Writings

#383 Kingdom: Melchizedek And the Seven Spirits Of God

Within many Pentecostal circles today the experience of being “filled” with the Holy Spirit has not been promoted and rather has diminished and many places has nearly disappeared. Even among those who have received this wonderful in-filling there are many who are content to regard the Holy Spirit has a passive guest, instead of a present power and authority. The Holy Spirit has been ignored and has very little influence in the Christian’s life and His gifts and ministries has very little function in the “visible church.”

Among many denominations in this “modern church society,” the Holy Spirit is regarded as optional, or possibly “unnecessary,” and ___ although a welcome “presence” __ not really exerting much influence or having a lasting effect in the church. Although the Holy Spirit has been accepted “doctrinally,” many see no reason or need to get “fanatical” and seek for any manifestation more than being “Born Again.” This incredible blindness is due, in part, to the tyranny of modern theological thought which has determined that this “Baptism” was a later addition to the “real” gospel, (The Gospel of Salvation). Rather than presenting “Born of the Spirit”as an absolute necessity for the growth and continued development of the new inner life, (and the various manifestations of HIS LIFE), the experience is very often ridiculed and condemned, or passed off as only for the start of the NEW baby church __ from the Book of Acts.

Ignorance of the Seven Feasts of the Lord has rendered the Feast of Pentecost irrelevant or optional. Since the Kingdom of Priests must first have “operating priests” WITHIN the Kingdom government we must be very careful about what it means to function within the Priesthood of the Holy Spirit. {Melchizedek}

My thesis in this study is to show that a practical, {rather than theoretical} active, {rather than passive} and continuous, {rather than fading} experience of the Holy Spirit is essential to participate in the next restoration. This next restoration will be in the realms of the experiential illumination of the Seven Spirits of God within the new inner man. This “fullness of illumination” for this realm of Life and Ministry will revolutionize our outward function and affect other dimensions of our church life. Hopefully, the brightness of this inner illumination will render the theological error concerning the Holy Spirit, and His function, irrelevant and expose its deception.

This manifestation of the Fullness of the Holy Spirit is essential during these times. This “fulness of the Holy Spirit” is not just another cliche or church doctrine but His fullness is an actual experience; However, this manifestation is not necessary if we are just reading in a library, or preparing sermons, or meeting with the Ministerial Association, or having pot luck suppers. Here is one example of how this Inner Illumination occurs when we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ and when we are being reviled and persecuted:

Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

I will list the Seven Spirits of God, but NOT in ANY order of experience or importance because each functions as an absolute essential to the illumination of the Inner Sanctuary. In other words each Lamp must be kept burning.

(1) The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding [ Isa 11:2]

(2) The Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord [Isa 11:2]

(3) The Spirit of Judgement and Burning [ Isa 4:4]

(4) The Spirit of Grace and Supplication [ Zech 12:10]

(5) The Spirit of Counsel and Strength [Isa 11:2]

(6) The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation [ Eph 1:17]

(7) The Spirit of Glory and of God. [1 Pet 4:13]

My desire is to describe, in very practical earth terms, how this New Covenant blessing is “worked out” in practical life! However, everything in that dimension is only made practical by a miracle of new births! Its these practical inner births, coming to us in embryo form, that begin with the incorruptible seed should form new and different Life and function with an eternal origin. Following this there must be the growth and the total transformation of the “new creation inner man,” to prepare him for the Eternal Priesthood. The “practical” or experiential entrance of the Spirit of Christ along with the entrance of the Holy Spirit into this “Sanctuary” {of the New Inner Man} is NOT optional. These, ( the Spirit of Christ and The Holy Spirit) are the two Cherubim who are one piece with the Mercy Seat. It is here, between the two Cherubim, that God speaks. Of course a clear explanation of many of these realities is not possible at the “natural/human” level because these “thoughts” are not human thoughts conveyed in earth words but are thoughts given by the Spirit and then imparted to others by the Spirit.

1Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

1Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

NONE of these “Realities” can be “ministered” out of our limited human capacity nor can they be understood at the human level. These things will always be “mysteries” to the natural man and rejected by the natural theologian as foolishness.

When we ignore the “spiritual dimensions” that are ONLY opened to us by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, within the new inner man, we cut ourselves off from His Essential Nature at work in us. Then we assign ourselves a place in the visible church that is occupied by religious things and take our place among the multitude of natural men who do not accept the things of the Spirit of God. There is NOT an insignificant number of “natural, earth bound, carnal and unenlightened persons” in the visible church. These natural persons are both in the pulpit and in the pew! The “ministries” are attempting to use these natural men to “build” the visible church! All this “carnality” has produced a disastrous limit upon the total experience of the “believers.” Most are so limited in their faith that it is nearly impossible to believe God’s Word for anything except forgiveness of sins.

Now into this fallen atmosphere we will try to introduce the Eternal and Heavenly Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek, the heavenly Mt. Zion, The New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ, the manifested Sons of God and the Lampstand Church that Christ alone is building.

In Revelation 2 & 3 He, Himself, is walking among the Lampstand Churches and correcting, criticizing, condemning, threatening and warning with very strong language! Why? Because now He Is actively building the Real Church . It is very clear that this is NOT a religious game we are playing but He is preparing the Lampstand Church for its place in eternity. To remove the Lampstand Illumination from a congregation is a very serious consequence of the ignorance of the “leadership.” This would have disastrous results in the function of that church. That means this church would be in darkness and lacking the illumination of the Seven Spirits of God. That “church” would forfeit any function in ANY Holy Place Life or Ministry.

Rev 2:5 'Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent.

The restoration of this level of universal repentance is essential for the next restoration. How do we know that? Because, today, the darkness in the “Sanctuary” is evidenced by the absence of this Lampstand level of Current Light in the visible church. This Seven Spirit Level of Light is NORMAL for the Lampstand Church that He is building! The restoration of the Lampstand Church as a present reality is essential for the next restoration. The restoration of the Illuminating Ministry of the Seven Spirits of God is essential for the current “fivefold ministries”___ just to lead the congregation into the next restoration. What this means is, the Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek MUST be restored in the Holy Place Life and Ministry! We MUST reject any thought that this ministry is optional or that it had passed away with the last of the (original) apostles.

Many naively declare that all New Testament believers are kings and priests without defining what the requirements of New Testament Priesthood are or what the function of a King/Priest is within the New Covenant. Therefore, it is essential that we understand, in many details, what is required for us to participate in The Kingdom that is made up of priests after the Order of Melchizedek.

The book of Hebrews declares that we have a High Priest who has taken up His priesthood after the order of Melchizedek and not after the order of Aaron. The present “ministry system” that is accepted today as normal and valid has been designed to follow the priesthood after the order of Aaron. This is a divided priesthood with a “high priest” then a hierarchy of ministry priests, and then the Levites (workers) and then the congregation. This is quite different from a “High Priest” who is HEAD and a body of the mature Sons of God who are priests.

HEB 8:1 Now the main point in what has been said {is this}: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

HEB 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a {hope} both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

In searching out the valid priesthood for today, we discover that the priesthood after the order of Aaron has been done away with. In other words, it no longer exists so any priesthood that functions after that order is some counterfeit ministry that defrauds the church! However, this is such a deception that many accept it as a valid “ministry.”

HEB 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need {was there} for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

It is logical to conclude that if the priesthood after the order of Aaron has been done away with, and we are all called to become a kingdom of priests, we must become priests after a different and higher order. The scriptures only mention one other order and that is after the order of Melchizedek. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that all New Testament priests must be after the order of Melchizedek. If this is true, we should be fully informed as to what this means and be prepared to expose the counterfeit. The counterfeit is exposed by the higher Life of the New Covenant ministry.

The priesthood after the order of Aaron was an earthly priesthood that stood daily in the Tabernacle on earth { with their feet in the dirt} to offer both gifts and sacrifices for those who worship God. However, the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is a heavenly priesthood manifesting the Higher Life that proceeds out from the throne of God in the heavenly Tabernacle of God. The priesthood has transferred from earth to heaven and the valid ministries are not standing in the dirt. [ “heaven” does not mean to some planet high above the sky but to another realm, invisible but very near]

Our High Priest has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens. Melchizedek IS an Eternal King- Priest and therefore, Jesus must also become a King-Priest within the same Order. Jesus is our High priest who has taken His seat at the right hand of God and is seated with Him on the throne in the realm of heaven. The priesthood after the order of Aaron was a temporary priesthood and was in effect for about 1280 years. The priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is a eternal priesthood that has no beginning and has no ending. Melchizedek was always a priest of the Most High God. Jesus Christ was not always a priest but BECAME a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Because of the error of human perception we must pause here to put things in their proper perspective.

As earth beings we are oriented to size and distance, in earth terms we may think of the “throne” as something earthly and a kind of seat like we see here on earth. Jesus ascended on high and above all heavens. We generally point upward at the sky when we think of heaven. However, this is just a human concept of a spiritual place. Heaven is a “realm” and there is no concept of height or distance or time as we experience in the natural earth realm. Melchizedek is in that eternal realm of the Kingdom. Still, this eternal realm is the realm of the Lampstand Church. If we have {now} been lifted up and seated with him in heavenly places, why are we still in this place? Because that heavenly place is not a place far from here but another realm that is NOT visible, as is a natural realm. Obviously we must overcome the limitation or human concepts and embrace the ultimate reality of the Invisible Realms. However, let us try to solve the mystery of Melchizedek by referring to the first mention of Melchizedek, or ANY priest in the scriptures.

GEN 14:14 And when Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people. 17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. "And he gave him a tenth of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself." 22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' 24 "I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share."

The very first mention of any priest in the Bible is Melchizedek. However, this priest was also the king of Salem. He gave bread and wine to Abram and pronounced a blessing on Abram. Abram gave his tithe to Melchizedek. Melchizedek was made visible but was NOT a contemporary of Abram but had always existed but that fact is not revealed here.

When Melchizedek met Abram, at the same time the king of Sodom ( which means the king of burning perversion) also went out to meet him. Melchizedek came out to bless Abram and to give him food and drink. The king of Sodom wanted the souls that Abram brought back. The king of Sodom said you keep all the possessions and give me the souls. These were all the possessions that were stolen from the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and two other kings. All these possessions would have made Abram very wealthy but he refused to take even a small thing. The king of Sodom is a picture of Satan.

This is all there is to this story about Melchizedek and it doesn't give us any insight into spiritual things or anything about that particular priesthood or when or where it originated. We could easily forget there ever was a Melchizedek. However, many years later David, who was also a prophet, received a revelation about God's coming Messiah / King / Priest and Melchizedek.

PSALM 110:1 (A Psalm of David.) The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand, Until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet." 2 The Lord will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, {saying}, "Rule in the midst of Thine enemies." 3 Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Thy youth are to Thee {as} the dew. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, "Thou art a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." 5 The Lord is at Thy right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill {them} with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. 7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up {His} head.

The prophet recognized that this King was going to rule, judge and exercise judgement and authority upon the nations but at the same time be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. The Messiah will reign from Mt. Zion. This is why we MUST understand the difference between Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion.

David understood that when God's Messiah / King was established, that King was also to be a Priest after a whole different order than the existing priesthood after the order of Aaron. Without this revelation we could just dismiss Melchizedek as an unknown king-priest in the Old Testament. But now with this revelation they knew that when Messiah came He would be a King-Priest after the order of ( in the same tradition as) Melchizedek. The Jewish bible scholars of Jesus' time knew that. This Priesthood of Melchizedek proceeded out of Mt. Zion while the priesthood after the order of Aaron was formed at Mt. Sinai!

The writer of Hebrews had more revelation. Since he recognized that Jesus was the Messiah, he also knew that He must also be a King-Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Old Covenant priesthood was tied to Mt. Sinai. The New Covenant priesthood is tied to Mt. Zion.

HEB 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The New Covenant BEGINS with Jesus Christ following His resurrection and is the time His Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek.

The Priesthood after the order of Aaron had no access behind the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The “higher Priesthood” now has access behind the veil.

The high priest after the order of Aaron could only enter once a year on the day of atonement, but he couldn't stay except for a few minutes, to sprinkle the blood. Jesus sprinkled His own blood on the Mercy Seat and sat down there, permanently. However, in addition to that, He has provided the same hope for us and that hope is the anchor of our soul. Nevertheless, without the revelation of Hebrew 7 this would all just be academic and more curious information.

HEB 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all {the spoils}, was first of all, by the translation {of his name}, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually.

We should note that Jesus was called the Sun of Righteousness and the Prince of Peace.

Now the writer of Hebrews begins to explain how his revelation came. By translating his name he discovered that Mechizedek means "the king of righteousness". He was the king of Salem which means "the king of peace". He was both the king of righteousness and the king of peace. Gen. 14 declares that Melchizedek was the priest of the Most High God. (Not some lessor god). Both kings and priests had to have a genealogy but since Gen. 14 doesn't give a genealogy that means he had no genealogy nor beginning of days or end of life. Gen. 14 doesn't say who his father or his mother was which means he didn't have a father or a mother. That means that he was never "born". It also means that He was One of the Trinity. If He had no beginning of days or end of life He had to be God and certainly not some man that they lost his genealogy. This Melchizedek holds His priesthood forever. From all eternity past, He was the Priest of God. Jesus Christ was not eternally a priest. He was The Living Word of God. He became a high priest after the Order of Melchizedek and therefore, He will hold His King/Priesthood forever.

The word of God became flesh and dwelt among us as a man. Since He was conceived by God He is "the Son of God". Melchizedek, who always existed, was made visible on earth like the Living Word of God or He was also made visible like the Son of God. He was not the Son of God but He was "like the Son of God". He also took on the body of a man like the Lord Jesus Christ.

Throughout all past ages, there was an Eternal King/Priesthood operating in heaven. God has never been without a Priest after the Order of Melchizedek.

The common interpretation of Melchizedek is that he represented a Christophany or the appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. The commentaries say "a foreshadowing of Christ". However, there is more than one Priest in view here.

HEB 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need {was there} for another priest ( another besides Aaron) to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become {such} not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed {of Him}, "Thou art a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

Another Priest denotes more than one or, NOW there are two, which indicates another Priest besides Melchizedek __ but of the same order. Order means "to arrange" or "that particular arrangement". There always was an "eternal priesthood" that existed in the eternal realms. But now Christ has become a High Priest after that same eternal order and will therefore hold His priesthood for all eternity future.

The Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek IS the Priesthood required to bring the church to perfection. NONE of The EARTHLY priesthoods can bring the church to perfection in ANY generation.

The fact that Melchizedek was not some mortal man or that they lost his genealogy, is clearly stated in verse HEB 7:8 And in this case {Aaron} mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one {receives them}, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. Melchizedek was NOT a mortal man that foreshadowed or was a type of Christ. This Melchizedek is His own Person. He was never born and He never died. Within the priesthood after the order of Aaron, it is clear that they all were just mortal men and each generation died and were buried. Because new priests always had to take their place, for that reason, the priesthood could not bring anyone to perfection.

HEB 7:23 And the {former} priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the {sins} of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, {appoints} a Son, made perfect forever.

At the time of Gen. 14 Abram was the greatest man on the earth in God's eyes and had received the promises of inheritance directly from God. But here we see Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek. Since the greater always blesses the lesser and the lesser pays tithes to the greater, it is clear that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham.

HEB 7:4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham, and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one {receives them}, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

To use this scripture today for mortal men to once again receive tithes, seems too shallow! In effect even the priesthood after the order of Aaron paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. The priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is a much greater priesthood than the priesthood after the order of Aaron and in addition to that, this priesthood after the order of Aaron was temporary while this current priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek is eternal. Another difference is this priesthood of Melchizedek is a Ruling, Kingly Priesthood that rules over all the earth, and now also in heaven. This “priesthood” is a corporate Priesthood and now there two Priests after that order. However, that “Priesthood” is not limited to two Priests but will become a whole Kingdom of Priests. [As the revelation increases we will understand that these two Priests are priests that function within us in the personal Sanctuary.]

The prophetic word spoken in Psalm 110 declares that Messiah will be a priest after another order. Since the Law of Moses established the priesthood after the order of Aaron, if the priesthood is changed, that means that the Law that established that priesthood must also be changed. Therefore, this original / eternal Priesthood will function within a whole New Covenant Law of a different nature than the First Covenant Law. The “Law of Commandments” was not only made void but now New Laws are put into our minds and written upon our hearts. The Laws on stone have been replaced with relevant, experiential and different Laws IN THE NEW INNER MAN. Under this covenant we are encouraged to draw near to God and not stand separated by various veils.

HEB 7:18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as {it was} not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, 'Thou art a priest forever'"); 22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Now, why would God introduce another ministry or another covenant that still could NOT bring the church to perfection. The “better hope” is related to a “better covenant” that is related to “perfection.”

The New Covenant brings with it a "better hope" through which we draw near to God. Hope here means a strong, indwelling encouragement. It is like an indwelling invitation and a mystical drawing to ascend into that Realm.

Then Who is this Melchizedek?

First He was the Priest of the Most High God. Therefore, He is not the Most High God. He was like The Son of God but was not the Son of God. The Son of God became a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. However, Melchizedek never was born and He never died. He had no father and no mother. He was one of the Trinity; However, He was Not the Father and He was NOT the Son. Therefore, He was __ and IS__he Holy Spirit.

If Melchizedek is a type and picture of Jesus Christ we would be able to say, “Jesus Christ has taken up His priesthood after the order of Jesus Christ.” This would be foolish. If we say, “ Jesus Christ took up His priesthood after the order of the Holy Spirit,” it makes sense.

The next question we should ask is when did Jesus become a priest after the order of Melchizedek? When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river, as He was coming out of the water, the Holy Spirit came upon Him and anointed Him. After He was tested for 40 days in the wilderness and made His consecration offering, He came to Nazareth to the synagogue on the Sabbath.

LUKE 4:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are downtrodden, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. " 20 And He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

ACT 10:38 "{You know of} Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and {how} He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.

Jesus' ministry was under the authority, the guidance and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus never did anything out from Himself on His own initiative. [Now the roles are reversed. The Holy Spirit is not doing anything from His own initiative but like Jesus He only speaks what He hears.]

JOHN 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 30 "I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak.

Now if we “see and understand” how Jesus conducted His ministry and did the miracles and failed to act or speak on His own initiative, we will see how this priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek functions in our dispensation.

REV 1:6 and He has made us {to be} a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him {be} the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

REV 5:10 "And Thou hast made them {to be} a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

REV 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. ( King-Priests.)

1PET 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for {God's} own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

ISA 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of {as} ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast.

Kings function as rulers. The place where they reign is called a "throne" and that throne is the place of their authority. Both Saul and David had delegated authority by God, through the anointing, to rule for God over Israel. Since Saul still had the anointing, He also had God’s delegated authority; therefore, David would not lift up his hand against Saul.

REV 2:26 'And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received {authority} from My Father;

This authority to rule is limited to those who overcome and not to all believers. To casually assign this “ruling authority” to all believers is a great disservice to the visible church and continues to promote this lukewarm and casual condition that is visible today!

REV 3:21 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

To sit with Him on His throne requires that we “overcome”. “The term “Overcomer” does not refer to all believers but just to those who press on to the prize, who finish their course, who persevere through the trials, testing and sufferings and who come out victorious. To apply this to those who have their sins forgiven and have escaped hell is a disservice to the church because it implies that all believers are automatically “overcomers.”

Priests are those who offer sacrifices to God and are given to the active worship of God Most High. God defines priests as those who are fully given as His own possession. Consecration, hearing His voice and obedience then are the prerequisites to priesthood. The contemporary “temple” or spiritual house where the “spiritual sacrifices” are offered is now made with “living stones.” It is this “spiritual house” which is a “holy priesthood.”

1Pet 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

To use this verse when taking up the collection is obviously the wrong interpretation of sacrifices, unless we can make “money” spiritual and something we use to build an invisible temple.

EXO 19:5 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you

shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. 'These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel. "

Priesthood suggests that we hear God's voice, keep His covenant and obey. God interprets this level of obedience as, “a people of His own possession.” Those who receive forgiveness of sins and then live to please themselves cannot be considered as priests or as kings OR as His Own possession. We can call these “strangers” casual believers!

God has not called nor does He expect a separated "class" of ministers who are "priests". He has called all believers to be kings and priests, a royal priesthood. However, we do not qualify as priests just because we find the term king / priests in the Bible but because we function as king / priests. Those who do not hear His voice and obey cannot be considered to be priests and those who do not overcome cannot be considered as "kings". Those who do not stand before the Lord or minister to the Lord and who do not burn incense cannot be considered as priests.

2 Chron 29:11] "My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to minister to Him, and to be His ministers and burn incense." Burning incense is an integral part of the priesthood so we should be certain that we really are really burning incense rather than just practicing the popular earth and man centered prayer.

Melchizedek was a King-Priest and the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is the only authorized New Testament priesthood. The priesthood after the order of Aaron has been done away with. Therefore, all New Testament believers are called and predestined to become King-Priests after the order of Melchizedek.

ROM 15:15] But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, [16] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that my offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Paul was functioning as a New Covenant priest but NOT after the order of Aaron.

Then what is the application of all this information to our lives and how will this affect our ministry to God, our ministry to the nations and the testimony of our Life to the Church?

We saw that those who overcome will rule the nations during the Millennium and in the eternal Kingdom. However, our training time for ruling is right now. It is during the “church age” that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven. In the church age we rule through prayer but not the common kind of earth prayer that is so popular in the church today.

Incense is a type of prayer in all its forms. By clearly determining the location where the Altar of Incense was situated in relation to the Ark of the Covenant {which is a type of the Throne of God} we understand the ultimate, the intimate and the essential nature of prayer. Since the Veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place is now torn, the Altar of Incense is in close proximity to and a part of the Throne ministry. In other words at the Altar of Incense we are standing in the circle of God’s Throne which means in the Circle of His Sovereignty which means in the Circle of His Authority. The THRONE is not a seat but His Sovereign Authority.

HEB 9:3] And behind the second veil, there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, [4] having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant. [5] And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

It is clear that burning the Real Incense in the New Covenant, places us in the very presence of the Ark of the Covenant which is the Throne of God. In Hebrews 9 the Altar of Incense is NOW behind the Third Veil. Of course the infinite God who fills all space in NOT confined to a Royal Chair, where He can sit or rest! God is Spirit who does not need to sit. This then is a metaphor so we can understand something from that dimension.

This appears to be sufficient “proof” that Melchizedek was NOT a mortal man and that He IS God and one of the trinity. His function within the God Head is to function as the King / Priest. This is offensive to some because we all assume that Jesus Christ IS the ONLY King / Priest. We severely limit our experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit when we fail to recognize that when He comes to Dwell in us that He comes as a King / Priest and not just so we can speak in tongues. He actually comes as a Ruler in our lives and to establish the Kingdom Government and God’s Eternal Laws in our inner man. He didn’t come just to give us fuzzy feelings.

Unless we see how God has predestined us to become a Kingdom of Priests we may miss

the significance of our calling as priests within the body of our High Priest. We often confuse the Living Word Of God with The Man Christ Jesus. The word BECAME flesh and that “Flesh” is called the Man Christ Jesus. In Genesis 1 & 2 we see that God had foreordained that man should rule over all the earth. The first Adam failed and corrupted the complete genealogy of first creation man throughout the ages.

However, now God has raised up another Adam, the Last Adam, The Second Man, and He is the first-born of a completely new creation. Not in the Earth but on the Earth but in another realm. Personally, this “new creation” has begun as our New Inner Man. The new man, who once again, after Christ is created in the Image of God. This New Creation Man is growing and developing in another realm separate from the earth realm but still on the earth and within a human body. The Word once again becoming flesh! The new creation man is invisible in the earth realm! He is designed to fully develop in the Kingdom Realm which is also the Realm of the Lampstand Church, that Christ Himself is Building.

This New Creation Inner Man is not of the earth but is a “pilgrim and stranger” on the earth because he is not FROM the earth. He has originated in the “heavens” and was born from above and not from the earth realm. The New Man has been born again by the sperma of the Living and Abiding Word of God. He is not OF the Earth and is a stranger here on the earth. The Old Man originated from the earth and MUST remain on the earth and return to the dust of the earth. The outward man is NOT a stranger here.

There is a tremendous confusion between these two men. That means the old creation man and the New Creation Man. Jesus Christ is the Head of the New Creation Man [ many members] who become a part of His Body, making ONE NEW MAN. It is this ONE NEW MAN that has been predestined to rule over ALL the works of God’s hands.

Eph 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, [one mature / perfect Man] to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.

The “one mature or Perfect man” is now identified as “the fulness of Christ,” both Head and body. This is the definition of maturity and destroys our human concept that Christian doctrine, education, or discipleship is maturity. The ministries have been assigned this duty of producing believers who are ministers of this new order of the New Covenant. If this is not happening, we need to question if what is called “Apostolic” is even a valid New Covenant ministry.

It is my opinion that “Apostolic Ministry” must be of the current Priesthood, after the Order of Melchizedek, which means that All outward ministry BEGINS in the Holy Place Life and Ministry under the illumination of the Seven Spirits of God. Too much of this phony ministry we see today, so- called “apostolic,” began in the Outer Court and is a stranger to the Holy Place priesthood. Since ALL NEW COVENANT Priesthood ministry can ONLY be after the Order of Melchizedek, it is essential we move into THAT restoration of reality {TRUTH}.

It seems that what has been presented is the totality of our information about Melchizedek so we must stop here. However, since we have identified Melchizedek as the earthly name of the Holy Spirit, we now have many, many scriptures that identify His ministry in the church. Jesus announced the necessity and the experiential reality of His ministry IN the believers when He arrived. “He has been with you but He shall be IN YOU” is the point we are making about the ministry of the new inner man.

By assembling the truth about the Holy Spirit, given in scriptures, we can begin to identify and describe the Priesthood after the Order of the Holy Spirit. It appears that we can name Him “Melchizedek,” the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace. Giving HIM the tithe of EVERYTHING will revolutionize the church and cause invalid “ministries” to disappear. This will certainly make a distinction between the Kingdom person and the common believer we see in such abundance today.

Hopefully, we will be able to convince believers that to reject ANY part of His Eternal Priesthood or inner ministry is one of the stupidest things we can do in HIS dispensation. To preach the Gospel of the Kingdom by some “ministry” that mirrors the priesthood of Aaron will just produce another doctrine of the Kingdom for believers with itching ears, but produce NO Kingdom level priests. The church needs to lose at least 10 pounds of stupid to become the bride of Christ!