Royal Priesthood: The Order of Melchizedek

Today’s Focus: The Royal Priesthood: The Order of Melchisedec Scripture: Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 6:20-7:4; Romans 14:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17,18; John 11:25,26; Romans 8:15; 1 Peter 2:9 Greetings Kingdom Citizens I know in this ministry we have discussed and glanced over the term “Royal Priesthood” now the time has come to ask this question, Where did this order of the Sons of God come from? Now we have discussed that royal refers to King and priesthood refers to priest or spiritual representative. But even with that amount we should understand but if we are a little confused to how this can be then let’s back all the way up and start from the beginning with this person in the Bible called Melchizedec. In Genesis 14 we see Abraham going in to rescue his nephew Lot from the land of Dan (Genesis 14:1-17) and after this battle Abraham has a unique encounter with the King of Salem, Melchizedec (Genesis 14:18). Now Melchizedec was unique because Genesis 14:18 says He was the King of Salem who brought forth bread and wine and he was the priest of the most high God. In turn after blessing Abraham, Abraham gave him tithes of all he had. So here we have some man that is a King and a Priest. Ok we are all fine with that! But remember when Jesus came everything that was spoken in shadowy form in the Old Testament was brought to the light by Christ and explained in detail. So that means, in the New Testament there is some type of explanation for how or why this man was who he was. Let’s look at Hebrew 6:20! Here we see the statement being made the Jesus is made after the order of Melchisedec. The order is referring to being a King and a Priest. Jesus is the King of Kings and He is also the Great High Priest. Now in the letter to the Hebrews, the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul goes on in Hebrews 7 to explain this mystery of Melchisedec. First, the meaning of His name is King of Righteousness. Ok who do we know is the King of Righteousness? Jesus! Next it says, King of Salem. In Genesis 14:18 it says that he was the King of Salem. Salem was another name for the city of Jeru-salem. So who is the King of Jerusalem (Revelation 21)? Jesus! Next it says his name also means King of Peace. Who is the King of Peace? Jesus! But an even more beautiful picture is what the combination of this is. Romans 14:17: “The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. Now before we get someone confused Melchisedek is not Jesus! Let’s read on to find out. Hebrews 7:3 starts by saying that Melchisedek was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. Now for some that may seem like a weird scripture but let’s explain. The genealogy of Melchisedek is unknown and was not recorded for purpose and reason to illustrate the genealogy of the sons of God. We were all born of woman and have a mother and a father. All of us! We can trace our genealogy back some generations. Some as far as four or five generations. But look at the last statement in verse 3: “But made LIKE UNTO the Son of God.” So the Holy Spirit is confirming that Melchisedek was made like the Son of God by order. The reason why this is the case is because The Son of God has these characteristics: 1. Has no earthly mother or father 2. Has no genealogy 3. No beginning of days nor end of life This order of the Royal Priesthood, which the order of Melchisedek follows, shows the sons of God being Kings. By which Melchisedek was the King of Salem and a Priest because of the work that Melchisedek did. In closing I want to leave you with this thought to connect the big picture. In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek brought forth wine and bread to Abram. Now when was the only other time that the priest of the Most High brought bread and wine? The Lord’s Supper! The bread for the body of Christ and wine symbolizing his blood. So, just as we have proven in the past two messages. Jesus comes to reveal those truths that were in shadowy form of the Old Testament and bring them to the light for the heirs of the promise. We will continue our study of the Royal Priesthood and the three characteristics of the son of God mentioned earlier in the next message. At Our Father’s Service, Elder Calvin Calhoun, Jr.