Some believe we need to find God through our priest, pastor, or church. Perhaps it is even some kind of "works" program that enables us to feel we meet with God. But there really is only one priesthood of lasting value--the priesthood of Christ.
Israel was taught to go through a priesthood of redemption through animals, and through the ministry of priests. They were asked to do works of faith, and expect to have their sins covered by the blood of animals, if only for the blessings of this life.
But final redemption comes only through the priesthood of Christ, because only through him do we truly meet and remain with God. Only through him do our works find lasting value, because only in him are our old ways completely put to death, and only in him does our righteousness obtain a standard that reaches heaven and remains in heaven.
This priesthood is eternal life that resides within Christ himself. If we copy some aspects of this life, but do not receive the very life of Christ himself, we cannot have eternal life. Redemption and eternal life are only available to us when we choose his life in place of our own.
Israel was taught to go through a priesthood of redemption through animals, and through the ministry of priests. They were asked to do works of faith, and expect to have their sins covered by the blood of animals, if only for the blessings of this life.
But final redemption comes only through the priesthood of Christ, because only through him do we truly meet and remain with God. Only through him do our works find lasting value, because only in him are our old ways completely put to death, and only in him does our righteousness obtain a standard that reaches heaven and remains in heaven.
This priesthood is eternal life that resides within Christ himself. If we copy some aspects of this life, but do not receive the very life of Christ himself, we cannot have eternal life. Redemption and eternal life are only available to us when we choose his life in place of our own.