WHO WAS RIGHT?
If
we remember back some 500 years to the laws of YAHWEH, we
were told if anyone looked at the ark they would be killed. Page
322, time . Only the high priest could enter and look, and then
only once in a year and with great preparation. David told the
people to look and live, not die as they did 500 years
before. David ordered the women to be included in worship too, and
that was against the law of Moses. The equality of women in
relation to worship was totally revolutionary. Much singing of
praise and thanksgiving, and use of musical instruments were brought
into worship of God as David appointed some 288 singers to
praise the LORD. Page 323, time .
IN THE NAME OF THE LAW

David
commanded the Gentiles to participate with the Israelites because
EL ELYON is the God of all nations, whereas YAHWEH
is the God of Israel. Gentiles were not allowed to
worship at Moses Tabernacle. All these changes were brought to the
people and it seems all enjoyed and benefited from them. Page 323,
time . But remember, 500 years before, all those things were
against the law that God gave to Moses. Page 322,
time . In other words, God changed His rules as
Israel’s concept of God changed.
BACK TO YAHWEH
AT SOLOMON’S TEMPLE
H
owever,
some 40 years later, King Solomon, son of David, returned the nation
of Israel back to the concept of YAHWEH. Page 323, time
. He brought the Levites back to Jerusalem. The ark was placed in
the temple constructed by Solomon. The laws, precepts, and
order of religious worship was reinstituted under the YAHWEHISTIC
concept of God (II Chronicles 5:5). Israel left the mercy
David taught them through his concept of the name/nature
of EL ELYON. Page 323, time . Our present day churches
seem to follow the pattern of David and Solomon ‑- YAHWEH
replaces EL ELYON. There is probably a reason why.
BUILD AND MAINTAIN
A STANDARD CHURCH
When our goal is to build a
structured religious society, then we must use the laws of
YAHWEH. It seems that all groups write their law book by
going back to the concept of YAHWEH, where His laws
were the outstanding characteristics. These external laws
are used to maintain unity and conformity within the structure.
However, EL ELYON’S laws originate within the heart of
the individual. God said He would write His laws in
our hearts and in our minds. If responded to, this will cause the
mature individual to walk and live in the spirit of the law,
resulting in a life of agape love that brings true harmony with
God and people. However, trying to live by externally imposed
laws, or the letter of the law as given by YAHWEH,
has not, and will not, bring people to the goal of
genuine unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It will only
build or maintain the structure.
The summary of the matter is
given by Paul in Romans 7:10 when he stated:
Romans 7:10, And the
commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto
death. (KJV)
Also:
Hebrews 8:7, For if that
first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have
been sought for the second. (KJV)
Also:
Hebrews 8:13, In that he
saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now
that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (KJV)
And finally:
Hebrews 7:12, For the
priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change
also of the law. (KJV)
NORTHERN TEN TRIBES
LOST TRIBES OF ISRAEL


Following
Solomon's death, the nation divided into two kingdoms, the
north and the south. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, became king over the
two southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin (II Chronicles 10:16).
Page 323, time . He brought the Levites down from the north
and back to Jerusalem to continue the concepts of the YAHWEHISTIC
religion. At nearly the same time, Jereboam, son of Ephraim, became
king over the ten northern tribes. He led the people into
idolatry. Page 323, time . They were later taken into
captivity by King Senacharib of Syria around 726 B.C. Because we
are studying the Names of God, not idolatry, we will
not bring these 10 lost northern tribes into our
consideration any further. Page 323, time . Later the two
southern tribes that remained in Jerusalem under YAHWEHISTIC
concepts were captured by Nebuchadnezzer and taken to Babylon as
recorded in Daniel 1.
RETURN TO EL ELYON
WHILE IN CAPTIVITY IN
BABYLON
EL ELYON
was once again brought to the mental concept of Israel by Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego while in Babylonian captivity. Page 324,
time . Upon the occasion of refusing to worship
Nebuchadnezzer's golden image, the three were thrown into the fiery
furnace and found to be walking alive and untouched among the
flames. The king, astonished by the sight, called Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, the “servants of EL ELYON (the Most
High God).” He ordered them to come forth out of the furnace.
This Gentile king continued to have revelation of the concept of
EL ELYON (the Most High God). His testimony was clearly
stated several times in the book of Daniel. He knew, and declared
to the world, that there is a God named EL ELYON who
rules in the kingdom of men. EL ELYON gives dominion to
whomsoever He will. There is none like unto Him. The story of
Daniel in the lion’s den contains all of the very same elements we
have just seen in the story of the three Hebrew children. Page 324,
time .
The
Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzer did not have a YAHWEHISTIC
concept of God because YAHWEH is the God of
Israel. EL ELYON is the God concept of the other
nations. But Daniel had a concept of God as EL ELYON
(the Most High God) as stated repeatedly in the book of
Daniel. Page 324, time .
While in Babylonian captivity
the Jews could not keep the laws of YAHWEH because
they related to the land and the temple. In captivity, the
religious Jews had to change their concept of the name/nature
of God from YAHWEH to EL ELYON. Page 324,
time .
However,
some 70/150 years later many of the Jews returned to Jerusalem and
rebuilt the wall, and eventually the temple. Page 324, time .
Ezra opened and read the book of the law of Moses before
them. Subsequently the Jews again left the name/nature of
EL ELYON and returned to the name/nature of YAHWEH.
JESUS CHRIST
As
we continue to review history, we now come to the time when God
no longer spoke to His people through the prophets but, at this
point, He then revealed Himself through His Son, JESUS CHRIST
(Heb. 1:1-2). Page 325, time .
Hebrews 1:1-2, God,
who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto
the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these
last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of
all things, by whom also he made the worlds. (KJV)
We are told that JESUS
CHRIST is the exact expression of God that is to be seen,
and the expression to which we are to be conformed (Heb. 1:3; Romans
8:29). God did show Himself in the way He now desires for us
to see Him. There can never again be any doubts as to the
name/nature of God by which we are to know Him and
reflect that image to others. JESUS is the One!
JESUS is to be called
the Son Of EL ELYON (the Most High God) (Luke 1:32).
JESUS
was a priest after the order of Melchisedec who was a priest of
EL ELYON (the Most High God) (Hebrews 7). Page 325,
time .
EL ELYON is the concept
of God known by the Melchisedec priesthood (Genesis 14:18).
After the resurrection of
JESUS, we are told in several passages of the scriptures that
JESUS ascended to the right hand of EL ELYON (the Most
High God) (Heb. 1:3).
A
new "religion" was again brought on the scene. The concept of
God was EL ELYON, this time clothed in flesh for all the
world to see. The new temple was not of brick and mortar,
but the bodies of God’s people. The new law is being
written by the Spirit of God upon the hearts and minds
(entrails) of the believers. JESUS brought mercy not
sacrifice. There was equality of women and inclusion of the
Gentiles. Page 325, time .
Galatians 3:28, There is
neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
CHRIST JESUS. (KJV)
Music, singing, and
thanksgiving all became part of the vital expression of the
name/nature EL ELYON.
Ephesians 5:18-20, And be
not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit;
19 Speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the LORD;
20 Giving thanks
always for all things unto God and the Father in the name
of our LORD Jesus Christ.
(KJV)
LOOSE YOUR JOB?
Will
the people of God now presently receive this concept of
God and live in that Light? Page 326, time . The
structured religious hierarchy of JESUS' day could not.
In John chapter 11 it is recorded that they feared if JESUS
continued they would lose their place (job)! Page 325,
time .
John 11:48, If we let him
thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come
and take away both our place (job) and nation. (KJV)
That’s
probably the real reason for the trouble JESUS had with the
Jewish leaders. He was a threat to their job security and
their structure. “The Romans will come and take away our place.” The
Jewish leaders seized upon the differences between the
name/natures of YAHWEH and EL ELYON and used them
to bring a wedge between JESUS and the other Jews. Page 325,
time .
Yet, many Jews did receive the
concept of EL ELYON. On the day of Pentecost the power of
EL ELYON came upon 120 people who were gathered in an upper
room (Luke 24:49). Within days, the number had grown into the
multiplied thousands. Page 325, time .
PETER ACCEPTED THE GENTILES
In 41 A.D., moving into the
concept of the name/nature of EL ELYON, Peter went
down to the house of Cornelius where Gentiles were gathered waiting
to hear the Word of God.
RACIAL PREJUDICE
T
his
association of Jews with Gentiles was prohibited under the concept
of Israel's God YAHWEH. Page 325, time .
Peter’s visit to the home of the Italian resulted in the acceptance
of the Gentiles, because they, too, received the Holy Spirit,
as did Jews on the day of the Pentecost. They heard them speaking
in tongues on both occasions (Acts 10-11). Peter realized that
God was doing a new thing in the earth! The old YAHWEHISTIC
concepts would not allow Jews to keep company with
Gentiles. A new concept of the name/nature of EL ELYON
(Most High God) was necessary. Page 325, time .
PAUL WAS NOT A BIGOT

A
few years later in 52 A.D., certain men from Judea began to
erroneously teach the Gentiles that they, too, must live under the
YAHWEHISTIC laws of Moses and be circumcised in order
to have favor with God and the Christian church. Therefore,
Paul went before the council in Jerusalem to dispute the matter. In
Acts 15, (Page 326, time ) Peter, and then Paul, began to
relate all that God was doing in relation to the Gentiles.
They told how the Spirit was being poured out through the gift of
tongues upon all, Jew and Gentile, men and women. Then James stood
up and declared that what was happening was the restoration of the
Tabernacle Of David, as prophesied in Amos 9:11. Thus, the
concept of EL ELYON which broke down racial barriers at the
original Tabernacle Of David was once again in operation.
EL ELYON was again breaking down racial barriers, this time in
the lives of the apostles. Page 326, time .
TOO HOT FOR PETER

But
in 58 A.D., Peter returned to a concept of YAHWEH. Page 325,
time . Paul stated in Galatians 2:12 that out of fear, Peter
withdrew himself from eating with the Gentiles when certain men of
the YAHWEHISTIC circumcision came to town. Because of
Peter's influence, Barnabas and others were also led back to the
laws of YAHWEH. Mixing law and grace was referred
to as the “gospel of the circumcision.” Page 325, time .. The
other “gospel of the uncircumcision” was given to Paul
while his concept of God was EL ELYON (Gal. 2:7).
Page 326, time .
Galatians 2:4-13, And that
because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily
to spy out our liberty which we have in
Christ Jesus
(through
EL ELYON),
that they might bring us into bondage (of YAHWEH):
5 To whom we gave
place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of
the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of these who
seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to
me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be
somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 But
contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision
(from EL ELYON) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the
circumcision (from YAHWEH) was unto Peter;
8 (For ELOHIM
[he] that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same [ELOHIM] was mighty in me toward the
Gentiles:)
9 And when
James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the
grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right
hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they
unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would
that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward
to do.
11 But when
Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face,
because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that
certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they
were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which
were of the circumcision.
13 And the other
Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was
carried away with their dissimulation. (KJV)
FIGHT, FIGHT
Because of Peter’s racial
discrimination against Gentiles, Paul gave a verbal
uppercut to Peter’s jaw. Are you disturbed to find that we have had
denominational fights from the very beginning of Christianity?
PAUL GOOFED, TOO.
Paul
wasn’t so perfect either. Only two years later, Paul also returned
to the concept of YAHWEH when he returned to Jerusalem. Page
326, time . He was warned twice by the Holy Spirit to
not go up to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4, 11). The Christians pled
with Paul not to go (Acts 21:12). In his determined
self-will, Paul demanded that he would go to Jerusalem (Acts
21:13).
Upon
his return to Jerusalem, James and the elders stated how many
thousands of Jews believed (on JESUS) but they were all
zealous of the law of YAHWEH (Acts 21:20). Page 326,
time . . The church at Jerusalem had a big attendance by then.
The offerings were big. The apostles of JESUS CHRIST told
Paul to do what they said unto him (Acts 21:23). The Holy
Spirit had said, “don’t go.” Paul chose to obey the apostles
rather than the Holy Spirit. The apostles told Paul to
not rock the boat. Were church elders always led by the Holy
Spirit? No. Even the apostles goofed.
Paul
was told by the apostles to pretend he kept all of the
YAHWEHISTIC laws of Moses by taking a Nazarite vow
(Numbers 6:2-7). Along with four other men who had really taken
vows, Paul entered the temple and signified the accomplishment of
the days of purification by offering a blood sacrifice (Acts
21:26). Paul didn’t really take a Nazarite vow. There wasn’t time
to accomplish it. Paul, the apostle who eloquently warned us to
not return to the law, fraudulently did just what he
preached against. He even applied the blood of animals to
his rebellion. Hey Paul. How about the blood of JESUS?
Page 326, time .
Next, Paul was bound by
his enemies, and never, ever, released.
Right there it looks like Paul
may have made an irreversible mistake. Let's pray that we do not
do that.

Peter
and Paul returned to YAHWEH and the law. Page 325,
time and page 326, time .. Our trusted leaders took us
first to the mercy of EL ELYON, and then later
abandoned us on the church steps of the justice of the law of
YAHWEH.
THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
RETURNED TO THE LAW OF
YAHWEH
We
are all products of the actions and concepts of our "roots" (those
who have gone before us). The structures of present day
Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, and Judaism have all been built
and framed by the concepts embraced and personified by the
religious pillars of the first century. Page 326, time .
The people of that day could not remain in the light, life,
love, and mercy of EL ELYON. They were too heavily
influenced by their past religious structure which once again
returned them to the laws of YAHWEH. The result was a
mixture of law and grace in their lives. They left us
with a mixture of law and grace that still controls
the present day church. The Bible calls that mixture of law
and grace the “gospel of the circumcision” (Gal. 2:7).
Over the centuries, the church
has maintained that same "mind set" for the most part and continued
with a YAHWEHISTIC concept of God. Judaism, Roman
Catholicism, and Protestantism have embraced the YAHWEHISTIC
concept of God, with precious few exceptions. Page 326,
time .
THE CHURCH IS NOW
RETURNING BACK TO EL ELYON
However,
the day has dawned when EL ELYON is once again inviting us to
be participants in the restoration of the Tabernacle Of David.
Page 326, time . EL ELYON is reintroducing Himself
to the concept of many of His people. We are being given the
opportunity to come to the same concept, knowledge, and awareness of
EL ELYON that JESUS had. Following in His footsteps
we shall also become priests after the order of Melchisedec, priests
of EL ELYON (the Most High God).
Whenever
our God starts a new religion on the earth, He changes His
name. Page 326, time .
DIFFERENCES
Q.
That reminds me ‑ your tape lesson entitled EL ELYON THEN
AND NOW probably cleared up more things for me than anything
else in my whole religious experience, up to now. I would say that
the teaching of the Names of God has been a religious
experience within itself. Page 326, time .
A.
I surely don't want to start up a new denomination, or a new
religion. I'll admit that I've received more letters expressing
that basic idea than I have received concerning anything in my 30
years of full-time public ministry. It looks like something is
up. Page 326, time .
A serious study of the
MELCHISEDEC ORDER Chapter 26, must also include a study
of:
·
EL ELYON
Chapter 21, and
·
EL ELYON,
MOST HIGH GOD Chapter 22, and
·
KNOWING FROM
EL ELYON Chapter 23, and
·
EL ELYON,
MOST HIGH GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Chapter 24, and
·
EL ELYON,
THEN AND NOW Chapter 25,
because there’s a lot to learn
about EL ELYON and MELCHISEDEC.
Some subjects in those
chapters have been reviewed and/or abbreviated for this chapter.
Some have not. Some subjects in this chapter are new and unique.
The index should be a big help.
MELCHISEDEC ORDER
Have you joined the
MELCHISEDEC ORDER? You should look into it. They say
it’s great. JESUS joined, you know. I’ve heard that you get
to meet some real famous and important people if you join. The only
trouble is that the membership fees will cost you everything you
have. Some people have paid with their whole lives. That’s pretty
costly, so we had better look at it very carefully.
There must be a lot of great
benefits because JESUS joined. But if it costs that much,
can it be worth it?
Let’s study the Melchisedec
Order to see.
There is a spelling problem:
·
Old Testament --
MELCHIZEDEK
·
New Testament --
MELCHISEDEC
MELCHISEDEC
The study of Melchisedec
is both very simple and very complex.
Melchisedec is complex
because he was so extraordinary in his life, purpose, and results.
Very few Christians believe that the story is real. That means that
the promises to us are often completely ignored by modern
Christiandom. That is a Christian tragedy.
A SIMPLE STORY
The story is simple because of
the fact that there are only three (3) scripture passages that tell
us anything about Melchisedec, they are:
1. Genesis 14:17-24
2. Psalm 110:4
3. Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20;
7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17, 21
SIMPLE GODLY ORDER
Hebrews 7:21, The LORD
sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever
after the Order of Melchisedec) (KJV)
JESUS became a priest
(was made a high priest) after the Order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:20, made an
high priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec.
(KJV)
Hebrews 7:11, If therefore
perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the
people received the law,) what further need was there that
another priest should rise after the Order of Melchisedec,
and not be called after the Order of Aaron? (KJV)
PRIESTLY ORDER OF AARON
Aaron received his law
and Order from his knowledge of the name/nature of
YAHWEH, but JESUS received his law and Order
from His knowledge of the name/nature of His Father
EL ELYON (Most High God). There is a big difference
between the two Orders and between the two name/natures
of the one God.
Almost every Bible student has
tried to reconcile the God of love, mercy, and peace with the
God who hardens hearts, wounds, and kills whole nations of
people. You don’t even have to be a Bible student to think about
that question. Almost everyone has. Perhaps this will help because
it all depends upon which Order you are in.
WHY US?
Long ago, before the
foundation of the earth, our God chose a group of Spirits
to go from heaven to earth, and do His will at the end of this
present age. His will is for them to help people adapt to the
changes at the beginning of the new age. He gave them His grace,
and purpose, and script. Now they are here to do His will, not
their own will. The conflict between His will and their own will
accounts for most of their present problems. A group will overcome
the last enemy -- death.
This is very important to us
because the people who do overcome the last enemy, death,
will become priests after the Order of Melchisedec who
was a priest of EL ELYON (the Most High God).
JESUS did it and He encouraged us to stand as candidates to do
it, too.
Most of the present religious
systems in this world have understandings of the name/nature
of God as YAHWEH (the God of Israel). YAHWEH
brings law, judgment, condemnation, punishment, and death,
through the Order of the Aaronic priesthood. That means the
Old Testament. Most of us who have been involved in religious
denominations know that those systems of religious thinking bring
war, not peace. It is no wonder that the world is in the
present mess.
The New Religion that
our God is establishing at this time will have a
consciousness of the name/nature of God as
EL ELYON (Most High God). They will be led by the
Spirit of EL ELYON (Most High God), not
exclusively by the law of YAHWEH, the God of
Israel, and they will lead the world into peace.
The whole book of Hebrews
relates to the changes of the law that take place as God
changes His name/nature.
THE LAST ENEMY -- DEATH OF
THE BODY
The Christian who wants to
overcome the last enemy, which is death, desires to know
God as JESUS knew Him. JESUS became a priest
after the Order of Melchisedec, who knew God as
EL ELYON, the Most High God. JESUS and
Melchisedec entered the EL ELYON priesthood through the
power of an endless life. Those who overcome the last enemy
-- death -- will do it the same way. They will enter an
endless life here on this earth. They won’t wait to go to heaven.
They will bring heaven to earth. They will have a balanced
knowledge of all of the names/natures and attributes of
God. They will walk in that knowledge, and they will be
priests of EL ELYON (the Most High God). They will
live, and love, and bring heaven to earth.
THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS
LIFE
The subtitle to our lesson is
THE POWER OF AN Endless
Life. We are not talking about dying and going
to heaven. Many churches teach you that eternal life is to live in
heaven after you die. That Church teaching is true for the
Spirit but it is not true for the Soul and the
Body.
YOUR SPIRIT WAS SAVED
Your Spirit has already
come into eternal life because of what our LORD JESUS CHRIST
did. The Spirit is that part of man that returns to heaven if
a man dies.
Ecclesiastes 12:7, Then
shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the Spirit
shall return unto God who gave it. (KJV)
YOUR SOUL IS BEING SAVED
How many said “yes,” to
JESUS, but how many still get stupid thoughts? Yes! We all
do. We were saved! Even after we give our hearts to JESUS,
we still get some pretty dumb, stupid, ignorant thoughts.
Christians still get dumb thoughts because the Holy Spirit is
still working on the Souls of Christians who are already
saved in their Spirit.
The Bible says your Spirit
is already perfected by the blood of JESUS CHRIST. All of
your past sins are forgiven. Then the Bible tells us after that, we
are to receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to
save our Souls (not Spirit).
James 1:21, Wherefore lay
apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive
with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your
Souls. (written to people who were already saved)
(KJV)
Some churches teach that the
Soul is already saved, but that is not what the Bible
says. James 1:21 was written to people who are already saved in
Spirit. It says to get your Soul saved through the
engrafted word.
A NEW AND DIFFERENT ORDER
The Old Testament states that
all priests had to come from the tribe of Levi but we know that
JESUS came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. We can
find nothing in the Old Testament to indicate that any priest would
ever come from Judah.
JESUS became a priest
after a different Order than the Levitical Order (the
usual Order). That opens the door of possibility for us who
may not be from the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron.
It is possible for us to become a priest of EL ELYON after a
different Order from Levi.
Hebrews 7:15-17, And it is
yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made,
not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the
power of an endless life.
17 For he
testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the Order of
Melchisedec. (KJV)
So this other priest is going
to be like Melchisedec, the EL ELYON priest, rather
than like the Levitic/Aaronic priests of YAHWEH.
OVERCOME DEATH
Next, the Bible tells us how
we know when a priest is of the Order of
Melchisedec. It is the power of an endless life
that makes a priest of the Order of Melchisedec.
TRY TO NOT DIE
Some people who are reading
this book have the power and potential to overcome the last enemy ‑‑
death!
1 Corinthians 15:26, The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (KJV)
You could be one who destroys
death. When you do overcome death you will enter the
Melchisedec Order through the power of an endless
life.
There will be a generation
that does overcome death. Why not you!
OVERCOME DEATH -- LIVE
JESUS said, “to him
that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.”
Revelation 3:21, To him
that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in
his throne. (KJV)
Can you imagine any body
sitting with JESUS in the throne of God and
then dying? It doesn’t fit our understanding of theology. I pray
that each one of our students will go through the changes that are
necessary, so that they can stay around to the end of this age. I
pray you will live through the next new age (the millennium) also.
INTRODUCING MELCHISEDEC
We will study the first story
in the Bible about Melchisedec the priest of EL ELYON.
Genesis 14:17-24, And the
king of Sodom went out to meet him (Abram/Abraham) after his return
from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with
him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
18 And
Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine:
and he was the priest of EL ELYON (the Most High God).
19 And he blessed
him (Abram/Abraham), and said, Blessed be Abram of EL ELYON
(the Most High God), possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be
EL ELYON (the Most High God), which hath delivered
thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
21 And the king of
Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to
thyself.
22 And Abram said
to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD,
EL ELYON (the Most High God), the possessor of heaven and
earth,
23 That I will not
take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take
any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram
rich:
24 Save only that
which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which
went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
(KJV)
Melchisedec was King of
Salem. (Salem means peace.) Most Bible students believe he was
King of Jeru-SALEM. You can see that the word Jerusalem is a
composite of the word Salem with the section Jeru added to the front
of Salem. Years later Jerusalem became a Jebusite city and even
later, the Capitol city for King David and Solomon.
TWICE KING
Melchi (from Melchi-sedec)
means king. Sedec (from Melchi-sedec) also means
righteousness. So that’s why it says in Hebrews that Melchisedec
was the king of righteousness, and the king of peace. He’s
the king of two realms. Melchisedec was priest of EL ELYON
(the Most High God), who is the possessor of heaven and
earth. Melchisedec was not a priest of YAHWEH,
the God of Israel. The name/nature of the God
of Israel, YAHWEH, did not appear until a long time
after the day that Abraham met Melchisedec.
Exodus 6:2-3, And
ELOHIM (God) spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am
YAHWEH (the LORD):
3 And I appeared
unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of
EL SHADDAI (God Almighty), but by my name
YAHWEH (JEHOVAH) was I not known to them. (KJV)
Our God changed
His name.
The Names of God,
EL ELYON, YAHWEH, ELOHIM, EL SHADDAI,
and ELOAH describe the various name/natures of the
one and only same true God. See earlier chapters of this
book for a massive description of the various Names of God.
If you are thinking of the
God of the obedient temporal world, the best representation
would be JESUS CHRIST, because He is God manifest in
the flesh.
For example, JESUS
performed all of the natural acts of a human being, like drinking a
cup of water.
JESUS told us that
ELOHIM is Spirit.
John 4:24, God is a
Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
Spirit. (KJV)
Spirits don’t drink a
cup of water. So when God put on a physical BODY His
name/nature became JESUS CHRIST.
TWICE POSSESSOR
EL ELYON (Most High
God) is possessor of heaven and earth. He possesses both the
Spiritual (heavenly) and temporal (earthly) realms. So
what did Melchisedec, the priest of EL ELYON (the
God of earthly possessions), give to Abraham? Something in the
physical (not Spiritual) realm!
If you had been in a battle as
Abraham was, fighting a war against five kings (or generals) and
then came back dirty, thirsty and tired, what would you like to
have? Something to eat and drink in the physical realm! At
that time you would not be very interested in receiving some
great Spiritual truth or revelation. Melchisedec
ministered to Abram, met his present personal need, and nourished
him out of his own possession for he was the possessor
of heaven and earth.
The study of earthly
possessions is important because the destiny of those who
overcome the last enemy -- death -- is to possess and
rule the world. This will be done in mercy.
RICH KING -- POOR KING
Our destiny is to grant
mercy but we cannot give a bowl of soup, in mercy, until we
possess an extra bowl of soup. You’ll not be able to
give bread and wine until you possess extra bread and wine.
In times past, we were mistakenly taught the idea that in order to
be a good Christian you would have to be poor. I’ve heard it said,
“JESUS had no pillow on which to place his head.” The
implication was, we don’t need a pillow either. These thoughts are
often introduced just before the offering. After all, JESUS
said it is harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Matt. 19:24).
Abraham was very rich. So
were Jacob and Job. When you read the blessings of Job you find he
was one of the richest men in the world and he had twice as much
after his troubles were over. If you are going to be a king, you
have to have affluency in the physical realm.
Revelation 5:10, And hast
made us unto our God kings and priests: and we
shall reign on the earth. (KJV)
You are going to become a
king and priest so you will have to have something extra
beyond what you need, so you can give things away, with mercy.
All Israel shall obtain
mercy through your mercy.
Romans 11:31, Even so have
these also now not believed, that through your mercy they
also may obtain mercy. (KJV)
How shall Israel obtain
mercy? By your mercy!
Romans 11:26, And so all
Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of
Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (KJV)
So all Israel shall be saved.
What shall bring about the salvation of all Israel? Your mercy!
How can I be merciful if I
don’t have an extra loaf of bread, or an extra bowl of soup? I
hesitate to mention an extra bottle of wine (like Melchisedec
gave to Abraham) because I wouldn’t want to offend anybody.
You have to have an over
abundance to be affluent and be a king.
Abram gave Melchisedec
tithes of all the battle.
There may be a little
Spiritual clue here concerning the next time you or I may need
some more possessions. EL ELYON (Most High God)
gave physical possessions to Abraham and what did Abraham
give back? He gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest
of EL ELYON.
Abraham returned
possessions for possessions. This transaction was purely
physical. I don’t object to spiritualizing many things in
the Bible, but I don’t think that this section is especially
Spiritual. It seems very physical to me. It is a
reminder that tithing from the physical realm is quite proper.
Experience proves that tithing is good money management.
Melchisedec said that
EL ELYON (the Most High God) was the one who
provided the victory, not Abraham.
MELCHISEDEC IN THE PSALM
After the Genesis story there
is one other mention of Melchisedec in the Old Testament. He
is mentioned the second time in Psalm 110:4. It is rather
interesting that the Old Testament only mentions Melchisedec
twice. The New Testament makes mention of him a lot more often.
Psalm 110:4, The LORD hath
sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the
Order of Melchizedek. (KJV)
Christian literature
universally agrees that this prophecy refers to JESUS CHRIST.
In reference to JESUS
CHRIST, Psalm 110:4 was quoted four different times in the book
of Hebrews; i.e., 5:6, 6:20, 7:17 and 7:21.
Here is the whole Psalm which
shows the context of the subject quote.
Psalm 110:1-7, <<A Psalm of
David.>> YAHWEH (the LORD) said unto my ADON (LORD), Sit thou
at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 YAHWEH
(the LORD) shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou
in the midst of thine enemies.
3 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.
4 YAHWEH
(the LORD) hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for
ever after the Order of Melchizedek.
5 YAHWEH
(the LORD) at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day
of his wrath.
6 He shall judge
among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he
shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink
of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. (KJV)
Very few writers expand the
thought and continue with the idea that the Body of CHRIST
also is prophesied to enter the same Melchisedec priesthood,
through the same power of an endless life. Perhaps the
reason is that the thought of an endless life was not
timely as far as the past writers were concerned. There is a
generation that will overcome the last enemy --
death -- and it’s time to look into it, now.
SO WHO’S PERFECT?
Hebrews 7:11, If therefore
perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the
people received the law,) what further need was there that another
priest should rise after the Order of Melchisedec, and not be
called after the Order of Aaron? (KJV)
How many of you have wondered
why JESUS was not after the Order of Levi? If
you were God, wouldn’t you make the Messiah come out of
Levi? Most people would answer, “yes.” So we see a conflict in
natural versus Spiritual thinking.
Now we shall read the subject
quotes in the N.T.
MELCHISEDEC AND JESUS IN
THE N.T.
Hebrews 5:6, As he saith
also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the Order
of Melchisedec. (KJV)
Hebrews 5:10, Called of
God an high priest after the Order of Melchisedec. (KJV)
Hebrews 6:20, Whither the
forerunner is for us entered, even JESUS, made an high priest
for ever after the Order of Melchisedec. (KJV)
Hebrews 7:17, For he
testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the Order of
Melchisedec. (KJV)
Hebrews 7:21, (For those
priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that
said unto him, The LORD sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest
for ever after the Order of Melchisedec) (KJV)
MELCHIZEDEK AND ABRAHAM
We shall now review some of
the things we have learned about Melchizedek by means of this
outline.
Concerning Melchizedek,
Genesis 14 teaches us that:
·
Melchizedek
was alive at the time of Abraham around 1913 B.C.
·
Melchizedek
was the priest of EL ELYON the Most High God.
·
Melchizedek
is a king and a priest.
·
Melchizedek
gave physical gifts:
a. Bread and wine,
b. Provided life for
the Body.
·
Melchizedek
received tithes.
·
Melchizedek
is king of Peace (Salem).
·
The Hebrew word
“Melech” means “king.”
·
The word “tsedek”
means “righteousness.”
ETYMOLOGY
Etymology teaches us that:
·
Melchizedek
means “king of righteousness.”
·
Melchizedek
is both:
a. King of righteousness, and
b. King of peace.
c. Melchizedek is
King of Jerusalem.
The word “Salem” means
peace. The city of Jerusalem means city of peace.
MELCHISEDEC FOR EVER
Now we will look at more
detail concerning the word “for ever,” as it applies to
Melchisedec.
Psalm 110:4, The LORD hath
sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever
after the Order of Melchizedek. (KJV)
This says that Melchizedek
is the head of an Order of priests who will live for ever.
For ever is eternal existence.
Hebrews 7:3, (Referring to
Melchisedec) 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.
(KJV)
In Hebrew there are three main
words that have been translated into our English word, “FOR EVER."
FIRST FOREVER
FOR EVER - 05769 `owlam
{o-lawm’} or `olam {o-lawm’}
from 05956; TWOT -- 1631a; n m
concealed, vanishing point,
time out of mind.
AV - ever 272, everlasting 63,
old 22, perpetual 22, evermore 15, never 13, time 6, ancient 5,
world 4, always 3, alway 2, long 2, more 2, never + 0408 2, misc 6;
439
1) long duration, antiquity,
futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting,
evermore, perpetual, old,
ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time
(of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence,
perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite
or unending future, eternity
SECOND FOREVER
FOR EVER - 05703 `ad
{ad}
a peremptory (peremptory --
putting an end to) terminus, a duration.
from 05710; TWOT -- 1565a; n
m, a prim. root, to advance
AV - ever 41, everlasting 2,
end 1, eternity 1, ever + 05769 1, evermore 1, old 1, perpetually 1;
49
1) perpetuity, for ever,
continuing future
1a) ancient (of past time)
1b) for ever (of future
time)
1b1) of continuous existence
1c) for ever (of God’s
existence)
THIRD FOREVER
FOR EVER -- 05331 netsach
{neh’-tsakh} or netsach {nay’-tsakh} a goal, that is the bright
object at a distance traveled toward.
from 05329; TWOT -- 1402a; n
m, to glitter from afar.
AV -- ever 24, never 4,
perpetual 3, always 2, end 2, victory 2, strength 2, alway 1,
constantly 1, evermore 1, never + 03808 1; 43
1) eminence, perpetuity,
strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness
1a) eminence
1b) enduring of life
1c) endurance in time,
perpetual, continual, unto the end
1d) everlastingness, ever
Strong’s says,
FOR EVER ‑‑ 5769, OLAM, concealed, vanishing point, time out of
mind, (infinity). From this definition of FOR EVER we can
conclude that Melchisedec existed from before infinity
and will exist after infinity. Since there are many ages
spoken of in the Bible, I conclude that Melchisedec predates
all former ages and will exist even after all future
ages.
It should be mentioned that if
the Hebrew writer would have selected AD rather than OLAM
then that would have indicated an existence for a very long
duration, even for an age or several ages. That would infer that an
end would eventually come, though for all intents and purposes the