From “Feast of Tabernacles,” Chapter 12- Tabernacles – The Feast of Glory- The Events of the Seventh Month Blend Into One, continued
ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED
We can expect that with the travail of the saints to bring forth this Son, there shall also be the travail of a dying priesthood to bring forth something to perpetuate and sustain the old order. But it shall not prosper. The Aaronic priesthood–glorious as it was in its day, must give way to a new priesthood, the priesthood after the “order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:20).
And so it was that Hannah stood before the temple in Shiloh and in anguish of soul prayed that God would give her a man-child, for she was barren; and she promised that if her request was granted, the child would be dedicated unto the service of the Lord all his days. God heard her prayer, and gave her a child, and she called his name “Samuel,” meaning “Asked of God.” This man-child was destined to become Israel’s priest, to succeed the dying priesthood of the house of Eli. Because of the wicked way of Eli’s sons, God had decreed that the priesthood should be snatched away from the house of Eli, and given to another. As a young child it was revealed to Samuel that God was going to bring judgment upon the house of Eli, and as it was revealed so it came to pass. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were in line to receive the priesthood–were both slain in one day. At the same time the ark of God was captured by the Philistines; and as Eli heard the sad news he fell backward and broke his neck and died. The glory had departed from Israel, and he who served in the house of God was slain in battle. Then it was that the wife of Phinehas heard the sad news; and that news caused her pains to come upon her, and she travailed and brought forth a man-child. In her dying moments she named him “Ichabod,” and she named him well, because the ark of God was taken. Ichabod signifies, “No glory,” or “Where is the glory?”
And try as she will, this modern-day church system, this Babylon of religious pomp and splendour, will produce nothing but Ichabods. “Where is the Glory?” Where is that real, vital presence of the Holy Spirit in the congregation of the saints to work the very works of God Himself, and produce the fruit of the Spirit? Yes, the dying priesthood will bring forth its manchild, but Ichabod is the name. God has already prepared another manchild, and Samuel is the name. He was “asked for.” The cries and prayers of God’s people for years have prevailed upon the God of Heaven, and in answer to their prayers and travail, “a Son, a male” is to be born, for that is the literal translation of “manchild” (Rev. 12:5). Ichabod is in line for the priesthood, that is true; but God has ordained another priesthood, a priesthood of glory.
THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
The Melchizedek priesthood is a priesthood of life, and of fadeless glory. It is a priesthood of eternal fellowship and communion with Christ, and not like the Aaronic priesthood which experienced the presence of God only on a certain occasion, once in the year. It is a priesthood that is established by the word and oath of God Himself. It is a priesthood which cannot pass away, for there is no death in the fullness of this new order. It is a priesthood of royal power and authority. Gone shall be the bondage of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. For this priesthood introduces the royal-priest behind the veil, behind the flesh. The flesh is rent asunder, and the glory of God is unveiled. The Head has already entered into this priesthood–and if He has entered it means the way is open for others to follow. “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 6:20). It is a “new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Heb. 10:20). Can you hear these words, child of God? “For us…” Not for the Church of the past centuries, for they did not hear these beautiful words, and therefore it had no application to them. But “for us” to whom the Word of God is now given. Not to men of some future dispensation or some future Kingdom: but “for us” who live in this day of opportunity, this today of hope and promise. “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart…” In the fullness of this new priesthood we shall be completely glorified, like unto Christ. But even as Christ began His priesthood on earth by interceding for His brethren–so let us begin even now to possess this glorious heritage in the Spirit, the Kingdom of God within. GHW
In 1 Peter 2:9-10, the apostle tells us, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” And Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart.
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