Melchizedek Brings Bread and Wine to Abramby KandD
110:4Psalms 110:4
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
The sworn words that the Lord will not repent are the everlasting covenant between the Father and the Son to give fallen humanity another chance through Christ's sacrifice, and that unchangeable pledge was fulfilled at the cross. Under that covenant, if humanity fell to Satan's deception Christ would become its substitute and surety, and His death on the cross completed the work of saving the world. It is the Father's declaration that the obedient Christ, who died as both Priest and Sacrifice, is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, and after His death Christ is received into eternal unity as both God and man.
The verse declares Christ to be a true, eternal high priest after the order of Melchizedek whose priesthood continues forever and will not pass to another or be superseded or replaced by another. Unlike the earthly priests who died and could not continue their ministry, Jesus lives as a priest forever. The office of the earthly high priest was designed and meant to represent Christ. This stands in contrast to corrupt human high priests who sought the office for ambition and power.
The earthly sanctuary and its services were given so that Israel could lay hold of the merits of the coming Savior and so that the heavenly ministry of Jesus could be understood. Christ voluntarily endured humiliation, crucifixion and burial, then was raised from the grave and triumphed over death. His priestly work followed His death on the cross, when the way to God was opened and people no longer needed sacrificial offerings or a human priest, and after completing His work on earth He ascended and took His place at God's right hand.
Through the offering of His own blood He entered and ministers in both apartments of the heavenly sanctuary. His everlasting priesthood enables Him to minister in the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood and making atonement. Jesus holds the office of priest as well as king as part of His divine mission, and when the people proclaimed Him King of Israel in fulfillment of prophecy He accepted their homage and His royal and priestly office.
The sworn words that the Lord will not repent are the everlasting covenant between the Father and the Son to give fallen humanity another chance through Christ's sacrifice, and that unchangeable pledge was fulfilled at the cross. Under that covenant, if humanity fell to Satan's deception Christ would become its substitute and surety, and His death on the cross completed the work of saving the world. It is the Father's declaration that the obedient Christ, who died as both Priest and Sacrifice, is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, and after His death Christ is received into eternal unity as both God and man.
The verse declares Christ to be a true, eternal high priest after the order of Melchizedek whose priesthood continues forever and will not pass to another or be superseded or replaced by another. Unlike the earthly priests who died and could not continue their ministry, Jesus lives as a priest forever. The office of the earthly high priest was designed and meant to represent Christ. This stands in contrast to corrupt human high priests who sought the office for ambition and power.
The earthly sanctuary and its services were given so that Israel could lay hold of the merits of the coming Savior and so that the heavenly ministry of Jesus could be understood. Christ voluntarily endured humiliation, crucifixion and burial, then was raised from the grave and triumphed over death. His priestly work followed His death on the cross, when the way to God was opened and people no longer needed sacrificial offerings or a human priest, and after completing His work on earth He ascended and took His place at God's right hand.
Through the offering of His own blood He entered and ministers in both apartments of the heavenly sanctuary. His everlasting priesthood enables Him to minister in the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood and making atonement. Jesus holds the office of priest as well as king as part of His divine mission, and when the people proclaimed Him King of Israel in fulfillment of prophecy He accepted their homage and His royal and priestly office.