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Genesis 14d

Melchisedec Part 3

Hi all,

This week we concentrate on the fact that the position of Melchisedec is so important that it is used to prove the position of Christ as our High Priest!  Jesus is the High Priest because He lives forever, and Melchisedec is a priest for the same reason.  Paul obviously expected the Jewish Christians of his day to know who and what he was writing about.

The main characteristic of the Melchisedec priesthood then, is immortality, as Paul reveals below.

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Hebrews 7:

18 For there is verily a disannulling [change] of the commandment going before [the Old Testament rituals] for the weakness and unprofitableness [of the people] thereof. 19 For the law [of ceremonies] made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw near to God.

20 And inasmuch [because] as not without an oath He [Jesus] was made priest:

21 (for those priests [on earth] were made without an oath; but this WITH AN OATH by Him that said to Him, “THE LORD SWARE and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:”) 22 by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.  

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 but this Man, because He continues ever [without dying], has an unchangeable priesthood. 25   Wherefore [for this reason] He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.  

26 For such a High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens . . .

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Yet the priest Melchisedec is called a man. 

“Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” Hebrews 7:4.

So what do we have?

A man who lives forever – who has no children or parents – who is like Christ – who is a priest although not of the tribe of Levi – and one who is a priest by God’s word.

In other words – a CHRISTIAN.

This description can be applied to all obedient Christians, and is so in the Old Testament, and in Peter’s letter to the church.

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Exodus 19:

5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. 

1 Peter 2:

5 You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

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Some examples of spiritual sacrifices are given in this quote from the Letter to the Hebrew Christians.

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Hebrews 13:

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the [earthly] tabernacle. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the [earthly] high priest for sin, are burned without [outside] the camp. 12 Wherefore [for this reason] Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. 

13 Let us go forth therefore to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing [eternal] city, but we seek one to come. 

15 By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. 16 But to do good and to communicate [share] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

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Then Peter continues with his thoughts about the royal priesthood.

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1 Peter 2:

6 Wherefore [for this reason] also it is contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Sion a Chief Corner Stone [a High Priest], elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded.

7 To you therefore which believe He is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner, 8 and a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 

9 But you are a chosen generation, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD [Melchisedec was king of Jerusalem], a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:

10 which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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Most of us believe these words as coming from God, but accept that we have not yet entered into them fully.  We are stones in the temple of God while Jesus is the corner or foundation Stone.  He has immortality now, while we do not expect to get our gift of immortality until after the resurrection. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all [rebellious] rule and all authority and power.” 1 Corinthians 15:19-24.

But do we all have to wait for that time?  We know of three who have not, Enoch, Moses and Elijah.

It is also written: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.”  Romans 6:23.  How long do we have to wait for a proffered gift?  As long as it takes to accept it!

Melchisedec was a Christian who had accepted all these things, including immortality, and he was alive in Abram’s time.  He was also superior to the prophet of God at that time, as evidenced by the payment of tithe.  So who can qualify for such a position? 

How about Enoch?  He lived in the seventh generation from Adam and was translated into heaven without seeing death. Therefore he did not have an “end of days”, but received his gift of immortality then.  He went into heaven because he was walking with the Son of God while on earth, and would not be separated from Him.  He is the only one of whom we have a record who can match all the qualifications.  Moses and Elijah lived many centuries after Abraham’s time.

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Genesis 5:

21 And Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begat [had a son named] Methuselah.

22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat [other] sons and daughters.

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years: 24 and Enoch walked with God: and he was not [on earth anymore]; for God took him [to heaven]. 

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I believe that it was Enoch who came back to this earth under his “new name” of Melchisedec, (see Revelation 2:17; 3:12) and that he was working in Salem trying to help the kings of that region. 

He was so like Christ (as much as a sanctified human being can be) that he followed His Master’s footsteps and this led him back to earth to be a helper. 

Abram, under the guidance of the Spirit of God, recognised him for who he was and paid him the tribute as to a superior.  This is not so far-fetched as it might seem, for do not angels often come to this earth to help men?  Why not a man to help men?  (As we have read, Moses and Elijah came to help Christ. Luke 9:29-31.)

What do you think of that?

Regards,  Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

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Luke 9:

29 And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: 31 who [also] appeared in glory, and spoke of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him. 33 And it came to pass, as they [the two men] departed from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah” not knowing what he said.  Back

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Revelation 2:

17 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that overcomes [himself] will I give to eat of the hidden manna [the mysteries of the Bible], and will give him a white stone [a symbol of judgment passed], and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows [can experience] saving he that receives it [it’s a description of his character].

Revelation 3:

12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar [of strength] in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out [he’ll live for eternity]: and I will write upon him the name [character] of My God, and the name of the city of My God [what its purpose is], which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name [character].  Back

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