Hebrews7-9 NWT(2013 Edition)

7 For this Mel·chiz′e·dek, king of Sa′lem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,+2 and Abraham gave* him a tenth of everything. First, his name is translated “King of Righteousness,” and then also king of Sa′lem, that is, “King of Peace.” 3 In being fatherless, motherless, without genealogy, having neither a beginning of days nor an end of life, but being made like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.*+

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham, the family head,* gave a tenth out of the best spoils.+ 5 True, according to the Law, those of the sons of Le′vi+ who receive their priestly office have a commandment to collect tithes from the people,+ that is, from their brothers, even though these are descendants* of Abraham. 6 But this man who did not trace his genealogy from them took tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.+ 7 Now it is undeniable that the lesser one is blessed by the greater. 8 And in the one case, it is men who are dying who receive tithes, but in the other case, it is someone of whom witness is given that he lives.+ 9 And it could be said that even Le′vi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still a future descendant* of his forefather when Mel·chiz′e·dek met him.+

11 If, then, perfection was attainable through the Levitical priesthood+(for it was a feature of the Law that was given to the people), what further need would there be for another priest to arise who is said to be in the manner of Mel·chiz′e·dek+ and not in the manner of Aaron? 12 For since the priesthood is being changed, it becomes necessary to change the Law as well.+ 13 For the man about whom these things are said came from another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.+ 14 For it is clear that our Lord has descended from Judah,+ yet Moses said nothing about priests coming from that tribe.

15 And this becomes even clearer when another priest+ arises who is like Mel·chiz′e·dek,+ 16 who has become such, not by the legal requirement that depends on fleshly descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.+ 17 For it is said in witness of him: “You are a priest forever in the manner of Mel·chiz′e·dek.”+

18 So, then, the former commandment is set aside because it is weak and ineffective.+ 19 For the Law made nothing perfect,+ but the introduction of a better hope+ did, through which we are drawing near to God.+20 Also, inasmuch as this was not done without an oath being sworn21 (for, indeed, there are men who have become priests without a sworn oath, but this one has become so through an oath sworn respecting him by the One who said: “Jehovah* has sworn, and he will not change his mind,*‘You are a priest forever’”),+ 22 Jesus has accordingly become the guarantee* of a better covenant.+ 23 Furthermore, many had to become priests in succession+ because death prevented them from continuing as such, 24 but because he continues alive forever,+ his priesthood has no successors. 25 So he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.+

26 For it is fitting for us to have such a high priest who is loyal, innocent, undefiled,+ separated from the sinners, and exalted above the heavens.+27 Unlike those high priests, he does not need to offer up sacrifices daily,+first for his own sins and then for those of the people,+ because he did this once for all time when he offered himself up.+ 28 For the Law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses,+ but the word of the oath+ sworn after the Law appoints a son, who has been made perfect+ forever.

8 Now this is the main point of what we are saying: We have such a high priest as this,+ and he has sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,+ 2 a minister* of the holy place+ and of the true tent, which Jehovah* set up, and not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.+ 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest,+ since there are already men who offer the gifts according to the Law. 5 These men are offering sacred service in a typical representation and a shadow+ of the heavenly things;+ just as Moses, when about to construct the tent, was given the divine command: For He says: “See that you make all things after their pattern that was shown to you in the mountain.”+ 6 But now Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry*because he is also the mediator+ of a correspondingly better covenant,+which has been legally established on better promises.+

7 If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second.+ 8 For he does find fault with the people when he says: “‘Look! The days are coming,’ says Jehovah,* ‘when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant. 9 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt,+ because they did not remain in my covenant, so I stopped caring for them,’ says Jehovah.*

10 “‘For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ says Jehovah.* ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I will write them.+ And I will become their God, and they will become my people.+

11 “‘And they will no longer teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying: “Know Jehovah!”* For they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful toward their unrighteous deeds, and I will no longer call their sins to mind.’”+

13 In his saying “a new covenant,” he has made the former one obsolete.+ Now what is obsolete and growing old is near to vanishing away.+

 9 For its part, the former covenant used to have legal requirements for sacred service and its holy place+ on earth. 2 For a first tent compartment was constructed, in which were the lampstand+ and the table and the display of the loaves of presentation;*+ and it is called the Holy Place.+3 But behind the second curtain+ was the tent compartment called the Most Holy.+ 4 This had a golden censer+ and the ark of the covenant+completely overlaid with gold,+ in which were the golden jar containing the manna+ and Aaron’s rod that budded+ and the tablets+ of the covenant;5 and above it were the glorious cherubs overshadowing the propitiatory cover.*+ But now is not the time to speak of these things in detail.

6 After these things were constructed this way, the priests enter the first tent compartment regularly to perform the sacred services;+ 7 but the high priest enters alone into the second compartment once a year,+ not without blood,+ which he offers for himself+ and for the sins that the people+ committed in ignorance. 8 Thus the holy spirit makes it clear that the way into the holy place had not yet been revealed while the first tent was standing.+ 9 This tent is an illustration for the present time,+ and according to this arrangement, both gifts and sacrifices are offered.+However, these are not able to make the conscience of the man doing sacred service perfect.+ 10 They have to do only with foods and drinks and various ceremonial washings.*+ They were legal requirements concerning the body+ and were imposed until the appointed time to set things straight.

11 However, when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have already taken place, he passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 He entered into the holy place, not with the blood of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood,+ once for all time, and obtained an everlasting deliverance* for us.+ 13 For if the blood of goats and of bulls+ and the ashes of a heifer*sprinkled on those who have been defiled sanctifies for the cleansing of the flesh,+ 14 how much more will the blood of the Christ,+ who through an everlasting spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works+ so that we may render sacred service to the living God?+

15 That is why he is a mediator of a new covenant,+ in order that because a death has occurred for their release by ransom+ from the transgressions under the former covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance.+ 16 For where there is a covenant, the death of the human covenanter needs to be established,17 because a covenant is valid at death, since it is not in force as long as the human covenanter is living. 18 Consequently, neither was the former covenant put into effect* without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every commandment of the Law to all the people, he took the blood of the young bulls and of the goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the book* and all the people, 20 saying: “This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded you to keep.”+ 21 He likewise sprinkled the tent and all the vessels of the holy service* with the blood.+22 Yes, according to the Law nearly all things are cleansed with blood,+and unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place.+

23 Therefore, it was necessary for the typical representations+ of the things in the heavens to be cleansed by these means,+ but the heavenly things require far better sacrifices. 24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with hands,+ which is a copy of the reality,+ but into heaven itself,+ so that he now appears before* God on our behalf.+ 25 This was not done to offer himself often, as when the high priest enters into the holy place from year to year+ with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, he would have to suffer often from the founding of the world. But now he has manifested himself once for all time at the conclusion of the systems of things* to do away with sin through the sacrifice of himself.+ 27 And just as it is reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this to receive a judgment, 28 so also the Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many;+ and the second time that he appears it will be apart from sin,* and he will be seen by those earnestly looking for him for their salvation.+

On Roman emperor Constantine.

PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST

 

A reproduction of the Watchtower Society's article

 

 

Constantine

 

Constantine was the first Roman emperor to profess Christianity. By doing so, he profoundly influenced world history. He embraced this previously persecuted religion and set it on a path that led to the formation of Christendom. Thus, so-called Christianity became “the strongest social and political agent” ever to influence the course of history, according to The Encyclopædia Britannica.

WHY should you care about an ancient Roman emperor? If you are interested in Christianity, you should know that Constantine’s political and religious maneuvers have affected the beliefs and practices of many churches right down to this day. Let us see how.

THE CHURCHES—LEGALIZED AND THEN USED

In 313 C.E., Constantine ruled over the Western Roman Empire, while Licinius and Maximinus ruled over the East. Constantine and Licinius granted freedom of worship to all, including Christians. Constantine protected Christianity, believing that the religion could unify his empire.*

Constantine was thus appalled to find that the churches were divided by disputes. Eager for consensus, he sought to establish, and then enforce, “correct” doctrine. To win his favor, bishops had to make religious compromises, and those who did received tax exemptions and generous patronage. “Getting the ‘right’ version of Christian doctrine,” said historian Charles Freeman, “gave access not only to heaven but to vast resources on earth.” The clergy thus became powerful figures in worldly affairs. “The Church had acquired a protector,” says historian A.H.M. Jones, “but it had also acquired a master.”

WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIANITY?

A result of Constantine’s alliance with the bishops was a religion with tenets that were part Christian, part pagan. It could hardly have been otherwise, since the emperor’s goal was religious pluralism, not the pursuit of religious truth. He was, after all, the ruler of a pagan empire. To please both religious camps, he adopted a stance of “conscious ambiguity in his acts and government in general,” wrote one historian.

While professing to champion Christianity, Constantine kept one foot in paganism. For example, he practiced astrology and divination—occult activities that the Bible condemns. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) On the Arch of Constantine in Rome, he is shown sacrificing to pagan deities. He continued to honor the sun-god by featuring the deity on coins and promoting the sun-god cult. Late in life, Constantine even permitted a small town in Umbria, Italy, to construct a temple to his family and himself and to appoint priests to serve there.

Constantine postponed his “Christian” baptism until a few days before his death in 337 C.E. Many scholars believe that he held back in order to retain the political support of both Christian and pagan elements within the empire. To be sure, his life record and the lateness of his baptism raise questions about the sincerity of his professed faith in Christ. However, one thing is certain: The church Constantine legitimized became a powerful political and religious entity, one that thus turned its back on Christ and embraced the world. Jesus said of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:14) From this church—that was now worldly—sprang countless denominations.

What does all of this mean for us? It means that we should not take the teachings of any church for granted but that we should examine them in the light of the Bible.—1 John 4:1.

[Footnote]

The sincerity of Constantine’s Christian convictions has been much debated, in part because of “his apparent concessions to pagan cults, even late in his reign,” according to one reference.

[Box on page 12]

QUICK FACTS

▸ Constantine became emperor of the Western Roman Empire in 306 C.E. and was sole emperor of both the East and the West from 324 to 337.

▸ Constantine claimed that in either a dream or a vision he was assured that the God of the Christians would assist him in battle.

▸ Attributing a certain military victory to God, Constantine “immediately ordered” that a spear in the form of a cross be placed in the hand of his own statue “in the most frequented place in Rome.”—Paul Keresztes, historian.

▸ Constantine held the pagan title pontifex maximus, or chief priest, and thought himself overlord of all religions in his realm.

[Blurb on page 13]

“The Church had acquired a protector, but it had also acquired a master.”—A.H.M. Jones, historian

[Box on page 13]

The Arch of Constantine commemorates his victory in battle

• “A good emperor—even a good Christian—would inevitably find himself compelled to choose between losing heaven and losing power. Having just assumed the throne, Constantine was by no means finished either with power or with committing the sins necessary to retain it.”—Richard Rubenstein, professor of conflict resolution and public affairs.

• “That Constantine was a Christian at least at the end of his life cannot be doubted, provided that one does not judge the question by the quality of his Christianity.”—Paul Keresztes, professor of classics and history.

WWII:Did the ends Justify the means?Pros and cons.

Hebrews1-3 NWT(2013 Edition)

1 Long ago God spoke to our forefathers by means of the prophets on many occasions and in many ways.+ 2 Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son,+ whom he appointed heir of all things,+ and through whom he made the systems of things.*+ 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory+ and the exact representation of his very being,+ and he sustains all things by the word of his power. And after he had made a purification for our sins,+ he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.+ 4 So he has become better than the angels+ to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.+

5 For example, to which one of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; today I have become your father”?+ And again: “I will become his father, and he will become my son”?+ 6 But when he again brings his Firstborn+ into the inhabited earth, he says: “And let all of God’s angels do obeisance to him.”*

7 Also, he says about the angels: “He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers*+ a flame of fire.”+ 8 But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne+ forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness.* 9 You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you+ with the oil of exultation more than your companions.”+ 10 And: “At the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you will remain; and just like a garment, they will all wear out, 12 and you will wrap them up just as a cloak, as a garment, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never come to an end.”+

13 But about which of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet”?+ 14 Are they not all spirits for holy service,*+ sent out to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?

 

2 That is why it is necessary for us to pay more than the usual attention to the things we have heard,+ so that we never drift away.+ 2 For if the word spoken through angels+ proved to be sure, and every transgression and disobedient act received a punishment in harmony with justice,+ 3 how will we escape if we have neglected so great a salvation?+ For it began to be spoken through our Lord+ and was verified for us by those who heard him, 4 while God joined in bearing witness with signs and wonders* and various powerful works+ and with the holy spirit distributed according to his will.+

5 For it is not to angels that he has subjected the inhabited earth to come,+ about which we are speaking. 6 But in one place a certain witness said: “What is man that you keep him in mind, or a son of man that you take care of him?+ 7 You made him a little lower than angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and appointed him over the works of your hands. 8 All things you subjected under his feet.”+ By subjecting all things to him,+ God left nothing that is not subject to him.+ Now, though, we do not yet see all things in subjection to him.+ 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made a little lower than angels,+ now crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death,+ so that by God’s undeserved kindness he might taste death for everyone.+

10 For it was fitting that the one for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory,+ should make the Chief Agent of their salvation+ perfect through sufferings.+ 11 For both the one who is sanctifying and those who are being sanctified+ all stem from one,+ and for this reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers,+ 12 as he says: “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you with song.”+ 13 And again: “I will put my trust in him.”+ And again: “Look! I and the young children, whom Jehovah* gave me.”+

14 Therefore, since the “young children” are sharers of blood and flesh, he also similarly shared in the same things,+ so that through his death he might bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death,+ that is, the Devil,+ 15 and that he might set free* all those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death.+ 16 For it is not really angels he is assisting, but he is assisting Abraham’s offspring.*+ 17 Consequently, he had to become like his “brothers” in all respects,+ so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to offer a propitiatory sacrifice*+ for the sins of the people.+ 18 Since he himself has suffered when being put to the test,+ he is able to come to the aid of those who are being put to the test.+

 

3 Consequently, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling,*+ consider the apostle and high priest whom we acknowledge*—Jesus.+ 2 He was faithful to the One who appointed him,+ just as Moses also was in all the house of that One.+ 3 For he* is counted worthy of more glory+ than Moses, since the one who constructs a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but the one who constructed all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful as an attendant in all the house of that One as a testimony* of the things that were to be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ was faithful as a son+ over God’s house. We are His house+ if, indeed, we hold on firmly to our freeness of speech and the hope of which we boast down to the end.

7 Therefore, just as the holy spirit says,+ “Today if you listen to his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as on the occasion of provoking to bitter anger, as in the day of testing in the wilderness,+ 9 where your forefathers put me to the test and tried me, despite seeing my works for 40 years.+ 10 This is why I became disgusted with this generation and said: ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not come to know my ways.’ 11 So I swore in my anger: ‘They will not enter into my rest.’”+

12 Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God;+ 13 but keep on encouraging one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,”+ so that none of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin. 14 For we actually become partakers of* the Christ only if we hold firmly down to the end the confidence we had at the beginning.+ 15 As it is said, “Today if you listen to his voice, do not harden your hearts as on the occasion of provoking to bitter anger.”+

16 For who heard and yet provoked him to bitter anger? Was it not, in fact, all those who went out of Egypt under Moses?+ 17 Moreover, with whom did God become disgusted for 40 years?+ Was it not with those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness?+ 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter into his rest? Was it not to those who acted disobediently? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of lack of faith.+