Hebrews 8:4,5

Christ's priesthood is from heaven -- Hebrews 8:4-5: Christ must now conduct His priesthood in heaven. "For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law." (Hebrews 8:4) So long as the Levitical priesthood continued Christ could never be priest. With those priests, there was already a system of sacrifice. His sacrifice and service demanded a different kind of priesthood.

The things of the old covenant were a shadow of what was to come in Christ. He is the substance and end of that old law. Under the old system Moses did nothing of his own will. When he built the tabernacle he followed God's directions in every thing. "Moses was ad-monished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." (Hebrews 8:5)"According to the pattern" were powerful words from God to Moses. Many today look at these words as insulting words. We would do well to remember that there is a form of doctrine that must be followed. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." (Romans 6:17) We do well to recognize the need for a "Thus saith the Lord" in all religious matters. There is a pattern from God!