On Jerusalem and Melchizedek

By Steven Masone

Is this a promise for the geographical city of Jerusalem? Or is this about his Church? Or both? "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." (Genesis 14:18)

The great mystery of Melchizedek is debated in bible colleges and bible studies to this day. But there is no doubt whether he was the Word manifested in theophany or in angelic person etc.., Melchizedek is a picture of our High Priest. Salem of course is from "Shalom" meaning peace. Part of the word "Jeru" means 'foundation and Teaching' The first part Je or Ja is from "Yah"=G-D. So Jerusalem is God's place of the teachings of the "Prince of Peace"...

"In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion." (Psalm 76:2) clearly speaks of his spiritual city of Zion, which is the Church! However, his Church is still in the geographical and historical city of Jerusalem as long as two or three gather in his Name!

God promised a son to Abraham through his wife Sarah, but what about Ishmael? " The elder shall serve the younger," Abraham asked God if Ishmael could be the son of promise as it was custom the eldest should be the heir of the father. God's answer is recorded in Genesis 17:19-20. “Then God said: 'No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.'”

As God promised, Sarah became pregnant and give birth to Isaac. The hurt and anger of the teenage Ishmael towards this half brother Isaac led Abraham to send him and his mother Hagar into the wilderness. The young man, told since childhood that he was the son of promise, found himself an outcast from his father. This set the stage for generations of strife between him and Abraham's other son, Isaac. Ishmael went on to become the father of many Arab nations.

So the only escape for all who oppose and come against Jerusalem and it's Gospel of Peace is to convert and become born again "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" Galatians.3: 26-29

So, it is not just the Arabs who descended from Ishmael, and those who will and are fighting for the Antichrist in Prophesy, but all who believe not and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ! All nations will be destroyed! Only the Holy Nation of God's Jerusalem (Zion) will be saved.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" 1 Peter 29: