The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode: Day 363 — The New Covenant Priesthood
Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Overview
In this penultimate episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the dramatic final chapters of Revelation (15–17), deep dives into Hebrews (5–8), and reflects on Proverbs 31:23–25. The main theme is the New Covenant priesthood: how Jesus fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament priesthood as the eternal high priest, and what this means for believers today. Fr. Mike also elucidates the apocalyptic imagery in Revelation, especially as it relates to persecution and hope, and connects daily scripture to the enduring faith of the Christian community.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Courage and Hope of Proverbs 31 (Reflection Start 20:20)
- Proverbs 31’s virtuous woman: Fr. Mike highlights the entrepreneurial, dignified, and unafraid spirit described here, relating it to the strong women in his own life.
- Quote:
“Strength and dignity are her clothing and that is an apt description, an incredible description of...the women in my family. ...She laughs at the time to come. ...She trusts in the Lord, and so she doesn’t need to be afraid of the future.” (20:35)
- Quote:
- Takeaway: Trust in God gives boldness about the future; this applies to all Christians, especially when facing uncertainty or hardship.
2. Revelation 17: The Harlot, the Beast, and Perseverance Under Persecution
- Apocalyptic imagery interpreted: Fr. Mike interprets the “seven heads” and “seven hills,” noting two traditions—Rome and Jerusalem as “cities on seven hills,” but leans towards Rome considering Christian persecution.
- Quote:
“The consensus typically is that the seven hills—Rome is a city built on seven hills. But also there’s a rabbinic tradition that says Jerusalem is also a city built on seven hills. ...Knowing that here are the Christians who are undergoing incredible persecution from the Roman Empire...the sixth [king] would be Nero or Domitian.” (21:36)
- Quote:
- John’s coded language: The “beast” and “harlot” refer to current events for John's audience—persecution by Rome—rather than solely future events.
- Quote:
“He’s not describing something that necessarily will happen. He’s describing something that has already happened. ...He’s speaking in this code [saying], ‘You just figured this out. This is what we’re talking about right now.’” (22:14)
- Quote:
- Divine limitation of evil: Persecution will be “devastating, but it is going to be limited...Satan’s time is powerful on earth, but his time is short.” (23:01)
- Assurance for Christians: Despite suffering, ultimate victory belongs to Christ; destruction is not the end.
3. Hebrews 5–8: Jesus, Our Eternal High Priest
- Superiority of Jesus’ priesthood: Hebrews details how Christ is greater than angels, Moses, and now greater than the Old Testament priests.
- Quote:
“He’s higher than the angels. He’s higher than Moses. He’s also talking about—He’s higher than the priests, He’s higher than the priesthood. ...Jesus is the new and eternal priest.” (24:14)
- Quote:
- The priesthood of Melchizedek: Unlike the Levitical priesthood (from Aaron), Jesus’ priesthood is “according to the order of Melchizedek”—without genealogy, eternal.
- Quote:
“Jesus...wasn’t in the line of Aaron. He was the tribe of Judah. So Jesus belongs to a different kind of priesthood, the priesthood of Melchizedek...a priesthood that he doesn’t have to offer up a sacrifice for himself like the priests would do in the Old Covenant...Because he was spotless, he offered a sacrifice of himself once and for all.” (24:43)
- Quote:
- Jesus’ unique sacrifice: Instead of repeated animal sacrifices, Jesus offers himself “once for all.”
- Notable verse:
"He did this once for all when he offered up himself." (25:31) (see Hebrews 7:27)
- Notable verse:
- Mediator of the new covenant: Jesus retains his priesthood forever and provides a better hope and access to God for all believers.
- “You are part of that covenant right now. This is the great news. You’re part of that covenant right now.” (26:01)
4. Community, Perseverance, and Prayer
- Thanks to the community: Fr. Mike expresses deep gratitude for listeners’ faithfulness and mutual prayer.
- Quote:
“I thank God so much for this community. ...Even if you fell off, you’re back on. Here you are on day 363, back together, praying for each other. Because we cannot. We cannot do this alone.” (26:25)
- Quote:
- Exhortation to persevere: Having journeyed nearly through the whole Bible, listeners are encouraged to keep relying on prayer and support.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------|--------| | 20:35 | Fr. Mike | “Strength and dignity are her clothing ... She laughs at the time to come. ... She trusts in the Lord, and so she doesn’t need to be afraid of the future.”| | 21:36 | Fr. Mike | “The consensus typically is that the seven hills—Rome is a city built on seven hills. ...here are the Christians who are undergoing incredible persecution from the Roman Empire...the sixth [king] would be Nero or Domitian.”| | 22:14 | Fr. Mike | “He’s not describing something that necessarily will happen. He’s describing something that has already happened. ...[John's] saying, ‘You just figured this out. This is what we’re talking about right now.’” | | 23:01 | Fr. Mike | “This persecution is going to be limited. It is going to be devastating, but it is going to be limited...Satan’s time is powerful on earth, but his time is short.”| | 24:43 | Fr. Mike | “Jesus belongs to a different kind of priesthood, the priesthood of Melchizedek... a priesthood that... because he was spotless, he offered a sacrifice of himself once and for all.”| | 25:31 | Fr. Mike | “He did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests. But the word of oath...appoints a son who has been made perfect forever.”| | 26:01 | Fr. Mike | “You are part of that covenant right now. This is the great news. You’re part of that covenant right now. I just thank God so much for this community.”|
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 20:20 — Fr. Mike’s reflection on Proverbs 31 and the virtue of confidence in the Lord
- 21:00 — Explanation of Revelation 17’s symbolism: the harlot, the beast, and the seven hills
- 24:00 — Dive into Hebrews 5–8: unpacking the uniqueness of Christ’s priesthood and the new covenant
- 26:25 — Closing encouragements, gratitude, and the power of Christian community
Tone & Language
Fr. Mike’s approach is warm, pastoral, and passionate, addressing listeners as journeying companions. His explanations remain faithful to the biblical text while offering real-world encouragement—always returning to themes of hope, faithfulness, and perseverance in community.
Summary Takeaways
- The book of Revelation’s apocalyptic visions give hope: suffering is real but limited, and Christ’s victory is assured.
- Jesus, as the new and eternal high priest, mediates a covenant that gives all believers access to God’s mercy and presence.
- Christians are called to trust God with their future—cultivating strength and dignity, just like the Proverbs 31 woman, and relying on the enduring community of faith.
- The journey of reading the Bible in a year is not only scriptural but also deeply communal and transformative.