Presents
Pamphlet 2002 Hebrews kc 25-5
Do you understand why Jesus Christ was slain on the cross outside the city gate, away from the temple?
Presents
Pamphlet 2002 Hebrews kc 25-5
Do you understand why Jesus Christ was slain on the cross outside the city gate, away from the temple?
You "see", you are complete in Jesus Christ (Col. 2:10) who did away with all the shadows, the earthly tabernacle and all the meat (animal) sacrifices and all other religious ceremonies, etc., etc. So grow and mature in the Word of God and be ESTABLISHED by His grace, His Spirit, for it is by that Word that you are strengthened, remember? The vain (empty) traditions of men and being busy bodies will not profit you one iota! Read again in Mat. 7:21-23 what churchianity will get you... the door to the wedding feast slammed in your face. Then read what follows concerning those who are wise and built their houses upon the Rock, i.e. who established their faith in His Word.Ephes. 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
What Paul is doing here is drawing a comparison of the Old Covenant and the earthly tabernacle where priests made sacrifices and the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies, etc., to the New Covenant where there are no earthly priests who mediate between you and God. 1 Tim. 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." If you do not think that many churches do not want you to fully understand that verse, then you need to obtain a copy of the "Letter to the Reader" which the translators of the King James Bible wrote to you, the English reader. The fact that the churches and publishers have succeeded in having it removed from the pages of the Bibles you purchase today ought to be sufficient evidence to cause to you ask some questions and seek some answers.Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Here is an excerpt from that "Letter to the Reader*" which used to appear in all 1611 King James Bibles:
Note: In the 1611 King James the letters to the King and reader were removed some 250 years ago, along with the Apocrypha."Now the Church of Rome would seem at the length to bear a motherly affection towards her children, and to allow them the Scriptures in their mother tongue: but indeed it is a gift, not deserving to be called a gift, an unprofitable gift: [Sophecles] they must first get a License in writing before they may use them, and to get that, they must approve themselves to their Confessor, that is, to be such as are, if not frozen in the dregs, yet soured with the leaven of their superstition. Howbeit, it seemed too much to Clement the Eighth that there should be any License granted to have them in the vulgar tongue, and therefore he overruleth and frustrateth the grant of Pius the Fourth. [See the observation (set forth by Clemen. His authority) upon the 4. rule of Pius the 4. his making in the index, lib. prohib. pag. 15. ver. 5.] So much are they afraid of the light of the Scripture, (Lucifugae Scripturarum, as Tertulian speaketh) that they will not trust the people with it, no not as it is set forth by their own sworn men, no not with the License of their own Bishops and Inquisitors. Yea, so unwilling they are to communicate the Scriptures to the people's understanding in any sort, that they are not ashamed to confess, that we forced them to translate it into English against their wills. This seemeth to argue a bad cause, or a bad conscience, or both. Sure we are, that it is not he that hath good gold, that is afraid to bring it to the touchstone, but he that hath the counterfeit; [Tertul. de resur. carnis.] neither is it the true man that shunneth the light, but the malefactor, lest his deeds should be reproved [John 3:20]: neither is it the plain dealing Merchant that is unwilling to have the weights, or the meteyard brought in place, but he that useth deceit. But we will let them alone for this fault, and return to translation."
The truth is... yea, the simplicity of the truth is... that you are complete in Christ and you can approach the throne of God and make your prayers known unto Him at any time you so choose without calling an 800 number, without pledging $30 a month, and without going through any man who calls himself a priest or any other name. You see, the altar we go to is in heaven, not in Rome or Jerusalem or anywhere else on earth, and our High Priest, Jesus Christ, sits at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us. In other words, there is only one altar, the cross that claimed the blood of our Lord, and it is not in some church building or temple on earth!
The sacrificial animals (beasts) were slain outside the camp, away from the temple, just as Jesus Christ was slain on the cross outside the city gate, away from the temple. In other words, there is no altar in the church. The true church, the true temple, is the many membered body of Christ. Are you part of that temple? Did you know that the brothers and sisters who overcome in this final generation will be made pillars in that temple? Rev. 3:12 "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."[11] For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
The blood of Christ was not sprinkled inside the earthly tabernacle, was it? And did He not suffer outside the gate of the city?[12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
We expect persecution outside the camp, but nevertheless we will gladly bear His reproach in pleasing our Father, holding fast to His Word and doing His will.[13] Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
We seek the same city our father Abraham sought, the heavenly city of Jerusalem.[14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
It is your love for your Father, which you do show by serving Him acceptably, by keeping His Word and bearing fruit among the brethren, that pleases Him. He does not want nor need your "sacrifices" of material things, etc. He wants you to love Him and walk in His ways. Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy [love] and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."[15] By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The fruit of our lips is what grows as a result of the seeds we plant with them. So don't forget to fellowship, be hospitable, and communicate the Word of God to others and bring forth fruit. It pleases your Father very much!
Plant seeds and be hospitable to those who need strengthening, entertaining whosoever will with the Word of God. Also, be supportive of good teachers who labor in the Word and teach His truth as it is written, chapter by chapter and line by line.[16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
[17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.
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