The Test of Advancement
Hebrews Chapter 7
Why Understanding Is Being Tested
Chapters 6 and 7 of Hebrews together bring the discussion of the Melchizedek Order to its conclusion. They do not do so by introducing new doctrine, but by testing whether the reader has understood what has already been laid out. Chapter 6 establishes the requirements for progress. Chapter 7 immediately examines whether those conditions have been grasped.
Chapter 6 makes a decisive shift. The reader is told to leave the foundational principles of Christ and move toward perfection. This movement is not automatic, nor is it guaranteed. Advancement is explicitly conditional: “if God permits.” The ‘better resurrection’, so great a salvation, is now seen not just as belief, but as a journey to undertake, a direction to travel, a mission to accomplish, holding fast to a hope, following a forerunner who has already entered where others are intended to go.
The destination has been specified: the Melchizedek Order. The implication is clear: staying in the same place will not be enough.
Chapter 7 then appears, at first glance, to slow down. It revisits familiar ground: Abraham, Melchizedek, Levi, in a way that can seem drawn out and almost indirect. This is deliberate. The passage functions as a test. Those expecting new information to be revealed will miss the point. If Chapter 6 has been understood, then one should recognize what is being dismantled.
The Structure of the Test
Hebrews chapter 7 offers background information about Melchizedek. From the start of Hebrews, we are introduced to the High Priest and Melchizedek Order. Why is there a need for another introduction? For some, it might seem odd to believe that God would include inconsequential talk in the text. However, this is exactly how God deals with certain matters. Christ clarified this by saying, “I speak to them in parables, that they do not understand.” Often, you need to read a passage several times to notice a point you had not seen before.
The argument quietly but decisively establishes that neither the Levitical system nor any static form of mainstream Christianity can produce perfection. Authority, access, and completion are held elsewhere. Only the Melchizedek Order, the living, oath-based, and eternal authority established by the Father, has jurisdiction beyond previous realms.
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; … 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. Heb 7:1
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. Hebrews 7:6-10
The passage establishes a hierarchy. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. The lesser is blessed by the greater. Therefore, Melchizedek is greater than Abraham. Levi, who would later receive tithes as part of the Levitical priesthood, paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. Therefore, the Melchizedek priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood.
This is not abstract history. It is there to lay the groundwork for what comes next.
Where Does Perfection Come From?
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Hebrews 7:11
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Hebrews 7:18
Two major points emerge from this extended passage.
First, perfection is not via the Levitical Priesthood. This has led the majority to assume Hebrews is directed at the Jews, who are supposedly backsliding. What they miss in this subtle history lesson is the carryover from chapter 6. If you want perfection, you will not find that in mainstream Christianity either (the principles of the doctrine of Christ). Only Melchizedek can offer what leads to eternal life. This end-time book of Hebrews has nothing to do with “backsliding Jews.” It is about moving forward to where perfection can actually be found.
The test is this: if you understood Chapter 6, you now see that the Levitical priesthood could not produce perfection. But neither can any form of Christianity that remains stuck in the foundational principles without progressing to an awareness of the Melchizedek Order. The passage is not just dismantling the old covenant priesthood. It is quietly dismantling the assumption that traditional Christian practice, divorced from understanding the Order, is sufficient.
The Law Is Changed, Not Abolished
Second, in a few short verses dealing mostly with historical events, we supposedly have the groundbreaking news that the Law is done away with. If that were so, as taught by an overwhelming percentage of modern Christianity, we would be free to murder, pillage, and commit whatever crimes we choose. Nothing could be more ridiculous.
This directly contradicts mainstream Protestant theology. To say the Ten Commandments are done away with is ludicrous. Killing, stealing, and adultery. would be acceptable. As Paul said about the law being done away with, “God forbid” (Romans 6:15). This passage clearly refers to the law regarding the inauguration of a High Priest. That law was modified to permit the appointment of Melchizedek, as he came from no specific Israelite tribe, having existed long before any tribe was established.
In no way whatsoever can the Law, specifically the Ten Commandments, be done away.
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matt 19:17
This passage verifies that if you want to enter “life” or His “rest,” the commandments must be kept. These are the direct, clear words of Christ. In this passage, the wealthy man was presented with an offer of discipleship that implied that achieving perfection requires total commitment and following Christ as a disciple.
The Unqualified Guarantee Of A Better Covenant
The chapter reaches its culmination with an unbreakable oath.
The Lord sware and will not repent,Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Heb 7:21
No promise could be made with more conviction than what this verse provides. The better testament, the New Covenant, is as sure as we live and breathe.
An oath is regarded as much more sacred and binding than a mere promise, and the fact that God has sworn in a given case furnishes the highest security that what He has promised will be performed.
The word “surety” (enguos in Greek) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament nor is it found in the Septuagint. It properly means a bondsman, one who pledges his name, property, or influence, that a certain thing shall be done. Christ has become the guarantor of the New Covenant. His own person, His own blood, His own eternal priesthood, stands as the guarantee that what God has promised will be accomplished.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. Heb 7:28
The chapter ends with a further reaffirmation that Christ serves as the High Priest in the Melchizedek order, a fact that is again confirmed, for our benefit, by an oath from God the Father. Nothing could be more concrete.
Moving Forward
Chapters 8 through 10 of Hebrews will no longer ask whether the reader has understood the relevance of the Melchizedek Order. It is understood and taken on board, or it is not. The following chapters outline the purpose and instructions for this Order. They assume the reader has passed the test, has grasped that perfection comes only through pursuing the Melchizedek priesthood, and is ready to move forward into the practical implications of what that means.
The test was necessary. Without understanding that the old system, whether Levitical or traditional Christian practice divorced from the Order, cannot produce perfection, the reader would not be ready for what comes next. But once that foundation is clear, once it is recognized that Christ has entered as our forerunner into an Order that we are called to join, the instruction can proceed.