The High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek
Melchizedek is only mentioned about five times in the Bible, making him one of the biggest mysteries. However, Melchizedek is one of the many prophecies that helps us identify Second Coming Christ. Even Apostle Paul testified to the Early Church how difficult it was to explain and understand about Melchizedek (Heb 5:11). We can see when Melchizedek first appears in the book of Genesis.
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High …”
In the Old Testament, Melchizedek appears as a high priest. At that time, the high priests would sacrifice an animal to bless the people. However, Melchizedek gave blessings through bread and wine, making him the only high priest to do so. This shows us that a sign of Melchizedek is giving blessings through bread and wine.
“Son though he was ... and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Here, the Son refers to Jesus. The New Testament lets us know that Jesus came as the high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus established the Passover of the New Covenant with bread and wine, making Him Melchizedek. However, if bread and wine is the only sign of Melchizedek, why did Apostle Paul say he had so much to explain about him?
Characteristics of Melchizedek
“Melchizedek … Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.”
Heb 7:2–3
The fact that Melchizedek has these characteristics shows that he represents God.
According to prophecy, Melchizedek must be without father or mother. If we interpret this biblically, the words without father and mother mean that Melchizedek must come from a family that does not believe in God (Mt 12:49–50). However, when we look at Jesus’ family, we know that Joseph and Mary were both believers. So this part of the prophecy was not fulfilled by Jesus 2,000 years ago.
In addition, Melchizedek must be without genealogy. The only genealogy that’s recorded in the Bible is the Jewish genealogy. Since Melchizedek is to be without genealogy, it means he must be without Jewish blood. However, Jesus’ genealogy is recorded in the book of Matthew (Mt 1:1), meaning Jesus did not fulfill this part of prophecy either.
For these reasons, Apostle Paul said that it was difficult to explain about Melchizedek. Although Jesus came as the high priest in the order of Melchizedek, He partially fulfilled this prophecy by bringing the Passover bread and wine. However, Melchizedek must fulfill each point of the prophecy: being without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life as well as bringing the bread and wine of the Passover. For all of this to be fulfilled, Christ must come again (Heb 9:28).
The Church of God believes in Christ Ahnsahnghong as the second coming of Christ because He fulfilled all Bible prophecy, including the order of Melchizedek. He came from a non-Christian family, was born without genealogy (without Jewish heritage), and He brought us the bread and wine of the Passover. The fact that this prophecy was fulfilled lets us know that Christ Ahnsahnghong is Second Coming Christ who came in the order of Melchizedek.
