Read the truly amazing life story about how the forces of good and evil battle over a man and the vision that God gives him. Joseph W. Gordon’s Possess the Vision (Xulon Press, $12.95, 140 pages, ISBN 1-59781-205-6)
Jesus Our Priest Forever According To The Order Of Melchizedek
There is not much information in the Bible about Melchizedek although the following passages will help to provide some insight.
Abel and Melchizedek
He was the king of Salem (which is translated the King of Peace) and blessed Abraham who was the father of all Israel. One thing that we know is that Abraham gave a tithe, which is 10% of his possessions to Melchizedek:
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. (Genesis 14:18-20)
A Meeting Of Abraham And Melchizedek
The next reference comes from one of the Psalms of David and is an announcement of the Messiah’s reign:
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! 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 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. He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head. (Psalms 110:1-7)
Finally, the book of Hebrews additional light about Melchizedek’s identity will provide a better understanding of the circumstances of his meeting with Abraham. It also provides insight into important facts regarding the Tabernacle, as well as the duties and the imperfection of the priesthood at that time. This passage makes a case for a perfect priesthood, one requiring a more perfect law (we covered this previously) and a new covenant as well. It references God’s promise of a new covenant with a promise that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ:
For this Melchizedek, 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 translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
Abrahn And Melchizedek
Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The LORD has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek'”), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
Jesus Our Priest In Heaven
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle.
Moses Going Up the Mountain For The Law
For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
The Last Supper
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience; concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 8:12, 9-15)
So, in summary, Jesus is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. The imperfect sacrifice of animals and their blood is replaced with the single but perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who was without spot, stain or wrinkle.
There are several benefits associated with the perfection of the priesthood in Jesus as our high priest. First of all, with Jesus as the chief priest everyone can have access to the Most Holy place by entering in through Him who is the veil or passage way. Since Jesus did not sin, the need for the atonement of the priest is no longer needed. Therefore access to the Most Holy place is no longer limited to once a year. In addition, with Jesus as our high priest we can also enter into the Holy of Holies under the veil of His blood, knowing that He is our advocate with the Father.
But most importantly, Jesus brings to the priesthood what of Aaron could not. He brings the presence of Himself, the Son of God, as the perfect offering and sacrifice.
Jesus is our High priest as the laws governing the duties of the priesthood are no longer required because they have been completed once through Him. For example, blood sacrifices are no longer required because of the one perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. While this is just one example what we have been finding is that Jesus has been the fulfillment of each and every component of the Tabernacle including its procedures, laws and priests. This in turn sustains the notion that Jesus is the living Tabernacle that came down from heaven and is the fulfillment of the earthly Tabernacle whose purpose was to perform these sacrifices for the people until the true Tabernacle came along.
Jesus is our High priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Read my book, “Possess the Vision,” that tells of an amazing story of spiritual warfare. To learn more go to: Possess-the-Vision-at-Amazon
SEEKING JESUS 
Jesus didn’t enter into the Most Holy Place upon His death, He entered into the first compartment.
Hbr 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].
Here’s a video that you will hopefully find useful:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6788725265472642100
Thanks for you comments. I went back and checked, and yes, the NKJ states: “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” After viewing the video I see that you have an issue with the translation. I checked the New American which seems to agree with this point as it states “Holy Place” in newer versions, and “sanctuary” in older versions. However, the man in the video stated that the Catholic versions stated the “Most Holy,” and therefore he was incorrect in this regard.
Regarding the overall content of this video I have a few comments that I would like to share. My observation was that the underlining message is that we are right and the rest of the Christian world is wrong and therefore you should become one with us.
There are many different factions in the Christian world. Most Protestant denominations will also claim that they have the only way that leads into heaven, which often stems from their own interpretation of scripture. Because these interpretations often conflict across denominational lines, someone must be wrong. If you look at the vast number of issues which are in conflict then one might conclude that perhaps most of them, it not all, are wrong on at least one point. So it is also with the Catholics, Jews and Islamic factions. The point of all of this is that man does not seem to understand God very well, and to teach that we have the only right way goes against the teachings of Jesus. Let me explain.
Let me start with a passage from Mark:
38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our[c] side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
The interesting component of this passage is what it does not say. It said nothing about doctrine or dogma. It said nothing about how they interpret scripture or what other beliefs they may have (like when the end will come or if there will be a rapture or not.) Jesus does not even inquire about these things. The lesson here is that we should embrace our Christian brothers who are doing good works in the name of Jesus with the miraculous help of God.
I have been in many churches on both the Protestant and Catholic sides of Christianity and I have found people who I would place in this category. I for one will not say that what they are doing is wrong.
It is the people who speak evil of Jesus that the Christian nation must focus its attention on. Not on other Christians doing work in the name of Jesus.
That’s just it…..by changing the plain meaning of scripture and what Christ did at His death when He entered into the HP, they are minimizing His work. But I thank you for at least viewing the video. And yes, I too see it as a “see we’re right” video. God’s remnant church has to be encouraged from time to time.
If you researched the Catholic connection to Islam and how they have waged war against the law of God you might feel different.
Sunday laws are comming and we can not be silent about that.
Ok. I did some more investigating. I watched another video about the Catholic Church and Islam. The theme of this video was that the inner circle of the Catholic Church is comprised of a bunch of Satan worshipers who keep this fact a secret. In addition, it claims that the entire religion is based on the evil religions of antiquity. The ruling Catholics are also responsible for starting the Islamic religion and the two of them for the most part are the same.
Interestingly, while they are doing this they also teach the masses to worship Jesus Christ, honor the Holy Spirit and to do good works in His name. Even more fascinating is the fact that Jesus was also accused of being filled with the ruler of the demons as well:
Matt 12: 22-26
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and[e] mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” 25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
So, I would say to that speaker; if what you say is true, then how can Satan’s kingdom stand? Is he saying that there are no righteous Catholics, that there have been no good works done in the name of Jesus, no miracles, no soles saved, or no spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ over the centuries of this churches existence? Of course there have been and it is these facts that speak volumes to the contrary.
I am just a simple man and I believe that my personal relationship with Jesus will overcome any misperception I may have about the reality of God’s truth. I look to Him to guide me, not man. I plan to leave any judgment to Jesus as I know that he will judge rightly. I know because I have been there once before, on the judgment seat of the Lord. While there, my life played out before me I heard nothing of what this man said, but rather, only how I had harmed others. How my failure to love caused pain and suffering. It is love that is needed, and we all know what Paul said in 1 Cor 13, right?
So in closing, I offer Ttitus 3: 8-9 to respond to your comment about the law:
And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
So, I would say to that speaker; if what you say is true, then how can Satan’s kingdom stand?
Because God allows those that want to be deceived to be just that, deceived.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
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Is he saying that there are no righteous Catholics,
No, not at all. God has His people around the world in every denomination imaginable.
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that there have been no good works done in the name of Jesus, no miracles, no soles saved, or no spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ over the centuries of this churches existence? Of course there have been and it is these facts that speak volumes to the contrary.
Satan can works miracles too, so now we need to be careful as to what we ascribe to Jesus.
The Catholic church by presumption declares it is Christ’s replacement on earth.
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I am just a simple man and I believe that my personal relationship with Jesus will overcome any misperception I may have about the reality of God’s truth.
Well, now that you have been brought truth about God’s commandments and His sabbath which will be the deviding line between His remanant people and the false church I would earnestly ask the Lord for guidance and council.
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I look to Him to guide me, not man.
“If you love me keep my commandments.”
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I plan to leave any judgment to Jesus as I know that he will judge rightly. I know because I have been there once before, on the judgment seat of the Lord. While there, my life played out before me I heard nothing of what this man said, but rather, only how I had harmed others. How my failure to love caused pain and suffering. It is love that is needed, and we all know what Paul said in 1 Cor 13, right?
Right! Exactly. Agappe is an even higher standard to reach by way of the Holy Spirit. At the same time Paul also said that, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.” Love fills the law full.
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So in closing, I offer Ttitus 3: 8-9 to respond to your comment about the law:
I have simply offered to you evidence that the Law of God, that Royal Law, the perfect Law of Liberty is still relevant and has meaning. If you consider that vain then that is certainly your perogative.
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And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.
Jesus spoke of those that did good but were rebels against God. One cannot do any good works without God and they cannot be obedient to Him until they recognize He is Lord.
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These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
I think placing things in proper context is vital and important. Paul was writing to a “law keeper” in Titus and obviously the admonishsion was regarding arguing with Pharisees and other’s that have not accepted the Messiah. Paul says at the beginning of His letter, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work” so he is obviouly telling Titus to make sure the people obey earthly powers.
Would we not conclude if Paul thought obeying man was good that obeying God was better?
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Good responses. Here is the problem. You initially had a comment on a NKJ scripture that was included in one of my blog postings. You indicated that “the Most Holy Place”, should really have read “Holy Place”. I watched a video based on your recommendation and it supported your claim by stating that the Catholic version of the bible was incorrectly translated to state “Most Holy place” rather than “Holy Place.” However, I checked the current version of the Catholic bible and one twenty years old. Therefore, this statement is untrue and I communicated this to you previously.
Then I watched another video in which all sorts of unsustainable comments are made, such as all Catholic priests are homosexuals. Really, just exactly how would he know that I wonder? Here again, another untruth, told with malice and intent to discredit all true priests that are faithful to their vow of celibacy. Your last response quoted scripture stating that love does not harm its neighbor but statements like these as they harm people who have committed their entire lives to God and are living are righteously as any of us can.
I could go on with comments regarding the videos you recommended but I just have more important things to do. But in summary I found many of the arguments used in it to be based on a trivial, inconsequential or faulty premises. So while speakers like this may have a grand time building a case against the Catholic Church because he states falsely that all its priests are gay, such an arguments are false as they are based on faulty premise.
So enough of this dialog, I am sure you are a good man with good intentions but I must tell you that your message is accompanied by untruth and therefore it is not believable. It speaks of love on one hand but injures the reputation of many who are dearly loved by God on the other. My recommendation to you is to first remove the plank that is in your own eye prior to attempting to remove the dust in the eyes of others.
I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind providing the link where Professor Veith called all Catholic priests gay? I have watched a number of his presentations and I have never in fact heard him call any Catholic priest gay, let alone all of them.
Also, a quick glance at the Douay-Rheims Bible shows that “holies” has replaced “holy place.”
12 Neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption.
http://www.drbo.org/chapter/65009.htm
Also, when speaking of “Catholic” Bible I believe Professor Veith is fairly consistent in calling them “Jesuit” Bibles? Have you taken the time to read the Jesuit oath?
Joe,the time is short and the truth must be presented. This is not said in anyway to disparage your blog. I am simply providing information to you that it is evidence, upon His death and ascention into Heaven Christ did not first enter into the Most Holy Place, He entered into the Holy Place first.
Now, the gravity of our times is that the “worldwide ecumenical” movement that is happening as we speak is not meant to foster unity as must as it is meant to destroy the people of God. How does one relate truth to a dying world?
The people of God worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The truth that Satan is deliberately seeking to destroy the people of God by any means necessary and through any human channel available. The very character and nature of God and His government and it’s foundation is under violent attack from the enemy of men’s souls.
May I suggest for your reading pleasure: http://www.greatcontroversy.org/books/gc/gc.html
God bless you in your work and may we all come to a greater knowledge and revelation of the character and nature of God the Father and His Son.
Here are some answers to your questions:
1.
I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind providing the link where Professor Veith called all Catholic priests gay? I have watched a number of his presentations and I have never in fact heard him call any Catholic priest gay, let alone all of them.
I do not have the link, however it was one of the videos about a link of the Catholic Church to Islam. I hope this helps.
2.
Also, a quick glance at the Douay-Rheims Bible shows that “holies” has replaced “holy place.”
12 Neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption.
3.
Also, when speaking of “Catholic” Bible I believe Professor Veith is fairly consistent in calling them “Jesuit” Bibles? Have you taken the time to read the Jesuit oath?
The Catholic Bible is called the “New American Bible” and it has been created by retranslating the oldest scriptures available from their native languages. It has also been translated by a team of experts that included a significant representation of the protestant denominations.
4.
Joe, the time is short and the truth must be presented. This is not said in anyway to disparage your blog. I am simply providing information to you that it is evidence, upon His death and ascention into Heaven Christ did not first enter into the Most Holy Place, He entered into the Holy Place first.
If one looks at the diagram of the Tabernacle it is obvious that the Most Holy place can only be enter by first entering into the Holy Place.
5.
Now, the gravity of our times is that the “worldwide ecumenical” movement that is happening as we speak is not meant to foster unity as must as it is meant to destroy the people of God. How does one relate truth to a dying world?
Sorry but I do not know anything about this.
6.
The people of God worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The truth that Satan is deliberately seeking to destroy the people of God by any means necessary and through any human channel available. The very character and nature of God and His government and it’s foundation is under violent attack from the enemy of men’s souls.
May I suggest for your reading pleasure: http://www.greatcontroversy.org/books/gc/gc.html
I agree that every righteous person and church is under attack. I myself know this from my own personal experiences. I am not a stranger to spiritual warfare. If you like you can read my book, “Possess the Vision,” to get a handle on what I am talking about here.
Good afternoon:
I am wondering if the pictures associated with your book and website are copyrighted.
I find several of them quite unique.
Blessings, Mark
Everything in the book is copyrighted. The book cover is a work that I had commissioned based on a vision that I had.
The web site is mostly comprised of free ware I found available on the internet.
I hope this answers your question. If not please send a note back.
God bless,
Papa Joe Gordon
To David, Jesus is our Sabbath Rest. He fulfilled all the holy days including the Sabbath. A rest in Scripture means a finished work. By faith we rest in the finished work of Christ. This is the work of Redemption and is a finished work, – we cannot add to it. If you contact me on robinval@bigpond.com I will send you a manuscript called “The True Sabbath” Val
Joe, I invite you to check out my new blog “Through the Veil” a Medition from The Melchizedek Ministry. I know it will bless you Val www.http://valpym.blogspot.com