MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD - POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE
THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
Hebrews – Chapter 7
THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
The writer of Hebrews has mentioned Melchizedek several times. Now he begins a full-blown discussion of him and his relation to Christ. The fact that the writer devotes three chapters to the order of Melchizedek denotes how important it is that we understand the High Priestly Ministry of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Hebrews provides the primary scriptural basis for the study of Melchisedec, for this letter reveals the principles of the more excellent ministry.
There are a people who are passing over and many have passed over into a new order of ministry. They are moving beyond the outer court, through the Holy Place, and are passing over the threshold of the rent veil into the Holiest of all. Like Joseph, their branch will go over the wall (Gen. 49:22).
The more excellent ministry is simply the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ from the Most Holy Place after the order (manner or similitude) of Melchisedec.
The Bible reveals the more excellent ministry to be the same as:
- The High Priestly ministry (Heb. Ch. 4-10).
- The King-Priest ministry (Rev. 1:6; 5:10).
- The faithful priesthood (1 Sam 1-4)
- The Zadok priesthood (Ez. 44)
- The royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2)
- The priesthood with Urim and Thummim (Ezra 2).
- The priesthood of Melchisedec (Heb. 5-7)
The subject of the sixth chapter of Hebrews is the realm, of “perfection” in the Most Holy Place. Heb. 6:1 “…Let us go on unto perfection…” (19)”…which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil…”
The 7th Chapter of Hebrews reveals nine major principles concerning the Melchisedec priesthood:
- This ministry is that of a prophet, priest, and king.
- This ministry is unlimited.
- This ministry is energized by the source of an endless life.
- This ministry is eternal.
- This ministry is immutable or unchangeable.
- This ministry is universal, flowing unto all men.
- This ministry springs from Judah, or praise.
- This ministry brings perfection.
- This ministry puts away the curse of the law, namely, sin, sickness, poverty, and death.
Jesus was a Prophet, Priest, and King. All three offices meet in Him. The ministry of Jesus is unlimited. There is nothing in heaven, or in earth, or under the earth, which will not bow to Him. His is a ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The ministry of Jesus flows out of His resurrection life. The same Spirit that raised Him from the dead quickens His people. This life (“Zoe” in Greek) is uncreated and incorruptible. The ministry of Jesus is eternal. It will never end, for He will never end. Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end.
The ministry of Jesus is universal, ministering to all men without prejudice or partiality. The ministry of Jesus springs out of Judah, which means “praise”. Praise and worship are the key to the flow of the Spirit today. Minstrels are being raised up throughout the land. He is sending Judah first.
The ministry of Jesus brings perfection. The law could bring nothing to conclusion. Only the New Covenant in His blood can complete God’s plan and bring to completion His design for the Church. He has begun a good work in us, and He will perfect that which concerns us.
The ministry of Jesus Christ put away the curse of the law. He is our Redeemer; being made a curse of us, for cursed is every one that hangs on a tree. Sin, sickness, poverty, and death are under the feet of the Head of the Church.
Sue Baird. Teacher at Praise Tabernacle did a study concerning Melchisedec. She first noted that Abraham was “refreshed” after the first battle with the Mesopotamian kings, and then “readied” for the second battle of Gen. 14 (with the king of Sodom). He was encouraged in the meeting with Melchisedec, who gave him bread, beverage (wine), and blessing. These are the marks of the more excellent ministry after the order of Melchisedec:
- State of royalty – powerful—(Heb. 7: 1-2) “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; 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.”
- Sacred –priestly (Heb 7: 1-2). He was first a king and then a priest. This must be the order. Jesus cannot be our Priest until He is our Lord. This produces the state of Salem, or peace (Phil. 4:7) “And the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- Steadfastness---permanent—(Heb. 7:3, 17, 21, 24, 28). 7:3: “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abides a priest continually.” (Vs. 17) “For He testifies, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Vs. 21) (For those priests were made without an oath; but his with an oath by Him that said to Him, the Lord swears and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Vs.24) “But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.” (Vs. 28) “For the law makes men high priests which have infirmity (weakness); but the word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son, who is consecrated forever more.” The Bible gives Melchisedec no genealogy (no roots). He is the Ancient of days, the great I AM. (Heb. 7:16) “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” (Heb. 13:8) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.”
- Similitude of Jesus---perfect (Heb. 7:3, 26, 28; 5:9; Psa. 110:4). 7:26: “For such a high priest became us), who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” (Heb. 5:9) “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him.”
- Springs from Judah---praise or praiseworthy (Heb. 7:14; 13:15; Matt. 1:1; Lk. 3:23; Psa. 145; Rev. 5: 10-12) Heb. 7:14: “for it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” Heb. 13:15: “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”
- Superior order---preeminent (Heb. 7: 9-14, 22; Col. 1:18) This better Priesthood is greater than that of Aaron, which was limited and in-part (Heb. 7: 4-6). “Now consider how great this man was to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.”
- Singleness of eye---not prejudiced (Heb. 7:3). Abraham was not yet circumcised (Gen. 17: 9-14; Lk. 11:34; Jn. 8:12) 1 Tim. 2: 4-6: “”Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
- Separated from sin, sickness, poverty and death---purged (Heb. 7: 3, 16, 23-24; Jn. 8:51; 11:36; 2 Tim 1:10; 11 Cor. 6: 14-7:1). Heb. 23-24: “And they truly were made priests, because they were not permitted to continue by reason of death; but this man, because He continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.”
- Servant to man---prayerful --Heb. 7:25: “Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 9:24) “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figure of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
The name of God that is related to the order of Melchisedec is “The Most High God” (Gen. 14:18). This Name points to the highest realm and order of ministry, the Most Holy Place. The Hebrew word for this name is “El-Elyon.” The word for “burnt offering” or “ascending offering” is “Olah” and is the same word family as “El-Elyon”.
God received one hundred percent (Rom. 12: 1-2) “I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
God is calling forth a ministry who will give all, and remain worshippers in every circumstance, especially as the smoke rises from the holocaust of personal pride and ambition. El-Elyon is the God who possesses heaven and earth, the God of fullness within the veil.
The prophet Daniel saw a day in which the saints of the Most High possessed the Kingdom. These most high saints will know the reality of the Most Holy Place and the more excellent ministry.
The kingdom and dominion shall be given
To the saints of the Most High;
It is an everlasting one, I speak of life,
For they shall never die.
The covenant I made shall stand,
Death disannulled by My own hand,
And with mercy I will pass over
Those I’ve tried.
This remnant seed that I’ve preserved
Shall soon be seen upon the earth,
And My glory rests
On the saints of the Most high.
What is said about the Lord Jesus Christ in the epistle to the Hebrews applies in principle to His church. 1 Jn. 4:17: “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.”
The More excellent ministry is:
A ministry without condemnation, without prejudice; without walls; without retaliation; without profanity and without idolatry. The more excellent ministry operates according to the power of the creative, spoken word and flows in two primary directions: (1) Forgiveness; (2) Blessing.
Somebody is going to follow Jesus all the way and sit down with Him in His throne, His love-seat (Rev. 3:21). These will identify with His ministry of mercy and compassion. Theirs is a ministry of purity, a ministry that knows only to give. The law of love is giving.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jesus rent the veil and sat down at the right hand of the Father. There is a people who are following Him in fullness of faith and obedience. These will follow the Lamb at any cost. They love not their lives unto the death.
The Christ nature, the new nature is within you, and the Kingdom is within you. There is a “prophet” in every Spirit-filled Christian. That does not mean that all are operating in the ministry-gift of the office of Prophet. However, there is a prophetic anointing in the hearts of God’s people. A prophet is God’s mouth piece and sits in the council of God. There is an anointing, an ability within each of us to declare God unto men.
The LORD uses the Prophet to proclaim what is happening in Heaven to be released on earth.
There is a “priest” in every Spirit-filled Christian. A priest is one who brings men unto God. There is a priestly anointing, an ability within each of us to release the mercy and compassion of the Lord, to love people and bring them to Jesus.
There is a “king” in every Spirit-filled Christian. A king is one who rules in the Name of the Lord. Where the word of a king is, there is power. There is a kingly anointing, an ability within us to rise up and take authority over our circumstances in the Name of Jesus.
The Christ within is a prophet, priest, and king.
Luke 17: 20-21: “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, the kingdom of God comes not with observation; Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
- The prophet speaks, producing righteousness – out of the belly (John 7:38)
- The priest speaks, producing peace---Out of the sanctuary (Ez. 47: 1-12).
- The King speaks, producing joy---out of the throne (Rev. 22: 1-2)
All this is within us. Christ is the image of God (11 Cor. 4:4). The image is in the seed (1 Pet. 1:23). All that the King is, and all that the King does is in us. The dispensation of the grace of God is seen and understood in Co. 1: 25-29. He has poured the Spirit of His Son into our hearts that we might become containers and then dispensers of the life of God (11 Cor. 3:6). When the Holy Ghost came in, He brought a prophet, priest and king!
John 7:38: “he that believes on me as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
This is the Jubilee Ministry on the other side of the wilderness. The More excellent ministry after the order of Melchisedec brings correction, adjustment, restoration, and deliverance in this age and the ages to come. This order is being released on the earth now to the “overcomer”. In Hebrews 7:16, is the Greek verb “made” “ginomai” which shows that this ministry is “becoming”. This is true concerning the ministry of Jesus and His Church.
7;16: “Who is made (becoming), not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”
Jesus is our Mercy-seat. He is the lid to Jacob’s well. The familiar story in the fourth chapter of John shows a Well on the well. He will no longer allow us to draw from the Jacob nature. We will have to move Him aside to get to the bitter water. Like the woman of Samaria, we have been married to five husbands, our five natural senses. We have walked after the flesh, and not the Spirit. Not being satisfied, we have gone on to flirt with number six, representing all that appeals to man. Now we are meeting the Seventh Man, the Perfect Man, the Lord from heaven. He is showing us how to show mercy. Drop your water pot and become a water pot. Lower yourself into Him and then run into the city with the good news.
The ministry of Jesus Christ is to all men. He is the Pattern for all who share His administration of forgiveness and blessing. He who was the Prince of Peace, the recipient of peace, has now become the King of Peace, the Administrator of Peace. In like manner the Christ who indwells us is a King. .
The Melchisedec Priesthood is interpreted as King of righteousness and King of Peace.
Taught by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from K.J.V. Text paraphrased from the More Excellent Ministry by: Kelly Varner with quotes from Sue Baird.
Carolyn Sissom – Bible Study, January 3, 2012