Why study Melchisedec (Melchizedek)

1.  It is in God's Word   
     "All scripture (including the doctrine of Melchisedec) is given by inspiration of God, and is  
     profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of  
     God may be perfect, (Eph.4:11-16, 1Cor.13:9-12) throughly furnished unto all good works." 
     (2Tim.3:16-17) 
     a.  Melchisedec is "God breathed" words. 
          When Israel heard God's Word at Mt. Sinai they were afraid and "intreated that the word  
          should not be spoken to them any more." (Heb.12:19) Moses  himself said, "I exceedingly 
          fear and quake." (Heb.12:21) We need to have an awesome reverence for God's 
          inspired Word. (Psa.2:11, Eccl.5:1-5, Prov.30:5-6, Psa.5:7; Prov.9:10)

          Note: Today there is no fear. This is evident in the new translations of our day.
          (Review: "Why I use the King James Bible," Phase 1) 
   
     b.  How can anyone say Melchisedec not relevant to days Christianity! 
          To say that it is not relevant is to argue with God's Word, and say you know better than God.  
          My answer to this is, "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this  
          world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1Cor.1:20-21)
     c.  To ignore Melchisedec is to ignore the spiritual building materials (1Cor.3:10- 15, 
          Matt.7:24-26) needed to be "perfect (Eph.4:11-16)...thoughly furnished."
 
2.  Jesus is after 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, Psa.110:4) If our life is built upon the Rock, (Matt.7:24-26) Christ  
     Jesus it will include understanding why Jesus is after the order of Melchisedec, because this is  
     who Jesus is. This is part of our foundation! (1Cor.3:10-12)

3.  Melchisedec, the Day of Atonement and End-Times, are all connected
     Jesus was "called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many  
     things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye  
     ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the  
     oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every  
     one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat  
     belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses  
     exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb.5:10-14)
     a.  Note the key phrases
          (1)  "Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say." God purpose (intent, plan) did not  
                 finished with the 1st. century Church. (Review: God's Purpose and Plan, Phase 2)
          (2)  These "things" (Melchisedec Heb.5:10) is in association with being of "full age" (maturity,
                 perfection) (Eph.4:11-16, 1Cor.13:9-10) This is end times, the last day Church.
          (3)  This "full age" (i.e. maturity Eph.4:11-16, 1Cor.13:9-12) will happen in "the day"  
                 (Heb.10:25) of atonement, which is where the last day Church is heading for.
                 (Review: Phase2 and 11)
    b.  The context of Hebrews is "the Day" of atonement
          The reason being is because Hebrews is all about Jesus being the only one qualified to 
          represent us before God as Aaron the High Priest foreshadowed. (Heb.2:17-18; 3:1; 4:14- 
          16; 8:1-5; 6:20; 7:1-28; 9:1-26; 10:1-10)
     c.  The day of atonement is the centerpiece of the Feast of Tabernacles
          "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which 
          he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast 
          of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:" (Deut.16:16-17)
          (1)  Passover (Unleavened Bread) was fulfilled at the Cross
          (2)  Pentecost (The Feast of Weeks) was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost   
          (3)  Tabernacles is yet to be fulfilled in the last day Church which includes the day of  
                 atonement and Christ after the order of Melchisedec.    
   
                        Note: The Chart below is a combination of Phases 2, 4, 8, 9 and 11
     .

Who was Melchisedec

After Abraham had rescued Lot from the four kings, (Gen.14:1-16) he was meet by "Melchizedek king of Salem" who "brought forth bread and wine" for "he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:..And he (Abraham) gave him tithes of all." (Gen.14:18-21)

1.  He was king of Salem. (Heb.7:1)
     This Melchisedec was king of "peace." The Bible speaks of only one person that is king of  
     peace, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom.5:1, 1Cor.1:3, Eph.2:14, Col.1:20)
     a.  Salem - peaceful; Shalem, an early name of Jerusalem.2
          b.  This city was taken by David centuries later. (1Chron.11:1-9)

2.  First being by interpretation King of righteousness. (Heb.7:2)
     Righteousness is right standing before God. (Rom.1:17, 2Cor.5:21) There is no man ever past, 
     present or future that will ever be "King of righteousness" only the God / man (2Tim.3:16) Christ  
     Jesus. (Rom.8:1-4)
     a.  Our (all of mankind / Heathen / nations) righteousnesses is as "filthy rags." (Isa.64:6) 
     b.  Israel tried to establish there own righteousness and was rejected by God. (Rom.10:3)

                                                (Click here for explanation of this chart)
        .
3.  King of Salem. (King of Peace - Heb.7:2)
     "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of 
     righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace." (Heb.7:2-3) No 
     man can be King of Peace. James writes the "wisdom of this world" brings "confusion," not  
     peace. (Jam.3:15-18)     

4.  Without father, mother, decent, "and having neither beginning of days nor end of life."
     "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 7:3-4)
     a.  Neither beginning of days nor end of life
          The writer of Hebrews calls this "the power of an endless life." (Heb.7:16) No Canaanite  
          king (or any other king from Abraham's time period) qualifies.
          (1)  David wrote, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; [70] and if by reason  
                 of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon  
                 cut off, and we fly away." (Psa.90:10-11)
          (2)  Peter wrote, "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The  
                 grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away." (1Peter.1:24-25)

                 Jesus is the beginning and the end. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the  
                 ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." 
                 (Rev 1:8-9) No man can say this!

     b.  Made like unto the Son of God
          "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 7:3-4) 
          (1)  Some think, "without father or mother" means there is no genealogy for Melchisedec 
                 in the Book of Genesis. 
          (2)  The only people that are to be made "like the Son of God," is the Church. The Bride of  
                 Christ, The Glorious Church without spot, wrinkle, blemish or any such thing. (Eph.4:11- 
                 16; 5:21-33, Rom.8:28-29, 2Cor.3:18) 

                  Note: There is no doubt this is a pre-Cross revelation of Jesus Christ.

5.  Abideth a priest continually
     "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 7:3-4) If the  
     writer of Hebrews was referring to a heathen Canaanite king, then why has he not continued 
     to our present day? Jesus is the only one that "continueth ever," and has a unchangeable  
     priesthood." (Heb.7:24)

6.  Melchisedec "brought forth bread and wine." 
     Melchizedek "king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most 
     high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor 
     of heaven and earth." (Gen 14:18-20) These are symbols of Communion. "Jesus took bread,  
     and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  
     And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. For this is 
     my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." 
     (Matt 26:26-28)

7.  Melchisedec was "the priest of the most high God." (Gen.14:18) 
     Why would God accept a heathen king to be the high priest representing the people of God  
     while making atonement for sin? (Lev.16:1-34, Heb.9:7) No man "taketh this honour unto  
     himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb 5:4-5) Remember: Aaron  
     foreshadows the Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb.9:1-26)
     a.  The High Priests came from the seed of Aaron. (Num.3:1-51, Lev.21:10-24)
     b.  The "stranger" comes nigh will be put to death. (Num.1:47-54; 3:38)

8.  Abraham and Levi "gave him tithes of all."       
     Now "consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth  
     of the spoils. (Gen.14:18-21) And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office  
     of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law,  
     (Num.18:20-28) that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he  
     whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had  
     the promises." (Heb 7:4-7)
     a.  The giving of tithes from Abraham and Levi confirms Jesus as High Priest, "after the order  
          of Melchisedec." (Heb.7:3) The giving our tithes today, does the same. It reaffirms Christ 
          as High Priest. (Gen.14:18-21, Heb 7:4-7)
     b.  The tithe belongs to the Lord. (Lev.27:30)
     c.  The Lord gave His tenth to the Levities. (Num.18:26-32)
     d.  The Levities gave a tenth of that tenth to Aaron, the High Priest. (Num.18:25-28)

     Note: There nothing in God's inspired Word that says to give a tithe to anyone outside the family  
     of Levi. Another confirmation that Melchisedec is a pre-Cross revelation of Jesus Christ.

9.  A question: Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi?
     Does not this break the pattern? No, it does not."For if He (Jesus) were on earth, He (Jesus) 
     should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who  
     serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God 
     when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things  
     according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent  
     ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon  
     better promises." (Heb 8:4-6)
     a.  For "if He (Jesus) were on earth, He (Jesus) should not be a priest"
          (1)  Jesus could not justify us as a High Priest under the Levitical priesthood, because  
                 the Law was "incomplete!" (Heb.9:1-26; 10:1-10, Matt.5:17-19) It served "unto the  
                 example and shadow of heavenly things." (Heb.8:5)
          (2)  The Law (of the Levitical priesthood) was incomplete because it could never take away  
                 sin, (Heb.10:1-4) it only exposed it. (Rom.7:7-14) 
          (3)  There is nothing wrong with the Law! (The Levitical priesthood) It is holy, just, good  
                 and spiritual! It bears witness (agree's with) the Grace of God (the Melchisedec  
                 priesthood) through Jesus Christ. (Rom.3:20-31) The problem is you and me! 
                 (Rom.7:7-25) God's solution, eliminate us by Crucify and bury us with Christ. Then
                 resurrecting us with Christ (Gal.2:20, Rom.6:1-11) to walk in newness of life as a new  
                 creation in Christ Jesus. (2Cor.5:17-21)                  
          (4)  It took Jesus (after the order of Melchisedec) to "complete" (fulfill) the Law. (Rom.3:20,  
                Matt.5:17-19) Now the office of the High Priest has been "completed" in it's fulness  
                in Christ Jesus and taken to another "Glory." (2Cor.3:1-18)

           For "the law (of the High priest) was our schoolmaster     
           to bring us unto Christ." (our High Priest) 
                 (Gal.3:24, Heb.3:1, Matt.5:17-19) The Law (of the High Priest) was needed to "bring us
                 to Christ." It was the blueprint for Christ to build His Church by. (Matt.16:18, 1Cor.3:10- 
                 15, Eph.2:20-22, 1Peter.2:5) (Review: The Bible is one Book)

          (5)  Now our only justification is in Christ Jesus. "For what the law could not do, in that it  
                 was weak through the flesh, (Rom.7:7-10) God sending his own Son in the likeness of  
                 sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law  
                 might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom 8:3-5)

     b.  But now hath he (Jesus) obtained a more excellent ministry
          Now Jesus "is the mediator of a better (stronger) covenant, which was established upon better 
          (stronger) promises." (Heb 8:4-6) It is "better" (stronger) because Christ's blood removes sin.
          "But this man, (Phil.2:1-11, 2Tim.3:16) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
          ("once for all"-Heb.10:10) sat down on the right hand of God." (Heb 10:12-13)
          (1)  God still requires a sacrifice. This Jesus the Lamb ogf God. (1Peter.1:18-20)
          (2)  God still requires the shedding of blood. (Heb.9:21-22)
          (3)  God still requires the sacrifice to be place on the Altar. (Heb.13:10)
          (4)  God still requires the sweet smelling savor from the sacrifice. (Eph.5:1-2)
                 (Review: The Offerings, Pages 1 and 2)

          God has NOT changed! His patterns are "unchangeable," no shadow of turning. God is NOT 
          "double minded." (James.1:17, Mal.3:6) The "better" and the "more excellent ministry" is  
          because Christ's blood removed sin according to the same pattern as the the Old Covenant.
          (Remember: The Old Covenant pattern is "an example and shadow of heavenly things" where  
          we are seated with Christ.- Heb.8:5, Eph.1:3; 2:6)

          The apostle Paul says the law "was glorious," (2Cor.3:7) but the New Testament "written on  
          the "fleshly tables of our heart," (in it's reality / completion / fulfilment) is even more glorious."  
          (2Cor.3:1-18)   

A pre-Cross revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
"In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. (John.1:1-14, 1John.5:7) 
1.  There are three that bear record in heaven
     a.  The Father God. (1John.5:7, Gen.1:1)
     b.  The Word. (1John.5:7, John.1:1-5; 5:17-18; 17:5 [Isa.42:8], Col.1:16-18, Heb.1:1-2)
     c.  The Holy Ghost. (1John.5:7)

2.  Jesus did not become the "only begotten Son" until He was born of the virgin Mary. 
     (Matt.1:18-25) Therefore it is not a strange thing for Him to appear as Melchisedec before this  
     time. He was the "forth man" in the fiery furnace, (Dan.3:25) and "the Captain of the Lord's Host."
     (Josh.5:13-15)


  To be continued. (John.16:12-16, 1Cor.3:9-12)







Notes.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  KJV - Salem. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
2.  Strong's NT:2909 - stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. nobler: KJV - best, better.

(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)