And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
(Heb. 5:9-10)
Jesus is our High Priest and as our High Priest he took the sacrificial blood to the altar in heaven for us. He placed the spotless blood of the Lamb on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant that is called the Mercy Seat. (Heb. 9:12.) The blood was pure and undefiled and was the result of divine seed placed in a virgin girl.
As our High Priest, he is the only man qualified to enter the Holiest of All and he is not of the Levitical priesthood.
From the time of Moses until the time of the revelation of the Messiah, the Levitical priests took the blood of bulls and goats to the altar. Year by year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the high priest, who was of the priestly tribe of Israel, cleansed himself and following the ritual procedure, entered into the Holy of Holies in the Temple. (Heb. 9:7.) There he spoke the name of God and through the sprinkling of the blood made atonement for the sins of the people. (Ex. 30:10.) But this earthly priesthood could never cleanse and take away forever the sin of the one who entered the Holy of Holies. The blood of bulls and goats was inadequate and so was the priest.
As Christians, the Word tells us that we are to rule and reign as kings and priests (Rev. 5:10), but if the Levitical priesthood could not eliminate sin, but rather only atone (cover) sin for a while, then it is evident that we need a better priesthood and that is what we have in Jesus. (Heb. 7:11; Heb. 9:11-14.)
Jesus was not a priest in the Levitical priesthood. In fact, He was not even from the tribe of Levi. He was from the tribe of Judah and there has never been a priest from that tribe. (Heb. 7:13-14) Jesus was not of a Jewish priesthood, but rather, He was a priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is not a name, but it is a title (according to ancient Jewish writings, including the Hebrew Talmud). He was the king of Salem (later Jerusalem). According to ancient Jewish writings, Melchizedek was Shem, the son of Noah, and in the genealogy of Abraham (great x 7 grandfather of Abraham). Keep in mind Abraham was 58 years old when Noah died.
Melchizedek and Abraham made covenant after the victory over the kings with bread and wine and Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek. (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 7:1-2.) While the Levitical priests received tithes under the law, Melchizedek received tithes apart from the law. In fact, the law did not even exist until 430 years later. (Gal. 3:17.)
On the day Jesus resurrected and went into heaven, He took His blood and put it on the Mercy Seat. It was the first blood ever placed there. The heavenly Holy of Holies (referred to as the original and not the copy) had not been defiled by the blood of an animal or the entrance of a sinful priest, but was pure and holy and ready to receive the perfect sacrificial blood of Jesus. When the blood touched the altar, instantly Jesus became the head of the Church. He became the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29) and our firstfruits offering (1 Cor. 15:20).
Although the Holy of Holies that contained the ark of the Covenant was built by man according to a template that was shown to Moses while he was on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 25:9; Ex. 26-27), it could not equal the original in heaven. So the perfect High Priest, Jesus, took the perfect blood (not from an earthly father) and placed it on the perfect altar in the original Holy of Holies in the heavenlies. (Heb. 9:23-26.)
So when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we submit to His priesthood which is not a priesthood under the law but under a new and better covenant based on faith and grace.
While the Levitical priesthood was for the children of Israel, our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek is for all mankind who will receive Him as their lord and savior. While the Levitical priesthood was a shadow of things to come, our High Priest is the fulfillment of that prophecy and is the once-and-for-all permanent exclusive High Priest for all eternity.
While the Jews who believed in Jesus were redeemed from the curse of the law, the gentiles who received Jesus stepped into the new covenant having never been under the law. But for those who believe, whether we were jew or gentile, we are now one in Christ, our High Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek.
Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of eight books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.