7:15-17 A third proof that God made a change in the priesthood is that God predicted that Messiah would live forever (Ps. 110:4). Jesus Christ did not become a priest because He met a physical requirement, namely, was born into the priestly tribe and qualified by his descent to serve as high priest. He became a priest because He would not die. In this He showed Himself to be a member of Melchizedek's "order"since Melchizedek appears from the scriptural record to have lived forever. Jesus is a priest forever because of His resurrection.222
7:18-19 These verses summarize the argument that God has superseded the Levitical priesthood and the Mosaic Law (Covenant). He has replaced the old system with a system that can do what the old one could not do, namely, bring us into intimate relationship with God.
"The term athetesis, annulment,' is a stronger term than metathesis, alteration' (v 12)."223
The "better hope"we have is the assurance that this relationship is now possible for us to experience thanks to our great High Priest.
