Melchizedek and Priesthood

The Messianic Priesthood is not a term you will find in scripture although it is very descriptive of the accounts in the book of Hebrews and 1 Peter as to Yahushua's role as both King and Great High Priest and our individual roles as kings and priests.

In this study, we are going to look closely at the man scripture identifies as Melchizedek. There are many interpretations as to who and what Melchizedek was. There are even entire religious denominations that have been created based on these few verses of scripture specific to this man. the purpose of our study is to look closely at what scripture actually says about Melchizedek and how this relates to our Lord and savior, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah), and to us as believers.

It is always best, especially in areas where there are a lot of opposing views, to let scripture interpret scripture so this is exactly what we are going to do. As we stated in our introduction, in order to correctly interpret YHWH's Word of Truth, traditions and doctrines must be stripped away and we must dig deep, which can sometimes be uncomfortable. We will be digging deep so be fore warned.

First of all, let's start in the book of Hebrews and see what the author has to say about Yeshua (Jesus) in relation to Mechizedek and the priesthood.

Hebrews 6:20:
"where Yeshua (Jesus), who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 7:17:
"For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 7:21:
"but he became a priest with an oath when YHWH said to him: "Adonai has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'".

Hebrews 4:14:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Yeshua (Jesus) the Son of YHWH, let us hold fast our profession."

It seems to be quite clear from the writer of Hebrews that Yeshua is a priest (Hebrews 7:21), a high priest (Hebrews 6:20), and also a Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) .

Okay, so now we know that Yeshua is our Priest, our High Priest and our Great High Priest, but what is this "after the order of Melchizedek" referring to? Well, David prophesied this in the book of Psalms and this is what the author of Hebrews is referencing:

Psalms 110
¹ The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." ² The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. ³ Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth. ⁴ The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." ⁵ The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. ⁶ He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. ⁷ He will drink from a brook beside the way therefore he will lift up his head.

Are we as believers to have a role in this priesthood? Yes, according to Peter.

1 Peter 2:5:
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to YHWH by Yeshua HaMashiach.

1 Peter 2:9
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Another reference we find related to priesthood is in Revelation. John also states that we are priests, but adds another factor into the equation, we are also kings.

Revelation 5:10
"And hast made us unto our YHWH kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

Here we see both Peter and John clearly refering to us as priests and John also says that we are kings and we shall reign on earth. So now that we have established that we, as believers, are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and kings and priests (Revelation 5:10) serving with our high priest Yeshua, who is a "high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek" just what exactly does all this mean?

As i stated earlier, we should always let scripture interpret scripture and if we want to know more about a particular event that occurs during the last days, we should go back to the beginning. Why should we go back to the beginning to find out about the end?

Isaiah 46:9-10:
"Remember the former things of old: for I am YHWH, and there is none else; I am YHWH, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure"

If YHWH says that he declares what happens in the end, from the very beginning, then we have to go all the way back to the first mention of Melchizedek which is in the book of Genesis.

Genesis 14:18
¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

1.) The name Melchizedek means "King of Righteousness" It is derived from two Hebrew words, Melech - meaning "King", and Tzadok - meaning "Righteousness".

2.) The scripture tells us that he was the "Priest of YHWH" (Please note that the Word tells us that Melchizedek was THE priest of YHWH, not A priest of YHWH. Apparently, the priesthood consisted of only one at this point.)

3.) The scripture also tells us that he was the "King of Salem". The term "King of Salem" in Hebrew would be Melech HaShalom - literally, King of Peace.

4.) If he was THE priest of YHWH, and a priests function is to serve the most high and intercede for his people, which we will cover in scipture a little later in our study, then Melchizedek would have been YHWH's priest over all of the nations since the nation of Israel did not exist at this point.

So, Melchizedek is a person who is both a king and a priest, and his priesthood is over all the nations. Is this starting to make a little more sense now? See any "Types and Shadows" yet? You will...

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