August 26, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE ‘SECOND ADAM’ SUCCEEDED WHERE THE FIRST ADAM FAILED
“And so it is written, the first man Adam became a living being [soul, Gen. 2:7]. The last Adam became a life giving [‘quickening,’ KJV] spirit. However, the spiritual is not the first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust, the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly [spiritual, not carnally-minded]. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust [our unconverted state with an unregenerate heart], so we shall also bear the image [moral character] of the heavenly Man [the truly converted ‘new creature in Christ Jesus’].”
1 Cor. 15: 45-49, NKJV.
“The right hand of the Majesty on high’ is the seat of honor, or authority. This seat was given Christ when He had made purgation [‘purging’] of sin. He had finished the work given Him in earth to do. He had succeeded where Adam had failed, and had won for Himself if God [the Father] and the right to speak and act FOR MANKIND [as the ‘second Adam,’ and thus High Priest, Mediator, Intercessor, Advocate in the heavenly sanctuary where He ascended to at His resurrection].”
“If He we’re on earth, He should NOT be a priest, seeing that there are priests [the typical Aaronic and Levitical] that offer gifts according to the law’ [the system of sacrifices in the ceremonial law],’ and of course Christ has nothing to offer till AFTER His death. (See Heb. 8:4).”
“But If Christ were to be priest [after having offered Himself as the Lamb sacrifice at the cross], ‘it is of necessity that this Man have SOMEWHAT also to offer.’ Heb. 8:3, KJV. This ‘somewhat’ was not the blood of goats and calves…..but His own blood.’ Heb. 9:12.”
“As soon as this blood was shed at Calvary, He had ‘somewhat’ to offer. Now He could BEGIN His priestly ministry, and God immediately upon His ascension installs Him as His right hand. He is now a priest forever ‘AFTER the order of Melchizedek, and is ready to intercede for man in the holy places in heaven [until this last work is finished up before He returns ‘with His rewards’].” Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, pp. 61, 62.
May the Father in Christ through the Holy Spirit bless all as you ‘search for the spiritual deep things in Christ. NMF