Have Unshakable Faith in the Kingdom - A COVENANT FOR A PRIEST

The Abrahamic covenant and the Davidic covenant guarantee that the offspring of the woman would rule as a king.  But in order for all mankind to fully benefit, the offspring would need to be more than just a king.  The offspring would also need to be a priest.  Only a priest can offer the sacrifice needed so that humans can be freed from sin and become part of Jehovah's family of loyal servants in heaven and on earth.  To make sure that the offspring would be a priest, Jehovah made another legal agreement, the covenant for a priest like Melchizedek. 

God revealed through King David that He would make a covenant with Jesus.  That agreement involved two things:  first, Jesus would "sit at [God's] right hand" and have the authority to conquer all of the enemies; and second, Jesus would be a priest "in the manner of Melchizedek"?  (Psalm 110:1, 2, 4)  Why, though, would Jesus be a priest "in the manner of Melchizedek"? Before Abraham's offspring conquered the Promised Land, Melchizedek was the king of the city of Salem and was a "priest of the Most High God."  (Hebrews 7:1-3)  Jehovah directly appointed him as king and priest, and Melchizedek was the only person before Jesus to have both positions. Also, because there is no record of anyone having this position before or after Melchizedek, it is as if he is "a priest for all time," or forever.

By means of this covenant, Jesus is directly appointed by God to be a priest.  Jesus will remain "a priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:4-6)  This covenant clearly shows that  he will use the Messianic Kingdom to make his purpose for humans and the earth to come true. 

Next time: Have Unshakable Faith in the Kingdom - THE KINGDOM IS BASED ON LEGAL COVENANTS

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