THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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A pastor was in the church on Saturday practicing his sermon. He had the sound on, and it seemed pretty good.
Then he decided to add a song to the sermon, and record it. He did, and then sat down to listen.
As he was listening, he noticed that not ALL the sound was coming from inside the auditorium. So he walked around looking for some more speakers...but found nothing.
After the song and sermon had finished playing, he went to turn the sound equipment off.
That's when he found out that the OUTSIDE speakers were on!
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Gen 14:18-20
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
KJV
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Peace is not a state of mind, it's a condition of the heart surrendered to Christ.
Salem, a word for "peace," was also an early name for Jerusalem. This king, Melchizedek, lived in Jerusalem - the place of peace. And Melchizedek, like Christ, had no record of his beginning and end. In fact, he is mentioned in Hebrews 7:1-4 has having no beginning or end, because history actually doesn't record Melchizedek as a king in Jerusalem. It is as if he existed for this one moment in time.
Obviously, Melchizedek recognized God as the Supreme God. He called him "the most high God" (El Elyon), "possessor of heaven and earth."
Notice that the Scripture above says Melchizedek was not only king of Salem, but also "priest of" El Elyon. So far, the Bible has not recorded a priest of El Elyon, the most High God. Later, Abraham's great great grandson Aaron would be designated as high priest of Israel. Abraham offered "tithes" to Melchizedek (vs 20).
Jesus is the SON of GOD, and the son (descendent) of David, and a child of Israel. However, He is God Himself, come in flesh to deliver sinful man. He is the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" (Rev. 1:8). He was, He IS, and He is TO COME!
Could it be perhaps the whole purpose of this appearance of Melchizedek is to very EARLY in the Bible shed light on the fact that one day God will indeed come in flesh?!
THINK about THAT!!
To be surrendered to Christ as Lord is to have peace. He is God of peace. He promised to give peace without ending (John 14:27).
Have peace today through Christ our Lord!!
Love ya,
Bruce