The Melchizedek Priesthood
Most people in the body of Messiah have a limited understanding of the Melchizedek priesthood. The reason for this is that the Melchizedek priesthood is only explicitly mentioned twice in the Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis 14:18, Psalm 110:4). It is also mentioned in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament (Hebrews 6:20). Ironically, the Melchizedek priesthood is a central topic of the entire Bible. However, the Melchizedek priesthood is not presented in the Bible through Greek thought and context, but rather instead through Hebraic thought and context. What do I mean when I make this statement? Greek thought and context are primarily communicating something via its form (it must be explicitly stated) but Hebrew thought and context explains things by its function (by what it does and how it operates) without necessarily stating its explicit form (what it literally is). Here is an example. In Psalm 1:1–3, it is written:
Blessed is the man … [whose] delight is in the Torah of the LORD … he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
In my life, I endeavor to express my faith in Yeshua as the Messiah by following His Torah (Psalm 1:1–3). Even so, literally (Greek form), I am not a tree planted by the rivers of water. I am a human being. However, if I follow the Torah, I am likened (by function and by outcome when I choose to follow the Torah) to a tree planted by the rivers of water that will bring forth its fruit (which is the purpose of a fruit tree when it performs the function for which it was created) at the proper time.
Therefore, I would like to teach in this article how the Melchizedek priesthood is a central theme of the entire Bible by explaining the Melchizedek priesthood by way of its function (what it does and how it operates) and its role or purpose within the Kingdom of God. In doing so, I must explain how the Kingdom of God is set up and structured.
God the Father is the supreme King over the entire universe (1 Chronicles 29:11), which He originally desired to be created (Isaiah 45:18). Being supreme King over the entire universe, God the Father has a Kingdom (Psalm 145:13). It is called the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) or the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 4:17). This Kingdom is under His authority (Revelation 11:15). In His Kingdom, He has a ruling government (Isaiah 9:6). This ruling government has an administrative order by which it operates (Revelation 5:11). An administrative element of the ruling government of God the Father is called the Melchizedek priesthood (Psalm 110:4).
The Melchizedek priesthood has three main offices by which it operates. They are the office of king, priest (Genesis 14:18) and firstborn. The office of king, priest, and firstborn has particular duties and responsibilities associated with it. These duties and responsibilities are defined by the constitution by which the Kingdom of God is governed. This constitution is called, in Hebrew, the Torah.
The Torah is the instructions and parameters by which God the Father operates His Kingdom. The Torah consists of statutes (which are decrees that, in Hebrew, are called a “Choq,” singular, or “Choqim,” plural) and judgments (which are guidelines by which to make right rulings or decisions and to administer justice and righteousness that are called, in Hebrew, “Mishpat,” singular, or “Mishpatim,” plural), that give the details regarding how to follow the constitution of His Kingdom (the Torah).
Examples of statutes (decrees) by which His Kingdom operates are keeping Sabbath, festivals, and dietary laws (Leviticus 4:17, 23:41, Nehemiah 9:14). When we keep the statutes (decrees) of the one who gave the decrees (God the Father), we show respect to His authority. In doing so, we show that we love Him (Deuteronomy 11:1). As a result, this love is shown by obeying His decrees (Sabbath, festivals, dietary laws) through showing respect to His authority. The main application of the judgments (right rulings or decisions about a particular matter based upon justice and righteousness) of the Torah is summarized by the proper way to treat other people (love your neighbor as yourself – Leviticus 19:18), which is explained in greater detail according to the constitution (Torah) of the Kingdom of God (Romans 13:9).
When God the Father set up His Kingdom from the foundation of the world (Job 38:4), He designated Yeshua to be the King (as a steward) over His Kingdom (Psalm 2:6–7). So, God the Father is the supreme King over His Kingdom and Yeshua is the administrative King (Revelation 19:16) over the Kingdom of His Father. As a result, honoring the administrative King (Yeshua) over the Kingdom of the Father is the same as honoring the supreme King (God the Father) (John 5:23). God the Father made Yeshua the administrative King over His Kingdom by a decree (Choq). In Psalm 2:6–7, it is written:
… I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD (God the Father) has said unto me (Yeshua when establishing Him as King over His Father’s Kingdom), You are my Son; this day have I begotten you (brought you forth to be King upon my holy hill of Zion).
Therefore, when you honor Yeshua as King over His Father’s Kingdom, you are showing honor to the one who, by decree, gave Him this position (God the Father). Initially, ha satan (Lucifer) led a heavenly rebellion against this decree (Isaiah 14:12–14). Today, ha satan (Lucifer) continues leading this rebellion (Ephesians 6:12) in the present day against recognizing the decree of God the Father to make Yeshua the administrative King over His Father’s Kingdom on the earth. In any event, the ultimate outcome of this heavenly rebellion that got transferred to the earth is that Yeshua will be honored and recognized as the administrative King (Zechariah 14:9) over His Father’s Kingdom in due time. Furthermore, God the Father not only made Yeshua the administrative King over His Kingdom, but He also made Him Creator, Lawgiver, Judge, Firstborn, Savior and the Melchizedek High Priest over His Kingdom and thus His government (Isaiah 9:6–7, 33:22, 43:15, Hebrews 6:20).
When God the Father, the supreme King, desired to create the universe, He assigned this task to Yeshua, His administrative King (Ephesians 3:9, Hebrews 1:1–2). Yeshua created the heavens and earth over seven days (Genesis 2:1–3, Colossians 1:15–17). When the seven days of creation were finished, the domain of the Kingdom of God now included the earth (Isaiah 66:1). As a result, God the Father desired that the constitution of His Kingdom (the Torah) be administered upon the earth. In that way, the Will of God the Father (the Torah, which is His constitution) could be followed on earth just as it is being followed in Heaven (Matthew 6:10).
For this reason, on the sixth day of creation, Yeshua created man (Genesis 1:27, 31). Man was given a designated place on the earth where he could initially dwell. This place was called the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8). Eden (which in Hebrew means pleasure or paradise) is another name for the Kingdom of God (Revelation 2:7). In this Garden was placed Adam. Adam was given a wife named Eve (Genesis 3:20). While being in the Garden of Eden, Adam was given the assignment of being the steward over the Kingdom of God on earth (Genesis 1:26, 2:15). In doing so, Adam was under the authority of Yeshua, who created the heavens and the earth, as Yeshua was the administrative King over the Kingdom of God on earth, on behalf of God the Father who is the premier owner (1 Corinthians 15:28).
In his place of stewardship over the Kingdom of God on earth, Adam was the earthly supreme ruler over the earthly government of the Kingdom of God. As a result, Adam was given the position of being THE earthly Melchizedek ruler over the Kingdom of God on earth. Therefore, Adam was the earthly king, priest and firstborn (the offices of the Melchizedek priesthood) over the Kingdom of God on the earth. These Melchizedek priesthood positions associated with being an earthly king, priest and firstborn over the Kingdom of God on the earth are not explicitly stated in the Bible. However, Adam was operating in these offices by function. This is understood by Rabbinic Orthodox Judaism. In Midrash Rabbah (a Rabbinical Jewish commentary) Numbers 4:8, it says:
Adam was the world’s firstborn. When he offered his sacrifice …he donned high priestly garments; as it says: And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). They were robes of honor which subsequent firstborn used.
Furthermore, when Adam was given dominion over the earthly creation (Genesis 1:26), and thus received a crown of glory (Psalm 8:4–5), he was serving in function as an earthly king over the Kingdom of God on earth. Thus, in function, Adam was a king, priest and firstborn. In other words, Adam was THE FIRST earthly Melchizedek priest over the Kingdom of God on earth.
However, this office has duties and responsibilities. The major obligations of a Melchizedek priest is to live the Torah, teach the Torah (Matthew 5:19, 6:2) and be willing to lay down your life (John 10:15, 1 John 3:16) for anyone who departs from the Torah because of sin (Romans 5:8); and thus be willing to restore them to the ways of the Torah (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14). Adam learned the Torah from Yeshua when Adam communed with Yeshua in the “cool of the day”. In Genesis 3:8, it is written:
And they heard the voice of the LORD God (from the voice came instruction which in Hebrew is Torah) walking (“chalak” in Hebrew, which is a hint to the way in which we are to follow Torah. Following Torah in Orthodox Judaism is called, “Halacha,” which means “the way one walks”) in the garden in the cool (“ruach” in Hebrew which is a term for the Holy Spirit) of the day…
So, Adam was to follow the Torah of the voice of the Word of the Lord (who is Yeshua) by the Holy Spirit. Initially, Adam was to teach the Torah to his wife, Eve, as he received it from Yeshua “in the cool of the day.”
When the serpent (Lucifer) tempted Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1–4), she was deceived but Adam was not (1 Timothy 2:14). Being THE sole earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth, Adam had an obligation to teach his wife how to rebuke the serpent. Furthermore, since he was present at the time, Adam should have rebuked the serpent himself for the benefit of his wife.
When Eve did sin by obeying the voice of the serpent (Genesis 3:13), Adam had the obligation to lay down his life to redeem her from her sin. However, instead of doing so, Adam flunked the test of being a faithful earthly Melchizedek priest. Instead of laying down his life for his wife because of her sin to redeem her, Adam participated with Eve in listening to the voice of the serpent by eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6).
As a result, Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). Therefore, it became the obligation of the heavenly Melchizedek priest who created the heavens and earth (Yeshua) to come to earth to teach the Torah while being willing to lay down His life (John 10:15) to restore and redeem Adam and all mankind from their sins (Romans 3:24–25, 5:12).
When Adam died, the position of the earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth went to the oldest living descendent who was being faithful to the Torah. In the case of Adam, it should have gone to his son, Cain. However, when Cain killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8), he became disqualified to hold the office of the Kingdom of God on earth because, instead of being willing to lay down his life for his brother, he killed his brother. As a result, after Adam died, the position of the earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth went to Seth (Genesis 4:25).
After Seth, the office was given to Enosh, then Cainan, then Mahal, then Jared, then Methuselah, then Noah. So, Noah was the 8th earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth from Adam (2 Peter 2:5). For this reason, Noah was chosen to be the vessel of the God of Israel to redeem mankind from the judgment of the flood (Genesis 6:13–17). In being a teacher of Torah, an alternative title for the earthly Melchizedek of the Kingdom of God on earth was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), as following the Torah is called “following righteousness” (Deuteronomy 6:25).
After Noah, the office was given to Shem, then Eber, then Isaac. After Isaac, Esau was in position to be the 12th earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth. However, Esau didn’t study and learn Torah (Genesis 25:27). He could have done so from Shem, Eber, Abraham, or Isaac. Meanwhile, Jacob did study Torah. As a result, Jacob highly valued being the earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth. The shortened title for the earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth is called the “birthright.” Esau despised his birthright (the opportunity to rule and reign with the God of Israel) and sold it to Jacob (Genesis 25:33).
Esau was in position to be the 12th earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth from Adam. The number twelve represents the completed government of the Kingdom of God. Esau was alternatively named Edom (Genesis 33:8). Edom has the same Hebrew letters as the word Adam. So, linguistically in Hebrew, Edom is Adam and Adam is Edom. Adam was the 1st earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth and Esau was in position to be the 12th earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth. So, both the 1st earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth (Adam) and the one originally designated to be the 12th earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth (Esau) sold themselves to the evil one (Lucifer).
Adam was an unfaithful steward over the Kingdom of God on earth. By Adam listening to the voice of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, the serpent became a spiritual outlaw (Luke 4:5–6). Adam sold his stewardship over the Kingdom of God on earth to the serpent. In doing so, the serpent became the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). From this point, it became the obligation of the heavenly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God, who also created the heavens and the earth (Yeshua), to redeem mankind from Adam’s sin and to take away the serpent from being the “god of this world,” and restore the authority of the Kingdom of God on earth to the believers in Yeshua as the Messiah (Matthew 28:18, Acts 1:8). In doing this (which is called the New Covenant, which came about when Yeshua shed His blood on the tree because of the sin of mankind), Yeshua restored the office of the earthly Melchizedek priesthood of the Kingdom on earth and made it available to all believers in Yeshua as the Messiah (Romans 5:17, 1 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 12:23).
However, all believers in Yeshua as the Messiah have the same test of the office of the Melchizedek priesthood as their forefathers. This test is that all believers in Yeshua as the Messiah need to live the Torah, teach the Torah (Matthew 5:19), and be willing to lay down their lives for others (1 John 3:16). If necessary, they are called to restore and redeem those who have departed from the Torah (sinners) to return them to following the ways of the Torah (so that they can be in right relationship with Yeshua and God the Father). If faithful to pass the test, these believers in Yeshua as the Messiah will inherit the fullness of His Kingdom (Matthew 25:34, Revelation 21:7) and will rule and reign with Yeshua in His government for all eternity (Revelation 22:3–5). Those who pass the test (which Yeshua called faithful servants or stewards – Luke 12:42) will be kings and priests (Revelation 5:10) in His eternal Heavenly Kingdom. These people are alternatively called the dwelling Bride of Yeshua who will live forever with Him in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9–10). If unfaithful to pass the test (which Yeshua called unfaithful servants or stewards – Matthew 25:26) yet still believe in Yeshua as the Messiah (1 Corinthians 3:15), they will be ruled over for all eternity (Revelation 21:24) by those who are faithful to pass the test of the Melchizedek priesthood office (the dwelling Bride of Yeshua).
When Esau sold his birthright to Jacob because he didn’t want to follow Torah, this caused Esau to be a servant to the ‘god of this world’ as well. Jacob and Esau were twins (Genesis 25:24–26). However, in the Hebrew, it indicates that they were not identical twins. Yeshua told a parable about Jacob and Esau. It is known as the parable (Matthew 13:24–25) of the ‘wheat’ (who is Jacob) and the ‘tares’ (who is Esau). Yeshua called the ‘tares’ (Esau) as being the ‘children of the wicked one’ (Lucifer) (Matthew 13:38). Esau characteristically represents those who are fleshly and worldly (Hebrews 12:16) and who don’t follow Torah (meaning they are sinners), as well as those who do not repent from their sins (meaning those who don’t repent from not following Torah).
In Midrash Rabbah Numbers 6:2 it says:
… Thus we find that Jacob eagerly desired the birthright for a godly purpose—to wit, that he might be able to offer sacrifices [the task of a priest] - and so he acquired it from Esau for money. The Holy One, blessed be He, therefore gave him His approval and called him, My son, My firstborn (Exodus 4:22), and conferred upon the firstborn the distinction of offering sacrifices before Him …
So, Jacob became the 12th Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth after Adam. After Jacob, the earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth should have gone to the oldest son of Jacob, namely Reuben. However, Reuben was disqualified from holding the office because of sexual sin (Genesis 49:3–4). In Midrash Rabbah Genesis 98:4, it says:
Reuben, you are my firstborn (Genesis 49:3) … the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: the birthright should have been yours, priesthood yours and royalty yours. Now that you have sinned …
Rather than giving the office of the earthly Melchizedek priest of the Kingdom of God on earth to Jacob’s oldest faithful son after Reuben, Jacob decided to split the office positions of king and firstborn within his family. As a result, Judah was given the kingship (Genesis 49:10) and Joseph was given the birthright (1 Chronicles 5:1). After the sin of the golden calf, the Levites were given the office of earthly priests by the God of Israel (Deuteronomy 18:1). This is called the Levitical priesthood (Joshua 18:7). The Levitical priesthood became the governing earthly priesthood over the nation of Israel until the Messiah would come (Galatians 3:19) and restore the original intended Melchizedek priesthood. Yeshua would do this through the New Covenant.
When Adam had the position of the earthly Melchizedek priest over the Kingdom of God on earth, Adam represented all of mankind (Romans 5:12, 14). However, all of mankind sinned and had to be destroyed in the flood in the days of Noah (Genesis 6:13). Therefore, all of mankind failed to follow the Torah (Romans 3:23). As a result, the God of Israel wanted to give the office of the earthly position of the Melchizedek priesthood over the Kingdom of God on earth to a nation of people within mankind.
The name of this nation would be called Israel. Therefore, the nation of Israel would become the people in the earth who would have the calling of being Melchizedek priests (Exodus 19:5–6) over the kingdom of God and who would ultimately rule and reign with the God of Israel (Genesis 32:28) for all eternity in His government. In doing so, the nation of Israel was required to be faithful to fulfill the main responsibilities of the Melchizedek priesthood office in the Kingdom of God. As stated previously, these responsibilities are living the Torah, teaching the Torah, and being willing to lay down your life for others. If necessary, it is a calling to restore and redeem anyone who has departed from the Torah (sinners) and call them to repentance to return to following the ways of the Torah (so that they can have a right relationship with Yeshua and God the Father). Walking in that right relationship comes through the redemptive work of Yeshua (2 Corinthians 5:21) when He shed His blood on the tree (Colossians 1:14) so that mankind could be forgiven of their sins (departing from the Torah) and be fully restored to God the Father. So, Yeshua is the agent of God the Father to accomplish this heavenly task.
The nation of Israel began to be birthed when Yeshua (who is the heavenly Melchizedek priest over the Kingdom of God and who also created the heavens and earth) made a covenant with Abraham (Genisis 15:18, Galatians 3:16). This covenant would extend to Isaac and then to Jacob (Genesis 17:7). From Jacob, it would extend to all of Jacob’s family who is called the ‘house of Jacob’ (Genesis 46:27).
Jacob and his family went to Egypt (Exodus 1:1). They were redeemed from Egypt by putting the blood of the lamb upon their doorposts (Exodus 12:5–7). This is known as Passover (Exodus 12:11). After leaving Egypt, they came to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1). Those who came to Mount Sinai were called the ‘house of Jacob’ (Exodus 19:3). The house of Jacob who came to Mount Sinai consisted of both the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as well as the non-physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who put the blood of the Lamb upon their doorposts. The non-physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who put the blood of the Lamb upon their doorposts, were known as the “mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38). The “mixed multitude” are those who were called “strangers” or “sojourners” (Numbers 15:15–16). They were adopted or “grafted” into the family of Jacob.
At Mount Sinai, the entire nation of Israel was offered the earthly Melchizedek priestly office (Exodus 19:5–6) by Yeshua, the Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22, James 4:12). If they would be faithful in their earthly Melchizedek priestly office, they would be rewarded with an eternal heavenly Melchizedek priesthood office to rule and reign with Yeshua in His government in the heavenly Kingdom of God forever and ever. At Mount Sinai, the entire nation of Israel accepted the offer to be an earthly Melchizedek priesthood nation (Exodus 19:8). As a result, at Mount Sinai, a marriage took place (Jeremiah 2:2) between Yeshua and the nation of Israel. This marriage was a betrothal, which is the first stage of a Biblical wedding (Matthew 1:18). However, the nation of Israel became an unfaithful Bride to Yeshua (which also means being unfaithful Melchizedek priests) by committing the sin of the golden calf (Exodus 32:7–8). The sin of the golden calf is mixed worship (Exodus 32:5) of the God of Israel.
As a result of the sin of the golden calf, only the tribe of Levi remained faithful to the Torah of the God of Israel (Exodus 32:26–28). Additionally, the tribe of Levi became the earthly priests over the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 27:9). The office of the high priesthood was to be held by Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:1). This office of high priesthood was given by decree to Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:9) by the Lawgiver at Mount Sinai, who was Yeshua. This priesthood is known as the Levitical priesthood. The Levitical priesthood was the earthly priesthood over the nation of Israel when they were in the wilderness (Numbers 1:50), as well as being the earthly priesthood who ruled in both the 1st and 2nd Temples in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:10).
After the sin of the golden calf, the Levitical priesthood would become the ruling priesthood over the nation of Israel until Yeshua would come and die on the tree (Galatians 3:19), and usher in the (re)NEW(ed) Covenant (Matthew 26:28). In bringing about the New Covenant, Yeshua would restore the earthly Melchizedek priesthood that had been offered to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:5–6) and offer it to all believers in Him as the Messiah (Romans 5:17, 1 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 12:23). In doing so, the earthly Levitical priesthood would be under the authority of the spiritual Melchizedek priesthood in the New Covenant.
The restored Melchizedek priesthood in Yeshua is a spiritual priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), wherein believers in Yeshua as the Messiah have the position of being spiritual kings, priests, and firstborns (Hebrews 12:23), while living on the earth within His heavenly spiritual Kingdom (1 Peter 2:5). In the Messianic Era when the Messiah will rebuild the Temple (Zechariah 6:12), the office of high priesthood within the earthly Levitical priesthood will be held by Zadok priests (Ezekiel 44:15). So, the Levitical priesthood is an earthly priesthood, while the Melchizedek priesthood is a heavenly spiritual priesthood. Earthly human beings who are spiritual Melchizedek priests don’t serve in the earthly Temple in Jerusalem. Service in the earthly Temple in Jerusalem is only for the earthly Levitical priests and the sons of Aaron.
After the days of David and Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom. The first king of the Northern Kingdom was Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28). He was from the tribe of Ephraim (1 Kings 11:26). There were ten tribes associated with the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 11:31). The leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom was the tribe of Ephraim. The Northern Kingdom was called the “House of Joseph” (1 Kings 11:28). In Genesis 48, the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, were given the blessing of the first born (Genesis 48:5–6, 12–15). Because the tribe of Ephraim was the leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom, the Northern Kingdom became a “Firstborn” nation (Jeremiah 31:9).
The first king of the Southern Kingdom was Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:43). The tribes associated with the Southern Kingdom were Judah, Levi and Benjamin (1 Kings 12:21, 2 Chronicles 11:14). The tribe of Judah was the leading tribe of the Southern Kingdom. As a result, they were known as the “House of Judah” (1 Kings 12:23). In Genesis 49, the tribe of Judah was given the “kingship” blessing (Genesis 49:10). Because the tribe of Judah was the leading tribe of the Southern Kingdom of the “House of Judah,” the Southern Kingdom became a “Kingship” nation.
As kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom were tested regarding their faithfulness to the Melchizedek priesthood office regarding following the Torah. Rather than following the Torah in faithfulness, the Northern Kingdom, through the leadership of Jeroboam, participated in mixed worship of the God of Israel (1 Kings 12:26–33). They followed the Torah in part, but combined it with the worship of Baal. This combined mixed worship was called, “Baal worship,” by the prophets of Israel (2 Kings 17:7–16). Therefore, the Northern Kingdom flunked their test as a “Firstborn” nation in following Torah. As a result, they were exiled and taken into captivity by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:5–6, 23).
The Southern Kingdom departed from following the Torah also (Jeremiah 3:8). In fact, the Southern Kingdom worshipped the “Queen of Heaven,” who was Astarte / Ashtoreth, or Ishtar (Jeremiah 44:17). She is the female goddess (1 Kings 11:33) counterpart associated with the male god, Baal. As a “Kingship” nation, the Southern Kingdom flunked their test in following Torah as part of the responsibility associated with the Melchizedek priesthood office. As a result, the Southern Kingdom was taken into Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 24:10–16).
After seventy years of Babylonian captivity, a remnant of the Jewish nation returned, in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 2:1). All these things needed to happen (in other words certain things needed to be properly set in place) before it was the proper time for Yeshua to be born (Galatians 4:4). As a result, in Matthew 21, Yeshua rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (v. 1–11) and was put on trial (v. 11–26) to determine if He would be accepted as the Messiah by the leaders of the Temple system, along with the leaders of the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:59–64). In doing so, Yeshua was put on trial to determine if He would be accepted, not only as the Messiah, but also if they would accept Him as the King of this “Kingship” nation, the House of Judah (Matthew 27:11, 29, 37). As a consequence of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem failing to receive Yeshua as their Messiah and King (they flunked the test), the Temple was destroyed (Matthew 23:37–38) and the Jews were taken into worldwide captivity by the Romans.
God the Father used the rejection of Yeshua as the Messiah by the Jewish leadership of the Temple, as well as the Pharisaic sect along with the Sanhedrin, to restore the Northern Kingdom into covenant relationship with Him (Romans 9:24–25, 11:11). This was done by Yeshua making a (re)NEW(ed) covenant with the house of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and the house of Judah (Southern Kingdom). In doing so, the salvation of Yeshua and forgiveness of sin was offered to not only the nation of Israel (Acts 5:31) but also to the entire world (John 3:16), for anyone who would repent from departing from the Torah and accept Yeshua’s shed blood for the forgiveness of their sins (Colossians 1:14).
By accepting Yeshua as the Messiah and His shed blood for the forgiveness of their sins (Ephesians 1:7), the people from the nations of the world are “grafted” into this covenant (Romans 11:24) that was made with the house of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and the house of Judah (Southern Kingdom). In Yeshua making the New Covenant (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 8:10–11), the primary priesthood of this New Covenant is the spiritual Melchizedek priesthood (1 Peter 2:5) with Yeshua being the leading Melchizedek priest over it (Hebrews 5:10, 8:1, 9:11). This New Covenant Melchizedek priesthood is a spiritual priesthood (1 Peter 2:5) over a spiritual Temple (Ephesians 2:20–22). Meanwhile, the earthly Levitical priesthood will govern the earthly Temple (Ezekiel 44:15).
When Yeshua rebuilds the Temple (Zechariah 6:12) at His second coming (this being Ezekiel’s Temple), the Levitical priesthood will do the services in this Temple (Ezekiel 44:15–27). Still being in the New Covenant at Yeshua’s second coming, the earthly Levitical priesthood will be beneath the Melchizedek priesthood in authority within the New Covenant. In other words, Yeshua will be the leading Melchizedek priest (Hebrews 5:10, 8:1, 9:11) over a Melchizedek priesthood (which is spiritual) within the New Covenant, while the Levitical priesthood will continue to be an earthly priesthood that will conduct the services in the Messianic Temple under the leadership of the high priests of the Zadok priesthood (Ezekiel 44:15–27).
Positionally, everyone who accepts Yeshua as Messiah is part of the New Covenant and becomes part of a spiritual Temple (Ephesians 2:20–22) and a spiritual Melchizedek priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9). Believers in Yeshua as the Messiah become spiritual kings, spiritual priests (Romans 5:17, Revelation 5:10), and spiritual firstborns (Hebrews 12:23) in Him. As a result, each believer in Yeshua as the Messiah is tested in the spiritual responsibilities (Matthew 7:21–23, 24:45, 25:21, 24–28, I Corinthians 3:13–15, 2 Corinthians 5:10) of this spiritual Melchizedek priesthood.
In other words, Yeshua’s spiritual Melchizedek priesthood family has a Kingdom responsibility to live the Torah, teach the Torah (Matthew 5:19), and be willing to lay down their lives (1 John 3:16) for the benefit of others. Believers in Yeshua as the Messiah are called to be bondservants unto Him (Romans 1:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:1). If they live their lives as being faithful to their Melchizedek priesthood calling, they are regarded by Yeshua as being His faithful bondservants (Matthew 25:21). Their reward and inheritance are to rule and reign with Yeshua in the Kingdom of God for all eternity (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 22:3–5). If believers in Yeshua as the Messiah are unfaithful in their spiritual Melchizedek priesthood calling, they will be rebuked by Yeshua and be regarded as unfaithful servants (Matthew 25:25–30). While they will live forever with Yeshua for believing that He is the Messiah (Revelation 21:24), they will not rule and reign with Him forever in His Kingdom.
Another name for the faithful spiritual Melchizedek priesthood servants of Yeshua is His dwelling Bride (Revelation 21:9–10). Those who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah become His betrothed Bride (Romans 10:9–10). This is the first stage of a Biblical wedding (Matthew 1:18) in the Kingdom of God. Yeshua’s betrothed Bride is given the spiritual status of being part of His spiritual Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:20–22) and His spiritual Melchizedek priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9, Revelation 5:10) when they become believers in Him. When the betrothed Bride of Yeshua is a faithful spiritual Melchizedek priest in being a bondservant to Yeshua (Matthew 25:21) in living their daily lives, the betrothed Bride of Yeshua will become the dwelling Bride of Yeshua (Matthew 24:45–47). This is the second and completed stage of a Biblical wedding (Revelation 21:3) in the Kingdom of God. The dwelling Bride of Yeshua will live, rule, and reign forever with Him and dwell with Him in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:3–5). The dwelling Bride of Yeshua (Revelation 22:3–5) will rule and reign over the betrothed Bride of Yeshua who failed in their service to Him (1 Corinthians 3:15, Revelation 21:24) in being a spiritual Melchizedek priest (Revelation 5:10).
When Yeshua dwelt on this earth at His first coming, He was tested by God the Father in whether He would be a faithful Melchizedek priest unto Him (Hebrews 4:15, 5:8). Yeshua not only gave the Torah at Mount Sinai (Acts 7:38, James 4:12), but He taught the Torah to Moses (Exodus 24:3), sent His prophets to rebuke the nation of Israel for not following His Torah (2 Kings 17:13),and taught the Torah at His first coming (Mark 6:34), while training twelve disciples to be students of His Torah teaching (Luke 6:13). He was willing to do the Will of His Father (Luke 22:42), lay down His life (John 10:15), and shed His blood to forgive the sins (Ephesians 1:7) of the nation of Israel (Acts 5:31), as well as the sins of the entire world (John 3:16), if they would repent of their sins and receive His shed blood for the forgiveness of their sins. In being a faithful Melchizedek priest (Hebrews 2:17) to His heavenly Father, God the Father has appointed Yeshua to inherit all things (Revelation 21:7) given from His Father for faithful service unto Him. This includes Yeshua being the King, Judge, Savior, and the leading Melchizedek priest over His Father’s Kingdom (Isaiah 9:6–7, 33:22, 43:15, Hebrews 6:20).
Those who have accepted Yeshua as the Messiah and have been faithful spiritual Melchizedek priests in living their lives in service to Him by living the Torah, teaching the Torah, and laying down their lives for others, will be joint heirs with Yeshua (Romans 8:17) in His eternal Kingdom. They will be His dwelling Bride who will live and rule and reign with Yeshua forever and ever in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:3–5). May all of us who are believers in Yeshua as the Messiah, because we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), being justified and made righteous in Him (Romans 3:24–25) by receiving His shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7), be faithful in service to Him (Matthew 25:21–23) in living our daily lives. By being His faithful spiritual Melchizedek priests, we can receive the greatest of all spiritual rewards which He offers in His Kingdom. This is to rule and reign forever with Him as His dwelling Bride in the New Jerusalem! May we all be counted worthy by Him! ■
Article written by Eddie Chumney.
Eddie Chumney is the founder of Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int’l.
* Scripture references from the KJV
