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Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Jesus is no longer a pilgrim on His way. The cross is no longer in front of Him. He has no more trials, no more foes, no more work left to be done. He has arrived at His appointed destination, and ministers from there on your behalf. Jesus is before the Father, at the true tabernacle where God Himself dwells, and is committed to brining us near to God through His superior ministry. He is the more excellent priest of a more excellent covenant, and He will not fail to bring every one of His brothers and sisters safely home.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

No matter where you are or what you have done, the High Priest and Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, has been perfectly fitted to your need. If you will come to Him, not as a decent person in need of a life coach to give some pointers, but as a ruined sinner in need of a new life, He will give exactly what is needed. He is the Priest who represents you and the sacrifice who took your place. He will take away the filth and despair of sin and guilt and usher you into the presence of God. He has torn the temple veil and unlocked the Holy of Holies. He will cause you to serve Him from the heart, today and forevermore.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

One reason many Christians struggle with assurance is that they are accustomed to looking to what is familiar instead of what is permanent. A succession of earthly priests became as familiar to Israel as therapeutic moralism has become to us. Hebrews urges us forward by looking beyond the familiar to what is ancient and permanent. Jesus Christ is better than the earthly priests in every way. He possesses the indestructible life that is offered to us in the gospel. He was sworn into His office as King and Priest by an oath from God Himself. He is a priest forever; therefore, His covenant stands forever. Look to Him. Draw near to Him. He saves to the uttermost.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Like the Hebrews, many Christians seem content with the familiar. In some ways, following rules is simpler than growing in the grace and wisdom of having God's law written on our hearts. We would rather gaze upon God's work in some other person or hero rather than to draw near and gaze upon Him ourselves. Yet this is the goal for which Christ came – that we may draw near to God Himself. Fix your eyes on Christ. Draw near to Him by faith. He lives forever as your eternal priest, the one to whom Melchizedek pointed. We cannot make ourselves acceptable to God, yet Jesus graciously provides us with God's acceptance. He gives a new heart, a new attitude, new power for godliness, and new enjoyment of living each day for His glory. He has opened the way, so draw near to God.

Study in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith

Jesus is our Melchizedek. He is our King of Righteousness, cleansing us from our sin and clothing us in perfect obedience. His is the City of Peace, where those who have found His righteousness shall dwell forever with Him. Forever He will rule as the righteous king over his city of eternal peace. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place1 of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,2 and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Rev. 21:3-4)