Questions: What is the Melchizedek Priesthood?
How did it function in the Bible? With the Melchizedek Priesthood, do we still
need the Aaronic?
“And this greater priesthood
administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom,
even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof,
the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the
authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in
the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father,
and live. Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the
wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold
the face of God; But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his
presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against
them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness,
which rest is the fulness of his glory. Therefore, he took Moses out of their
midst, and the holy priesthood also; and the lesser priesthood continued, which
priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory
gospel…” Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-26
“And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages
belonging unto the high priesthood. And again, the offices of teacher and
deacon are necessary appendages belonging to the lesser priesthood, which
priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons.” Doctrine and Covenants
84:29-30
Members of the Restored Church believe that the Melchizedek
Priesthood holds the key to the knowledge of God, and that both priesthoods are
necessary.
Christ by His Father was made the high priest
of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but
he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. … Thou
art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 5:5-6
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 3:1
Jesus Christ, a priest, became the mediator of
the new covenant.
“And to Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling…” Hebrews 12:24
Before Christ’s sacrifice, between the time of
Adam to Christ, there had been many priests within the priesthood who performed
animal sacrifice. This was done to
represent the sacrifice of the firstborn of God that would be forthcoming. It was one of the high priests that brought
the symbolic atoning blood of the sacrifice into the most holy place inside the
tabernacle or temple. Yet, it was not the blood of the animals that provided
the forgiveness of sins. It was the
keeping of covenants to God that accessed the atonement.
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But they like
men have transgressed the covenant.
…” Hosea 6:6-7
Over the ages there had been many of these
high priests that performed this sacrifice and the presenting of the similitude
of the atoning blood to God. When Christ
was sacrificed there was not a need for a sacrificing high priest to present
sacrificial blood as representation, as Christ had given an endless, eternal,
and divine sacrifice.
“Who needeth not daily, as those
high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for
the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:27
Some people may suppose this section of
scripture to mean that all priesthood no longer had any purpose, as Christ was
the high priest and people need only believe in him. There is no longer a need for the teaching of
priests, the correction of priests, or anything else to do with priests. They
may also claim that there is no mention of priests other than Christ in the New
Testament. They claim incorrectly, for there was priesthood in the New
Testament, as we learn from the first book of Peter.
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5
“But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light.” 1 Peter 2:9
There were priests in the New Testament. Not priests that performed blood sacrifice,
but priests who performed spiritual sacrifices.
Those scripture verses come from the first book of Peter. Who is Peter
writing to? Anyone who happens to pick up the Bible and read it? Is he saying the priesthood is universal? No,
he was writing to people of the ancient Christian Church, those who had made
and kept covenants with God. Covenant
people who were obedient to God.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit,
unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:1-2
These are people who had taken upon them the
name of Jesus Christ through the covenant and been obedient. The covenant is
made through baptism for the remission of sins.
“And to Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant. …” Hebrews 12:24
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant.” Hebrews 13:20
“For as many of you
as have been baptized into Christ have
put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4
“John verily baptized with the baptism
of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him
which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Acts 19:4
“For this is my covenant unto
them, when I shall take away their sins.” Romans 11:27
This early Christian priesthood found in the
New Testament was of people who had made covenants with God and kept them. They
had been obedient to God, just as it had been told to ancient Israel.
“Now therefore, if ye will obey
my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all
people: for all the earth is mine: And ye
shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:5-6
“But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light.”1 Peter 2:9
As we have seen in previous chapters, God has
commanded humanity to become perfect as He is perfect.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.” Matthew 5:48
Perfection is only possible through the
administering of the Melchizedek Priesthood. The higher law is connected to the
Melchizedek Priesthood.
“If therefore perfection
were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law)
what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” Hebrews 7:11-12
(I want to note, in the Old Testament
different Hebrew words are translated into the English word “perfect”. I
believe I am giving a faithful accounting of the Hebrew word that would truly
mean perfect.)
Ancient Israel under Moses was commanded to be
perfect but broke their covenant. Moses must have held the Melchizedek
Priesthood. That would explain why he was able to give his brother, Aaron, the
lesser priesthood.
“Thou
shalt be perfect with the LORD thy
God.” Deuteronomy 18:13
Noah (whose great grandfather Enoch walked
with God and was taken up by God) was perfect and walked with God. He must have
had access to the Melchizedek Priesthood.
“Noah was a just man and perfect
in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9
Abraham (who was ministered to by the High
Priest Melchizedek) was commanded to be perfect.
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1
“And Melchizedek … blessed
him and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and
earth.” Genesis 14:18, 19
In the time of Christ, is it to be supposed
that Jesus Christ came to Earth, gave a higher law for the people to live up
to, a much more difficult law than that of Moses, then He left with no priests
to guide the people into perfection? The
ancients had been commanded to be perfect, and we know that the Melchizedek
Priesthood had existed in ancient times.
In the times of the predominance of the
Aaronic Priesthood, not all men who belonged to the priesthood were named
priests. The Levites were part of the
priesthood but did not bear the title of priest.
Christ provided men who were able to teach
perfection, able to bring people to the knowledge of God. Christ ordained
Melchizedek Priesthood offices needed in order to perfect those of humanity who
would choose to follow Him. These priests are needed until we all know Christ,
until we all become perfected in the fulness of Jesus Christ. This is the
priesthood of the New Testament. They were priesthood but bore different
titles.
“And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
“Whereof I
am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to
me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even
the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but is now
made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of
the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning
every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Colossians
1:25-28
“For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the
law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” Malachi
2:7
These men were given to perfect the saints,
and perfection is only possible through the Melchizedek Priesthood. Christ was a priesthood man, and He was
witness to the Father. He knew God. He was able to perfect men like His perfect
Father.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; And being made perfect, he
became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called
of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 5:8-10
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also
doeth the Son likewise.” John 5:19
John the Baptist was a Levite, a descendant of
Aaron, who had the power to baptize. The apostles of Jesus Christ also had the
power to baptize, but they were given something more.
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Acts 1:5
Christ’s apostles knew Him, had seen Him, could
witness of Him, and had the power of the Holy Spirt so they could also witness
of God the Father, of the knowledge of God.
“[T]he
things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11
“But ye [the apostles] shall
receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth.” Acts 1:8
“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me,
but on him that sent me. And he that
seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that
whosever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. … For I have not spoken of
myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should
say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life
everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so
I speak.” John 12:44-46, 49-50
“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast
thou not known me, Phillip? he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9
“Saying, The Lord is risen
indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in
the way, and how he was known of them in breaking the bread. And as they thus
spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be
unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had
seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts
arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me,
and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Luke
24:34-39
“Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken
up, after that he through the Holy Ghost
had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after
his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and
speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3
“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said, Ye men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed
by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE
UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly
worship, him I declare unto you.” Acts 17:22-23
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: How that by revelation he made
known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge
in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the
sons of men, as it is now revealed unto
his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” Ephesians 3:1-5
The power and authority of the Spirit assists
the various positions of the priesthood in the administering of the Lord’s
gospel.
“Now there are diversities of
gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but
the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God
which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every
man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the
same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the
working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to
another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But
all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally
as he will. … And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-1, 28
The symbolism of stones or rocks is often used
in the Bible. God is a Rock, and His powerful works are perfect.
“He is the Rock, his work is perfect. ...” Deuteronomy 32:4
Jesus is also a rock. He is a cornerstone.
“Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he
that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” 1 Peter 2:6
Peter was a rock of Christ’s church on Earth, meaning
Christ gave him the keys, or authority and rights, of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
to seal fallen men and women back to God.
Peter became the power on Earth for Christ. The priesthood, given to the Apostle Simon
Peter, was a foundation rock.
“[T]hou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19
With the Melchizedek Priesthood keys of the
kingdom given to Peter to administer on Earth, Jesus also ordained others into
the priesthood to work with Peter. These
were also apostles.
“And he ordained twelve,
that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And
to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. And Simon he surnamed Peter [Rock].” Mark
3:14-16
By giving a holy priesthood, Christ was
beginning to build a house made up with those who had chosen to follow Him.
“[H]e who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For
every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God … But
Christ as son over his own house; whose house we are. …” Hebrews 3:3-4, 6
It was these priesthood men, upon whom this
nation of priesthood holders would be built. It is these men that follow and
obey Christ in gathering the fallen sons and daughters of God and rebuilding
the holy house of God.
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter
2:5
“Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.”
Ephesians 2:19-20
Christ is building His house even now,
gathering in the children of God into the kingdom, and will do so until the
end. The priesthood is the foundation
rock of Christ’s house. Jesus understood
that His house, His church, would need a solid foundation. Every house needs a
solid foundation.
“Therefore whosoever heareth
these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock. And every one that
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a
foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended,
and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:
and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
The house of Christ is
only built by Christ and His servants.
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.
…” Psalms 127:1
The house of Christ will be built as the lost
children of God gain the knowledge and wisdom of God, only found through the
Spirit and experiences of this life.
“Wisdom hath builded her house,
she hath hewn out her seven pillars.” Proverbs 9:1
“Through wisdom is an house
builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the
chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13
In the Bible the house of Christ is a great city. It is called Zion, Salem, Jerusalem, Ariel, or
New Jerusalem. It is a city constructed by priesthood and the Spirit.
“[T]hey shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto
it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. …” Jeremiah 3:17
“And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as
at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness,
the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed
with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.” Isaiah 1:26-27
“King of Salem, which is,
King of Peace.” Hebrews 7:2
“But ye are come unto mount
Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. …”
Hebrews 12:22
The patriarch Abraham understood that he
needed the foundations of the priesthood.
“[T]he household of God; And are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone.” Ephesians 2:19-20
“For he [Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews
11:10
Jesus as the High Priest made himself apostles
from his disciples and commanded them to baptize in His name. The apostles had
the authority to baptize in Christ’s name, becoming arbiters of the New
Covenant. They also were given the commission to teach to all the people of the
Earth Christ’s sayings.
“Then the eleven disciples [the apostles] went away into Galilee, into
a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. … And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying, All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Matthew 28:16, 18-20
After the betrayal of the apostle Judas
another apostle was called by God through the original eleven.
“For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate,
and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of
these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in
and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that
he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph and Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord which knowest the
hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take
part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell,
that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot
fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:20-26
This new apostle, Matthias, was one who had
seen the resurrected Christ, and could be a witness of Christ. He had known the
Lord. But not only men who had walked with Christ in his mortal life could be
an apostle. Saul, later named Paul, was visited by the resurrected Lord, Jesus
Christ, becoming also a witness and later an apostle. He had seen the Lord and
knew Him.
“[T]he apostles, Barnabas and Paul…”
Acts 14:14
The role of apostle was not limited to the
original twelve, but had been an ongoing role facilitated by Jesus Christ. The
apostles also ordained other men to the priesthood, some called Elders.
“[T]he apostles … had ordained
them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended
them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” Acts 14:14, 23
The priesthood was only available to covenant
keepers. It was given down through the apostles. Those who were to receive the priesthood had
to meet strict requirements.
“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ … For this
cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are
wanting, and ordain elders in every city,
as I had appointed unto thee; If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,
having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be
blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to
wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a
lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word
as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort
and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:1, 5-9
The priesthood has always been a heavenly
calling, including in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our
profession, Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 3:1
“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in
things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
… And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” Hebrews
5:1, 4
Priests are also known as ministers in the Old
and New Testament.
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him,
from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office…” Exodus 28:1
“The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi … the Lord thy God
hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the
LORD, him and his sons for ever. … Then
he shall minister in the name of the
LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do. ...” Deuteronomy 18:1, 5, 7
“Now there were in the church
that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers … As they ministered to the LORD, and fasted.
…” Acts 13:1,2
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation. …Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?
... For he is the minister of God to
thee for good.” Romans 13:1-2, 3, 4
The Melchizedek Priesthood in the New
Testament administered the tithes.
“But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a
supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want:
that there may be an equality. … Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in
this abundance which is administered by
us.” 2 Corinthians 8:14, 20
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass
from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have
we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house. …” Malachi 3:8-10
These priests are to lead the people in
judgment so that they can be purified into righteousness. It is prophesied that
at some point in the latter-days, God would restore His judges, teaching
priests, to the Earth before the end. This would happen just before Zion finds
redemption and the wicked are consumed.
“And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as
at the beginning: afterword thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness,
the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed
with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. And the destruction of
the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake
the LORD shall be consumed.” Isaiah 1:26-28
Receiving judgment is very important. Judgment
is learning how we err from God’s way. This is not final judgment which belongs
to God. It is simply truth. If a priest
perceives that you are dishonest, he will try to help you overcome that
behavior. If a priest perceives that you need to pray more, he would also help
you with that. A priest could also help (or help you get the help) with
addiction, money management, depression, excessive anger, and so forth. These
kinds of judgments are your own truth revealed.
“Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.” John 17:17
“[E]xecute the judgment of truth
and peace in your gates.” Zechariah 8:16
“But we are sure that the judgment
of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” Romans
2:2
The priesthood helps to provide God’s
judgments because they have been given the Holy Spirit to guide them in the
knowledge of God.
“For the priest’s
lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for
he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 2:7
“O righteous
Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.”
John 17:25
“Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we
have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus
said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the
regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:27-28
“Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are
foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. I will get me unto the great men, and will
speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of
their God. …” Jeremiah 5:4-5
“We are of God:
he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:6
We can also learn of God’s truthful judgments
through His scripture. The scriptures can help us gain understanding on what we
can work to improve. We can find a good deal of our own judgments.
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness:
it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” Zephaniah 2:3
“And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep
his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments,
and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper
in all that thou doest, and whitersoever thou turnest thyself.” 1 Kings 2:3
However, the scriptures are not enough to
guide us in the truth of judgment.
“For the law was given by Moses, but
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
“[T]he Spirit of truth … he will
guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
“But when we are judged, we are
chastened of the Lord. …” 1 Corinthians 11:32
“But he (the Apostle Paul) said, I
… speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” Acts 26:25
“Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)
a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” 1 Timothy 2:7
Without judgment there is personal
destruction.
“[B]ut there is that is destroyed for
want of judgment.” Proverbs 13:23
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. … For the time is come that judgment must
begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end
of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be
saved, where shall the sinner and the ungodly appear?” 1 Peter 14, 17-18
How can a man who beats his wife learn to
change, if all he ever witnessed from his father and grandfathers before him
was violence against women? If no one ever challenges him, if he is never held
accountable, why would he change? Why would he give up this wicked power unless
he is brought into judgment? We must be challenged, chastened, corrected. The
judgments of God, though painful, are precious.
“Esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto
the recompense of the reward.” Hebrews 11:26
“Let the
righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it
shall be an excellent oil. …” Psalms 141:5
Some might suppose that the Aaronic Priesthood
is no longer needed with the coming of the Melchizedek. However, the Aaronic Priesthood is an eternal
priesthood.
“And he shall have it, and his seed [sons of Aaron] after him, even the covenant of an everlasting
priesthood. …” Numbers 25:13
Additionally, it was predicted that in the
latter-days near the time Zion is redeemed, Gentiles would hold the Aaronic
Priesthood and be taken for Levites.
“And I will also take of them
[the Gentiles] for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 66:21
In the latter-days the Levites will offer an
acceptable sacrifice to the Lord.
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi,
and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an
offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
The Aaronic Priesthood is a continuing
priesthood. But what was the difference between what Aaron and his sons were
allowed, and the priesthood Israel could have obtained through obedience? What was the rest that they were denied?
The key to understanding what God’s rest is
and what He intended for ancient Israel, is in understanding the law and the
priesthood and how it changed when Christ came to the Earth.
Next Chapter
Watch- The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys