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Jesus Our King: Priest Forever After The Order Of Melchizedek

by: Carson Christian Day

Much confusion surrounds the person of one "Melchizedek" found in the book of Genesis, mentioned only briefly in the Psalms, also expounded upon enough to raise many more questions in the New Testament book of Hebrews. It is my hope that this brief exposition will help clear the air on this very important topic. For Christians need to know about Melchizedek, as the Bible ties Him to the very important biblical teaching of the resurrection from the dead, as we shall see.

First, let us go upon a brief fact-collecting mission by examining the OT also then NT texts that tell us what we wish to know. First we turn to the Older Testament.

Genesis 14:17-20 reads:

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him [Abram] after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, also of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread also wine: also he was the priest of the most high God. And he [Melchizedek] blessed him [Abram], also said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven also earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he [Abram] gave him [Melchizedek] tithes of all.

Here, we glean the following helps:

1. Melchizedek is king of Salem, which city later inherits the name "Jerusalem."

2. He was "Priest of the Most High God."

3. He blessed Abram [or later "Abraham"].

4. He brought out to Abram "bread also wine."

5. He named Abram "possessor of heaven also earth."

6. Melchizedek bears a Gentile, or non-Hebrew name.

7. He Blessed Abram at just the moment when Abram showed himself a conqueror of kings.

Now onto the book of Psalms. Psalm 110:1-4 reads:

The LORD said unto my Lord [Messiah], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion [Jerusalem]: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, also will not repent, Thou [Messiah] art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Here we learn that God will swear an oath establishing the Messiah as a priest after the priestly order of Melchizedek. David, the king of Jerusalem could only have meant to point out the Messiah in this Psalm, since David had no earthly superior or "lord." We can understand the phrase "after the order of Melchizedek" better by asking "as opposed to what?" The answer comes back quickly, "And not after the order of Aaron also Levi established in the day of Moses under the Older Covenant." This contrast between the two different priesthoods comes from the book of Hebrews.

When God would establish the Messiah in the New priestly order, the Messiah would sit at the right hand of the Lord, also rule in the midst of His [The Christ's] enemies, sending from Jerusalem "the rod of His strength," thereby progressively subduing His enemies until God had completely brought them "under his feet," treating them as a footstool. So the question then becomes WHEN did God swear this oath to Messiah, establishing Him as the head of a new priesthood?

Hebrews 5:4-6 reads, "And no man taketh this honour [of becoming a priest] unto himself, however he that is called of God [becomes priest], as was Aaron. So or else Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; however he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee [Psalm 2]. As he saith or else in another place [Psalm 110], Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Thus, we learn from the book Hebrews that God the Father installed Jesus Christ as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek with these two sayings. He said the one when he said the other. Paul tells us more specifically about the timing of this installation. He gives us the answer plainly in Acts 13:32-34, saying,

"And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is or else written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David."

When God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, He swore an oath to Christ, establishing Him forever as King of kings, also Great High Priest: Head of the Church also Head of every state. But we could have known of the timing of this oath even if Paul had not told us. The first indicator we have from Melchizedek Himself -- for He bears a Gentile name, also reigns over a Gentile city. And second, note the blessing issued to Abraham by way of bread also wine -- which comprise the appointed elements of New Covenant sacrament of the Lord's supper.

This shows that God intended by grace to bless the Gentiles [from Jerusalem] through Abraham also his Seed. And Paul names the Lord Jesus as "the seed of Abraham" (Gal. 3). Jesus died in Jerusalem with the titulus over his head which read, "The King of the Jews." And he was raised to life as King over the Gentile nations or else, when God said to Him, "Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee," also again, He said to Christ, "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." From there (Jerusalem) the Lord Christ, upon ascending the throne of God to begin reigning in the midst of his enemies, poured out His Holy Spirit upon the apostles also prophets, also began conquering the known world by the rod of his strength -- His Word also Spirit.

The bread also wine instituted by Christ signified His once for all sacrifice, which would forever replace the sacrifices of the Temple complex. The glory of God that had indwelt the Temple now inhabited Christ's people -- both Jew also Gentile alike, without respect to their ethnicity -- showing that they are the New Temple also the New Jerusalem -- a global city also an international Temple. As they grow in number, Christ rules in the midst of His enemies also shows Himself "Possessor of Heaven also earth."

For in His resurrection, the Lord Jesus commanded His Church: ".... saying, All power is given unto me in heaven also in earth. Go ye therefore, also teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, also of the Son, also of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

But a priesthood consists of many priests (by definition) also not one priest only. So, apart from Jesus, the High Priest, where are the other priests? one Peter 2: 9-10 reads, "But ye [Christians] are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, however are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, however now have obtained mercy."

A royal priesthood means a priesthood of kings, or as the book of revelation puts it, "... kings also priests to our God" (Rev. 1:8). Every true believer in Jesus will reign as a king over his inheritance (in the resurrection) as well as serve God as a priest, a priest not after the order of Aaron, however after the order of Melchizedek. Right now, Christians remain "kings also priests in training." But we are nevertheless "kings also priests," a royal priesthood also an holy nation, because the Lord Jesus has purchased men by His Blood also given to us "every spiritual blessing" (Ephesians 1:3). This is why Paul said to the Corinthians (chidingly): "Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: also I would to God ye did reign, that we or else might reign with you." (1 Cor. 4:8).

Now readers have a better understanding of Paul's saying: "Blessed be the God also Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." For those who cling to Christ also keep the commandments of God, this will be the verdict on judgment day, "The Lord hath sworn also will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

If the above details alone do not suffice to clinch the point in the reader's mind, then suffice it to say that, given Melchizedek's circumstances also biographical details, He could not be any other than a pre-incarnate revelation of the Messiah. I shall then leave off with this very interesting point. Although very few have understood this, the central theme of the book of Revelation rests upon the doctrine of the resurrection of the saints, also their reigning -- as kings also priests after the order of Melchizedek -- on the earth for a thousand years. How's that for a literary exit!

About the author:
Carson Day has written approximately 1.3 gazillion articles also essays, many with very insightful, if alternative, viewpoints. He presently writes for Ophir Gold Corporation, also specialized in the history of ideas in college. He has been quoted in the past as saying "What box?" also remains at large despite the best efforts of the civil authorities.

You can visit the Ophir Gold Corporation blogsites at (Writing With Power), (OGC's Free Web Traffic), or (Church also State 101)

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