high priest
Definition
In the Old Testament, the high priest was the priest authorized to enter the sanctuary and, on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle the blood of the offerings on the mercy seat. In Christology, the high-priest figure is a type (prefigurement) of Christ, who according to Heb. 5-7 exercises his priestly office after the order of Melchizedek — not after the Aaronic order. This high-priestly ministry of Christ (since his ascension) is the theological ground for his intercession for the church and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Author Variants
George Warnock
Warnock develops the high-priestly ministry of Christ from Heb. 5-7. He quotes Heb. 5:5 to show that Christ did not seize his high priesthood for himself but was appointed by the Father:
“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, To-day have I begotten thee.” [b8, Heb. 5:5]
Warnock connects this priestly exaltation of Christ to his kingship, as described in Rev. 5: the Lamb on the throne exercises atoning authority:
“And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” [b8, Rev. 5:9]
For Warnock, the heavenly ministry of Christ as High Priest is the source of the pneumatic fullness (the Seven Spirits) in the end times.