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Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,”
he also adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.]
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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This is the Epistle selection that will be read aloud on the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 28], Year B, according to the lectionary for the Episcopal Church. It will follow one of two sets of Old Testament and Psalm (or song) readings, either those of Track 1 or Track 2, depending on the path predetermined for an individual church. The Track 1 offerings will be from First Samuel, where Hannah’s story includes this verse: “Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk.” The accompanying Song of Hannah will then include this verse: “Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.” The Track 2 set will offer a reading from Daniel, which says, “There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence.” It will be accompanied by Psalm 16, which sings, “I have set Yahweh always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.” All will accompany the Gospel selection from Mark, where Jesus told his disciples, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
I wrote about this reading selection the last time it came up in the lectionary cycle (2018) and I posted my views on my website at that time. That interpretation explains how so much text from an Epistle, as is that bitten off for today’s serving, becomes more written in explanation than most ‘casual’ Christians bear to read and ponder. I, therefore, presented a quick run-through of the meaning this reading conveys. I stand behind those views today, as they are still pertinent and worth study. I have made that commentary available now through this link. What I will add now is slightly different, based on the way I see Scripture today being evolved over time. I will now add some additional comments, none of which will lessen those made three years ago.
The first evolution in my thinking has occurred just recently, when the reading selections under the Epistle heading began coming from Hebrews. I have explained how I now see this text as one written by Paul, while in prison in Rome, with him writing these chapters in Hebrew, rather than Greek. His words written in Hebrew were then received by a Christian who was a Jew and fluent in Hebrew; but, more importantly, as a true Christian being the recipient of Paul’s letter, he knew the deeper truth of the Hebrew written. That person, or one with whom he shared these documents written in Hebrew, would have been the one translating (while divinely inspired) Paul’s Hebrew into his Greek. That ‘middle man’ would then be why scholars question who wrote this book that is named “Hebrews.” In this selection presented for this Sunday, Paul quoted Hebrew text, which would have certainly been a match for the Hebrew text of Jeremiah 31:33-34, which the translation into Greek would weaken – purposefully.
On a day when this reading is sandwiched between the prophecies of Daniel and Jesus, which makes one’s mind immediately jump to see scenes from some Left Behind movie, the last verse of this reading needs special attention. The NRSV has translated this to say, “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” They capitalize the word “Day,” to place highlighted importance on Judgment Day, as an End Times event. In reality, the Greek word written is “hēmeran,” which is not capitalized. The lack of capitalization means this “day” is not one single “Day” when all will finally know Jesus is returning to judge the living and the dead. Instead, the lower case makes this be a statement that every soul animating a body of dead flesh will eventually find that dead body no longer capable of sustaining an eternal soul, so the body will return to death, releasing the soul. This is a “day” all mortals will know, at the chosen time.
Because there is no reason for Yahweh to follow the mindsets of ignorant human beings, as if Yahweh can only have His Son return one time, that makes the advent of true Christianity be reduced to the dismal state of present existence, when false shepherds tell this lie to paying customers. That makes the reality of true Saints (also called Apostles) be reduced to some humans who made names for themselves, simply by telling the people what they figured the people wanted to hear. Simply because there are fewer Saints in the world today does not mean it was that way when Christianity first began, when all Christians were Anointed by Yahweh, all reborn Saints in the name of Jesus Christ. To look for one “Day” that is always still to come, diminishes the truth that Saints were the truth of the Gospels, all being the return of Jesus into the bodies of flesh who were the souls married to Yahweh; and, Paul was such a wife of Yahweh, a Son of man in the name of Jesus.
In the first verse of this reading, the translation has Paul state, “Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins.” This translation misses the fact that the Greek word “Kai” (capitalized) begins this statement, signifying it is of great importance to grasp. It is oh so easy to read those words and become locked into a mindset that says, “Those words talk about times long gone.” The closest American Christians come to eating sacrificial foods is when they eat beef, pork, or chicken bought at the grocery store. Perhaps, some might even consider eating a ‘kosher’ hot dog as eating blessed food? The problem comes from seeing that image and not realizing the importance of these word written, as they come from the Godhead and have lasting meaning, through all times – even now.
The Greek words written [translated from Hebrew] are this: “Kai pas menhiereus hestēken kath’ hēmeran leitourgōn,” which literally translates to say, “IMPORTANTLY all surely priest makes a stand each day performing religious ceremony”. This is a statement of truth that continues today. There are those who call themselves “priest,” or “minister,” or “pastor,” or “rabbi,” all of whom (males and females) take a daily responsibility to maintain the practices and religious dogma of a church organization. What was the Temple of Jerusalem – local synagogue system then – is now the whole that envelops all the Judeo-Christian world. They continue today, just as they continued then, practices taught to be holy and pious. [It is also worthwhile to see the word “hēmeran” written here, as this is the exact same word written in the last verse of this selection, which the NRSV saw need to capitalize it as “Day.”]
When Paul then wrote [translated into Greek], “kai tas autas pollakis prospherōn thysias,” this is another segment of words that must be realized as important. These words literally translate to say, “importantly these selves many times offering sacrifices”. In that, the word “autas” is the feminine plural form of “autos,” which means “self.” A “self” should be read as a “soul.” The same word can imply “same,” such that the “souls” of the “priests” are those being “sacrificed.” That means to be a “priest” means to give up something that ordinary people have the right to do. This, for example, could mean not mixing with the great unwashed, during one’s ‘off hours.’ There is nothing stated here about the killing of animals and the sprinkling of their blood and the serving of cooked flesh to others. Thus, it is important to realize a “priest” sees oneself as a projection of Yahweh in fine robes and set practices. That never goes out of style.
Following a comma mark [in the Greek translation], Paul then said, “haitines oudepote dynantai perielein hamartias,” which literally translates into English as: “all who never have the power to take away sins.” This says that everyone who joins a church organization [modeled after the Temple system] has done nothing and can do nothing that washes away sins of any kind. Not even his or her own sins can be cleaned by wearing robes and fancy hats. Much less can such cleansing come upon anyone who takes a wafer and a sip of wine from a priest [modern replacements for sacrificial animal parts]. This is Paul being divinely led by the voice of Yahweh within his soul to say anyone pretending to be a priest does nothing whatsoever that will eliminate sins anywhere. That is quite applicable today, just as it was when he wrote those words (in Hebrew) in a Roman prison cell.
In the NRSV translation, they present selected text in quotation marks, as it Paul were quoting Jesus. Paul never met Jesus of Nazareth physically. There were no ‘early editions’ of the New Testament circulating for him to read and memorize quotes. There were no marks written as indications Paul was quoting anything in what he wrote. The literal translation of verses twelve and thirteen say this: “here now , one on behalf of sins having offered sacrifice towards this continually , appointed in right hand who of God , this something that remains waiting until should be placed this hated of self a footstool of those feet of self”. In this, the first two words – “here now” – is a statement of Paul. Paul was there then, writing about a true “priest.” As such, Paul was “one” soul who had been an “offered sacrifice” to Yahweh, for his own sins of the past. This sacrifice is then “continual” or “perpetual,” as no sins will ever return to him. It is Paul who had been “appointed” by Yahweh to be His “right hand,” which is a statement of Paul being a Yahweh elohim. Paul was not unique, as Paul is writing to other true Christians who fully understood the meaning in the words he wrote.
That “hated” is Satan, who brings the influences to sin to a soul. The element of “feet” and a “footstool” says Satan is placed in his rightful position that does as Jesus told Satan to do, which is serve Yahweh as His elohim and get behind him. The footstool becomes the parallel to behind, as under one’s feet. It says one whose soul has become a self-sacrifice unto Yahweh (becoming His wife and begetting His Son) will always have the soul of Jesus “waiting until” it needs to defeat Satan and send a true priest into true ministry.
The translation of verse fourteen [NRSV] has Paul then writing, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” In this, the word “mia” means “one,” which is implied to be Jesus, as “one” sacrificed. Instead of that limitation, the use of “one” must be seen as not only being Jesus, but also the “one” who sacrifices to become Jesus reborn. When the Greek word “teteleiōken” is seen as a form of “teleioó,” stating “he has perfected” [3rd person singular active indictive], one cannot think Jesus was in need of perfection. Therefore, it is the addition [“one”] of Jesus’ soul to the sinner’s soul [“one”] that makes that divine possession be the act that “perfects, brings to an end, or completes” that which was imperfect or ongoing.
When Paul then quoted from Jeremiah’s thirty-first chapter, the verses he listed were relative to the “new covenant,” which “will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares Yahweh." Paul was saying the fulfillment of this “new covenant” will be when Yahweh’s Spirit is within each individual soul of his people, so each will be reborn in the name of Jesus Christ. The difference says people following the lead of priests, refusing to submit themselves to Yahweh [a “self” is a “soul”], as only those souls merged [possessed by] the resurrected soul of Jesus [a name that means “Yah[weh] Will Save”] will be the people of Yahweh.
In verse eighteen [the last of the verses listed by the Episcopal Church as optional], Paul wrote [NRSV], “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” The “these” who are forgiven are those whose souls have married Yahweh and have had the laws written on the walls of their hearts and minds. That is a Spiritual presence that has nothing to do with going to see a priest in a building, one who wears fancy robes and high hats. It is a personal relationship with Yahweh. When one has been possessed by Yahweh [becoming one of His elohim] then one is forgiven once, which means no more sinning, therefore no more need to offer sacrifices of animals. One’s own soul has been sacrificed to Yahweh; and, one time means forever.
In verse nineteen, Paul wrote the word that was translated into the Greek that is “hagiōn,” translated by the NRSV as “sanctuaries.” That word is the: “Genitive plural form of άγιος (ágios).” [Wiktionary] This means the word states “saints’ or “pious people.” To translate this as “sanctuaries” is to transform a human body of flesh (with a soul) into a building, wherein abides a most divine soul. It is in those bodies of flesh that physical blood flows. Paul then called that “the blood of Jesus,” which says one’s own physical being has been transformed into that of Jesus. Jesus is a soul merged with a cleansed soul, so one’s body becomes a holy tabernacle, in which dwells Jesus, the high priest of that “saint.”
Verse twenty is then translated by the NRSV to state: “by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh).” There are no parentheses in the written Greek text, meaning this is a fabrication, where the added parentheses imply an aside that was not meant to be part of the prior text. The parentheses act as a supplement to that written prior, as some form of clarification to the prior text. This is not the case.
The Greek text of verse twenty is this: “hēn enekainisen hemin hodon prosphaton , kai zōsan , dia tou katapetasmatos , tout’ estin , tēs sarkos autou”. This literally translates to state: “who he renewed ours a path new , kai living , through this curtain , here exists , of this flesh of self”. All of this follows the prior verse that ended with the name “Jesus,” meaning “who” is referring to Jesus; and, Jesus has entered into one as one’s own “blood,” in order to ‘renew one’s path.” From waywardness then come righteousness.
When one sees the word “kai” denoting it being important to realize what is “new,” the word then stated is “living.” This means the presence of Jesus’ soul within one’s own being grants one’s soul eternal life. Just as one is “living” within one’s body of flesh, so too is Jesus “living” there as well. Jesus is just not visible materially, as his soul emanates through one’s flesh, as a “veil” or a “curtain,” which is how Moses had to shield the divinity of Yahweh within his body of flesh. It means Jesus cannot be seen physically, as only one’s body of flesh can be seen. Still, Jesus’ presence becomes the halo of a Saint – unseen but present.
When Paul wrote the words translated from Hebrew into the Greek “tout’ estin,“ this becomes a statement of Yahweh, as “I Am.” The word “estin” is a form of “ego,” which is a statement of “I am, as “is.” This “is” is a statement of being that says the soul of Jesus “is” now one, as a “brother” soul attached to one’s own soul. Thus, “of this flesh” [one’s own] is one “self” the “same” as the “self” of Jesus. This is a reborn “self,” as the “same” Jesus in new “flesh.”
The NRSV then translates this as the following: “since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Jesus is the high priest, but the Greek word “oikos” better translates as “dwelling,” than “house.” The translation of “house,” like the translation of “sanctuaries” gives the impression of Jesus being external to oneself, as a building one can enter. The “dwelling” is one’s own body of flesh, as one’s soul has submitted to Yahweh and received His Spirit in marriage. Jesus is then resurrected within one’s soul, making one’s flesh be where his soul dwells.
The element of “heart,” from the Greek word “kardias,” is then where Yahweh will have written His laws in one’s “heart,” with the word “kardia” meaning (other than “heart”) “mind, character, inner self, will, intention, center.” This then says Jesus is the writing on the walls from Yahweh. It is also a presence that is known personally, which is an elevation of “belief” to true “faith.” That is stated in the meaning of “pistis” as being “faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.”
All of what Paul wrote is profound, when one looks at the truth of what is written, rather than putting one’s trust in translation services, which are not married to Yahweh and divinely inspired. I welcome all readers to look at the remaining three verses of this reading on one’s own and let oneself be led to see the truth before one’s eyes. Nothing I can write can produce that in oneself. In the same way nothing greater than belief can come from reading what I say these words mean. One has to see for oneself to have a personal experience of the meaning, thus have true faith in what that meaning is. This is how believing in Jesus and Yahweh is nothing like knowing both personally. One can only come to that transformed state of being by seeking to go there. Please do that.
As the Epistle to be read aloud on the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, when one’s own personal ministry for Yahweh should already be well underway, the lesson here is to learn to read divine text divinely. That requires work and effort. It demands one seek the truth and not be content by only hearing what others think. One has to realize Paul is saying Jesus died once so Yahweh would have his soul to perpetually place into his people, as his law written on their hearts and minds. One has to be there to have true faith.