Let’s meet Melchizedek in the pages of Holy Scripture. He is indeed a mysterious figure, but a figure of great importance. Someone referred to Melchizedek as “the greatest man in the Old Testament.” In his classic titled “All the Men of the Bible,” Herbert Lockyer explains, “In a book consisting of genealogies, Melchizedek has no record of father, mother, birth or death. Such silence is part of the divine plan to make him typify more strikingly the mystery of Christ’s birth and the eternity of His priesthood.” There are three things to note about Melchizedek.

First, Melchizedek was a real person. Historically we read in Genesis 14:18-20, “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And he gave him a tithe of all.” Abraham paid tithes of the spoils after his victory over Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:1-17). Thus, we read Melchizedek pronounced a blessing on Abraham and received tithes from him. No matter how many theologians or Bible “scholars” may express doubt, Melchizedek was a man with flesh and blood who had a literal encounter with Abraham. Today, many treat facts like fiction and fiction like facts.

Second, Melchizedek was a responsible person. Prophetically we read in Psalm 110:4, “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” This verse provides a prophecy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the great High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not the priestly line of Aaron (Hebrews 5:5-11; 6:19-20). The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness or justice”; therefore, he was responsible as a king and a priest. Interestingly, we read in Revelation 1:4-6, “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Everyone is responsible to God!

Third, Melchizedek was a representative person. Doctrinally we read in Hebrews 7:1-21 how Christ’s new priesthood is superior to the priesthood of Aaron and the old Levitical order. “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God,” is a type of Christ, who prefigures the eternal priesthood and kingship of Jesus. No doubt Melchizedek would say, “If you meet me and forget me, you have lost nothing. But if you meet Jesus and forget Him, you will have lost everything!”

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.