Priesthood Page.2

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The New Testament Priesthood Page.2 (New notes added, Dec.24)

(Continued from Page.1 (New Testament Priesthood)
The priesthood of the last day Church (Continued)

Ezekiel prophesied that "the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God: They
shall enter into my sanctuary, (the last day Church) and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge." (Ezek 44:15-16)

2. How do we know that Ezekiel is prophesying to us? (Review: Phase.6)
     a. First, when was Ezekiel prophesying? He was prophesying " In the fifth day of the month,
          which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity." (Eze.1:1-2, 2Chron.26:1-21)

                               (Most of this chart is complied by just reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation)

     b. Next question is: "Did Ezekiel's prophecy about Zadok and his sons happen between his
          time of the Babylonian captivity? The answer is no. (2Chron.36:1-21) (Review: Phase.6)
     c.  Obviously Ezekiel's word did not come to pass during the 70 year Babylonian captivity
          because the City and the Temple laid in ruins. (2Chron.36:1-21, Dan.1:1-2)
     d.  After the 70 year captivity the city and the Sanctuary was built again as Daniel
          prophesied it would. (Dan.9:24-26, Ezra and Nehemiah)
     e. However the restored Temple did not did not attain to what Ezekiel prophesied during the
          time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
          (1) Compare Ezra.3:1 - Neh.13:31 with Eze.40:1 - 47:23)
          (2) The Prophet Haggai said, "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory?
                 (i.e. Solomon's Temple) and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison
                 of it as nothing? (Hag 2:3-4, Ezra.5:1-2) (Review: Phase.6)
      f.  Now there is the 400 year silent period between the Old and New Testament., which was
          broken by John the Baptist. The forerunner of Jesus. (Matt.3:1-4, Luke.3:2, John.1:6-8,
          John.1:19-28) No record of Ezekiel's Temple during this time.
     g. When Jesus came to confirm the Covenant that God (Dan.9:27, John.1:11, Gal.4:13-17)
          made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, (Rom.11:28; 15:8) He said, He was the Temple now
          and their earthly Temple would be destroyed and left desolate. (John.2:18-22,
          Matt.23:38-39; 24:1-2, 15-22) No record of Ezekiel's Temple during this time.
     h.  After confirming the Covenant for 3 1/2 years, He was crucified "in the midst of the week"
          causing "the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." (Dan.9:27)
      i. Now Christ is the head of the Church which is His Body, (Eph.1:22-23) the Temple,
          the House of God. (1Tim.3:14, Eph.2:20-22, 1Peter.2:5)

       Now Ezekiel's word has gone through the Cross into the
       New Testament. (Acts.7:48-49; 17:24)

      j.  This is why Ezekiel's word is speaking to us, the Church
             As of this moment in God's time-table (purpose, intent) we are being built a "holy temple in the
          Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
          (Eph 2:21; 4:11-16, 1Peter.2:5) This finished (perfected, completed building) will have a
          priesthood like that of Zadok and his sons.



            Remember, Ezekiel's word cannot go pass the Second Coming into the Millenium because Ezekiel's
            Temple is a prophecy concerning rerstoration. (Acts.3:19-25, Rev.10:7; 11:15)

3. Who was Zadok and his sons?
       The "priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children
     of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand
     before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God: They shall enter into my
     sanctuary, (the last day Church) and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me,
     and they shall keep my charge." (Ezek 44:15-16)
     a.  Zadok meet all of God's standards for entering the Glory filled sanctuary
          God would have never selected Zadok if he had not met the requirements, because He "cannot
          deny Himself." He cannot deny His Word. It is impossible for God to lie. (2Tim.2:13, Heb.6:18,
          Num.23:19)
          (1)  Zadok had to be born into the family of Levi. (1Chron.6:1-7) We must be "born again"
                 into the family of God (Eph.3:15, Gal.6:10) or else there is NO entry into the Sanctuary!
                 (Note: Neh.7:63-65)
          (2) Zadok's inheritance was the Lord. (Num.18:20-24) The priesthood's whole life was
                 ministering to the Lord around the Tabernacle. (This pattern continued around David's
                 Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple.

                                     (Review: Phase 2 for explanation of this chart and why it is relvant to our prieshood)
   .

                 This was their life! It was their "habitation," (Note: Eph.2:20-22) behaviour, lifestyle.
                 The last day priesthood will do the same.

                It was not to be Sunday mornings only, it was everyday!

                 As a "royal priesthood" (1Peter.2:9) we are to "seek first the kingdom of God,
                 and his righteousness" (Matt 6:33-34) everyday! We are to "set" our "affection on
                 things above, not on the "things on the earth." (Col.3:2, 2Cor.4:18)) What is above?
                 This is heavenly places (Eph.1:3; 2:6) where there is the "true tabernacle, which the Lord
                 pitched, and not man." (Heb.8:2) The reality of the pattern for the priesthood.
          (3) Zadok could have no blemishes. (Lev.21:16-24) No blemish can be found in the
                 priesthood of the "glorious" (Eph.5:21-33, 2Peter.3:14 Glory filled) last day Church
                 that Ezekiel is prophesying about. (Eze.43:4; 44:15-16)
          (4)  Zadok had to know how to function as a priest. This includes offering the correct offerings
                 in their proper order. (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) The same is true for the priesthood of
                 the last day Church that Ezekiel is prophesying about. (Eze.43:4; 44:15-16)
          (5)  Zadok had to wash in the Laver. (Exod.30:17-21) The same is true for the priesthood of
                 the last day Church that Ezekiel is prophesying about. (Eze.43:4; 44:15-16) This points
                 to our Water Baptism and our continued separation from this world. (Rom.6:1-11,
                 Eph.5:26-27)
          (6) Zadok had to be anointed with oil. (Exod.28:41) The same is true for the priesthood of
                 the last day Church that Ezekiel is prophesying about. (Eze.43:4; 44:15-16) The anointing
                 is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Heb.1:9 / Acts.10:38, Acts.1:5, John.1:32-33, Acts.2:1-4)
          (7) Zadok was to teach, guard, protect, watch over, preserve, be responsible for the
                 Word of the Lord. (Deut.17:18; 24:8; 31:9-11, 2Chron.15:3; 34:15, Mal.2:7) The same is
                 true for the priesthood of the last day Church that Ezekiel is prophesying about.
                 (Eze.43:4; 44:15-16)

          Note: Ezekiel is saying that the character qualities that will be in the last day "royal priesthood"
          of the last day Church will be born again. Their inheritance will be the Lord, and they will be
          separate unto the Lord. Their life style (habitation) will be seeking the kingdom of God first.
          They will be camped around God's Tabernacle (House, Temple, Church) They will know how
          "to behave" themselves "in the house of God." (i.e. performing all the duties of the
         priesthhood) No spots, blemishes, wrinlkes or any such thing will be found in their lives.

     b. Zadok was the High Priest in charge of the Ark of the Covenant during the reign of David
          and Solomon. (1Chron.15:1-29, v.11)
          (1)  Zadok was faithful to his calling
                 God said he was faithful to "keep my charge." (Ezek 44:15-16) even though there had
                 been misuse and abuse by Eli and his sons. (1Sam.1-4, Note: 1Sam.2:17) "Wherefore the
                 sin of the young men (Eli's sons, the priesthood) was very great before the Lord: for men
                 abhorred (scorned, blasphemed) the offering of the Lord. (1 Sam 2:17-18. Note: Rom.2:24,
                 Gen.34:30, 2Sam.12:14, 2Cor.2:11) They were NOT faithful to God's call!
          (2)  Zadok was faithful to God's pattern's
                 Even though Saul's reign as the first king had ended in disaster, and the Ark of the
                 Covenant had been taken captive by their adversary. It appeared to those that were
                 "aliens (strangers) from the...covenants of promise," that God's word had failed, but
                 He "abideth faithful," even "if we believe not." "He CANNOT deny Himself." (2Tim.2:13,
                 Heb.6:13-19, Num.23:19)

                 Note: The priesthood of the last day, Glory filled Church will be those that remain faithful
                 to the calling of God regardless of the the reproach that will coming because of the
                 corruption within the Church. (Matt.24:3-4; 13:24-30, 36-43, 2Thes.2:3-4)

                                                      (Click here for explanation of this chart)
    .
     c. Zadok was part of the NEW move of God
          When David brought back the Ark of the Covenant to a NEW place (1Chron.13-15:1)
          Zadok was there.
          (1) For generations, the Ark of the Covenant belonged Tabernacle of Moses.(Exod.25 -
                 Josh.18:1-2, 1Chron.16:1-39)
          (2) Now God was doing a NEW thing! (Note: It was new to David's generation, but
                 NOT NEW to God's purpose and plan)

          Note: Ezekiel is saying that the character qualities that will be in the last day "royal
          priesthood," will be like that of Zadok and his sons. He was sensitive to the NEW thing
          that God was doing. The priesthood (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) of the last day Church
          (Temple) will have a "hearing ear" and a "seeing eye" for "things not as seen yet,"
          in God's Word! (Heb.11:7, 1Cor.2:9-14)

     d.  Zadok choose principle over personnality
          When Absalom rebelled against David and caused him to flee from Jerusalem, (2Sam:15:1-
          28) Zadok left with the Ark of the Covenant and followed David. When David saw that Zadok
          had left with the Ark, he said to Zadok, "Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find
         favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation."
          (2 Sam 15:25-26) Zadok's responsibility (stewardship) was with the Ark (1Chron.6:3-8,
          Num.3:27-32) back in the City. His responsibility / stewardship was not to the personnality
          of David.
          (1) The Ark was the presence of God with them
                 The pattern for the Ark of the Covenant was given at Mt. Sinai, (Exod.25:8-22) and lead
                 the "Church in the wilderness" (Num.10:1-10, 33-36) The Ark typifies the presence of
                 God with us through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom.15:4, 1Cor.10:1-11)
          (2) The Ark belonged in the city. This was the pattern.
                 The "city" was "the city of David, (1Chron.15:1-2) where he had prepared a place for
                 the ark of God, (1Chron.28:19) and pitched for it a tent." The Lord Jesus Christ needs to
                 be in His proper "place" in our lives. (The Church wide wide, the local Church and us
                 individually) Christ must be "preeminent" (the head, the center) over all things, which
                 includes your "Paul, Apollos or Cephas." (1Cor.1:10-12; 3:1-8)

                 Note: God is calling out a people that will place Christ back in His "place." The "place"
                 of preeminence as the head of the Church. (Eph.1:22-23, Col.1:18)

          (3) Zadok had to remain faithful to God's pattern
                 Regardless of his how much Zadok favored David instead of Absalom, he still had to be
                 faithful to God and His Word. Regardless of how much we prefer certain leadership
                 personnalities, it is being a "spiritual baby" (1Cor.3:1) to say, "I am of Paul; and  another,
                 I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by
                 whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but
                 God gave the increase." (1Cor.3:4-6)

                 Note: There is no place for respecter of persons in the priesthood of the last day,
                 Glory filled Church / Temple, because this leads to compromise and appeasement.
                 Jesus said, "Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your
                 tradition." (Matt.15:6, Col.2:7-8) The Last day, Glory filled Temple / Church will be
                 required to "come...unto a perfect man." (Eph.4:11-16, 1Cor.13:9-12) There will be no
                 place for immaturity (i.e. following personnalities, carnality, childishness, juvenile behavior
                 pettiness or irresponsibility)

                 Why? Because there is a Wedding to take place!
                      A committment for life. No going back. Serious business! (Eccl.5:1-5)
                      (Review: Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Booths, Eschatology Two)

(Begin new Dec.24 notes here)----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    c.  Remember Zadok's charge
         Zadok "kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me,"
         they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand  before me to offer unto
         me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God." (Eze.44:15)
         (1) The sanctuary was the Tabernacle. (Exod.25:8; 9:1-2) This included all the daily
                responsibilities of the priesthood. The "meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
                ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation." ( Heb 9:10-11)
         (2) The Tabernacle of Moses and David functioned at the same time (1Chron.15:1-24;
                16:1-43) until the Temple was built. (2Chron.5:1-14)
         (3) It was during this time Absalom rebelled against David. (2Sam.6.-2Sam.15:1-23)
         (4) This caused David to leave the City and Zadok left the Tabernacle and took the Ark and
                followed David. (2Sam.15:24-29)
         (5) This is where David told Zadok to go back with the Ark to the City. Back to where his
                responsibilities were. (2Sam.15:25)

    d. Zadok kept the "charge." He took it seriously
         The "Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon
         the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the
         tabernacle of testimony." (Num.1:53-54)
         (1) "Charge" has been translated as keep, to be kept, office, ordinance, safeguard,
                ward, watch.
         (2)  In the last days the Church will be like Laodecia, (Rev.3:14-22) not taking their "charge"
                seriously and shut Jesus outside the Church. (Review: What happened to the Church can be
                      compared to the life of Samson, Phase 2)

          Note: Ezekiel is saying that the character qualities that will be in the last day "royal
          priesthood," will be like that of Zadok and his sons. They will keep their "charge!"
          They will be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (1Cor.15:58)

     e. Zadok was able to stand by himself when the children of Israel went astray
          (1) .     More notes coming soon
          (2) .

      f. Zadok making a stand for the sanctuary is eternal.
          (1) .     More notes coming soon
          (2) .

     g. Zadok stood with his family. (Like Noah) One family against the crowd. The crowd is
          always undependable.
          (1) .     More notes coming soon
          (2) .

_____________________________________________________________

To be continued. (John.16:12-16, 1Cor.2:1-14; 13:9-12)