High Priest Forever

The Kings of the Earth conspired to unseat the Messiah, but God instead resurrected him and exalted him to the Messianic Throne – Psalm 2:1-6. The Second Psalm is a key passage applied to Jesus in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Hebrews . When were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah now reigning on David’s Throne, or is the world still waiting for his enthronement? What about the predicted “ revolt ” of the nations and the Kings of the Earth against the Son of God? - (Psalm 2:1-6)?

The Son achieved the “ Purification of Sins ” and qualified to “ sit at the right hand of the Majesty on High .” As the unique High Priest “ after the order of Melchizedek ,” he intercedes for his people in the presence of God. Moreover, he inherited a “ more distinguished name ” than even the angels, namely, “ Son .”

The Letter to the Hebrews next demonstrates the superiority of the sonly word by comparing it to Moses, Israel’s Great Lawgiver. Implicit in its argument is the priority of the “ word spoken in the Son ” over even the Mosaic legislation, and at this point in the Letter, the comparison is most appropriate. Moses certainly did mediate God’s law to Israel and was the greatest of the prophets. Nevertheless, the “ Son ” surpasses even him in status and glory.

The Letter to the Hebrews is addressed to a congregation facing pressure from outsiders, and some members were contemplating withdrawing from the Assembly. It presents arguments for why doing so would be catastrophic, stressing the superiority of the “ Word of the Son ” over past revelations. The Letter urges its readers to remain faithful to Jesus and the Apostolic Tradition.

God has spoken His definitive word in His Son. All previous words given by the prophets were preparatory, promissory, and partial . The Letter to the Hebrews encourages us not to abandon Jesus when difficult times come. It does so by emphasizing the superiority of what God has done in His “ Son .” The Word “ spoken ” in Jesus is superior to the earlier revelations provided “ to the fathers in the prophets .” The Letter compares the Levitical system with its incomplete rituals to the “ better ” priesthood and “ once for all ” sacrifice of the “ Son ,” Jesus Christ.