Prince

 Regarding Ez. 44:3 & 46:12

The word "prince", a future High Priest serving in the earthly temple forever, who comes by way of the gate and leaves the same way.

> Melchizedek did not make sacrifices. Heb. 7:27 tells us he was a Levitical priest.

> The main purpose of the priest was to conduct sacrifices in the temple, under the law.

> Under the New Covenant, Christ is our physical sacrifice; so we no longer need a physical sacrifice. Christ sacrificed "once for all".

> The reason for a temple in the O.T. was for sacrifices. There will not be a physical temple in the New Jerusalem.

- Rev. 21:22 speaks of a SPIRITUAL temple

- Eph. 2:20 peaks of a spiritual temple

- Jn. 2:19 - 21 speaks of a spiritual temple

- I Cor. 16:19 speaks of a spiritual temple

- Heb. 8:4, 5 - 13 relates superior spiritual temple

> In Heb. 8:1 - 13, Pal teaches the New Covenant with greater promises, a superior High Priest and our spiritual sacrifice governed by the git of a loving heart to be obedient. Our sacrifice is now obedience through love/gratitude/understanding.

 

 

 

* Physical sacrifice was never the point

* It's our obedience that is considered our spiritual sacrifice.

- Micah 6:6 - 8

- I Sam. 15:22

> "Prince" = Civic authorities of the new community of Israel

> Ez. 45:8 & 9 = The coming prince is contrasted with Israel's previous rulers who oppressed their subjects (under law), absent of a shepherd or king which would have been attached to the title "prince".

> In Hebrew the word "sacrifice" is "Ha-Nosi".

> If you break down the Hebrew letters into their pictorial meanings you get a translation of the word "sacrifice": PAY ATTENTION to your LIFE; GOD works a MIGHTY DEED from the BEGINNING. (The meaning is the same in Aramaic)

Health & Wealth vs Sick & Poor

Jesus healed; He did not make people sick. There is not one instance where he gave someone an illness.  He never refused to grant forgiveness to anyone who asked for it.  Jesus actually gave forgiveness a few times that people didn't even have to ask.  He never told anyone He didn't have time right now; come back later.  There is evidence that He actually felt better after giving healing or forgiveness.

Abraham willing gave tithe to Melchizedek in the very first book of the Bible, after Melchizedek took communion with him.  Abraham received Isaac, the son of his old age, of his dreams, who fathered the nation of Israel, from whom came the Savior.  Abraham became a very wealthy man - because God was pleased with him.  His descendants number the stars.  He lived a long, prosperous and healthy life.

Because Jesus borrowed Peter's boat, He gave Peter a net load of fish that could have sunk Peter's boat.  That meant a lot of money.

The New Testament is full of parables of healing and prospering.  The good Samaritan went beyond the call of decency to provide for the stranger on side of the road.  There is no parable that references sickness or poverty given to a believer.  You can even find God's grace given to non believers.

Jesus healed.  In the gospel of Luke, the physician, there is one healing after another listed starting with driving out an impure spirit in chapter four.  I can cite 17 events of healing in this chapter without searching.  Jesus even raised Lazarus, a widow's son and Jarus' daughter from the dead, not to mention Himself.   As a matter of fact, Luke 13:16 tells us Satan is the one who gives disease when Jesus helas a crippled woman.

When He fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, He was giving, providing.  All four gospels tell this story.  Matthew and Mark tell of feeding another crowd with 7 loaves and a few fish.  In the first case, there were 12 baskets left over.  I am sure the left overs were given to the boy who generously gave of his lunch; who else?  The one who freely gave, received more in return.

What did Jesus give His disciples?  The Holy Spirit, joy of serving, gifts and a place in heaven for eternity.

What does He give you?  Are you a believer?  Do you give freely?  Are you sorry when you are wrong?  What is your physical problem?  Do you pray?  Do you ask God to heal or to give to you?  Why not?  Can you not see how willing He is to do this for you?  

There is no "Health and Wealth Gospel".  There is only the truth about the never ending love, generosity and grace of your Heavenly Father.
Amen

The First Communion

Names are so fascinating in the Bible.  They help translate events and their meanings.

Interesting chain of events: Gen 14:18 Melchizedek, king of Salem (Salem means "peace"), gave communion to Abram (means "Father of Altitude"), later named Abraham ("Father of Multitude"). He blessed Abram and Abram gave tithe.

This is the first mention of communion in the Bible and it lays the foundation for blessing and tithing. Notice God's blessing comes first because He is so gracious.  Notice also: after the tithe is paid, God makes a covenant with Abram to give a son (to Abram's barren wife in their old age) and countless offspring. 

Jerusalem is called the foundation of Salem; Jerusalem means "God's Delight". This communion was held in the Valley of Shaveh (means "King's Valley") Melchizedek means "My King is The Lord of Righteousness".
 
Let's put this together: "My King is The Lord of Righteousness" met in the "King's Valley" for the first communion, a ritual to mark the coming out of Egypt (Egypt translates "stress"), a type of sin (OT) (in the New Testament, the crucified Christ dying to cleanse our sin), with the "Father of Altitude" in Salem ("Peace") where we find Jerusalem, "God's Delight".  

Another way: "My King, Lord of Righteousness" went to the "King's Valley" to take out/cleanse of sin the "Father of Altitude" who honored this with giving a tenth of all he had and in return received the desire of his heart. (You can't out give God) This took place in the "Peace" of "God's Delight".

Abram became Abraham and was later asked to offer his beloved son as sacrifice to God.  This is a foretelling of the sacrifice our father made with  his beloved son, Jesus.  P.S: At the last minute, our loving Father provided an animal sacrifice and spared the boy.  
 
Our gracious God wants to bless us with the desires of our hearts in a place of peace - this is His delight.

Amen

Encore: The First Communion

Names are so fascinating in the Bible.  They help translate events and their meanings.

Interesting chain of events: Gen 14:18 Melchizedek, king of Salem (Salem means "peace"), gave communion to Abram (means "Father of Altitude"), later named Abraham ("Father of Multitude"). He blessed Abram and Abram gave tithe.  Note that God blessed Abraham first.  God gives graciously and generously.  God did not ask for the offering nor did he set it in place.  Abraham did that out of gratitude for God's blessing.  In turn, God blessed Abraham even more.  You cannot out give God.

This is the first mention of communion in the Bible and it lays the foundation for blessing and tithing. Notice God's blessing comes first because He is so gracious.  Notice also: after the tithe is paid, God makes a covenant with Abram to give a son (to Abram's barren wife in their old age) and countless offspring. 

Jerusalem is called the foundation of Salem; Jerusalem means "God's Delight". This communion was held in the Valley of Shaveh (means "King's Valley") Melchizedek means "My King is The Lord of Righteousness".
 
Let's put this together: "My King is The Lord of Righteousness" met in the "King's Valley" for the first communion, a ritual to mark the coming out of Egypt (Egypt translates "stress"), a type of sin (OT) (in the New Testament, the crucified Christ dying to cleanse our sin), with the "Father of Altitude" in Salem ("Peace") where we find Jerusalem, "God's Delight".  

Another way: "My King, Lord of Righteousness" went to the "King's Valley" to take out/cleanse of sin the "Father of Altitude" who honored this with giving a tenth of all he had and in return received the desire of his heart. (You can't out give God) This took place in the "Peace" of "God's Delight". 
*  Our gracious God wants to bless us with the desires of our hearts in a place of peace - this is His delight.
Amen