The priesthood of Jesus Christ to continue streams of divine promise, prophecy, and unselfish service is the topic, today. Jesus dying upon the cross was to accomplish more than a finite sacrificial offering for forgiveness of sins. Jesus would serve as a priest after the order of Melchizedek to cleanse, heal, and renew the Levitical priesthood while launching a priesthood of “born again” believers that would finally appear through gifts from the Holy Spirit. Also, the Savior’s death, resurrection, and ascension were crucial for the fulfillment of his work as High Priest within the temple of heaven that included atonement, cleansing of the sanctuary, and the application of blood for remission of sins as the ministry of mercy in judgment. Those who come to Jesus Christ for redemption and salvation themselves become an offering that is not to be destroyed upon the altar; they are to remain alive, and continue the presence of the Lord by daily routines of acknowledgement and service. In this sense, they become living sacrifices, priests, kings, prisoners, and slaves. Readers are to consider the following from Scripture and the presentation below:
1st Peter 2: 9, King James Version (KJV): 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1st Peter 2: 21-25, KJV: 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Isaiah 61: 6, KJV: 6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Matthew 16: 21-25, KJV: 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Davian” (Level 2 with 277 points, a member since May 05, 2015) posted the following:
Did Jesus tell his disciples they would die?
Just wondering where in the Bible Jesus told his disciples that they would die for His name.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. (Luke 21: 9-19, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Carrying The Cross (02/28/2016); Martyrdom and Tribulation? (09/30/2015); Messiah and the Unthinkable? (09/25/2015); Jesus Given A Divine Ministry? (08/18/2015); Consecrated in Christ? (06/21/2014); To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); A Perfected Body (03/09/2014)
“Davian”, trust that, despite time and space, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now. Adoption through the Holy Spirit should come into view, whereby, the living become children, heirs, and offspring of GOD. Properly understood, the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross was not merely a discrete, “stand-alone” event. Followers of Jesus are recruited to be anointed priests and kings, where the role of a consecrated priest is to offer acceptable sacrifices of blood (we say, life), and the role of a sanctified king is to administer divine law (we say, judgment). The Savior fulfilled and re-introduced prophecy; demonstrated death, resurrection, and ascension; provided a new level of covenant, inheritance, and testament; and renewed divine promises pertaining to priestly and kingly service. When preparing his apostles to be witnesses (that he did appear alive after suffering death and burial), the Lord also provided instruction fitting them to continue the ministry they had begun with him, to receive gifts from the Holy Spirit that would carry them forward having a new ministry, and that would establish the specific expectations (we say, hope) they were to share as his church. Consider again how this appears in the language of the Bible:
(1.) Matthew 10: 27-28, King James Version (KJV): 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(2.) Matthew 10: 16-18, KJV: 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
(3.) Matthew 23: 33-35, KJV: 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Matthew 5: 10-12, KJV: 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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