King James 2000 Bible (©2003)

And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

Hebrews 7:8

The book of Hebrews has come to be one of my favourites of the NT Epistles. The root word for “Hebrew” means to pass or cross over. It can mean specifically to pass over a river, that is, to pass over from this side of the river to the other side, to pass over from one side to another. Abraham was such a one that passed or crossed over - from Chaldea, the land of idolatry, which was on the other side of the great river Euphrates, to Canaan, the land of the worship of God, which was on this side of the Euphrates ( Josh. 24:2-3 ).

As we draw close to the end of this year, the Spirit of God wants to remind the church of God by extension in Hebrews 7:8 beyond tithe that we can move pass and cross from “here” to “there”. When the Spirit of God breathes upon a scriptural text, the application spreads beyond certain limitations. Let’s take a look:

And “here” men...but “there”...whom it is witnessed that he lives.

Scripture says, “HERE”...are men BUT there...he whom is it witnessed that he lives. Interpreting the text, “men” incthis context refers to the Levitical priests. They represent men that stand and serve in the altar. But “THERE” on the other side when crossed to, is the priesthood of Melchizedek in which Christ fulfilled. Hence, God's intention is that we move from looking unto men that serve in the altar (in our lives and churches) to looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. “Here”, many of us look unto men to serve us but “there” is Christ serving and calling us to service. Christ did not call us to look unto men. He said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." - John 12:32

Second, these men also represent the law that operates under the old covenant because they serve under the Levitical Priesthood but “There” is the fulfilled Melchizedek, Christ whose priesthood is beyond the Levitical Priesthood. Speaking in this verse, God is telling the church who believed in the Lord but still lingered in Judaism to leave the law and cross over to grace for the law was GIVEN by Moses but grace and truth CAME by Jesus Christ ( Heb. 4:16; 7:18-19; 12:28; 13:9); that they would leave the old covenant and cross over to the new covenant ( 8:6-9:1-End ); and that they would leave the ritualistic service of the Old Testament and cross over to the spiritual reality of the New Testament ( 8:5; 9:9-14 ); that they would leave Judaism and cross over to the church ( 13:13; 10:25 ); that they would leave the earthly things and cross over to the heavenly things ( 12:18-24 ); that they would leave the outer court, where the altar is, and cross over to the Holiest of all, where God is ( 13:9-10; 10:19-20 ); that they would leave the soul realm and cross over to the spirit realm ( 4:12 ); and that they would leave the beginning of truth and life and cross over to the maturity of life in the truth ( 5:11-6:1 ). The Old Testament was of the law in letters and forms, of man, earthly, temporary, and by sight and issued in a religion called Judaism. The New Testament is of life, spiritual, heavenly, permanent, and by faith and is focused in a person who is the Son of God.

And "here" men that die...; but "there"...whom it is witnessed that he lives.

Again, it says something happened to these men. It says, “HERE” are men that die BUT “THERE” is life...whom is it witnessed that he live. God's message is that, “HERE”, when we (men) dies to sin, self and worldliness; On the other side “THERE”, we live with Christ, we reign with Christ and we inherit the promise. From “Here” to “THERE” is not a place nor a geographical location but a position and status in which those who come “THERE” obtain in Christ.

“HERE” is earthly birth; “THERE” is spiritual birth in which "men" must be born again. “HERE” is sickness but “THERE” is divine health enjoyed. “HERE” is our righteousness; “THERE” we become the righteousness of God through Christ. “HERE” is death that passed from first Adam and reigned to all "men"; “THERE” is the second and last Adam, Christ who is a life giving Spirit. “HERE” is worldly; “THERE” is Wordly.

Today is an invitation to all “men” to leave “here” and come “there” with/in Christ. Come the way you are and forsake not the day of salvation. Come with your heart opened to Christ. “HERE” is the old man but “THERE” is the new man in Christ. Forsake the old man in his old way and “THERE”, you will find peace and eternal life.