praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name. Moreover, do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”—Heb. 5:2; 7:24-26; 10:11; 13:15, 16, NW.

The “Likeness of Melchizedek”

1. Who was Melchizedek, and who was made “after his likeness”?

MELCHIZEDEK was a royal priest, and the royal priesthood was made like him. The apostle Paul teaches: “Christ did not glorify himself by becoming a high priest, but was glorified by him who spoke with reference to him: ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ Just as he says also in another place: ‘You are a priest forever after the likeness of Melchizedek.’ . . . he has been specifically called by God a high priest after the likeness of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 5:5, 6, 10, NW) What is this likeness? and what does it mean?

2. Briefly state the circumstances that bring Melchizedek into the record at Genesis 14, and what does Paul have to say about this king-priest?

² The original record of this royal priest shows his appearance on the scene in connection with the most ancient war reported in the Scriptures. It was an invasion of the Jordan valley. A great fight resulted between the kings of those days and the people of the valley. The invaders won and took spoils and prisoners, including Lot and his family. Lot’s uncle, Abram, when informed of the capture, gathered together his trained slaves and pursued the victors, overcame them, rescuing the prisoners and returning the spoils. It was on Abram’s return from this victorious warfare that Melchizedek came forward. (See Genesis 14:1-20.) Paul in a most interesting way explains at Hebrews 7:1-3 (NW): “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 and to whom Abraham apportioned a tenth from all things, is first of all, by translation, ‘King of righteousness,’ and is then also king of Salem, that is, ‘King of peace.’ In being fatherless, motherless, without genealogy, having neither a beginning of days nor an end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.”

3. What is Paul’s argument at Hebrews 7 concerning the “likeness of Melchizedek”?

³ Following these events “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine, and he was priest of the Most High God. Then he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, Producer of heaven and earth, and blessed be the Most High God, who has delivered your oppressors into your hand!’” (Gen. 14:18-20, NW) Paul states: “Behold, then, how great this man was to whom Abraham, the family head, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. . . . and [Melchizedek] blessed him who had the promises. Now without any dispute, the less is blessed by the greater. If, then, perfection were really through the Levitical priesthood, . . . what further need would there be for another priest to arise after the likeness of Melchizedek and not said to be after the likeness of Aaron? And it is still more abundantly clear that with a similarity to Melchizedek there arises another priest, . . . according to the power of an indestructible life, for in witness it is said: ‘You are a priest forever after the likeness of Melchizedek.’” Paul continues the argument, again quoting Psalm 110:4, saying: “Jehovah has sworn, and he will not feel regret: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Who is? Christ Jesus is. “He because of continuing alive forever has his priesthood without any successors. Consequently he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.”—Heb. 7:4-7, 11, 15-17, 21-25, NW.

4. How does the fact of Jehovah’s declaring Jesus as His son make him a perfect priest?

⁴ Jehovah acknowledged Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan. “Look! also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: ‘This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.’” Again at the time of Jesus’ transfiguration: “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: ‘This is my Son, the one that has been chosen. Listen to him.’” Also speaking of his second presence as King, the prophetic psalm says: “Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Matt. 3:17; Luke 9:35, NW; Ps. 2:7, AS) The Son and the other anointed sons of God are of the royal house and will live forever and therefore in this relationship the sonship and the priesthood become one and the same. Christ Jesus was chosen priest because he was the Son of God. He lives forever.

5. Mention some of the ways in which Melchizedek foreshadowed the great Royal Priest.

⁵ The fact that neither ‘beginning of days nor end of life’ was recorded concerning Melchizedek, and that this priest could receive tithes and bless Abram, also that he was ‘King of Peace and Righteousness,’ is shown by Paul as well describing the eternal Son of Jehovah. He is God’s Royal Chief Priest and is head of God’s royal priesthood.

6. The scriptures at Psalm 110 and Revelation 19 mean what in connection with the royal priesthood?

⁶ Psalm 110 prophetically teaches the great work this Royal Chief Priest will accomplish. “Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. The Lord at thy right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations.” (Ps. 110:2, 5, 6, AS) This Ruler is the same one spoken of in the Revelation: “And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse. And one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. . . . He treads, too, the press of the wine of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. . . . he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Rev. 19:11, 15, 16, NW) The Greater-than-Melchizedek is not only a priest with sacrifices to offer, but also a king to conquer and to rule, and this antitypical King of Righteousness does carry on war in righteousness. We therefore can have strong confidence that all iniquity and opposition to Jehovah God will disappear, for Christ rules in righteousness, and then peace will be the everlasting portion of all. He will be the Prince of Peace and the Royal High Priest forever.