Ques. What is the difference between the Aaronic and the Melchisedec Priesthood of Christ?
Ans. At present Christ is exercising a priesthood that takes the character of Aaron's priesthood. That is, He "is able to succor them that are tempted, and from Him we obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Christ could not be a priest of Aaron's line, because He is not from the priestly trible, Levi.
Christ's priesthood is eternal and abiding, mystically symbolized by Melchisedec in Genesis. In the coming Millennial day, Christ will come forth in the glory of royal priesthood as King in Zion. This will be His proper Melchisedec priesthood, both as to order and character.
Ques. What is the difference between atone and redeem?
Ans. Sins are atoned for. Persons or things are redeemed. Christ has atoned for our sins. He has redeemed us; and He has redeemed the inheritance. He has done both by the same precious blood shedding, blessed forever be His holy Name!
Ans. In this verse it is not a question of the soul's salvation, but of the death of the body under the governmental dealings of God.
Ans. The word "generation" is constantly used in Scripture in a moral sense. It is not to be confined to a certain number of persons actually living at the time, but takes in the race. In the passage before us, it simply applies to the Jewish race; but the wording is such as to leave the question of time entirely open, so that the heart might ever be kept in readiness for the Lord's coming. There is nothing in Scripture to interfere with the constant expectation of that grand event. On the contrary, every parable, every figure, every allusion is so worded as to warrant each one to look for the Lord's return in his own lifetime, and yet to leave ample margin for the elongation of the time according to the longsuffering grace of a Savior God.