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Lesson 7

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Topic Outline

Recap Last Week’s Lesson Further Explanation (rising from Q/A session)

Ascended [8] Application to Us Quiz Question / Answer Session

3Recap - Empowered

Father & Son to abide with believer

love poured in

Spirit fights flesh

down-payment

H.S. given to eleven

with us always

Dra

win

g by

Ric

hard

Hoo

k

Pentecost

Kingdom powers

Jesus walks among churches

power at work in us

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Further Explanations to last week’s Q/A

• Explain Matthew 27:51-54, and the resurrection of “many bodies of the saints”

• How do we know it was Jesus’ representative angel in Rev 1:12-16?

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Appeared6

PropheciesRelationships

Jesus

To Return9

Ascended8

Spiritual body5

Resurrected1

Born of Woman4

Alive body3

Dead body2

Empowered7

New Earth

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A Jesus-centered Viewpoint

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Appeared6

PropheciesRelationships

Jesus

To Return9

Ascended8

Spiritual body5

Resurrected1

Born of Woman4

Alive body3

Dead body2

Empowered7

New Earth

10Ascended

A Jesus-centered Viewpoint

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8. Ascended (High Priest)

• to heaven from Mt. Olivet (Acts 1:9-11)• to right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56)• declared High Priest when raised (Heb 5:6)• after order of Melchizedek (Heb 7:14-17)• priesthood lasts forever (Heb 7:21-24)• sympathizes with us (Heb 4:14-15) • mediator between God & man (1Tim 2:5)• intercessor (Rom 8:26-27)• glorious being (Rev 1:13-16)

Asc -1

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Acts 1:9-11Asc -2

Points:1. “lifted up” = “taken up… into heaven” = the ascension (cf. John

3:13, Acts 2:34 + proof of exaltation at God’s right hand v. 33)

2. “a cloud” = the cloud of glory (cf. Matt 24:30, 17:5, 1Kings 8:11); “come in same way” = back to Mt. Olivet, just outside of Jerusalem (Zech 14:4, 9,16, Jer 3:17, Ezek 43:7); “two men” = angels

9 And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." ….

Application:It was evidently important for the disciples to see the literal departure of Jesus; OT precedent = Elijah-Elisha, where Elisha was granted a “double share” of Elijah’s spirit (2Kings 2:9-18); Elijah “being taken” ended his public ministry.

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Acts 7:55-56Asc -3

Points:

1. “standing at the right hand” = fulfilled prophecy Ps 110:1, a passage cited by Jesus as a key argument during his ministry (Matt 22:41-45); the Psalm is a prophecy of Jesus being both king and priest, fittingly after king-priest Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-18)2. As seen by Stephen, Jesus is standing, not sitting = Jesus is active on service as a priest on behalf of his disciples (Heb 10:11)

55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."

Application:But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working (John 5:17) = Jesus, like God, is not just sitting around

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Hebrews 5:5-6Asc -4

Points:1. Fulfilled not only the Ps 110:1 prophecy regarding priest-king

Melchizedek but also the Ps 2:7 prophecy about the Christ being the Son of God (cf. Acts 13:33)

Application:Believers currently have the role of priests now (cf. 1Pet 2:9), intraining to share the rulership with Christ in the Kingdom (cf. Rev2:27, 5:10, 1Cor 6: 2)

2. Jesus is given the “my Son” title at resurrection, not birth; this honor and timing is confirmed in Heb 1:5-9,13, 5:5-10

4 And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; 6 as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz'edek."

3. The honor had to be granted, not demanded or obligated.

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Hebrews 7:14-17Asc -5

Points:1. Context: v. 1-13. The significance of the Melchizedek linkage is spelled out in detail: name, function, genealogy, & superiority.

2. Abraham, great man of faith that he was, sought and followed the counsel of the priest of “God Most High”, shared a fellowship meal of bread & wine, and gave him “a tenth of everything” =

clearly the superior man was Melchizedek, a prototype of Christ

14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah,and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchiz'edek, 16 who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz'edek."

Application:The Levitical (from Levi, a descendant of Abraham, and thus ‘inferior’) priesthood had been eliminated by the sacrifice of Jesus, requiring a new order + a change in the law as well (Heb 7:12)

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Hebrews 7:21-24Asc -6

Points:1. Context: v. 1-20 The superiority of the Melchizedek priesthood,

which preceded the Levitical priesthood, has been shown at every level, a key aspect being that it lasts forever!

21 Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'Thou art a priest for ever.'" 22 This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever.

2. Consequently he [Jesus] is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Heb 7:25)

Application:… since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith… (Heb10:22)

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Hebrews 4:14-15Asc -7

Points:1. “Since then we have” = similar type of urging seen in Heb 10:22; “let us hold fast” = reinforces the teaching in 3:14 “For we share

in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end”

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Application:Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16)

2. Because he had been tempted as we are, he is able to sympathize; his temptation was possible because he was ‘flesh” (2:14); his not sinning was because he always did his Father’s will (John 6:38)

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1 Timothy 2:5-6Asc -8

Points:

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.

Application:

“…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins… (1John 2:1-2)

1. “mediator” = “a medium of communication” rather than an “arbitrator” (both definitions given by Strong), since Jesus does not have to persuade God on our behalf; God is the one Who initiated the whole plan of salvation; He needs no prompting

2. “mediator” also is defined by Strong as = “one who intervenes between two”, but here again, Jesus should be seen as the means or channel of communication, the bridge between; he was sent to reconcile us to God, not God to us (2 Cor 6:19).

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Romans 8:26-27

Points:1. Since there is “one mediator” – Jesus – and since he “always

lives to make intercession” , and since he is the one who “sympathizes with our weaknesses” , v.26-27 is about Jesus!

2. This conclusion is confirmed in v.34 “It is Christ Jesus ...who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us”.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. 27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Asc -9

Application:The risen Jesus takes on the role of the advocate (paraclete) who stands with the believer to comfort (make strong) = the indwelling Christ who shows us the truth & gives us the power to overcome sin in our selves.

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Revelation 1:13-16Asc -10

Points:

13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; 14 his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; 16 in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

1. “like a son of man” = this angel (v.1) had basic form of a man

2. “long robe…girdle” = outfitted like a high priest (e.g. Ex 28:4)

3. “lampstands” = allude to the lampstand in the tabernacle

4. other attributes = those pertaining/ alluding to divine nature.

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Revelation 1:13-16Asc -11

Points:

13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; 14 his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; 16 in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

1. “like a son of man” = this angel (v.1) had basic form of a man2. “long robe…girdle” = outfitted like a high priest (e.g. Ex 28:4)3. “lampstands” = allude to the lampstand in the tabernacle4. other attributes = those pertaining/alluding to divine nature. Application:

Angels are cannot die (Lk 20:36) = Jesus’ angel was immortal = had divine nature, and like God’s representative angel in Ex 23:20-21, 33:14-34:9, carried the power and attributes and words of his Master

= symbolizes an immortal Jesus who is a high priest-king with divine power

18Summary

ascended in cloud of glory

sympathizes with us

intercedes for us

priesthood forever

to right hand of God

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declared high priest

order of Melchizedek

symbolic angel

Asc -12

one mediator

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So What?

As a intercessor, Jesus is NOT sitting up next to God interpreting the needs of believers so that God may understand better, or trying to convince Him to give a wayward disciple another chance or anything that implies that somehow God needs changing/redirecting.

Asc -13

Rather, Jesus thinks and acts the same way God does, and both ‘abide’ in the mind/heart/life of a believer. As an advocate/comforter, Jesus is fully-occupied in working alongside of the believer to make him/her strong in the fight against sin. cf. being yoked with Jesus (Matt 11:29)

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Quiz1. Since Jesus is to return to earth in the same way he left, it

was a cloud of _____ that bore him up to heaven from the Mount of ______. The two ‘men’ who provided that information to the apostles were almost certainly _____.

2. Melchizedek means king of _____ (based on the city of Salem) and king of ___________ (based on the interpretation of his name). As priest of God Most High, he had a fellowship meal of _____ and _____ with Abram, and told him to avoid any obligation to the king of ______.

3. As used in Scripture, to be a mediator is not to be an arbitrator or negotiator, but rather the medium of ________. Similarly, an advocate is not referring to a lawyer or lobbyist but rather someone who comes ________ to make you ______.

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Homework Reading

9. To Return [Judge]• from heaven to Mt. Olivet (Zech 14:4,9, Acts

1:11, Matt 24:30)• authorized by God (John 5:25-30)• believers at Christ’s judgment seat (2Cor 5:10)• the world in righteousness (Acts 17:30-31)• the living and dead (Acts 10:42, 2Tim 4:1-2)• vengeance on enemies (2Thes 1:8, Rev 11:18)• reward the faithful (Rev 11:18, Matt 25:34-36)

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Questions &

Answers

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…to be continued

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Matthew 27:51-54

Supplemental Reference Material #1

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; 52 the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Points:1. The sequence is clear: these saints were raised after Jesus had

been resurrected by God; Jesus was the “firstborn” from the dead (Col 1:18) = the first to be given immortality; like Lazarus being made alive by Jesus, these believers would eventually die again.

2. These “saints” = ‘called out’ ordinary believers (cf. Eph 1:1); their appearance to many would have demonstrated the power of the resurrected Jesus + the event convicted the centurion

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Jesus’ Angel – Rev 1:1, 22:16

Supplemental Reference Material #2

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what must soon take place; and he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John…

I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.

This angel, described in detail in 1:12-18, depicts the attributes of a high priest in a glorified form, ministering to 7 real-life Christian congregations, thus perfectly represents Jesus in his new role

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= Mt 28:19, Lk 1:32

Daniel 7 – Ascension of JesusSupplemental Reference Material #3

9  As I looked, thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat; his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire… 13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Points:1. This OT passage is surely a vision of what was to happen to Jesus

as he stood before his Father upon his ascension to God’s throne. The details and interpretation is confirmed by a comparison of what the apostle John saw in Revelation 4 & 5 + Phil 2:9-11

2. “like a son of man” = a human being, but both Ezekiel & Jesus would end up having the “son of man” as a title of significance (e.g., Ezek 2:1, 3:1, John 1:51, 3:14)

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• Resurrection & glory (ditto next 2 quotes) this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm [v.7], 'Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee.' And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead…he spoke in this way, 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' (Acts 13:33-34)

• having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs; or to what angel did God ever say, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? (Heb 1:4-5)

• So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek [king-priest]" (Heb 5:5-6)

“my Son” title – upon resurrectionWhen & how Jesus was called God’s Son: A Progression

• Prophecy I will be his father, and he shall be my son (1Sam 7:14)

• Birth therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. (Luk1:35)

• Baptism and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matt 3:17)

• Transfiguration (future glimpse) And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (Luke 9:35)

Supplemental Reference Material #4

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The significance of MelchizedekSupplemental Reference Material #5

1 For this Melchiz'edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever. 4 See how great he is! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of the spoils. (Heb 7)

Points:1. Melchizedek was a contemporary of Abraham (cf. Gen 14), a real

man with parents, but whose death is deliberately not recorded so that his priesthood can be considered never ending, and thus serve as a ‘type’ of the everlasting High-Priest ministry of Jesus

2. “king of righteousness” + “king of peace” = both appropriate titles which foreshadow those given to Christ (Is 9:6, Rev 19:11); Abraham is subordinate to Melchizedek, & so logically, to Jesus

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Original Word Word Originmesivthß from (3319)

Transliterated Word

MesitesPhonetic Spelling

Parts of Speechmes-ee'-tace 

Noun Masculine

 Definition

1. one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant

2. a medium of communication, arbitrator

 King James Word Usage - Total: 6

mediator 6

Mediator – Strong’s Concordance

Supplemental Reference Material #6

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Original Word Word Originparavklhtoß a root word

Transliterated Word

ParakletosPhonetic Spelling

Parts of Speechpar-ak'-lay-tos

Noun Masculine

 Definition

1. summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid a. one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for

defense, legal assistant, an advocate b. one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor

i. of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins

c. in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant i. of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles

(after his ascension to the Father),

 King James Word Usage - Total: 5

comforter 4, advocate 1

advocate – Strong’s Concordance

Supplemental Reference Material #7

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Indwelling = Led by the SpiritSupplemental Reference Material #8

9 But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you… but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God… but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8) Points:1. “Spirit of God” = “Spirit of him” = “his Spirit” = “the Spirit” =

“the Spirit himself” = the spirit as used/directed by God2. “Spirit of Christ” = “Christ is in you”= Jesus’ presence3. “your spirits”,“ our spirit” ,“spirit of sonship” = disciple’s part4. “dwells in you” is stated 3 times = indwelling of the Father5. the indwelling of the Father & Son = being led by their Spirit