Will the Levitical Priests make Sacrifices during the Millennial Reign?

sovereigngrace said:

Are Christ’s hands and feet not a satisfactory enough reminder of the cross for the inhabitants of the new earth?

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Your statement verifies your unfamiliarity with the subject at hand. The Millennium takes place on the "old" earth. The new earth arrives after the Millennium.

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:18.

There are several passages in the Old Testament that clearly indicate animal sacrifice will be re-instituted by the new citizens of all the holy Land. Isaiah 56:1-8, Ezekiel 20:40-41
The passage that is the most extensive, giving the greatest detail, is Ezekiel 43:18 and 46:24.

It should be noted that this is part of a greater passage dealing with the period after the Lords faithful people go to live in all of the holy Land, soon after the Land is cleared and cleansed; before Jesus Returns.

A prophecy that plainly states how those people will build the Temple, a new Temple that will surpass all other temples previously built, even Herod’s temple that was quite large, which existed during the earthly ministry of Christ. Haggai 2:6-9
The Shekinah Glory of God will come into the New Temple. Ezekiel 43:1-4

After giving details concerning the size, 1 Kings 6:1-3, and appearance of the Temple and the Altar, the Lord then begins to give detailed instruction as to the animal sacrifices that will be offered. Ezekiel 43:18-27

In chapter 44, the Lord gives instructions as to who will be offering sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord states that all of the Levites will not be offering blood and fat to the Lord due to previous sin; it will be those from the lineage of Zadok, (verse 15). Isaiah 66:21, Revelation 5:10
Chapters 45 and 46 continue to mention that animal sacrifices will be made.

The primary objection made to the idea of animal sacrifices returning is that Christ has come and offered a perfect sacrifice for sin, and there is therefore no need to sacrifice animals for sin. However, it must be remembered that animal sacrifice never removed the sin that spiritually separates a person from the Lord.
Hebrews 10:1-4 says, “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins".

It is incorrect to think that animal sacrifices took away sins in the Old Testament, and it is incorrect to think they will do so again. Animal sacrifices served as object lessons for the sinner, that sin was and is a horrible offense against God, and that the result of sin is death.

Romans 3:20 says, “Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”

Most scholars agree that the purpose of animal sacrifice is memorial in nature. As the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the death of Christ to the Church today, animal sacrifices will be a reminder until Jesus Returns. To those born during that time, animal sacrifices will again be an object lesson. During that future time, righteousness and holiness will prevail, but those with earthly bodies will still have a sin nature, and there will be a need to teach about how offensive sin is to a holy and righteous God.

Animal sacrifices will serve that purpose, "but in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year". Hebrews 10:3

Oldmantook said:

Your statement verifies your unfamiliarity with the subject at hand. The Millennium takes place on the "old" earth. The new earth arrives after the Millennium.

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Premillennialists are split on this subject. Many modern-day premillennialists attribute various new heavens and new earth OT passages to their supposed future millennium.

HARK! said:

I like scripture.

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Me too! But Scripture to Amils is both the NT and the OT.

sovereigngrace said:

Me too! But Scripture to Amils is both the NT and the OT.

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And, with the NT taking interpretive preeminence over the OT.

HARK! said:

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.

Are you saying that you would put a letter from Paul over the words of YHWH himself?

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The predictions of the prophets were spoken through a veil (or through a glazed glass), their view was obscured and they did not have a full detailed revelation of Christ, His sinless life, His atoning death and glorious resurrection, the NT Church, the great commission and what was approaching.

God spoke to Israel in Numbers12:6, explaining: “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

The English Standard Version finishes: “With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

As John Gill explained: “it was not under figures and allegories, and parables and dark representations of things, that the law of the decalogue, and other laws, statutes, and ordinances, and the proclamation the Lord made of himself, as the Lord gracious, merciful, &c. were delivered unto Moses, but in plain words and clear expressions; not in such enigmatical, parabolical, and allegorical terms as many of the visions and prophecies of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Amos, and Zechariah, were exhibited to them.”

John Gill teaches: “under the Old Testament dispensation, these things were not so clearly revealed as now; they were the fellowship of the mystery hid in God, the treasure of Gospel truths hid in the field of the Scriptures; they were wrapped up in the dark figures and shadows of the ceremonial law, and expressed in obscure prophecies; they were kept secret since the beginning of the world, from ages and generations past, and, not so made known, as now, to the holy apostles and prophets; a more full and clear knowledge of them was reserved to Gospel times.”

God spoke to the prophets of Israel in visions, dreams, parables and riddles. For example, we often come across have the phrase “in the visions” in the Old Testament describing God revealing Himself and His truth to the prophets (Genesis 46:2, 2 Chronicles 9:29, 26:5, Job 4:13, Ezekiel 1:1, 8:3, 40:2, Daniel 2:28, 4:9–10, 13, 7:1, 7, 13 and 15). The Prophet Ezekiel put it like this and Ezekiel 20:49: “Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?”

1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The New Testament authors saw Jesus as the ultimate realization of the Old Testament revelation of God, given to Moses and the prophets, regarding Israel’s deliverer. All this was said in regard to different key aspects of Christ’s earthly mission, including His life, death and resurrection. He realized every type. He accomplished every promise. He was salvation. He was Israel’s redeemer. He was their anticipated Messiah. He was the decisive goal.

Dan 12:8 I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

We do know that the old covenant prophets were looking forward through a glazed glass to a new arrangement that they couldn't fully comprehend. They did not have the full revelation we have.

Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

HARK! said:

I'm not very strong in my prophecy studies. I have been studying this subject; and I had planned on putting forth an opinion. I've decided that instead of taking a tremendous amount of time building a strong foundation on my own; that I would put forth the question, to allow others to help expedite building my understanding.

I'll start the conversation with this verse:

(CLV) Ezk 44:15
Yet the Levitical priests, sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel strayed from on Me, they shall come near to Me to minister to Me, and they will stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood, averring is my Lord Yahweh.

Thanks in advance to all who will participate; and remember, fight nice!

We're not here to abuse each other.

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That covenant is ended. Jesus established a new covenant where the blood of animals is an Insult to God now. The Mosaic covenant is over. The Kingdom of God has been taken away from the Jewish nation and given to a people producing the fruit thereof. The Jews can be grafted into Christ but we are not returning to that old covenant. No one puts new wine into old wineskins.

If you want to study prophesy, study first the destruction of Jerusalem from the view of someone who was there and how that fulfills Matthew 24 and Revelation. This is as exciting as reading Isaiah and seeing how Jesus fulfilled those prophesies. Gives you a hope and a future as well.

sovereigngrace said:

Premillennialists are split on this subject. Many modern-day premillennialists attribute various new heavens and new earth OT passages to their supposed future millennium.

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You stated it. Not what others believe. Scripture please?

keras said:

It should be noted that this is part of a greater passage dealing with the period after the Lords faithful people go to live in all of the holy Land, soon after the Land is cleared and cleansed; before Jesus Returns.

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Where specifically does it state that all of this takes place before Jesus returns?

keras said:

It is incorrect to think that animal sacrifices took away sins in the Old Testament, and it is incorrect to think they will do so again. Animal sacrifices served as object lessons for the sinner, that sin was and is a horrible offense against God, and that the result of sin is death.

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Agreed.

keras said:

Most scholars agree that the purpose of animal sacrifice is memorial in nature. As the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the death of Christ to the Church today, animal sacrifices will be a reminder until Jesus Returns. To those born during that time, animal sacrifices will again be an object lesson. During that future time, righteousness and holiness will prevail, but those with earthly bodies will still have a sin nature, and there will be a need to teach about how offensive sin is to a holy and righteous God.

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Is this future time in this present age, or the next during the Millennium?

HARK! said:

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.

Are you saying that you would put a letter from Paul over the words of YHWH himself?

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"All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16)

We live in the New Covenant! Please read post #170 by Sovereigngrace.

Oldmantook said:

Where specifically does it state that all of this takes place before Jesus returns?

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Ezekiel 40 to 48 all must be before Jesus Returns, as the people elect themselves a leader, Jeremiah 30:21, Hosea 1:11, a ruler; who has children, Ezekiel 46:16, and makes offerings to the Lord.
Many times, throughout Ezekiel, he says; you will know the Lord has done this, or; you will know that I the Lord have spoken.
This proves He is not physically present with his faithful people as yet.

We know that the Lords faithful Christian people are present in the holy land in the end times, as they are there when the Anti-Christ leader of the OWG comes and conquers them. Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:7
I know this truth is a new concept for most, but is what the Prophets tell us and is the fulfilment of Gods Plan to have His righteous people in all of the holy Land, being the people He always wanted there, but has never yet had.

HARK! said:

When did this happen?


(CLV) Mt 24:15
"Whenever, then, you may be perceiving the abomination of desolation, which is declared through Daniel the prophet, °standing in the holy place (let him who is reading apprehend!);

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Jesus is the high priest, right?
He was not a Levite.
So with his becoming high priest, the priesthood changed. (I can provide scripture)
The changing of the preisthood requires a change of the law.
God Himself promised a new covenant whereby his laws would be written on hearts.

The old covenant is now gone.

Is that sufficient?

keras said:

Ezekiel 40 to 48 all must be before Jesus Returns, as the people elect themselves a leader, Jeremiah 30:21, Hosea 1:11, a ruler; who has children, Ezekiel 46:16, and makes offerings to the Lord.
Many times, throughout Ezekiel, he says; you will know the Lord has done this, or; you will know that I the Lord have spoken.
This proves He is not physically present with his faithful people as yet.

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I think these passages show the opposite of what you believe. The Lord indeed will do it - not man - not Zionism. All of the verses you cited do not necessarily entail that these things must happen before Jesus returns. They could also happen during the Millennium with Jesus on the throne to whom offerings are made. Ezekiel 47:8-9 describe healing waters with a multitude of fish. This description does not sound applicable to a time before Jesus returns as in Revelation the earth is described as experiencing tumult and destruction - not healing.

keras said:

We know that the Lords faithful Christian people are present in the holy land in the end times, as they are there when the Anti-Christ leader of the OWG comes and conquers them. Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:7
I know this truth is a new concept for most, but is what the Prophets tell us and is the fulfilment of Gods Plan to have His righteous people in all of the holy Land, being the people He always wanted there, but has never yet had.

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Again, you are presuming something that need not be exclusive to a time before Jesus returns. Moreover, you have conflated the saints of Rev 13:7 who are still mortal in body with risen saints in the Millennium who have immortal bodies. Two different bodies; two different time periods.

HARK! said:

(CLV) Jer 33:18
As for the Levitical priests there shall not be cut off a man from before Me who offers up the ascent offering and fumes the approach present and offers sacrifices for all the days.

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“All the days is not eternity.

(CLV) Jer 33:21
then also My covenant could be annulled with David My servant, so that he should not come to have a son reigning on his throne, and that with the Levites, the priests, My ministers.

Numbers 25:12-13

"Therefore say, 'Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.'"

(CLV) Jer 33:19
The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying-,

(CLV) Jer 33:20
Thus says Yahweh: If you could annul My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night so that daytime and night fail to come about in their proper time,

(CLV) Jer 33:21
then also My covenant could be annulled with David My servant, so that he should not come to have a son reigning on his throne, and that with the Levites, the priests, My ministers.

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“Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.13He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.15And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is testified:

“You are a priest forever

in the order of Melchizedek.”b18So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless 19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.20And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,21but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind:

‘You are a priest forever.’”c22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.23Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore He is able to save completelyd those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.26Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.27Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”

So you can see that a change of priesthood has occurred. How do you answer this?

God promised this before and with his prophets.

And the fact is, there are no levites offering sacrifices and Christians know why.