I. New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-4: "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, {2} to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," {3} without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. {4} Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils."

Genesis 14:18-20: "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. {19} And he blessed him (Abraham) and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; {20} And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And Abram gave him a tithe of all."

II. How This Verse Is Misused By Some: There are many interpretations as to who Melchizedek is. So let’s look at the facts.

III. True Explanation:

God names individuals what they are. Notice that Hebrews 7 and verse 2 says Melchizedek is the "king of righteousness." Righteous is keeping God’s Commandments.

Jesus said: "There is none good but one, that is, God" (Mat. 19:17).

Human self-righteousness is, before God, as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

None can be righteous but God - or one made righteous by God's power - Christ in a person!

Only One being of the Godhead could be KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Righteousness is obedience to God's law.

Psalms 119:172 says "All thy commandments are righteousness".

Only God the Father and Jesus Christ are perfect and have not SINNED (Hebrew 4:15).

All humans have sinned and broken that law of righteousness. (Rom. 3:23).

Notice in Hebrews 7 and verse 2 Melchizedek was called the "King of Peace". "Salem" means "peace." (Jeru-salem means "founded in peace.") No human being could be King of Peace. Men know not the way of peace. "There is none righteous, no, not one....And the way of peace have they not known" (Romans 3:10, 17.)

Let's read: Hebrews 7:3 "Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually."

Melchizedek was not born as human beings are. He was without father and mother. This does not mean that his records of birth were lost. Without such records human priests could not serve (Ezra 2:62).

Melchizedek was without genealogy. Genealogy is having parents, grand-parents, great-grand-parents, etc.

Melchizedek must not have been an ordinary mortal. He had no descent or pedigree from another, but was self-existent.

The Apostle Paul said in verse 3 "having neither beginning of days nor end of life." Therefore Melchizedek has always existed - from eternity! He was not created like the angels were. But He is now eternally self-existing. This can be true only of God and not humanity.

There are two members in the Godhead. God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Melchizedek cannot be God the Father for 2 REASONS:

1. Melchizedek was the "priest of the Most High God" (Hebrews 7:1.)

2. Scripture says that "no man has ever seen God (the Father) at any time" (John 1:18).

Abraham saw Melchizedek. If there are only 2 members in the God family and it is not God the Father then who is it?

Continuing in Hebrew 7 and verse 3: Melchizedek was " made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually."

WHO WAS MELCHIZEDEK? MELCHIZEDEK WAS JESUS CHRIST.

In the days of Abraham, Melchizedek was not the Son of God, for He had not yet been born of the virgin Mary - but He was made like unto the Son of God.

God and Jesus Christ have different jobs. God the Father is the Most High God. Jesus is the Logos, the Word - Melchizedek - our savior - King of kings and Lord of lords.

Notice again: Melchizedek remains a priest continually. God the Father is not the Priest of God, but Christ the Son is! (Hebrews 3:1, 4:14 and 6:20).

LET'S READ: Hebrews 6:20, "Where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

Notice that the order of Christ's Priesthood is named after Melchizedek.

It is the High Priest's name that is placed upon an order - just as Aaron's name was upon the Aaronic priesthood. Aaron was a high priest (Ezra 7:5).

In Paul's day Melchizedek was High Priest, and even now He will rule forever!

And at the same time Christ was the high priest, today Jesus is the high priest, He shall be forever the High Priest!

Can there be two High Priests? NO! That's Impossible!

The CONCLUSION is inescapable.

Melchizedek and Christ are one and the same person!