For clarity, the office of the priest, the prophet and the king (alongside the old tabernacle sacrifices) in the old testament gave prominence to the nation of Israel. But when we study the scriptures from our own new testament vantage point, we see each of these roles as contributing to the salvation message, wherein our Redeemer sets us free. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
In other words, these were a prefigurement (or shadow of good things to come) to the work which Jesus the Christ was setting out to do. As we now know, Jesus the Christ would become our High Priest, having paid the debt for the sin of His people. In so doing, He would open the door for a renewed fellowship between God and man.
Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (I Peter 3:18)
In each case, the men that voluntarily took the work of priest, prophet or king upon themselves were divinely called. For example, the prophet was appointed to be God's spokesperson to the people -- revealing the will and purpose of the Lord God for salvation. Additionally, the priest offered sacrifices for the people as a form of atonement -- a way of interceding with God on their behalf. The king was appointed to rule over the people and conquer His enemies.
What is interesting is that in the old testament, the priest would enter into the holy of holies with blood that had been offered on behalf of the sins of the people. In the new testament, Jesus the Christ entered into the heavenly sanctuary with His atoning sacrifice so that we too might find abundant life through Him. Hebrews 9 elaborates on the difference between the old testament sacrifices and the new testament wherein the Lord Jesus willingly paid the price for our sins -- through the shedding of His own blood.
Hebrews 9 also explains that while the first tabernacle was still standing, the Holy Ghost signified that the way into the holiest of all would not be made manifest. (Hebrews 9:8) In other words, the first had to go in order for the new testament to come to be. A time when Christ became an high priest of good things to come ...
"Then verily the first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shew bread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service [of God]. But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which He offered for Himself, and for the errors of the people: 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.
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; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us]. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: how 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?
And 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. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.
Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
[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, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others; for then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:1-28)
Let the eternal Spirit who offered Himself without spot to God purger your conscience from dead works so that you too can serve the living God. His name JESUS in this new testament dispensation -- for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us! (Matthew 1:21-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
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