Melchizedek and Our Rightful Position

Melchizedek and Our Rightful Position

December 31, 2000
Jesus has promised that the latter house will be greater than the former. The former house is the early church that we are to be restored to and according to His promise, the restoration of the "temple made without hands" that the Lord has allowed us to build will be built. Jesus is the Master Builder and we are the workmen; if He will not use us, He will use others but it will be built and restored to its former glory. The Old Testament history of the restoration of the temple at Jerusalem is given as an example for us, a blueprint and plumb line. The scriptures are clear that there will be those that will hinder us in the re-building and we must pray that there are no mistakes for satan and his allies care not for present truth but only to dredge up the past, judge and condemn us. The more that God speaks through us, the more that we will be called false prophets and the more we speak with authority, the more we will be thought of as arrogant. We must be workmen worthy of eternal life and not let hateful people frighten us and spoil it for us.
I want to encourage you today - be strong in the Lord. Many of us are about to enter into much trial and tribulation this year for the purpose of sifting. The enemies of restoration and the sins of the flesh are formed against us but they have no power over you unless you give it to them. Jesus has already given us the victory, the war has already been won; you need to believe that and not be afraid. We are the remnant chosen to bring the completion if indeed you are among those that have been called to it and endure to the end. Are we to refuse the Promised Land because of the giants in the land? Trust in the Lord and He will deliver you.
This discussion of the Melchizedek priesthood is an excellent example of the process involved in the restitution of all things. I see all the responses this time as leading to holiness, so much so that I need to correct some of my former ideas about the priesthood and the we and them mentality. We are to teach each other and you are certainly teaching me and the many others that are on this list. Look at the highlights of what you are saying:

Since Christ called ALL things into being, from the beginning, Melchizedek is of the Priesthood of Jesus.

If we are "in Christ" and Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, then it follows that we also are as Christ because we are "in Christ".

What Christ gets, I get.

So because He is allowed into the holy of holies and I am part of His family, I get to come along.

When God commanded us to be holy, to be perfect, to be pure, to not sin, He is talking to the new man who is already created in righteousness and holiness, who is already perfect, pure, and holy. ....... The only problem is that we have been living in the old man and visiting the new one now and then....... Once sanctified, resurrected with Christ, now comes maturity. Now our minds can be renewed according to the word of God without the defilement of flesh.

How much do we have to believe to be a "believer?" ..... Remember, perfection comes through the Melchizedek priesthood. Jesus wants us completely sanctified. Salvation ultimately comes by accepting the whole program and enduring to the end.

Those who are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

However, I live amongst many Christians who refuse to take their "rightful" places in the body. The seat is available to them but God will not pick you up and levitate you to that seat. He simply sends the invitation and longs for you to show.

The prophesied royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek will become visible as the apostles begin to establish the divine government of God.
There is more. We are equipped to reign as priests and kings, but do we? The restored church is to be an undivided body and pre-denominational as speaking as One. Are we? OK, I take back what I said about us not all being part of the Melchizedek Priesthood by right, I was wrong. If this is part of the new birth, then this is our birthright. We all then, have the privilege to be a part of the Melchizedek Priesthood but the problem is that we do not avail ourselves of this right and privilege. The latter house will be greater than the former but not until we as a body enter into the holy of holies and act as priests and kings. I say it again, NOT UNTIL WE AS A BODY enter into the holy of holies. We are to do more mighty things than Jesus did while He was here on earth but this is a united thing, we have to do it together, we have to love each other and encourage each other, we have to follow Jesus as a group and not running back into the divided house of Babylon that so many have returned to once that we have learned about these things.
We are not to be in the judgment and condemnation as our enemies that fight against us are but rather in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Only then do we take our rightful place in the body, only then will Babylon fall and the Bride be prepared to meet the Bridegroom, only then will we have the power to take dominion and enter into the Kingdom prepared for those that love the Lord and are called to His mercies. Now it's time to start praising the Lord, for these mysteries have been exposed and the wisdom of the ages have been revealed to us; the foundation of apostles and prophets of the new temple have finally been laid with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. Our eyes shall behold the former house as nothing as we manifest the glory and resurrection power that awaits the world as a witness to the majesty of a church without spot or wrinkle.
So in the end, it really does not matter if you are Catholic or Protestant or whatever for we are to put those things behind us and restore the first love. Unless we still want to fight over it and protest more, it is over. Consider your ways, we have to get holy together if you are a part of that remnant that has come out of Babylon. Love is what matters, let those powers of darkness go ahead and judge and condemn the failures of the past. We are hid in that secret place of the holy of holies. You are worthy. Now all we have to do is act like it, claim the victory and work the works of Christ together, then when Jesus appears, we shall also appear with Him in all His glory. Let's bring in the new year by claiming our rightful inheritance. The river is flowing already, we need to step into it and let it immerse us.
We have an excellent foundation, what do we build upon it? Let's discuss what it means to restore the church and do greater works than Jesus. Do you believe it? Do you believe the scriptures? The examples are given in Zechariah, Nehemiah, Ezra and Haggai. Don't take my word for it, search the scriptures to see if these things are true. Where do we go from here?
Again, more maturity in our responses and new voices to take us even higher. This is the meat that we are told to partake of.
Jay

Blessings in the name of Jesus. Brethren, this is another one of those topics which I believe that each Christian must understand in order to come into the fullness of Christ and to live as Him. The Bible says, "For me to live is Christ".
We must understand who we are. As per these discussions, I can see that Christians are not a stupid people (if I can say that), but an intelligent people who are being transformed into the image of Christ (ROM 8:29). Peter says we are a royal priesthood. In ROM 8:17-18, we read that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. This tells me that what Christ gets, I get, if I suffer and be conformed like unto Him. To me this is very simple. It says that if He is a priest, then I am a priest. However, let me say here that a person must judge himself and for himself what level of priesthood he or she is. Just like we have to determine for ourselves our own level of Christianity we are at right now.
It takes a level of maturity to understand many Biblical concepts of who we are in Christ. EPH 4:11 lists the five-fold. These are the attributes of Christ. He has given these to the Church. He is our High Priest. No, I am not THE high priest, but I am a priest. He is our Apostle. I am not THE apostle, but I am an apostle.
I believe this is the only difference between the Melchizedek order (Christ Order) and priestly order in the Body of Christ. Each of us ministers differently as a priest. But we ARE priests (not as a denominational title, but by virtue of attending to priestly duties even in our own households). COL 1:26 tells me that these "mysteries" have already been made known unto all of us (saints). All we have to do is accept it and thank God for it. That's all for now. Comments welcome. Thanks Jay for this site. May the Lord continue to bless you in your ministry.
love in Jesus, Joseph
Ap77joseph@cs.com

Hi Jay, Thanks for the e-mail. I believe.."those who are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." I believe there are two groups of Christians, the bride and the servants. I believe the Melchizedek priesthood represents the bride, but I don't know why.
Marilyn Grandon

Jay, I have read today's replies concerning the Melchisadek priesthood. I am struck by the fact that perfection does not come through the Aaronic priesthood. Perfection comes through the Melchisadek priesthood, i.e. through Jesus' priesthood.
I have trouble declaring that all "believers" are included in the Melchisadek priesthood. How much do we have to believe to be a "believer?" Do we, for example, have to be united? Unity can only come through Christ. How much of Christ's program do we have to accept to come into that unity? Is it adequate just to get "saved" by one time professing that we believe in Him and then keep going to the church where we were "saved" and then going on with life as usual? In scripture salvation depends on accepting the whole program, including conversion, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, accepting the demands of discipleship, walking in humility like Jesus, being totally sanctified. Remember, perfection comes through the Melchisadek priesthood. Jesus wants us completely sanctified. Salvation ultimately comes by accepting the whole program and enduring to the end. Unity also depends on this. We can't come to unity by accepting a little bit of Jesus and the rest from the world.
I don't want to use people who have accepted just a little bit of Christ as an excuse for not accepting His perfection, His totality. I don't know if the Melchisadek priesthood is equivalent to the manifest sons of God, or the male child in Revelation 12. I suspect it may be. I do know that there is a lot more available to us In Christ, of which we have only scratched the surface. I don't believe that any one of us can attain to Christian maturity alone. It will have to be a corporate effort on the part of whoever is to be numbered in the Body of Christ. Let's join together in moving into what He has for us. I need company in my pilgrimage. I am thankful that some of your respondents seem to be hanging in there. This is God's time for us to move into all the God has for us and for the world.
Ed Stube

Jay,
I believe that ultimately we have to look at the purposes of God because everything God does is based on His divine purposes for creation. His promises and the works of His Spirit in us are designed to bring us into His purposes. So I offer the following (also, you can read an article I wrote concerning the three feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles at www.angelfire.com/va2/powerfortoday under messages):

The ultimate purpose of God is to be glorified in all of creation. To this end we were all created and for this purpose we were saved.

Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Isa 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

Since we have no glory of our own, the only way we can glorify God is to have His glory imparted to us. This is accomplished by uniting us to Christ and transfiguring us from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18) as we are conformed to His image. As Christ is revealed through us, as He is lifted up in us, men are drawn to the brightness of His rising thereby glorifying God (John 15:8). His goodness revealed through His people leads people to repentance (Isaiah 60:1-3).

The pattern of God from the beginning of creation has been to dwell in the midst of His people in His fullness or His shekinah presence. We find this with Adam and Eve, the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple of Solomon, and ultimately in Christ made flesh. And when all is said and done, the kingdom of God will be one of His abiding presence among His sons and daughters. To this end, God has created us to be the temples of His shekinah glory - the fullness of Christ. We are all to be brought into the perfect man, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We have settled for less, but God will not settle for less than fullness.

The three feasts of God give us the pattern to bring about the above work - we are to move from salvation to the baptism of the Holy Spirit to vessels of glory for the purpose of bringing in the harvest of God to the glory of God. The argument of 'me and them' is really moot because as the scriptures tells us , all are required to come up to the standard of God, until we all come to the perfect man. Anyone who did not come up to the three feasts was to be cut off from the people. In the same way, anyone who refuses to come into the purposes of God is living in disobedience and is subject to be cut off. John said (John 15:2) that any branch that did not bear fruit was to be cut off and be burned. Jesus said if the tree didn't bear fruit cut it down and let it be burned. In John 8:34-36, Jesus said that anyone who continued in sin was a slave of sin and the slave would not remain in the house forever, only the sons, those who were free from the power of sin and led by the Spirit would remain in the house forever. It is not up to us to judge who is in and who is out because it is based on the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. A perfect heart is not a heart of human perfection but rather a heart of willingness and obedience after God. God knows those who are truly His. 2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Jesus came to fulfill completely the Old Testament. He has already fulfilled the three feasts completely and forever. We have come up to Passover and Pentecost but most have yet to come up to Tabernacles. Each should lead to the other. Salvation leads us to the Holy Spirit baptism and the Holy Spirit leads us to Tabernacles. Tabernacles represents sanctification and the manifestation of the sons of God as well as the restoration of the third day church. Without embracing all three feasts we cannot fulfill God's plan of glory and bring in the great end time harvest.

Justification is a legal work that imputes the righteousness of God to us and removes the wrath of God from us. It only deals with the sins we have committed. It does not deal with the practical side of sin - the sin nature. Through regeneration we are given a new nature, the nature of God created in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24) because you cannot change a nature. So we are left with a nature of sin and a nature of righteousness. And that is where the war begins in our souls - these two natures battling for dominance. It is the war of Ishmael and Isaac. Most of the church is still living in this state of conflict which is why when we look at the church we see a carnal, self seeking, sin bound, defeated, cold, etc. lukewarm people.

This is why there must be tabernacles or sanctification. Sanctification means to make holy. When we are saved we are all made holy in the sense that we are separated to God. Positionally we are holy through Jesus Christ. But that positional holiness must produce experiential holiness or we will be overcome by the wages of sin. Both in the Old Testament and the New Testament we are commanded to be holy in conduct, not just position. To be holy is defined as being dead to the power of sin and alive to God (Romans 6:22) and the end of that holiness is eternal life. Until we are dead to sin we are still slaves to sin and subject to be cut off. The power of Satan is sin and the power of sin is the law. The law works through the flesh or carnal nature. So the only way to be dead to sin is to deal with the carnal nature. The only way to deal with the carnal nature is to circumcise it, crucify it, kill it, or in essence remove its power over us to sin.

Jesus has already crucified the sin nature on the cross of Christ. He has redeemed us from the curse of the law. The curse of the law is the inability to obey it because of the nature of sin within us. It is the removal of this sin nature and the putting on of the new nature of God that empowers us to obey God. This is the essence of the new covenant that God has made with us through Jesus Christ - that we can now obey and fulfill the law of God by means of a new nature under the power of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:24-28). It has been accomplished through the blood of Christ, a work of grace received by faith. We are cleansed by the blood applied to our hearts and the same blood puts to death the power of the sin nature. It is quick and instantaneous.

When we receive the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit and we become dead to the power of sin, the same Spirit that raised up Christ from the dead quickens our mortal bodies and raises us up into divine union with Christ where we become alive to God. In essence, we put off the old man and put on the new man. We become partakers of the divine nature free from the corruption of lusts (2 Peter 1:4). The mistake the church has been making is in trying to keep the old man and sidle over into the new man. The two cannot be joined together. You cannot serve two masters. Light cannot dwell with darkness. The temple of God cannot be joined with idols. You must put off before you can put on. You must be dead to one to be alive in the other. You must be a holy habitation before Christ can take up residence in His fullness.

When God command us to be holy, to be perfect, to be pure, to not sin, He is talking to the new man who is already created in righteousness and holiness, who is already perfect, pure, and holy. He is alive to God, hungry for God, passionate for Jesus, in love with the Father, full of peace and joy. Everything the body of Christ is supposed to be is already in the new man. The only problem is that we have been living in the old man and visiting the new one now and then. We are to abide in the new and have nothing to do with the old. This is a work of divine power only Christ can accomplish in the fully surrendered, willing and repentant Christian. Tabernacles begins with the blowing of trumpets to gather the people to a holy convocation in fasting, weeping, repentance, brokenness, (see Joel 2) to prepare for the tenth day of the month, the day of atonement when the Lord fulfills His redemption is us, the deliverance from sin and flesh and then the resurrection into new life with God. Through the new life we can celebrate the feast of harvest.

Once sanctified, resurrected with Christ, now comes maturity. Now our minds can be renewed according to the word of God without the defilement of flesh. Now we can see and hear more clearly. We can grow in grace. We can grow in the knowledge of God. We can be conformed to the image of Christ. We can be changed from glory to glory as we are now able to behold the glory of the Lord in the mirror of His word. We can love God with all our hearts, love our neighbor as ourself, and live for God selflessly as we follow Christ. Now we have a true love for His word and are willing to serve Him without fear. Now we have joy and peace without measure. Now we have the fullness of the godhead within us revealing the glory of God and being a true witness.
All of this is merely a summary of what God desires for us to complete His purpose of a glorious church without spot or blemish. I will be glad to expound on any of the above points with scriptures to any who desire it.

George G. Delo
Power For Today Prophetic Ministries
www.angelfire.com/va2/powerfortoday
gdelo@juno.com

Jay,
As I read your article God kept putting these words into my mind, Numbers 12:3 "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." And I wondered why would God put Moses on my mind and heart in regard to your question as to who may enter the holy of holies? Moses was such a humble man, when people sinned against God instead of asking God to destroy His people, to punish them, he would instead humble himself before God, and the people, and intercede on their behalf. Constantly we read how God's chosen people rebelled against God, Moses would intercede and God would forgive them.
I don't know how many people have interceded for me as they saw all the times I have sinned against God, but I know there have been several. (bless them - how they try to be humble when you finally confess your weaknesses to them, how they love to tell you how they were praying for you:-) I know I have been as much of a sinner as some of those that Moses interceded for. But even though I have sinned many times as I walk with Him and grow into my relationship with Him, I know I was allowed access into the holy of holies. I know that the day that Jesus died, the veil was torn, and I was allowed access directly to God. I belong to Him, He dwells within me. It is impossible for Jesus to deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). So because He is allowed into the holy of holies, and I am part of His family I get to come along. There is never a time where God will deny my coming before Him and interceding on behalf of others and for myself.
If you want to call people "high priests" who enter into the holy of holies, well I guess God will let you. To me I am His servant. I only desire to become more like Him. I seek Him with all my heart and He has always been faithful to lead (I'm not saying that sometimes it doesn't seem like He takes a long in answering because sometimes it does seem to long - but the good news is He does answer.)
When you see and hear of division - pray! When there is pride - pray! When there is hatred - pray! To deny the power of prayer - would be a prayer need in itself. There is power in prayer. Look to Moses. Look to Jesus. They both know the power of prayer. We need as many people as possible to know that they have direct access into the very holy of holies, into the Father's heart.
God bless you. I have told you before I don't always understand what question you are asking specifically. I pray I have answered the right question.
Many blessings to you,
Arlette

If we are "in Christ" and Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, then it follows that we also are as Christ because we are "in Christ". Therefore we also are priests after the order of Melchizedek. We, as priests after the order of Melchizedek are called upon to minister to man on behalf of God, whereas those priests after the order of Aaron of the old covenant were called upon to minister to God on behalf of man. It is the difference between Grace and the Law. We are free to Bless men in Gods name, calling upon his saving grace on their behalf. This is powerful stuff!
With Love,
Doug Smith

Hi Jay,
Matthews 27: 50 - 53 says: "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom: and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many."
Since Christ called ALL things into being, from the beginning, Melchizedek is of the Priesthood of Jesus. The only thing that makes this issue unclear is the dogma, doctrine and fleshly attempts of man to control other men. I love Catholics, but according to this scripture of Matthews, there is no need for priests or popes. Intercession is a point of muteness when you really consider that even intercessory prayer has to go through Jesus. Certainly, there are those called for the position of intercessors, but going through training, rituals, and other man-made indoctrination is purely of the world - not spiritual. Let us leave our flesh, remove the bonds of our worldly minds, and walk in the Spirit - The Holy Lamb of God has made the ultimate sacrifice for us. He provides our covering of grace - can any man do that? Like you said in your discussion, "the government shall be upon HIS shoulders."
Bill Caraway

I have yet to disagree with any aspect of your commentary. I have however included a brief exert of my opinion of the views of the priesthood.

The order of Melchizedek is for Jesus only as our high priest.
I disagree with this only because the bible tells us that we are seated in Heavenly places with Christ Jesus. He paved the way to show us the Way. I believed that anywhere he walked, we can also walk in the power of His Spirit that lives within us. After all, it is not by power, nor by might but by His Spirit. To me that means that if He did it, then by His Spirit that dwells in me, I can too!

All Christians are part of the Melchizedek Order and serve as high priest.
I would love to be able to agree with that. That would mean to me that His kingdom has come on earth as it is in Heaven. Wouldn't that be great! However, I live amongst many Christians who refuse to take their "rightful" places in the boddy. The seat is available to them but God will not pick you up and levitate you to that seat. He simply sends the invitation and longs for you to show. We ultimately make the decision to rejoice in the invitation alone or take part in the banquet. If everyone took their place in the Melchizedek Order, we would be an unstoppable force on earth and not one could withstand the power of the All Mighty God being delivered through His people. Salvation is free but it ain't cheap. Somewhere along the way God begins to require the sacrifice of the flesh in order to advance toward your priestly position. Submissions leads us closer to the seat and refusal to do so places us at a standstill....it reminds me of the "Mother May I" game we would play. (maybe a little oversimplified though) : )

Only Christians that are One with Jesus through love and unity have entered into the holy of holies and are part of the Melchizedek priesthood.
This would be the only view with which my convictions would allow me to agree. This to me, is the promised land. Not necessarily signifying my arrival and perfection but signifying my full submission to the principles set forth in the Word of God. These are the Christians who walk with a discernable level of anointing. Not your ordinary "I'm a Christian" folk but the ones who never have to open their mouth. You can somehow sense that they're tapped in to the Everflowing Fountain. This place does not signify perfection but it does require constant maintenance to maintain such a high seat. This is a place of true relationship, friendship, love, and commitment. It's the "sold out" position.
I hope my intentions are clear; however, I can elaborate or explain further any of the above comments.
Thanks for listening!
Detective Sonya Small
Marion Police Department

Psalm 110 will be prophetic for the last seven months of the year 2001.
Psalm 110:1-2, "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!"
The third day of Christ is the Day of His Power, a new day birthed from the womb of the morning.
Psalm 110:3, "Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth."
The prophesied royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek will become visible as the apostles begin to establish the divine government of God.
Psalm 110:4-6, "The LORD has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.' The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries."
Righteous judgment will come upon the nations as the prophetic proclamation of the prophets comes forth at the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 110:7, "He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; therefore He shall lift up the head."
The Master, Jesus the Christ, shall be refreshed as He lifts up His head triumphantly and watches His church, His people, come into victory. His people shall drink from the same brook that He does--the brook of living waters, the water of the Spirit, and they shall follow the same pathway to victory that Jesus Himself has over Satan. Yes, they too have learned to rule in the midst of their enemies. This is the church that will be found in Zion, the third-day church.
Bill Burns

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