against those, his enemies who stood for unrighteousness. So likewise must we battle unceasingly against satan, the World and the carnality within our soul that resists the righteousness of God unto the end of the battle. Then we shall experience the blessings of the High Priest at the victory table with the resurrection refreshing of the bread and wine.