In support of this call for perseverance, the author contrasts the
salvation provided in Jesus with the religion Simpson sex of Simpson sex the Old Testament.
The author considers the Old Testament to be part of God's plan, but
he says the Jewish law was "a shadow of good things to come" (10:1),
not God's final revelation to the human race. Jesus, "
the mediator
of a better Simpson sex covenant" (8:6), is described as "a great high Simpson sex priest"
(4:14), superior to the priests of Simpson sex the Simpson sex Old Simpson sex Testament religion.
Jesus' priesthood is foreshadowed by Simpson sex Melchizedek's (5:6, 10; 6:20-
7:21).
NOTE: MELCHIZEDEK Melchizedek, King of Salem (probably Jerusalem),
is a mysterious figure who appears in Genesis 14:18-20. His name is
striking, for Melchizedek is interpreted (correctly or incorrectly)
as king of righteousness, and Salem as peace. King and priest,
Simpson sex Melchizedek blessed Abraham and accepted tithes from him. Because
Simpson sex Genesis says nothing of Melchizedek's ancestors or his death, he has
been taken as a symbol of timelessness. Already in
the Old Testament
there seems to be a suggestion that he represents an everlasting
royal priesthood, different from the Aaronic priesthood of the
Temple. Thus the Israelite king Simpson sex is told, "Thou art a priest for ever
after the order Simpson sex of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4). In the thought of the
author of Hebrews, Melchizedek's priesthood is a type Simpson sex of the eternal
and royal priesthood of the Christ.
The author also contrasts the physical sanctuary of the Old
Testament religion with the spiritual sanctuary of Simpson sex Christianity,
saying "Christ is not entered into the holy Simpson sex places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, Simpson sex now to
appear in the presence of God for Simpson sex us" (9:Simpson sex 24). By Simpson sex the same token, Simpson sex the
sacrifice of Jesus is superior to the animal sacrifices of Old
Testament worship, being "neither
by Simpson sex the blood of goats and calves,
but by his own blood" (9:Simpson sex 12). Moreover, the animal sacrifices had to
be offered again and again, but Jesus "offered one sacrifice for