Understanding Melchizedek

Learning How Things Worked in Time Past Through Right Division

Key Scripture

For learning from prior revelation: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4 KJV)

Introduction

While Melchizedek appears briefly in scripture, his account provides five significant learnings about how things operated in Time Past. Through right division, we study these for learning while understanding we live under But Now today.

1. Historical Introduction

• First Appearance

  • Context given: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God" (Genesis 14:18 KJV)

  • After Abraham's victory: "After his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer" (Genesis 14:17 KJV)

  • Before Israel's formation: During Time Past, before Law given

2. Five Key Learnings about Time Past from Melchizedek

A. First Learning: How God's Authority Over Nations Worked in Time Past

• Most High God Title

  • First biblical use: "Priest of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:18-19 KJV)

  • Showed how God ruled nations before Israel

  • Demonstrated God's authority through earthly channels in that time

B. Second Learning: How Priesthood Worked in Time Past

• Non-Levitical Priesthood

  • Shows priesthood operation before Law

  • Reveals how God used priests as intermediaries then

  • Demonstrates divine authority structure of that time

C. Third Learning: How People Acknowledged God's Authority in Time Past

• Abraham's Response

  • Gave tithes: "And he gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:20 KJV)

  • Shows how people approached God through intermediaries then

  • Demonstrates proper response to divine authority in that time

D. Fourth Learning: How Blessing Operated in Time Past

• Blessing Function

  • Authority to bless: "And he blessed him" (Genesis 14:19 KJV)

  • Shows how blessings came through appointed authorities then

  • Reveals God's channel of blessing in that dispensation

E. Fifth Learning: How Divine Rule Worked in Time Past

• Combined Authority

  • Dual role showing how authority worked then

  • Demonstrated God's governance through earthly representatives

  • Pattern of how divine authority operated in that time

3. Contrast with Grace Today

A. Different Operation But Now

• Direct Access Today

  • No earthly priesthood now: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

  • Direct approach to God: "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18 KJV)

  • Complete in Christ: "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10 KJV)

B. Our Current Position

• Standing in Grace

  • No intermediaries needed: Direct access through Christ

  • All spiritual blessings: "Blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3 KJV)

  • Heavenly position: "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6 KJV)

4. Value of These Learnings

A. Understanding God's Timeline

• Learning from Time Past

  • See how God worked differently then

  • Appreciate our current position

  • Understand timeline distinctions

B. Right Division Application

• Proper Understanding

  • Learn from past examples: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4 KJV)

  • Follow current instructions: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV)

  • Stand in grace: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Galatians 5:1 KJV)

Conclusion

From Melchizedek We Learn About Time Past:

1. How God exercised authority over nations

2. How priesthood functioned as intermediary

3. How people acknowledged divine authority

4. How blessing operated through channels

5. How divine rule worked through representatives

While Understanding Today:

• Direct access through Christ

• No earthly priesthood needed

• Complete in Him

• Standing in grace

Remember

• These show Time Past operations

• We live in But Now, the Mystery, the Dispensation of Grace  today

• Value learning while maintaining right division

• Stand complete in Christ

#Melchizedek #RightDivision #MidActs #Dispensationalism #BibleStudy #GraceLife