Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My study on the new covenant part 2
Hebrews 9:1 1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. The ordinances of the old covenant were performed in a worldly (earthly) sanctuary. Hebrews 9:11 (KJV) 11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; When the Messiah ascended to heaven He was installed as High Priest over the heavenly sanctuary which the author of Hebrews calls the more perfect tabernacle. The heavenly sanctuary was not made with human hands but was pitched by Jehovah God and is called the true tabernacle i.e. the original (Hebrews 8:2). The new covenant is connected with the heavenly sanctuary ministry of Jehoshua. Hebrews 9:14-17 (KJV) 14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Jehoshua's sacrifice was a spiritual sacrifice (eternal Spirit) and is therefore effective. Messiah was the perfect Lamb of sacrifice (Ex 29:1; Lev 1:3; Num 6:14).."dead works" any works we might seek to perform yo gain acceptance with God are defiled by sin like a dead body. The living God is a reference to the Father of Jehoshua. The goal of Messiah's ransom sacrifice is to bring us into covenant relationship with Him and His Father. Verse 15 of Hebrews chapter 9, Jehoshua is not mediating the old covenant but rather the new covenant which has a heavenly sanctuary with spiritual sacrifices offered up by the saints. Jehoshua is operating the mediation of the new covenant under a different priesthood than the old covenant. Whereas the Levitical priesthood was temporal, the Melchisedec priesthood is eternal. The new covenant High Priest is also a King whereas the Levitical high priest wasn't. Jehoshua's death was for the transgressions committed under the old covenant and also brings eternal life to those called by God the Father for salvation. The author of Hebrews attributes salvation as a work of God and that those who receive the gift of salvation are called by God according to His own will. It was Jehoshua's death that redeemed the called unto salvation. His death brought an end to the old covenant. Verses 16 and 17 of Hebrews 8, Jehoshua had to die before the new covenant can be put into effect just as when a will and testament of someone is not put into effect until they die. While they are living their will and testament is in a holding pattern. Once they die, then the terms of the testament are put in force. It was beneficial for the Messiah to die so that we can enjoy the promises of the new testament. The capital city where the old covenant system was centered was earthly Jerusalem. The new covenant is based in the heavenly New Jerusalem. This is why we are told to have our mind on heavenly not earthly things, because our citizenship is in heaven: Colossians 3:1-2 1If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. We have been spiritually resurrected in the Messiah, which means we dwell with Him where He dwells which is in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. Jehoshua is seated on the throne of David at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:8-9). This is why we are to have our minds focused on heavenly things which include the heavenly Jerusalem and the heavenly sanctuary where Messiah sits as King and High Priest. Paul says clearly here that we are not to focus on the things of the earth which include earthly Jerusalem and the modern day Geo-political Israel and any talk of a temple or a return to animal sacrifices along with the Levitical priesthood. Our hope as believers is the better New Jerusalem. Philippians 3:20 (ASV) 20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ Paul says that our citizenship as Christians/Messianic's is not in earthly Jerusalem but rather in the Heavenly Jerusalem. Many today are ignoring Paul's sentiments and looking back to earthly Jerusalem and a flawed system of worship that was not sufficient for redemption. They are trying to integrate old covenant ceremonial rituals and demands with the new covenant and trading in the heavenly city for a piece of dirt in the middle east. Hebrews 12:22-24 22but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,24and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than [that of] Abel. The author of Hebrews, earlier in this chapter right before the above verses, described the atmosphere surrounding the giving of the Sinai covenant (old covenant). He exhorts his readers not to fall into unbelief like some of the Israelites of the past did and highlights the superior nature of the new covenant over the old one, which in his view is even more of a reason to be faithful to Jehovah. Let's now look at verses 22-24 of Hebrews chapter 12, Verse 22, the old covenant was an earthly based system of worship whereas the new covenant is heavenly and the author compares these two differences. Whereas the old covenant worshippers figuratively approached Mt. Sinai, new covenant worshippers approach New Jerusalem the heavenly Zion which is called the city of the living God. The Mosaic covenant had a strictness and bondage about it compared to the glory and boldness belonging to the new covenant. Mt. Sinai had a physicality that the Hebrews seemed to be hankering after and the author here is trying to get them to look up to the true Jerusalem which is heavenly and free. Verse 23 of Hebrews 12, the headquarters of the church is in New Jerusalem which is called the "church of the firstborn" referring to the only begotten Son of God Jehoshua. "General assembly" carries the meaning of a festive or joyous assembly, whether of angels or of men. Mt. Sinai was a place of dread and Zion is a joyful festival. Those who are in Messiah are members of the church of the firstborn: Hebrews 1:6 (KJV 6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. The reference to the church of the firstborn also designates that although we are physically here on earth, spiritually we are with Messiah in heaven. Ephesians 1:3 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: We have all the heavenly spiritual riches granted to Messiah given to us by Jehovah God. We are called kings and priests which are the two offices Messiah holds in the holy of holies. Ephesians 2;5-6 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: God the Father raised us up, as He did His Son Jehoshua, to sit with His Son in the heavenly places a reference to the heavenly temple in New Jerusalem. We are raised with a spiritual rebirth and are begotten into kingship and priesthood as was our Lord and Saviour Jehoshua. Phillipians 3:20 (ASV) 20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul makes it clear that our citizenship is in New Jerusalem in heaven not earthly Jerusalem. This is because the headquarters of the Church is in New Jerusalem where our membership is. The phrase "church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven" designates that those in Messiah are written down as official members of the New Jerusalem church and that we indeed our members of the only begotten Son's heavenly Church with New Jerusalem as it's capital city. We need not be members of any earthly organization or denomination. Jehovah God is the judge of all and the spirits of just men made perfect. We are perfected in the faith by God when we have our hope in heaven and not on the things of the earth. The beauty of all this is that God had foreordained our membership of the New Jerusalem Church before the foundation of the world: Ephesians 1 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:5having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Jehovah chose us in Messiah before the foundation of the world and foreordained (predestined) us to be adopted as His children by having faith in His only begotten Son Jehoshua. Verse 24 of Hebrews 12: "and to Jehoshua the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel." Jehoshua is the mediator of the new covenant not the old one. "Blood of sprinkling", the Son of God sprinkled His blood on the mercyseat thus fulfilling the day of atonement. The Messiah's blood bridges the heavenly and temporal age. "That speaketh" God is probably speaking through the blood of Messiah. Hebrews 12:28 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: The conclusion of the realization that we are in a new and better covenant and that our home and hope is in New Jerusalem is that we have received a Kingdom that is unmovable. The Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah was established in conjunction with the new covenant being instituted via His blood being poured out on the mercyseat and His enthronement as King of Israel upon His ascension into heaven. Hebrews 1 covers this well as it connects Messiah making purification for our sins and sitting on the throne of David at the right hand of God being given a Kingdom. See also Daniel 7:13-14. Because of all this we are to serve Jehovah God with reverence and have grace by being thankful for the plan of salvation that has gathered us into a family of God. Hebrews 13:10-15 (KJV) 10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Verse 10, "an altar" our altar as new covenant priests (1 Peter 2:9) is the Messiah. The priests who minister the rites of the old covenant have no right to Messiah if they insist on the altar that He (Messiah) replaced. Our taking of communion is symbolic of eating the body of Jehoshua and drinking His blood. This is the table (communion table i.e. the new covenant altar) where we eat and drink. Jehovah God can only have one altar and He replaced the altar of burnt offering in the old tabernacle/temple system with the Son of God. Verse 11, the bodies of sacrificed animals were cast outside the camp as unclean and unholy. Verse 12, Jehoshua suffered without the gate of Jerusalem, and as High Priest entered the heavenly sanctuary, leaving the old temple as nothing more than an empty shell. Messiah's suffering outside the gate removes the uncleanness of His people and renders them consecrated (sanctified) to God the Father. Verse 13, the author of Hebrews is saying that Jewish believers should not aim for acceptance from those who rejected their King. Instead, they are called to partake of His reproach, because Messiah had gone first (Heb 11:26). "Without the camp". For a time, Moses was required to pitch the tent of Jehovah outside the camp because the Israelites had rejected God and His presence (Exodus 33:7). By rejecting the Son of God Jehoshua, the Jews were rejecting God and therefore the shekinah presence of God left the temple and earthy Jerusalem as the capital city was ended. Those in covenant with Messiah, especially Jewish believers, must have nothing to do with the Messiah rejecting temple system including viewing earthly Jerusalem as the holy city of Jehovah. This includes going back to the old covenant system of worship or supporting efforts to do so such as rebuilding a temple. The tabernacle of Jehovah is now pitched outside the camp of earthly Jerusalem and this tabernacle is the new covenant Church which is a body of believers who worship neither in Mt. Gerazim (site of the Samaritan temple) or in earthly Jerusalem at the physical temple as it along with ceremonial law were passing away (John 4:24). The true temple had come and that was the only begotten Son in whom Jehovah God dwelled. We as believers receive the Spirit of Jehovah and His Son which dwells in us as we are the new covenant temple. Ephesians 2:19-21 describes the Church as a holy temple in Jehovah. God has moved His Presence from the physical temple in earthly Jerusalem to the spiritual temple that is the Church and is international in scope. 2 Corinthians chapter 6 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Verse 14 of Hebrews 13 "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." The result of the dissolution of the old covenant and the shadows and types that were inherent to it's system, is that we as new covenant Israel no longer look to earthly Jerusalem having any significance. Earthly Jerusalem is no longer the capital city of Jehovah God and new covenant believers now look forward to the arrival of New Jerusalem to be our eternal home. Even now, as Hebrews 12 states, we come to worship not on any earthly mountain but we come unto Mt. Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem as that is the capital city of the Israel of God. Jehoshua clearly says that the reward of the saints is the New Jerusalem which is the true tabernacle of Jehovah God: Revelation 3:12 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Jehoshua in His encouragement to the Church says that those who overcome will be made a pillar in New Jerusalem which He clearly says is the city of God confirming what the author of Hebrews says in chapter 12. He also says that this city (New Jerusalem) will come down out of heaven from God as a reward to the overcoming saints. Notice that Jehoshua makes no mention of a restoration of earthly Jerusalem as a hope for the Church. Hebrews 11 also details that the old testament saints looked for a heavenly country whose maker and builder was God. They didn't consider this earth their home and looked at themselves as strangers and sorjourners here. Hebrews 11:8-10 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Even Abraham, which was given the land covenant by Jehovah (Genesis 13), ultimately looked for a heavenly country not an earthly one showing us that the land promise was inherently linked to the heavenly Jerusalem which is the capital city of the new heavens and new earth. Abraham knew that the land (city) that was promised to him and his seed was a heavenly one i.e. the new earth which coincides with the coming down of the heavenly city New Jerusalem. Abraham knew that the land (city) that was promised to him and his seed was a heavenly one i.e. the new earth which coincides with the coming down of the heavenly city New Jerusalem. Even when he sorjourned in the land of Canaan he considered himself a stranger as he knew that ultimately it was a heavenly land he looked for. The heavenly Zion was Abraham's hope as he knew that the land promise required the land to be regenerated into a paradise thereby it's maker could rightfully be called God. This paradise is the sought after new heavens and new earth prophesied by Isaiah and waited for by Peter (2 Peter 3:10-13) and prophesied again by the only begotten Son Jehoshua (Rev 3:12). Hebrews 11:11-16 (KJV) 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
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