What is a high priest?
The high priest is the religious leader of the Israelites. The bloodline of Aaron holds the office of the high priest — Exodus 28:1.
The high priest was in charge of all the other priests. He had two stones, the Urim and Thummim, to help him discern the will of God in a matter.
The Super Bowl in America is so close to becoming a national holiday. It’s so big that it’s planned out years ahead of time now. Even if they don’t like football, there are many people who watch it for the what? The commercials or the halftime show; although, these last few years, halftime has been arguably demonic. Can God still speak through football? He sure can. He’s not going to let some little devil stop him! I mean, people will call in sick from work just so they can watch the Super Bowl. It’s a big deal!
The day of atonement was like the Super Bowl for the priests at that time. Here’s a look at upcoming days of atonement:
2022- October 4-5
2023- September 24-25
2024- October 11-October 12
2025- October 1-2
During this service, the high priest would make sacrifices for himself and for the people of Israel. Only the high priest was allowed to then enter the holy of holies behind the veil and stand before God. Of Course, he wasn’t empty handed! He brought the sacrificed blood and would sprinkle it onto the mercy seat or God’s Throne, in other words. This was done to make atonement for all the sins that were committed during the year.
You might be wondering why we are talking about this now, today. It’s because when you understand this, what the high priest did back then, you can begin to understand and appreciate what Jesus Christ did for us. And it is now that you can begin to understand your true identity in Jesus Christ because without your identity you are lost. You have no hope. Identity is one of the top issues we are facing today in the body of Christ.
So to recap, the high priest represents the people to God and stood before God, but today Jesus is our High Priest. So that means as Jesus is, so are WE.
High Priest —–> represents the people to God — you don’t represent yourself anymore; the High Priest represents you (Key)
Jesus —–> is now our High Priest
As Jesus is —–> so are WE
We all know that Jesus is right standing with God ALL THE TIME!
This holds true even when you’re feeling less than adequate. This holds true even when you’re having a bad day. Jesus’ position is a constant.
Don’t let your feelings trick you. You can get all into your feelings, and they can drag you down. Why? Because you’re not focusing on Jesus; you’re not focusing on the goodness of God. Let’s look at John the Baptist. If anyone had a right to be disappointed, it would have been him! John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but he could not understand why he was still in jail. Remember, he got arrested? He was probably thinking, “Okay, Jesus is going to break me out of jail. When that didn’t happen, he was probably thinking, “Are you sure you’re the one?” Things weren’t going the way he had planned. Who was the first to worship Jesus? A fetus. John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb when he got close to Jesus and Mary.
Now this teaching flows into identity. When you understand the role of the high priest, you can get a clearer understanding of who you are. When you understand who you are and whose you are, then the flow of God’s love will be upon you and you’ll be able to receive it!
We can’t love correctly until we submit and are filled with God’s love. Then, we can recognize, accept, and receive more of God’s love, and that makes us able to love others in the way God intended.
We have a representative. Jesus is our Representative!
Did you know that because Jesus is our representative that our judgment (the Great White Throne of Judgment) is different from nonbelievers? How so? Why would Jesus come down and sacrifice Himself for us if that wasn’t enough? Do you not believe Him when he said, “It is finished?” The way, the road, the path for us to come back to the Father forever is laid out before us!
Let’s look at this verse:
Romans 8:1-2
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Let’s look at that word condemnation. There is NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus. So then the definition of condemnation below, we are protected against, the opposite of. Okay, listen carefully.
CONDEMNATION (This is what we are not, through Christ Jesus)
1. To pronounce to be utterly wrong; to utter a sentence of disapprobation against; to censure; to blame. But the word often expresses more than censure or blame, and seems to include the idea of utter rejection; as, to condemn heretical opinions; to condemn one’s conduct.
2. To determine or judge to be wrong, or guilty; to disallow; to disapprove.
3. To witness against; to show or prove to be wrong, or guilty, by a contrary practice.
4. To pronounce to be guilty; to sentence to punishment; to utter sentence against judicially; to doom; opposed to acquit or absolve; with to before the penalty.
NOTE: He that believeth on him is not condemned — John 3.
5. To doom or sentence to pay a fine; to fine. (Note: fine is the lake of fire)
6. To judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service; as, the ship was condemned as not sea-worthy. To judge or pronounce to be forfeited; as, the ship and her cargo were condemned.
And now the Great White Throne. Let’s look at Revelation 20.
The Great White Throne
Revelation 20:11-15
11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
So the open books contain recordings of everyone’s works/deeds, whether they were evil or good, and God will reward or punish each person accordingly. Did you know that you are never alone? Everything you do, and everything you say is being recorded! Did you know that it is impossible to sin without the presence of a demon. Adam and Eve were doing just fine until you-know-who showed up. That’s another thing; we are tempted, but nobody ever tempted Satan. Nobody tempted him!
Nonbelievers enter the courtroom without a representative, and we all know that’s always a bad idea. Their names will not be in the book of life, and they will be judged according to their deeds to determine the degree of punishment that they will get in the lake of fire for eternity. So let’s compare a person that killed another person vs a person that killed over six million Jews. Yes, they both go to the lake of fire, but the harsher punishment will be upon the person that killed six million. So there’s justice even in the final eternal destination.
Romans 2:5-6
5 “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”
For believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, our names will be in the book of life, and the blood of Jesus speaks for us. I mean, some people have fear thinking about the final judgment, but how can you be judged by sin if it’s washed away by the blood of Jesus? We will be rewarded for our deeds, and remember that I said that we are always being watched and recorded. We will get to see what we COULD have done if we trusted in God more, if we would have stepped out in faith more, if we were more obedient, and there will be tears because we will know we missed an opportunity not only to excel but to please our heavenly Father. But He will wipe away our tears, and we will then be shown the deeds that we did have and will receive our rewards!
So see how it is fair? A person that was given the grace to accept Christ on their deathbed, (Not all are able to do this; it’s not something you can plan. You know what I mean?), will not have a lot stored up, if any, vs a Christian that’s been obedient for many years. But yet the people that were able to receive Christ on their deathbed are extremely happy that they even made it to heaven. GLORY TO GOD and His perfect justice, His perfect love for us!
In conclusion, as we go through trials on this earth, Jesus is our High Priest!
So just like a SPOILER ALERT you see for movies, when the enemy tries to harass you, then you remind him with a SPOILER ALERT that you know where you are going — HEAVEN — but that you also know where he’s going, and that’s the lake of fire!
Do you guys know the difference between IMMORTAL AND ETERNAL?
Immortal is GOD, Jesus, Holy Spirit
Eternal is angels and man (when we get our new bodies)
Why is all of heaven cheering you on? I know we say it a lot in this ministry, but understand why. It’s because Paul’s race is done. The baton was given to us to run with it. Now it’s for us!
Love you all,
Pastor/Coach Jeno
