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“Melchizedek, Christ’s Representative.–God has never left Himself without witness on the earth. At one time Melchisedek represented the Lord Jesus Christ in person, to reveal the truth of heaven, and perpetuate the law of God” [Letter 190, 1905] [SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 1 page 1092-3] |
“It was Christ that spoke through Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Melchizedek was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in the world, the representative of the Father. And all through the generations of the past, Christ has spoken; Christ has led His people, and has been the light of the world. When God chose Abraham as a representative of His truth, He took him out of his country, and away from his kindred, and set him apart. He desired to mold him after His own model. He desired to teach him according to His own plan. The mold of the world’s teachers was not to be upon him. He was to be taught how to command his children and his household after him, to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. This is the work that God would have us do. He would have us understand how to govern our families, how to control our children, how to command our households to keep the way of the Lord.” [1888 Materials, pages 533/534] [1 Selected Messages 409 par. 3] [Review & Herald – February 18, 1890 par. 10] [SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 1 page 1093] |
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“Many persons will meet all inferior demands and dues, and leave to God only the last gleanings, if there be any. If not, his cause must wait till a more convenient season. Such was not the course pursued by Abraham. Upon his return from a successful military expedition, he was met by Melchizedek, “king of Salem, and priest of the most high God.” This holy man blessed Abraham, in the name of the Lord, and the patriarch gave him tithes of all the spoils as a tribute of gratitude to the Ruler of nations.” [Review & Herald – May 16, 1882 par. 24] |
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“Another who came out to welcome the victorious patriarch was Melchizedek, king of Salem, who brought forth bread and wine for the refreshment of his army. As “priest of the most high God,” he pronounced a blessing upon Abraham, and gave thanks to the Lord, who had wrought so great a deliverance by his servant. And Abraham ‘gave him tithes of all.’” [Patriachs and Prophets page 136] |
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“The high priest was designed in an especial manner to represent Christ, who was to become a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. This order of priesthood was not to pass to another, or be superseded by another.” [The Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 2 page 14] [Redemption: The First Advent of Christ, page 14] [SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7 page 930 par. 12] |
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“Having been both king of Jerusalem and also priest of the Supreme God of heaven and earth, he is set forth as a type of Christ, who also united the office of king and priest in Himself (Ps 110:2-4; Heb 6:20 to 7:21).” [SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 8 page 703] |
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Facts relating to the above texts: |
> 1. At one time Melchisedek represented the Lord Jesus Christ in person. |
Why? – To reveal the truth of heaven, and perpetuate the law of God. |
> 2. Melchizedek was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in the world, the representative of the Father. |
> 3. It was Christ that spoke through Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. |
When God chose Abraham … He took him out of his country … He desired to mold him after His own model. He desired to teach him according to His own plan. |
> 4. Abraham was met by Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem), who brought forth bread and wine. |
NB: Bread and wine was used by Christ when with His disciples and subsequently by His church. |
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Genesis |
14:17: And the king of Sodom went out to meet him 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. |
14:18: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. |
14:19: And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: |
14:20: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. |
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Psalm |
110:2: The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. |
110:3: 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. |
110:4: The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. |
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Hebrews: |
6:20: Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. |
7:1: For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; |
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; |
7:3: 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. |
7:4: Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. |
7:5: 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, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: |
7:6: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. |
7:7: And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. |
7:8: And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. |
7:9: And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. |
7:10: For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. |
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? |
7:12: For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. |
7:13: For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. |
7:14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. |
7:15: And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, |
7:16: Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. |
7:17: For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. |
7:18: For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. |
7:19: For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. |
7:20: And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: |
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🙂 |
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Facts relating to the Biblical texts above: |
> 5. Melchizedek was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. |
NB: No Biblical information being given. |
> 6. Melchizedek was not a Levitical priest; Levi had yet to be born. |
NB: Like Jesus he was not a Levitical priest. |
> 7. His priesthood was everlasting. |
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These 7 facts explain God’s message about Melchizedek. |
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