The Bible tells us that when Christ ascended to heaven, He took up the ministry of High Priest to all who come to Him by faith. "This man [Jesus], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24).
Jesus is unchangeable — the same yesterday, today and forever. As long as you live, He will be your High Priest in heaven, interceding on your behalf, and He will remain your High Priest until you go home to be with Him.
Our High Priest is seated at the right hand of the Father, in the seat of authority: "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty" (8:1). Our High Priest has all power and authority at His command.
Jesus is in the Father's presence right now, interceding for us. He confronts our accuser and says, "I rebuke you, Satan. This one is mine because he is sprinkled in My blood. He is secure and his debt is fully paid!" Yet I believe there is even more for us to learn about our wonderful High Priest's ministry on our behalf.
It was the duty and privilege of the Old Testament high priest to come forth from the Holy of Holies and bless the people. The Lord instructed Moses: "Speak unto Aaron and his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:23-26). In other words, after the high priest takes the blood into the Holy of Holies, sprinkles it on the mercy seat and waves the incense, he is to come out, face the people and bless them.
This is the unchanging ministry of our High Priest. Jesus says, "I will cover you with My blood. I will intercede for you before the Father and I will come forth and bless you. "
When the Old Testament priest spoke this blessing to the people, it was not just a wish for them. He did not say, "I wish you peace. I wish the Lord to shine His face upon you." No, the blessing was backed by the full power of God (see Numbers 6:27).
Likewise, when Jesus our High Priest blesses, He does not just wish us good. He pronounces His blessing with authority — and it is done!
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David Wilkerson (1931 – 2011)
Founder of Times Square Church in New York City with over 100 different languages spoken in the congregation. Wilkerson wrote many powerful books such as: The Vision and Cross and the Switchblade. His ministry was prophetic as God called him to be a watchman to the Church in North America. He gave clear messages on repentance to the Church.Wilkerson also founded Teen Challenge where there are hundreds of centres for Christ-centered drug recovery and addiction recovery. He also organized and spoke at pastors gatherings in many countries where he gave prophetic strong messages to encourage pastors and leaders.
Recommends these books by David Wilkerson:
The Vision and Beyond, Prophecies Fulfilled and Still to Come by David Wilkerson
Knowing God by Name: Names of God That Bring Hope and Healing by David Wilkerson
God's Plan to Protect His People in the Coming Depression by David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson is an American Christian evangelist, most well-known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade. He is also the founder of Times Square Church in New York, an interdenominational church.
Wilkerson is well-known for these early years of his ministry to young drug addicts and gang members in New York City in the 1950s and 1960s. He co-authored a book about his work with the New York drug addicts, The Cross and the Switchblade, which became a best-seller, selling over 50 million copies in over thirty languages since it was published in 1963. The book was included among the 100 most important Christian books of the 20th century.
For over four decades, Wilkerson's ministry has included preaching, teaching and writing. He has authored over 30 books.
David Wilkerson is the founder and president of World Challenge, Inc., a nonprofit organization incorporated on September 22, 1971. Reverend Wilkerson, the author of over thirty inspirational books, is perhaps best known for his early days of ministry to young drug addicts and gang members in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. His story is told in The Cross and the Switchblade, a book he co-authored which became a best-seller. (The story has been read by over 50 million people in some thirty languages and 150 countries since 1963. In 1969, a motion picture of the same title was released.)
For over four decades, Reverend Wilkerson's evangelistic ministry has included preaching, teaching and writing. Throughout that time a distinctive characteristic of his work has been his direct efforts to reach the neediest members of the population with help for both body and soul. Even now, the almost 70 year-old minister often goes out alone or sometimes with an assistant to walk through the streets of New York City, along Broadway and Eighth Avenue or down 42nd Street and nearby "Crack Alley" on 41st Street. His mission is always to seek out the lost, the disoriented, and the addicted , to tell them of the power of the risen Christ to set them free.
David Wilkerson, born in Hammond, Indiana on May 19, 1931, was married in 1953 to Gwen Carosso. The Wilkersons' two sons are ministers, and their two daughters are married to ministers. They have 11 grandchildren. The Wilkersons served small pastorates in Scottsdale and Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, until Reverend Wilkerson saw a photograph in Life magazine of several New York City teenagers charged with murder. Moved with compassion he was drawn to the city in February 1959. It was at that time he began his street ministry to what one writer called "desperate, bewildered, addicted, often violent youth.