ESSENTIALS OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD.
VI. An Everlasting Priesthood.
IN its fullest sense the Melchizedek priesthood is an everlasting priesthood. Relatively this is true as to its past; for the priesthood is coeval with the world and its people, of which its Melchizedek is the first. He is the father of the people of his world. To them he is an everlasting father. He antedates them, and abides with them to the end. To them he has "neither beginning of days nor end of life," but abideth a priest continually. He is made a priest in the very nature of things; better to say, perhaps, he is a priest in the very nature of things. He is a priest, first, because he is a son of God, and, secondly, because he is the father of his race. As a son of God he does not die. As a father he is the most merciful of priests. He is a priest, therefore, not after "a carnal commandment," but "after the power of an endless life," an "indissoluble life," the life of righteousness of Melchizedek a king of righteousness. For it is witnessed of Him, "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." Note the contrast between the earthly and Melchizedek priesthood: "And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing; but He, because He abideth forever, hath His priesthood unchangeable [because always a son of God, always a father, always a king of righteousness]. Wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost ["completely," not merely as regards quantity or magnitude, but as regards time] them that draw near unto God through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:16-25. What a blessed thought is this everlasting priesthood. What a joy it is to a trusting son to confide in a wise and loving father in time of perplexity! What gratitude comes into his heart as that father is spared to him from year to year! What trembling of heart comes to him as that father is taken sick, and symptoms seem to indicate that he may die! What unspeakable sadness comes to him when that father dies! The active, experienced mind is at rest; the lips are cold and silent. There is no response to the anxious questioning of the perplexed and needy son. His earthly hope is gone. But he whose hope is anchored in the Melchizedek of God has an everlasting father of everlasting love, everlasting mercy, everlasting sympathy, everlasting riches of grace, everlasting power to help, everlasting life to give. Praise God for His everlasting priesthood. Yet this is God’s glorious plan for every sentient being. O soul, trust in the everlasting Helper.