Author Archives: John Sanzone

Nov 12, 2013. Hebrews 8:7-13

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A NEW COVENANT WITH ISRAEL. Hebrews 8:7-13. 11/12/2023. #24.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

1. Second Covenant to Israel and Judah

                a. The second covenant with Israel and Judah was necessary because the first covenant was flawed

                                a1. The Law was perfect

                                a2. The covenant had no provision to pay for and remove the guilt of sins

                                a3. Israel rebelled against God and His covenant

                b. God set aside the old covenant to make a new one

                                a1. He disregarded (“no longer cared about”, neglected, rejected, abandoned) those who rebelled against Him (led out of Egypt)

                                a2. With the coming of the new covenant, the old covenant was abandoned as obsolete

                c. God replaced the old covenant with a new one to Israel and Judah (different from church’s, but related to it)

2. The 2nd Covenant to Israel = different than church covenant

                a. Romans 11:11-27 Israel was taken out of the olive tree (covenant) so the Gentiles would be grafted in

                                a1. Israel will be again grafted in

                                a2. When the Gentile (wild olive branches) are taken out (Rapture), Israel will be re-grafted

                b. The New Covenant had certain provisions

                                a1. Believe on Jesus to receive eternal life

                                a2. Ephesians 1:13-14 the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit

                                a3. Romans 8:30 justification, sanctification, and glorification of the believer

                c. The 2nd Covenant to Israel and Judah = different provisions

                                a1. God will put His Law on their hearts

                                a2. Will not have to learn about God

                                a3. Knowledge of God will be fused in them

                                a4. Isr. will no longer rebel against God

                                a5. Israel will be God’s people

                                a6. God will show mercy to their ungodliness

                                a7. He will remember their sins no more

                d. Other provisions to Israel and Judah:

                                a1. Jeremiah 31:31-34 they will have their kingdom

                                a2. Revelation 21 Christ will rule from Jerusalem

                                a3. Zechariah 8:23 they will be blessed of the Lord

3. 2nd Covenant tied to the New Covenant

                a. Zechariah 12:10 in that Day (during the Tribulation), Israel will gaze upon the One they had pierced (the crucifixion of Jesus) and mourn for Him as an only son

                b. Daniel 9:27 after the Antichrist breaks the treaty with Israel, the nation turns to Christ as the Messiah who their ancestors had rejected

                c. Belatedly, Israel comes to the Lord and so a 2nd covenant is established with the nation, leading to the establishment of their Mill. kingdom (Jeremiah 31)

                d. The preparation of the end time events is underway

                                a1. Ezekiel 20:33-38 God will gather His people back to the land in preparation for judgment

                                a2. Matthew 25 after the judgment of the nations (Joel 3), Christ sets up His kingdom with believing Israel and Judah at the center

                e. Matthew 25 as the church age saints rule during the Millennium in their glorified bodies, Israel serves the Lord in the Promised Land

                f. As believers we take comfort in our salvation

                                a1. The Lord has chosen us and we are spared the horrors of unbelief and the Tribulation

                                a2. We entered eternal life with no Law ties

Key Verse: Romans 11:11-27

11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,

And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

Oct 29, 2023. Hebrews 7:20-28

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THE FINAL PRIEST. Hebrews 7:20-28. 10/29/2023. #22.

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The LORD has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’”), 22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

1. A priest by oath

                a. Aaron was established as a priest without an oath

                                a1. God did not swear to make Aaron’s line

                                       permanent priests

                                a2. Unlike David (II Samuel 7:14), who was promised a continual line, no promises were given to Aaron as to his line’s longevity

                b. Psalm 110:4 the priest after the order of Mel., Jesus, was promised his position forever (“unto the ages”)

                                a1. The oath was sworn by God (the Father)

                                a2. God made Jesus a priest, just as He “gave” (John 3:16) Jesus to be the sin offering for man

                c. The oath is irrevocable (God won’t change his mind)

                                a1. Salvation is an eternal certainty

                                a2. Our assurance rests on the integrity of God

2. A far better covenant

                a. The New Covenant is far superior to the Old Covenant

                                a1. The Old Covenant couldn’t remove sin guilt

                                a2. The Old Covenant mediated through sinful priests and mortal animals

                b. The Old Covenant was flawed from its inception

                                a1. Though the Law was perfect, it only could define sin, but couldn’t redeem the sinner

                                a2. The Old Covenant couldn’t be permanent

                                a3. Covenant is used here for first time in Hebrews, but is used sixteen more times (most in New Testament)

                c. The High Priest could never continue in office, since he died, as did each new high priest

                d. Jesus continues forever

                                a1. At His resurrection Christ overcame

                                       death for all believers (I Corinthians 15:50-58)

                                a2. His continuation guarantees ours

                e. While still in our sinful state, Christ makes intercession for us, opposing the Accuser (Hebrews 4, Revelation12)

                f. Jesus is our surety (guarantee) of a better covenant

                                a1. Ephesians 1:13-14 the Holy Spirit is our deposit, assuring of full payment (eternal life)

                                a2. Jesus is the guarantee behind the deposit

                                a3. Surety (enguos) only used here in New Testament

3. A permanent high priest

                a. The Old Covenant high priest was flawed

                                a1. He was not permanent

                                a2. He had to offer for his own sins first

                                a3. He could not remove the penalty of sin

                b. Jesus is far better than the high priest

                                a1. He did not need to offer for His own sins

                                a2. His intercession for us is continual and effectual for all time

                                a3. Unlike the HIGH PRIEST many ineffectual offerings, Christ offered one effectual offering for all

                c. Christ has a better appointment

                                a1. The HIGH PRIEST was appointed as a weak intercessor, flawed and dying

                                a2. Christ was appointed after the Law was established, being greater than the Law

                d. Jesus has become higher than the heavens

                                a1. Lit., “is having become”

                                a2. Jesus was always higher than the heavens, but by redeeming believers his eternal resume’ now includes Redeemer of mankind

                                a3. By gaining redeemed man, He has been made perfect (complete), fulfilling His mission

Key verse: 1 Corinthians 15:50-5850 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Oct 22, 2023. Hebrews 7:11-19

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A NEW PRIEST NEEDED. Hebrews 7:11-19. 10/22/2023. #21

11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

1. Failure on Mt. Moriah

                a. Aaronic priesthood couldn’t bring deliverance

                                a1. Intercession is supposed to resolve issues

                                a2. Offerings = not remove guilt of sin

                b. God set up the priesthood as a stopgap measure

                                a1. It was unable to complete the task of redeeming the sinner and paying for sin

                                a2. The Law was not designed to remove sin

                                a3. Animal sacrifices = not worthy to pay for sins (creatures of a fallen world)

                c. An inadequate system must yield to a better one

                d. If the Law and the system to minister the Law failed to remedy sin, a new Law and system was needed

                                a1. Required removing old system (annulling)

                                a2. Replaced with a new system and priesthood

                e. Once the old system is annulled, it no longer is in effect and all appeals to it fail

2. Enter the new priest

                a. The old priest was from Levi and Aaron

                b. The new priest is from Judah (royal tribe) of the line of David (a signal of a different kind of priest)

                                a1. Judah never served as an OT priest

                                a2. King Uzziah struck with leprosy for attempting to sacrifice in the temple

                c. The new priest was superior to the old high priest

                                a1. His type, Melchizedek, predated Aaron

                                a2. He was holy, being the Son of God

                                a3. He was priest, king, and offering all in one

                                a4. His priesthood is eternal

                                a5. His ministry is effective to the removal of sin and the granting of eternal life

                d. Ps. 110:4 the prediction of a greater priesthood indicated that the old priesthood would be replaced

              Abraham             Moses        David         Exile        Christ

              —1800 BC——-1400 BC—-1000 BC—600BC—-33 AD

3. The arrival of perfection

                a. The word perfect (telos) means complete

                                a1. The old priesthood was incomplete since it  could not resolve sin (Galatians 3:1-14)

                                a2. A new priest of a different tribe was needed

                b. Christ was superior in all ways to the High Priests

                                a1. The HP were sinful and mortal

                                a2. Christ is sinless and immortal

                                a3. The HP were unworthy to remove sin

                                a4. Christ in all ways was worthy to deliver

                                a5. The HP arrived without prophecy

                                a6. The priest after Melchizedek was prophesied

                c. Aaron served by “fleshly command” (physical)

                d. Christ served by divine grace (John 3:16)

                e. The old covenant system was completely annulled

                                a1. Cancelled = a limited duration

                                a2. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ, the old covenant did as well (had to be an effective offering OT could not do)

                f. The obsolete must give way to the effective

                                a1. Hebrews demonstrates that Jewish believers must discard the Law in order to embrace Christ (cannot follow both)

                                a2. The flawed must give way to the perfect

                g. All things that do not serve us well must go

                                a1. Unbiblical beliefs and practices

                                a2. Fleshly habits and worldly pursuits

Key Verse: Galatians 3:1-14

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Oct 15, 2023. Hebrews 7:1-10

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MELCHIZEDEK. Hebrews 7:1-10. 10/15/2023. #20.

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

1. A priest before priests

                a. Heb. emphasizes that there were priests of God before the Levitical priesthood

                b. Melchizedek pops into the story in Genesis 14

                                a1. Abraham had conquered the 5 kings who had raided Sodom

                                a2. Mel met Abraham with bread and wine

                c. Heb. demonstrated that Mel was superior to Abraham

                                a1. Abraham was revered as greatest ancestor

                                a2. Abraham paid a tithe of the plunder to Melchizedek (plunder = “off the top”)

                                a3. Mel blessed Abraham

                d. Since Levi was descended from Abraham, Melchizedek was also greater than the High Priests

                                a1. In a sense, Aaron paid tithes to Melchizedek

                                a2. Melchizedek foreshadowed Christ

2. Greater than Melchizedek

                a. Mel was a great man

                                a1. King of Righteousness, King of Salem (peace) – most believe that Salem was at Jerusalem (some say Shechem)

                                a2. Priest of God

                b. Without beginning or end

                                a1. 2 different interpretations:

                                                b1. Literally, no ancestry and eternal (pre-Incarnate manifestation of Christ)

                                                b2. A person of unknown (unrecorded) ancestry, birth, and death (a great man without recorded history)

                                a2. Unlikely candidates: Shem (we know his lineage), an angel (described as a man), anyone of known lineage

                c. In favor of a Christophany (form of Christ):

                                a1. Without beginning or end (Rev. 1)

                                a2. King of Peace (Is. 9:6…Prince of Peace)

                                a3. King of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2)

                d. Mel was so great that Abraham paid a tithe to him

                                a1. Jesus Christ is a (the) priest after the order of Melchizedek

                                a2. He is both priest and king, without beginning or end (Psalm 110:1-7)

3. Aaron superseded

                a. Heb. demonstrates Christ’s preeminence:

                                a1. Levi paid tithes to Mel while in Abraham’s loins

                                a2. Psalm 110:4 indicates that the Levitical priesthood would be surpassed by a new one

                                a3. Once the Levitical priesthood was replaced by Christ, it fell into disuse and obsolescence

                b. To continue to hold onto archaic religious rites is to hinder one’s walk with the Lord

                                a1. OT priesthood was merely a place holder

                                a2. Law demonstrated that man could not be righteous and animal sacrifices could not remove sin or make one righteous

                c. Heb. uses divine logic to persuade readers of the futility of keeping the trappings of the Law

                d. The new High Priest, Christ, conquered sin and death

                e. Mel is a type of Christ and His ministry

                                a1. Purposeful insertion to point to Christ

                                a2. Once completed, all temporary things cease

Key Verse: Psalm 110: 1-7

1 The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your Enemies Your footstool.”

2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.

Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

3 Your people shall be volunteers

In the day of Your power;

In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,

You have the dew of Your youth.

4 The Lord has sworn

And will not relent,

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at Your right hand;

He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.

6 He shall judge among the nations,

He shall fill the places with dead bodies,

He shall execute the heads of many countries.

7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore, He shall lift up the head.