We do have such a high priest Who sat down at the right hand of the throne of majesty in Heaven, and Who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.Hebrews 8:1,2

This banner represents Jesus as our Great High Priest; a King and Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). The pattern and the colors are representative of the high priest's garments in Exodus 28. The breastplate does not carry the stones of the twelve tribes of Israel, but rather nine attributes of the character of Jesus. The glory of Aaron's high priesthood was but a shadow of that which belongs to our Great High Priest, Jesus.

THE COLORS: Gold is the emblem of Eternal Deity, and speaks of the Godhead, holiness, and the purifying fire of God. Blue is the color of divinity, and of the heavens, signifying the heavenly origin of Jesus' priestly office. Purple symbolizes royalty and purification. Scarlet is the symbol of blood and life, and also of the earth. The order of the colors is significant in that Jesus satisfied all the demands of the heavenly Father (blue), fulfills all the needs of mankind (red), and reconciles God and man as Mediator (purple, a mixture of blue and red). The white border suggests the linen robe of the priest, declaring Jesus' purity and righteousness.

THE POMEGRANATES: There are three pomegranates, the number of the Triune God. Pomegranates symbolize the refreshing and abundant seeds of the "Word of God". They also symbolize the "seed" of the High Priest, Jesus, that is, His church. "...when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed.... He shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied..." (Isaiah 53:10,11). Just as the fullness of the sons of God has not yet been accomplished, so some seeds of the pomegranates are revealed and some are yet hidden.

THE BELLS: There are four bells, the number of faith, creation and division. The bells ring out so creation will believe that the Great High Priest lives and moves in the holy place, forever interceding for those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). The bells ring that the faithful would hear and be divided from the faithless.

THE BLOOD: There are six drops of blood suspended from His garment, the number of man, who falls short of the perfection of God. They symbolize the blood sacrifice for the sins of man of the One who does not fall short.

THE SHOULDER PIECES: The two white stones symbolize the complete acceptance possible through Jesus: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1).

THE BONNET: Symbolizes Jesus' complete submission to the Father's will (John 6:38; Luke 22:42), and also is a symbol of His wisdom (Proverbs 16:31). Who but Jesus is the "Ancient of Days" with hair as white as wool? The bonnet carries the words, "Holiness unto the Lord", which is a call to the whole nation to be a holy people and a kingdom of priests. It was worn on the forehead of Him who bears the guilt of Israel (Exodus 28:38).

THE BREASTPLATE: These nine pieces were worked by different artists to express the character and office of Jesus, the Great High Priest. Nine is the number of judgment and finality. The breastplate of the high priest is a breastplate of judgment upon the enemy, a statement that Jesus is the final and complete fulfillment of God's requirements for the redemption of man (Colossians 1:15-19).



HOLY: His holiness is not fully revealed. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isaiah 57:15).

BLAMELESS: No one could lay a sin to His charge, but the Spotless Lamb became the sacrifice for our sins. "How much more then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God" Hebrews 9:14.

PURE: "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys" (Song of Solomon 2:2).

SET APART FROM SIN: He was the only spotless lamb amongst all mankind "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22).

SON OF GOD: "But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in its wings" (Malachi 4:2).

PERFECT FOREVER: Because of His triumph over death through the cross, Christ's glory has been revealed. Because He has been purified by fire, He has dominion and reigns (Hebrews 7:28).

GREAT HIGH PRIEST: Christ has triumphed over death and through His redemptive sacrifice rends the veil of the temple. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a Great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:19-22).

EXALTED: Redemption rises from the north, south, east and west, and the praises of the redeemed enthrone the Everlasting God, divine and pure. "Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise" (Nehemiah 9:5).

MINISTER OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE: Jesus dips the hyssop boughs in His own redeeming blood and applies it to the doorposts of our hearts, that death will not overcome us. "He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12).

THE BACK: The back of the banner symbolizes the priestly garment, Jesus' robe of righteousness, that has been dipped in His own blood. "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God" (Revelation 19:13). It is white because He is righteous and pure. The letters are silver for redemption. Three drops of blood appear, representing His agony in the garden, His scourging and His crucifixion. "...He sacrificed for their sins ONCE AND FOR ALL when He offered Himself" (Hebrews 7:27).
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