Melchisedec and the Lamb of God
Extracts from: Revelation Chapter 1;
Chp. 1 v.13.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the (a)Son of Man, (b)clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden (c)girdle.
(a) The Lord in relation to the Earth, (Comp. App. 98 XV1). The Son of man title, links to His Earthly ministry, when He used the same title of Himself, it did not reach culmination, due to denial of Him by His people Israel. On this yet future occasion, He will re-appear when Israel is all but lost, and then they will look on “Him who they pierced”, (Zech. 12:10) and will mourn Him and recognise Him, and the Millennial Reign will start; after He has judged the Nations; (Matt. 25:46).
(b) These refer to His High Priestly garments, denoting that He is taking up His position as Priest/King of the Jews in Israel and the whole Earth’s population. In Gen. 14, there is the remarkable and beautiful account of Abram’s return from the slaughter of the kings (many of whom were Nephilim, mistranslated “Giants” in K.J. Version). He is met by the King of Salem, later called Jerusalem; (Melchisedec) with bread and wine for sustenance and probably celebration; also pointing to the “New Covenant” in Christ and His shed Blood, prophesied in Jer. 31! In Psm. 110:4; Almighty God states to Christ, who is at His right hand, that He is as Melchisedec “for ever”. “For ever” is the Age referring to the “Kingdom Age” (Millennial). The meaning is Christ as King Priest at that time, not of the Tribe of Aaron; but of Judah! (“The Lion of the Tribe of Judah” Rev. 5:5).
The whole of Psm. 110 (and Psm. 2) speaks clearly of the transition of Israel from downtrodden Nation on the brink of destruction, to willing (v.3) servants of the “King of kings”. The “King of kings” will “execute” many leaders (Psm. 110: 5-7); in His start to the new order for the “Kingdom Age”; which is referred to, “as a rod of iron”, (Psm. 2:9 & Rev. 2:27)!
The fact of Israel’s conversion to Christ Jesus Messiah has to do with the timing of the Father; see Zech. 12:10; and is linked to the timing of the ending of “Jacob’s Trouble” at the end of the last 7 years of Dan. 9:27, (see: The 490 years Prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel).
It is possibly mainly referring to “Jeshuran” (Deut. 32:15; 33:5; 33:26 & Isa. 44)! “Jeshuran” means = “upright” or “ideal”. The much quoted “and all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26) is much debated as to the meaning (Ezek. 37:11-14 & Amos 9:9-12)! That it refers to Israel and not “the Church”, is self-evident, as the “true Church”, the Body of Christ has by that time been “Raptured” according to 1Cor. 15:51 and Salvation by faith in the “Blood of Christ” (The Body of Jesus), has ended! (See: Replacement Theology (Spiritual Israel)?).
When considering the above, and the first mention of Melchisedec, so early in the Bible; it almost seems to be out of place, when considering what follows for many centuries up to the writing by John of Rev. 1:13; which is approx. 2,000 years, later.
Also considering this first mention in Gen. 14:18-20, and what follows in Gen. 15, when God commits to His Covenant with Abram, and his seed; it is seen that Abram’s faith in God is beginning to be rewarded, which has its later fulfilment in the restoration of Israel as per Zech. 12:10 and onward approx. 4,000 years later (current date 2019)!
The name of Melchisedec is a combination of two Hebrew words (Melik = King) and (Tsede = righteousness) i.e. = “King of Righteousness”.
A Bible teacher recently gave his opinion, that Almighty God was in this Gen. 14 account, showing His early planning of the future ruling on Earth from Jerusalem of His Second Person (Christ Jesus); as the other references in the Bible show! (Psm. 110; Heb. 5:6-11 & 7:20). To these comments we agree!
As all the above was given to Abram prior to the Law of God (known as the “Mosaic Law”); it is clearly meant to be understood as pertaining to the future as well as the past. The Mosaic Law forbad the Office of King and Priest in one person, therefore until Zech. 12:10 the “Law” is in effect; and the “King Priest” could not be embodied in one person! That is still the case as Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah twice, at the trial before Pilate Jesus spoke of Himself; (Luke 19:14 and 27); and after Acts 28:25-28; which was the ending of Paul’s efforts with the Synagogues, and after which the Jews became “Lo-Ammi” (not My people) Acts 4:12 & 28:25-28; temporarily! They therefore adhere to the “Torah” (see: Jewish Scriptures: ), and will not be free of the Law until at least Zech. 12:10! According to Ezekiel, in Chapters 35-48, the Restoration of Israel and the building of the Millennial Temple has a meaning beyond Zech. 12:10 for the Jews of Israel, who were not “Redeemed”!
It is the opinion at present of the writers that as mentioned those of “right heart”, and “faith” in God as they understood it, from Eden to Zech. 12:10; have their “covered” sin converted to “redeemed”! Those people who see Messiah at Zech. 12:10, even non-religious Jews and accept Him, will need to understand the depth and detail of their perversions and rejections of God’s love towards them, as sons of Abraham! When reading the detail in Ezek. 35 to 48, they will be reminded throughout the whole of the “Kingdom Age” (Millennial), and their lives could be to 1,000 years! The Temple is one seventh bigger than Solomon’s; the number 8 points to a new beginning for them all! This also is a witness to the “Hosts of Heaven” (Eph. 3:10) in culmination of His Person; LOVE! (See: Love (Ultimate);)
Provision is here also being given and shown to those people of faith from Adam onwards, up to Abraham onwards, up to the Cross of Jesus’ shed Blood; that they had “covering” for sins; which after Jesus’ resurrection would convert to “Redemption” when they were resurrected! The basic requirement of “faith” is quoted in Habakkuk 2:4; and Heb. 11!
For all these people of faith, from Adam up to the Cross of Christ’s Sacrifice; the remedy shown is “covering” (not Redemption) of their sin by their faith, and their hearts being correctly directed on God/Christ. The Hebrew word for covering is “KAPAR”; (Strongs 3722); and as Israel rejected Christ and His Blood Sacrifice at Acts 28:25-28, their Redemption is delayed until Zech. 12:10; which is at the end of “Jacob’s Trouble”! (The Hebrew word for “Redemption” is PDUT or PLUT; Strongs 6304).
When Christ Jesus returns at the Zech. 12:10 point in time; He will save at least His Remnant “Jeshuran” from annihilation by their enemies, and judge the Nations of the world as to how they treated His people Israel (Matt. 25:31-36); prior to Ruling the world from Jerusalem (with a rod of iron), for 1,000 years as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” in the “Order of Melchisedec” (Psm. 110:4)!
Conclusion: the fact of the “provision” provided by God for “faithful” people from Eden to Christ’s first Advent; and beyond up to His second Advent for wayward Israel; points to the link between the first “Righteous King” of Jerusalem; and the second and Ultimate King of kings of Jerusalem (Jehovah Zebaoth); being one and the same!
Further linkage is shown in the narrative of Gen. 14:18-20; which points to the “New Covenant” of Jer. 31:31-34 and Luke 22:19-20; by the offering from Melchisedec to Abram of bread and wine after he had successfully fought the “Kings” (i.e. Nephilim), see: Nephilim; these promised Covenants were to Israel; and the “Kingdom” hope and promise of Jesus to Israel (& Judah). When Israel rejected Christ Messiah’s offer for the second time at Acts 28:25-28; Paul turned to the Gentiles, and his Message was the same as Martin Luther rediscovered approx.1,600 years later; "Salvation is in the shed Blood of Christ Jesus, and is the free gift of Almighty God, for those that believe”. Faith in Christ Jesus’s death and resurrection gave (gives) access to the unique "Body of Christ”, paraphrased; (Acts 20:28; Col. 1:20; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:14; Heb. 9:22; 1Jhn. 1:7, Heb. 10:19; Heb. 13:12; Lev. 17:11; Luke 22:20; Mth. 26:28; Rev. 1:5; Rev. 7:14; Rev. 12:11; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 3:24-25; 1Pet. 1:18-19; Heb. 10:6-9 & 1Cor. 11:24-25.
Science has discovered that the blood of the foetus is that of the father of a child. This interesting discovery gives new meaning to all the mentions of blood in the Bible. The shed Blood of Christ on Calvary’s Cross is therefore the blood of The Heavenly Father vicariously (Lev. 17:11); which gives new meaning to the event in Gen. 22:8 "God will provide Himself a Lamb”! Also when the Millennial Reign is current “Their Name (i.e. The Father and The Son) shall be One” Zech. 14:9!
The title “Jehovah Zebaoth” is Jehovah God of all Earth’s peoples, and "God of Host” (App. 4 Companion Bible). This conclusion is confirmed in Heb. 7:4 by Paul, and by King David in Psm. 110:4. This shows in the first mention of Melchisedec; and in the culmination of the Millennial, that Almighty God always has care and concern for His Creation but never interferes in the free-will of His people. (See: Free-Will:).
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