In chapter 5, when we addressed the topic of Sonship, we gave a glimpse of what this priesthood is about. Here are some further observations:
1. This priesthood is the eternal priesthood which functions in the heavenly tabernacle. Moses was given a vision on Mount Sinai of its pattern, and God instructed him to make a copy of it on earth and established the Levitical priesthood to minister under the regulations of the Law. Jesus, the last Adam, when He was raised from the dead as the first-born from the dead, was glorified once again and offered the perfect atonement for the sins of man. Thus He disarmed the power of death and sin to the descendants of the first Adam. He opened the way for those who believe His Name to have access to the Father in Heaven.
2. This priesthood is not based on Law, which implies that two parties of a covenant are unequally yoked. Man in the flesh could never be perfected by observing the Law. Instead the priesthood is based on an oath in the eternal realm and a promise in the earthly realm. This makes it unequally yoked towards God the Father. He sealed His Name with it to accomplish this work towards Man, even the perfection of him to be able receive the promises or benefits of the covenant. As we shared before, the Father made an oath with the Son and promised that He will produce a family of sons through “Man.” Its work was disrupted, however, when Man fell from temptation by the evil one in the garden and was excluded from eternal life. But in order to preserve and produce a seed, which is able to restore Man in flesh and blood and re-establish the covenant, God made a promise to Abraham. The seed is Jesus. (Gal 3:15-29)
Paul mentioned this amazing gift and grace of eternal life for us who believe.
2 Cor. 1:20-22 [NIV]
20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
3. Under this covenant, those who put their faith in Christ will be given the spirit of Sonship and the Lord Himself will inscribe His law in our heart. This is called the New Covenant. (Jer. 31, 2 Cor. 3)
The Law – or Old Covenant – was given and ministered by angels between man and God; not so with the New Covenant, which is between the Spirit of God, the Father and the Son. The Spirit of the Son, or spirit of Sonship, seals us as children of God. It will teach us things about the Father and the Kingdom of the Son on the Son’s behalf, and about the Son and the Household of the Father on the Father’s behalf. It can only be ministered by the Holy Spirit, who is able to act on the behalf of the Father and the Son
Under this covenant, kingly duty and office and priestly duty and office is one, just as Jesus Christ is the King of Righteousness and Peace, as well as the High Priest of an Eternal Covenant. This is the essence of the order of Melchizedek.
This is post is _Part 2_ in the series The Order of Melchizedek. To continue with this series, click on Pt 3. To use this as a growth tool to better understand your own calling, you might start by reading the explanation of this series and Pt 1.
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