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Melchisedec Pg In this Australian Issue: II - 4(17) An Inexhaustible Theme- Melchisedec Pg. 2 Editor’s Preface Originally, for the April issue we had planned to resume our Bible study on the importance of the Dual Atonement in the Book of Hebrews. However, in light of additional evidence regarding Melchisedec, we decided to cover this aspect further. Therefore, we will reschedule Hebrews till a later time. As we take up again a contemplative examination as to the true identity of Melchisedec. We are going to first have a look at one of the ancient manuscripts that comprises part of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This is known as 11Q13, 11QMelch, or the Melchizedek document. And According to the sources, this manuscript on Melchizedek is a fragment of a text about Melchizedek that was found; in the mid 1940’s, in Cave 11 located at Qumran, in the Israeli Dead Sea area. The sources indicate that it can be dated to the end of the second or start of the 1st century B.C. Now it is not our aim to go into the details, historical background, or extensive research surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls or the 11Q13 papyri manuscript itself. We simply hope to draw our reader’s attention to the basic fundamental significance of what 11Q13 records concerning Melchizedek. Secondly, we are going to briefly analyse other various writings on Melchizedek contained in the Nag Hammadi library. This library was found in Egypt in 1945. It contains a tractate also relating to Melchizedek. Thirdly, we are going to look at certain things that the children of Ishmael have to say about Melchizedek. And lastly, we are going to have a brief look at an ancient people called the Athinganoi. And what they had to say about Melchizedek. “Review, and then Review again, and Review all that you’ve Reviewed” - 2 - An Inexhaustible Theme- mighty God, The Father of eternity, the Prince of Peace.” (9:6, Heb.) [Please review the March 2017 edition of this thought paper for Bible evidence that Melchizedek was Melchisedec Christ.] As we noted in the March issue, there are many Please observe, that Christ “liveth” (7:8), Christ speculations as to the true identity of Melchisedec. “continueth ever…an unchangeable priesthood” (v. 24), “He However, these speculations all fail to take into account ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (v.25) This is He, what the Apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews chapter seven of whom Paul wrote concerning Melchizedek “abideth a concerning Melchisedec. priest continually” (v. 3), Christ being “after the order of Melchisedec” (v. 21), who “met Abraham” (v. 1) in Gen. 14 Once again it reads: “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, as the pre-incarnate Logos. priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Therefore, Melchisedec in Hebrews 7 is that same Divine Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation Logos—the “Word” in Jn. 1:1. The difference lays in the King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which fact that the present Melchizedek has a glorified is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without humanity; while the Genesis 14 manifestation did not. descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest We are now going to have a look at the various ancient continually. Now consider how great this man was…But manuscripts. But the conclusions must ultimately be he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of drawn based solely on the “WORD” of God—a “Thus Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without saith the Lord”. Do the manuscripts therefore confirm or all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men deny The Logos was Melchisedec? that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” (Heb. 7:1-8, emp. add. =ea.) 11Q13 The simple facts that reveal who Paul is actually talking about here, is that, during the time of this writing, Paul The following information is taken from Wikipedia and and the other Apostles were witnessing to the death and represents what was found in the Cave in Qumran: (All most importantly the resurrection of Christ—the true emphases throughout are those of this Editor.) Messiah. They were giving a testimony that “witnessed “11Q13, also 11QMelch or the Melchizedek document, is a that he liveth.” fragmentary manuscript among the Dead Sea Scrolls which mentions Melchizedek as leader of God's angels in a war in For again there was no testimony or reference in the Old Heaven against the angels of darkness instead of the more Testament, that testified that Melchisedec (if He was familiar Archangel Michael…The Dead Sea Scrolls contain anyone other than Christ) was “Without father, without texts in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, the language of 11Q13 mother, without descent, having neither beginning of is Hebrew, date of composition is circa 100 BCE. days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; In the fragmentary passage the term "Elohim" appears a abideth a priest continually… of whom it is witnessed dozen times, mainly referring to the God of Israel, but in that he liveth.” commentary on "who says to Zion "Your Elohim reigns" (Isa. 52;7) 11Q13 states that Zion is the congregation of all the For when one reads through the Book of Hebrews sons of righteousness, while Melchizedek is "Your Elohim" carefully, beginning with chapters one through six. The who will deliver the sons of righteousness from Belial. reader will unmistakably find the Apostle Paul directing his reader’s attention to Christ. And it will be proclaimed at the end of days concerning the captives as He said, To proclaim liberty to the captives (Isa. Then when the reader reaches chapter seven, he or she is 61.l). Its interpretation is that He will assign them to the not simply being introduced to a new identity. No. The Sons of Heaven and to the inheritance of Melchizedek; for He will cast their lot amid the portions of Melchizedek, who will readers are still having their attention directed to Christ return them there and will proclaim to them liberty, forgiving who is their “Great High Priest” “after the order of them the wrong-doings of all their iniquities. Melchisedec”. (4:14; 5:10) And the Day of Atonement is the end of the tenth Jubilee, And the reason for this is because Paul; in not so many when all the Sons of Light and the men of the lot of words, is telling the readers, that the reason why Christ is Melchizedek will be atoned for. And a statute concerns them after the order of Melchisedec—is because He is to provide them with their rewards. For this is the moment Melchisedec—who is King of righteousness—King of of the Year of Grace for Melchizedek. And he will, by his strength, judge the holy ones of God, executing judgement as peace. Known to Isaiah as “Wonderful, Counsellor, The - 3 - it is written concerning him in the Songs of David, who said, Paul knew this aspect about the theology of Melchisedec. ELOHIM has taken his place in the divine council; in the Jesus said ‘salvation is of the Jews’ (Jn. 4:22) and the “sum” midst of the gods he holds judgement [Ps 82:1] … of the “Everlasting Gospel”, is the Sanctuary Doctrine And Melchizedek will avenge the vengeance of the that was given to ancient Israel as the “root and fatness of judgements of God... and he will drag them from the hand of the olive tree”. (Rom. 11:17) Belial…Psalm 110 alludes to Melchizedek as a prototype of the messiah. Nag Hammadi Philo identifies Melchizedek with the Logos as priest of God, and honoured as an untutored priesthood.” Another interesting document sourced from ancient writings relating to Melchisedec is as follows: Sourced: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11Q13 “A collection of early Gnostic scripts dating on or before the 4th Conclusion: These ancient writings tell of a Melchizedek century, discovered in 1945 and known as the Nag Hammadi library, contains a tractate pertaining to Melchizedek. Here it is proposed being as Elohim, associated with the Day of Atonement. that Melchizedek is Jesus Christ. Melchizedek, as Jesus Christ, lives, Paul stated Christ is our Great High Priest after the order preaches, dies and is resurrected, in a gnostic perspective. The of Melchisedec; who abides and lives continually as Coming of the Son of God Melchizedek speaks of his return to bring peace, supported by the gods, and he is a priest-king who dispenses Melchizedek, is engaged in a Heavenly High Priestly justice.” Ministration. Sourced: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nag_Hammadi_library He will bring an At-one-ment between the ‘sons of light’ or the “saints” of (Rev. 14:12) and their “Heavenly Father” “In this eschatological text, Melchizedek is seen as a divine being and (Matt. 6:26) and this cleansing is by Christ, their “Great Hebrew titles as Elohim are applied to him. According to this text Melchizedek will proclaim the "Day of Atonement" and he will atone High Priest”. (Heb. 4:14) The same purposeful prayer for for the people who are predestined to him. He also will judge the such an At-one-ment to take place is noted in John 17. peoples.” The Bible states these saints will bare record and testify.
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