There are those who believe that since Jesus was human while he was one the earth, therefore he is still human in heaven. There are some real problems with this idea. Paul said, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor. 15:50). If Jesus is human now, this Scripture has no meaning.

It is sometimes reasoned, that Jesus is high priest now, therefore he must still be a human being in heaven, since the priests of the Old Testament were human. Please observe.

1. The Priesthood has been changed. "For the priesthood being changed, there is made a necessity a change also of the law" (Heb. 7:12). The priesthood of Jesus is not like that of the Old Testament priest. The priesthood of Jesus is "not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life" (Heb. 7:16).

2. After the order of Melchisedec. The priesthood of Christ differs from that of human priest for only his was of the order of Melchisedec. "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 6:20). Remember, Melchisedec was "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life: but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually" (Heb. 7:3).

3. Old Testament Priests were men subject to death. The priests of the Old Testament law were only men, had sin in their lives, with a temporary priesthood and were soon replaced because physical death claimed their office. "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood . . . For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens: Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore" (Heb. 7:23-28).

4. Priesthood of Christ is Heavenly. We must remember that the priesthood of Christ is not earthly but heavenly. "For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law" (Heb. 8:4). The priesthood of Christ is from the right hand of God. "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Heb. 9:1). Christ is high priest in the "perfect tabernacle"; "in heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb. 9:11,24).

If Jesus is human in heaven then Christians will also be human in heaven. "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil. 3:2 1). Paul didn't think Christians will be human in heaven.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 24, p. 749
December 20, 1990