“EL ELYON” – The Most High God who owns the earth
Our God is referred to as “the Most High God” in Gen.14: 18 in the context of the meeting of king of Salem with Abraham who had returned from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, the king of Elamand of the kings that were with the said king. The wicked king had taken captive of Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, and his goods. When Abram heard this news, he along with his trained servants, pursued the enemies and brought back Lot and his goods and the people held in captivity. On the victory of Abram, king of Sodom went out to meet the former. And Melchizedek, king of Salem blessed Abram and said, “Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heaven Salem, who was the priest of the MOST HIGH GOD brought forth bread and wine, and earth…”In Hebrew 8:20 and 7:1-28, we find that Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God, was, by interpretation, Christ Jesus, the King of righteousness, and the King of Salem (Peace). Melchizedek “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually”. Melchizedek was considered as a great man “unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils (tithes)”. In Psalm 110:4, Christ was prophetically referred to as “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”.
According to the law, the sons of Levi were supposed to receive tithes from the people. But Melchizedek whose descent is not counted from the sons of Levi received tithes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises. The crux of the messages from the book of Hebrew is that perfection was not of the Levitical priesthood but of “another priest” who should rise after the order of Melchizedek (7:11). Christ sprang not of the Levitical priesthood, but of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. Under the New Testament, we have only one priesthood, which continues, forever through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Levitical priesthood was done away with on the Cross of Calvary. All of us, who have been washed by the Blood of Jesus Christ and who have been baptized by the Holy Ghost, have become the children of the Most High God through the one Priesthood of Christ Jesus. We are not only children of the Most High God but also are made through the Blood of Jesus Christ “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” (I Pet.2: 9).
These days, everywhere, in the churches of God, we find the Levitical system of priesthood, which was done away with on the Cross of Calvary. All the members of the body of Christ are the priests of the Most High God. However, for ministry to the body of Christ, there are five kinds of ministers i.e. apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors. The remaining members of His body other than the five types of ministers are also assigned ministerial positions by the Holy Ghost in the body of Christ in diverse ways. They are also equally important. The five types of ministers are also not “priests” as far as their service to the other members of the body of Christ is concerned. All of us, including the five types of ministers, are priests of God offering praises unto God and intercessory prayers before His throne, on behalf of the lost and on behalf of one another. The New Testament ministers are, in fact, servants. They are not to be ministered to but to minister. What is prevalent in our churches, be it orthodox churches or Pentecostal churches, is quite contrary to the words of truth under the New Testament. There is a clear line of demarcation seen everywhere, thus branding the members of His Body as “believers” or “ laity” as distinct from “pastors” or “clergy”.
Another disquieting factor is demand of tithes from the members of the church by the pastors, quoting the Old Testament books. Under the New Testament, we are supposed to minister to the saints, especially the poor saints, widows, etc who are of the House of God. Every one should be a cheerful giver under the New Testament. “Ever man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver “ (II Cor.9: 7). If we give only to the pastors, what about the other ministers like apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers, and those other ministers engaged in God’s work in other ways?
Perfection is not possible through the system of Levitical priesthood but is possible only through Christ Jesus.
Only those who get the revelation of the truth concerning the eternal Priesthood of Christ Jesus, our Elder Brother, Who was of the order of Melchizedek, can appropriate the Name of God “El Elyon” for themselves and claim themselves to be the priests of the Most High God.
- Job Anbalagan