Does Hebrews 7:12 suggest the Law of God is changed & therefore discarded?
by Peter Salemi
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
Many “no law” preachers cite this scripture to prove God’s law is “done away.” The Old Testament law for so many is such a stumbling block for them-especially the Sabbath day. It is so much easier believing that all they have to do is just “believe” on the Lord Jesus and they are saved, so there is nothing else they have to do! For them to actually do something is anathema for them-just believe and you are saved! To “believe” meaning just to “accept (something) as true;” and that’s it! Demons do the same thing, “the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19).
However God defines belief in a different way-a way of action shows your belief! “I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18). God is a God of work! Jesus said we must work to get into the Kingdom, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, BUT for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life…” (John 6:27). Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29). Faith is a work-a work of God which is keeping his law! In Deuteronomy 32:20, it says that people who sin and don’t keep the law of God, are “…a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith” Faith is keeping God’s law! People don’t understand that “believing on the Lord Jesus” is a work and is the 1st commandment in the Law of God! (Read our booklet What is Real Faith for more details).
The Carnal Mind
The Carnal or fleshly mind is a mind that focuses on doing what is “right in his own eyes,” (Judges 17:6; 21:25); and not what is right in the sight of God. Romans 8:5 says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh” These things of the flesh are pursuing your carnal desires that is contrary to the law of God as Paul points out in Galatians, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Every offence of the flesh is contrary to the law of God. Paul said, “Because the carnal mind is enmity [Hostile] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom 8:7). People who reason and search for proof texts to find in the Bible where it says God’s law is “done away” are carnally minded and are not guided by the Spirit of God and to do this is a vain attempt indeed! Hebrew 7:12 is no different. People who believe that this text proves the law is done away are people who not only are carnally minded, but because of their carnal mind, put their preconceived ideas, biases, twists and spins into it to justify to themselves why they don’t need to keep the law of God.
With Hebrews 7:12 they say, “The old system did not work. Look at this passage from scripture. It actually says this very thing – the old system was broken.” (Article: Changing the Priesthood Means Changing The Law (Hebrews 7:12) by Juli Camarin). Does it really say that? “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” Was there something wrong with the Old Testament Law that it needed to be changed? Now we are no longer obligated to keep it? How can this be when, “The law of the LORD is PERFECT,” (Psalm 19:7)?
Also the Bible says, “all his commandments are sure…They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” (Psalm 11:7-8)?
“Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter of the Law does” (Luke 16:17 CEV). And the “earth abideth for ever” (Eccl 1:4).
What God has established in his law is forever and is perfect. Does Hebrews 7:12 actually mean that the system in the Old Testament was broken? Does God make mistakes?
The Divine Institutions are still in Place
Hebrews 7-10 describes in great detail the ministry of the Levitical Priesthood and the Priesthood of Christ. The sacrifices and the ministry of the Tabernacle are all mentioned. The two are compared and what this is showing is not a doing a way of the law but a transfer of the responsibilities of the Levitical Priesthood, from Levi to Jesus the high Priest in Heaven. God established a Priesthood, sacrifices, statutes, Judgments and laws that are all still in place today.
The Apostle Paul said we Christians must “establish the law” in our lives (Romans 3:31).
To enter into Life we must “keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17), said Jesus.
What about the Priesthood and the Sacrifices? They also remain. In Hebrews 9:23 the Apostle Paul writes about these two divine institutions and says, “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” The earthly Tabernacle was designed after the heavenly tabernacle shown to Moses on the “mount” (see Hebrews 8:5; Ex 25:40).
Notice the exact pattern, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament:” (Rev 11:19).
“These are called patterns, ὑποδειγματα, exemplars, earthly things, which were the representatives of heavenly things. And there is no doubt that every thing in the tabernacle, its parts, divisions, utensils, ministry, etc., as appointed by God, were representations of celestial matters;” (Clarke’s Commentary, emphasis added).
As we see the purification rituals of the tabernacle on earth, the same was to take place in heaven in the tabernacle there. Notice what Paul says, “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these” “With these” Mounce Concise Greek writes of this word “toutois,” “αὐτὸ τοῦτο, this very thing, this same thing,” (emphasis added).
Albert Barnes’s says, “by these ceremonies” These ceremonies described in the book of Hebrews and the law of God; the Priesthood, their duties and the offering of sacrifices, “Then verily the first [prōtos Strong’s #4413 in this context meaning “former” or “prior” see Douay–Rheims Bible; Mounce Concise English-Greek] covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.” (Heb 9:1). These “ordinances of divine service” were to also take place in the Heavenly Tabernacle as well.
“The simplest explanation is that the heavenly things received purification through the blood of Christ, in the same sense as the tabernacle received purification through the blood that was offered in it” (Popular New Testament, emphasis added).
Notice the latter end of the verse it says, “but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” So the sacrificial law is still in place in heaven but with “better sacrifices.” That is the sacrifice of Jesus; the only things that have been modified are the sacrificial victims. No longer are we required to sacrifice animals because we have now the ultimate sacrifice for sin-Jesus, who, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:10). Jesus sacrifice dealt with the sin problem permanently, “once for all” as oppose to the sacrifice of animals which, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (v.4) meaning on a permanent basis, for, “…because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
“But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.” Every year, “a recalling to mind by the high priest’s confession, on the day of atonement, of the sins of each past year and of all former years, proving that the sacrifices of former years were not felt by men’s consciences to have fully atoned for sins; There was no true atonement until Christ died:” (JFB Commentary, emphasis added).
We now have a “better sacrifice” for sins (Heb 9:23) and yet he is still the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).
“as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:19; see also Lev 22:20-24; Ex 12:5)
He is “our Passover [Lamb] is sacrificed for us:” (1 Cor 5:7); The word “Lamb” should have been added by the Translators because the context is obvious-what is sacrificed on the Passover? A Lamb! And Jesus IS the Lamb of God.
God provided this sacrificial system from the beginning “till the seed should come” (Gal 3:19), to deal with sin in the best way with animal sacrifices till Jesus came and dealt with the sin problem permanently! The Apostle Paul said there would come a time that, The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
“Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
“Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Heb 9:8-10). This “reformation” was, “The idea here is…[these] were designed to endure until a more perfect system should be introduced.” (Barnes Notes). The system God set was perfect but the sacrificial victims could not take way sin permanently like the blood of Christ. The Levitical Priesthood was not eternal and sinless till Jesus came, and is now our high Priest. This is what was to be “reformed,” the sacrificial victim, not the sacrificial law! The Levitical Priesthood, not the institution of the Priesthood. And this sacrificial victim was prophesied to come in Isaiah 53:10. A” Better sacrifice” meaning a better sacrificial victim to rid the world of sin-God’s Lamb.
Sacrificial Law points to Christ’s Sacrifice
Now, Hebrews 10:1 says, “For the law” What law? The context is obvious; it speaking of the “Law of The Sacrifices” not the whole law of God in general. It is speaking of this particular aspect in the law, notice:
· “This is the law of the burnt offering” (Lev 6:9).
· “And this is the law of the meat offering:” (Lev 6:14).
· “This is the law of the sin offering” (Lev 6:25)
· “Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy.” (Lev 7:1)
· “And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings” (Lev 7:11)
· This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering,” (Lev 7:7).
Is God speaking of the whole law? No! Just this part of the Law-the Law of the Sacrifices!
This is the law of sacrifices, “having a shadow of good things to come…” (Heb 10:1). These sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice to come Jesus. The sacrificial system God set up was perfect, and the victims were a temporary measure till the coming of the Lamb of God, the perfect victim in 31 A.D. when Jesus died for the sins of world. So God told them to use the blood of animals till Jesus came, as prophesied in the book of Isaiah, “thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin” (53:10). Israel was waiting for this offering to take away the sins of Israel and the world, and “the repeated sacrifices kept vividly before believers the promised Redeemer, through whom alone their consciences had peace.” (ibid). Knight says, the sacrifices “…provided the basic outline of Christ’s work for humanity” (p.170).
What about the Old Testament Patriarchs like Noah, Abel, Abraham etc.…which sacrificed to God? “And for this cause he is the mediator of the New [Grk. “kainos” Strong’s #2537 “renew[ed]”] Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first [prōtos Strong’s #4413 in this context meaning “former” or “prior” see Douay–Rheims Bible; Mounce Concise English-Greek] testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” (Heb 9:15). Those who were called Like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, the prophets-because of their obedience and sacrifice to God, their sins are permanently erased due to the death of Jesus. George Knight writes, “Beyond that, the new covenant also faces backward in that it redeems people from the ‘the transgressions [committed] under the first testament’ (9:15) This is a powerful thought... Does that mean that their sacrifices were useless? No because God honored their faith as they were obeying him in performing those Levitical rites that pointed forward to the true sacrifice to come in Christ. Thus they received forgiveness proleptically in the coming death of Jesus. As William Barclay puts it, ‘the sacrifice of Jesus is retroactive’ (Barclay p.117). Romans 3:25 presents the same thought” (p.161, emphasis added; addition made by Author).
So Christ now, IS our burnt offering, Trespass offering, Passover lamb etc... That is presented to the Father in the Temple in Heaven as atonement for our sins, “But 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 [that is, not of this present physical creation AFV];
“It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands [not of this building v.11], which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Heb 9:11, 23-24). It is all still valid but these things are taking place in heaven now in eternity and not in the physical creation, in this world.
The above scripture says that the tabernacle and its system on earth are patterned after the ones in heaven. What we witnessed on earth with the Levitical Priesthood and the sacrifices are patterned after what is established in heaven- and are not done away!
Jesus is Melchizedek
Some claim that Melchizedek was a man and not Christ; but the divine attributes can only apply to the son of God Jesus. This scripture says, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
“To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
“Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” (Heb 7:1-3).
Consider that Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness.” It would essentially be blasphemy to apply this title to any human being because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Only a divine Being would appropriately bear this awesome title.
The New Bible Commentary: Revised states: “Note that Scripture pictures him [Melchizedek] as one who is a king as well as a priest. The combination of these two offices was to be a distinguishing characteristic of the Messiah” (p. 1203, 1970, emphasis in original).
Melchizedek’s next awesome title is “King of Peace.” Of course, fallible human beings simply do not know the way to peace (Romans 3:10, 17), and to apply such a title to any man would, again, be virtually blasphemous. Jesus Christ Himself is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
The equation between these two great personages becomes clearer as we read on in Hebrews 7 verse 3 describes Melchizedek as being “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, [and one who] remains a priest continually.” His priesthood never ceased! The only priest who could possibly have fit these qualifications was the pre-existent Word, the great Being who was on hand before the very creation itself (John 1:1).
The description “without father, without mother” means far more than just the supposition that Melchizedek’s family connections were simply omitted from the Genesis account. He had no physical human parents! In context, the phrase “having neither beginning of days nor end of life” makes that point crystal clear.
Finally, the phrase “made like the Son of God” (“bearing the likeness of the Son of God,” REB) is further strong evidence of Melchizedek’s identity. He was “like” the Son of God because He was not yet, in actuality, the Son of God—that is, until He was later begotten by God the Father through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Melchizedek couldn’t have been the Father because he was the “priest of the Most High God.” He could have been only the eternal, pre-existent Word who later became Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Eternal Priesthood
Many do not realize that God had a Priesthood set up during the days of the Patriarchs in the book of Genesis. In Genesis we see Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek. This was the original Priesthood that, “Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham…For he [Levi] was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.” (Heb 7:9-10). The Levitical Priesthood did not even exist, but this Priesthood did; and, “consider how great this man was, [should read “this one was” Apostolic Bible Polyglot; AFV; CLV; LITV; LSV; YLT] unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” (Heb 7:4). This was a greater Priesthood than Levi.
But notice, this institution of Priesthood already existed, and appointed by God.
Then when the Exodus took place, originally God wanted the whole nation of Israel to be Priests (Ex 19:6). They were to be priests to the high Priest Melchizedek the same way Abraham served Melchizedek. (Gen 14:18-20). However because of “transgressions” this was no longer possible.
Twice we read of in the Bible, when Israel sinned. The first was the sin of the golden calf. The other was the sin of Israel at Baal-Peor. These sins that Israel took part in disqualified Israel from being Priests before God. However there was only one tribe that did NOT take part in those sins, and that was the tribe of Levi.
When Moses saw Israel in idolatry at Sinai, He said, “Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
“And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
“And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” (Ex 32:26-28).
At Baal-Peor, “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
“And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
“And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.” (Num 25:1-3).
Who because of their zeal for God “stayed” the plague from consuming Israel? “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest” (v.7). Due to the tribe of Levi’s zeal for God and staying obedient to him God pronounced a covenant with Levi:
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
“Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
“And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” (Num 25:10-13).
God repeats this again in Malachi, “And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment [“Law” see Strong’s #6680] unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
“My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
“The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
“For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 2:4-7). (See also Nehemiah 13:29). This “law” of the Levitical Priesthood where only the sons of Aaron can serve as high Priests was “Added” four hundred and thirty years after” “because of Transgressions” of the children of Israel! This is the “law” Paul was referring to in the book of Galatians the third chapter verses 15-19!
Then Paul says this law of the Priesthood would continue in Levi, “till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;” (Gal 3:19). Then it would be restored to its original form, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4). This is the “promise made” to restore the priesthood back to Melchizedek (Jesus) after he accomplished his task of being the ultimate sacrifice for sin. So this institution of the Priesthood had been established since the beginning, then given to Levi, and now restored back to Jesus and is now continuing the priestly duties in heaven for us.
Clarke’s Commentary explains, “The everlasting priesthood refers properly to the priesthood of Christ which was shadowed out by the priesthood under the law; no matter in what family it was continued. Therefore the עולם כהנת kehunnath olam, or eternal priesthood, does not merely refer to any sacerdotal ministrations which should be continued in the family of Phinehas, during the Mosaic dispensation, but to that priesthood of Christ typified by that of Aaron and his successors. The priesthood alone is everlasting, and a covenant or grant of that was made to Phinehas, and his descendants.” (Emphasis added). The office of Priesthood is eternal. The descendants of Aaron occupied that office till the “seed” comes, and that is Christ. He occupies that position now.
A Transfer has Taken Place
The Levitical Priesthood was in charge of all the sacrifices and the ministry of the Tabernacle and the Temple. “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood… For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices… Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.” (Heb 7:5; 8:3; 9:6).
The Old Testament says, “But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.” (Num 1:50).
The book of Hebrews particularly in chapters 7-10 is actually describing a transfer of all these Priestly duties, from the physical material world to the eternal in the heavens. The heavenly Tabernacle that is “eternal” and “perfect” that no man can destroy; it is permanent and holy.
A transfer from one Priesthood to the other-From the Levitical Priesthood to the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The Levitical Priesthood was not “eternal” like the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec… even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec…but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” (Heb 5:6; 6:20; 7:3).
This priesthood does not have the problem of a sinful high priest like the order of Aaron. It was not perfect and the priest was also subject to death and had to be replaced by a successor.
Melchizedek however “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment,” or, “That person wasn’t appointed because of his ancestors” (Heb 7:16 CEV); but Christ is, “after the power of an endless life…Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” (Heb 7:16, 3); The Moffatt translation states it: “continues to be priest permanently.” Christ also was “without sin” (Heb 4:15). Levi also payed tithes to Melchizedek which makes his priesthood greater than Levi (see Hebrews 7:9-10).
This is what Hebrews 7:12 really telling us that a transfer has taken place, notice, “For the priesthood being changed”
This word “change” in the Greek is “metatithemi” and it means “transfer.” (see Strong’s # 3346). Robertson’s Word Pictures writes, “Genitive absolute with present passive participle of metatithemi, old word to transfer.” There is nothing here about abolishment, but a transfer, from one Priesthood to another. This scripture (Heb 7:12) confirms that there is a “transfer” from one priesthood to the other.
Changing of What Law?
So now that we understand that there is a transfer of the Priesthood from Levi to Christ, what about the latter end of that scripture that says, “…there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
One cannot reason that it means the whole law of God because in this chapter it speaks of Jesus with a “better testament.” (v.22). this testament contains the laws of God; see Hebrew 8:8-10. Notice, it’s “better testament” now because we have a “better sacrifice” that deals with the sin problem on a permanent basis. So what “law” is Paul speaking of?
This second Greek word for “change” is “metathesis” (Strong’s #3331). This means, “transfer: from one place to another” (Thayer’s, emphasis added). So, “…there is made of necessity a change [transfer from one place to another] also of the law.” Now that the Priesthood has transferred from Levi to Melchizedek, and Melchizedek (Jesus) is now in heaven, “…to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Heb 9:24), and he, “he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25).
The “law” referred to in this scripture that is ALSO transferred to heaven are the duties of priesthood “according to the law,” as Paul “sums” up in the next chapter:
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
“A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
“For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
“For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Heb 8:1-5). The ministry of the Priesthood, which the Levites performed on earth, which were “the example and shadow of heavenly things” are now being done in heaven by Jesus and his eternal priesthood “according to the law:” The Priesthood duties goes with the Priest that why, “there is made of necessity” for the duties to be transferred to heaven, the Priest is in heaven-so must his duties go with him but with better sacrifices and a permanent tabernacle. “…it was necessary that the Lord Jesus, in performing the functions of the office, should be removed [transferred] to another sphere.” (Clarke’s commentary, emphasis added).
Notice what Knight says, “The context makes it plain that verse 12 speaks not about a change of law in general, but only a modification in the stipulation that the only valid priest had to be a son of Aaron through the flesh (c f. 7:16).
“At this point the author is very careful. He does not reject the law in his presentation, but notes that Scripture itself actually speaks about two types of priesthood (7:11). The Law of Moses established priesthood passed down from the descendants of Levi, but Psalm 110:4 speaks about a priest like Melchizedek, who did not belong to that tribe. With that in mind, Hebrews 7:11 asks: ‘If perfection had been through the Levitical priesthood .... what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek [Ps. 110:4] rather than after the order of Aaron?’
“Thus on the issue of priestly succession, Hebrews has laid out a firm Old Testament case for superseding the law on that one specific point (7:11-14)” (Knight Exploring Hebrews, p.123, emphasis added). Why can this stipulation in the law be modified? As noted above, the apostle Paul answers this in Galatians the third chapter verses 15-23. He speaks of “the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, [time of Moses] cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” This “law” “was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;” (v.19). When Christ came then the “promise” that, “The LORD hath sworn, [the Promise made] and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4) would restore the Priesthood to its original condition.
The Levites Presently
So what of the Levitical Priesthood today? Now that the priestly duties and the Priesthood itself are now transferred to Heaven with Jesus, do the Levites still matter when it comes to being Priests to God?
When it comes to their priestly duties of offering sacrifices and service in the tabernacle that is all translated to the heavenly realm now. This scripture says, “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.” (Heb 7:18). The Aaronic priesthood was “weak” and “unprofitable” due to his own sins (see Hebrews 5:1-4), and death where a successor was to be appointed (Heb 7:23). Why go back to a priesthood and sacrifice inferior to the one God has established in Christ? There is now “a disannulling of the commandment” of them performing these duties.
“There is a total abrogation, προαγουσης εντολης, of the former law, relative to the Levitical priesthood.” (Clarke’s Commentary).
However, 12,000 Levites of the 144,000 (Rev 7:7) will be chosen to “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” (Rev 14:4). The Sons of Levi are the first tribe that Jesus will purify, “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope:
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” (Mal 3:2-23). Zacharias prophesied, that the sons of Levi “might serve Him in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.” And in the end we all shall be, “Priests” of God and Christ (Melchizedek) “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God:” (Isaiah 61:6; Rev 5:10). Priests not offering sacrifices any longer, but serving God and “…the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” This will be the job of Levi’s and all saints in the Kingdom to teach the nations the truth of God and his law.
To conclude, there is no indication here in this scripture that God’s law is changed or done way. Instead we see the law of the Priesthood being “transfer[ed]” from Aaron to Melchizedek who is Jesus Christ. And really when you look at all the scriptures, God is really restoring the Priesthood back to Melchizedek after giving it to Aaron due to the sins of Israel, “till the seed comes.” So it’s a Priesthood restored to its original form, and now that the “seed” has come, his sacrifice is the “better sacrifice” that deals with the sin problem permanently, and now the sacrificial victim is Christ and not bulls and lambs-the Lamb of God is sufficient for all mankind and forever!
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