Secret References to Christ In the Old testament Scriptures - Kenneth B. Alexander

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drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. As for the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of  Ammon to this day” (Gen 19:30-38).

      Both the Descendents of Moab, the Moabites and the descendents of Ammon (the Ammonites) proved to be hostile to Israel. The Ammonites were closely associated with the Moabites in their opposition to Israel. Both of the tribes hired Balaam to curse Israel (Deut 23:24). They showed no kindness to the Israelites when passing through their territory, and therefore they were prohibited from “entering the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation” (Deut. 23:3).

      They afterwards became hostile to Israel (Judg. 3:13). Jephthah waged war against them, and “took twenty cities with a very great slaughter” (Judg. 11:33). They were again signally defeated by Saul (1 Sam. 11:11). David also defeated them and their allies the Syrians (2 Sam. 10:6–14), and took their chief city, Rabbah, with much spoil (2 Sam. 10:14; 12:26–31). Thus the result of the incestuous behavior of Lot’s daughters proved to be a thorn in the side of Israel for years. Lot’s family, who cane with Abraham to Canaan and served the Lord, were turned from the Lord by living in Sodom and acquiring their beliefs, and later acquiring descendants by the incestuous relationships of the family. It is yet another example of the cities, started by Cain and continued by Nimrod, which became centers of extremely paganistic activities. Collectively they became known as the Canaanites. Joshua had to ultimately destroy them one by one in the conquest of the Promised Land. The prophets predicted fearful judgments against the Ammonites because of their hostility to Israel (Zeph. 2:8; Jer. 49:1–6; Ezek. 25:1–5, 10; Amos 1:13–15). The national idol worshipped by this people was Molech or Milcom, at whose altar they offered human sacrifices (1 Kings 11:5, 7). The high places built for this idol by Solomon, at the instigation of his Ammonitish wives, were not destroyed till the time of Josiah (2 Kings 23:13).

      So through Ham, Cain, Ishmael, Nimrod, Lot and later Esau descents were brought forth brought forth worshipping various gods and were against God and Christ throughout the Old Testament. Eventually their descendents led to Israel and Judah’s defeat and exile. They were the original antichrists. As John said of the antichrist spirit: “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:18-19). Although John is speaking in New Testament times, his description can be applied to the evil nations that opposed Israel. He says they “went out from us”. The persons named above (except Nimrod) all were bred from Godly families but they chose another course of evil and destruction and opposed God as antichrists throughout Israel’s history. They continued to harass followers of Christ. These enemies in the physical realm became the principalities of which Paul warned of in the New Testament. He said: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [as it had been in the Old Testament], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The same enemies fought by physical Israel became the spiritual enemies described by Paul in the New Testament.

      A type of Christ appeared to Abraham after he had defeated a great Canaanite army. His name was MELCHIZEDEK. Following Abraham’s return he was met by a man identified only as Melchizedek. According to scripture, and correct translation, Melchizedek was the King of Salem; some say ancient Jerusalem (King of righteousness) and a priest of a single God named El Elyon. Melchizedek is translated roughly from the Hebrew Malkiy-edeq). This King brought bread and wine for Abraham and blessed him saying: “Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.” (Genesis 14:19-20, KJV). Abraham then gave him a tithe of a tenth of all the spoils of the battle. This is the only personal appearance of Melchizedek in the Bible.

      Melchizedek was identified as both a priest of God, El Elyon, and a King of Salem (meaning peace or prince of peace). In a literal interpretation of Genesis 14:19, Melchizedek blesses Abraham “in the name of God Most High” which could be translated El Elyon. Melchizedek also calls the “God Most High” (El Elyon) the possessor or “creator” of heaven and earth. Abraham, worshipped a God called “Yahweh” but apparently made no distinction between his God and that of Melchizedek because Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek thereby conceding him a priesthood greater than his own patriarchal priesthood. Also Melchizedek worshiped only one God, unlike Abraham’s Canaanite neighbors, who worshipped many Gods, eliminating the theory that he hailed from any polytheistic society. Salem, wherein Melchizedek was identified as being King, is closely associated with Jerusalem which eventually became the center for worship by the Jews in King David’s time. Prior to the Jewish occupation of the city it was named “Uru-salem or Uru-salimmu” (see the Tell el-Amarna letters, 14th century B.C.). It is believed that Melchizedek heralded from that city and Salem is also translated “peace” (see Psalm 76:2). Melchizedek’s validity as a priest of the Most High God (also El Elyon) is emphasized by Abraham, as he rejects any spoils offered him by the defeated Canaanite Kings, in the name of the same God he mentioned in Genesis 14:19.

      Melchizedek is later identified in the scriptures as holding an eternal priesthood as a type of Christ who was to come. The Book of Hebrews goes into the most detail as to whom this mysterious figure, Melchizedek, represented. Hebrews explains that Old Testament Priests, from the tribe of Levi, officiated over the various sacrifices given to God by the people to atone for sin. However, this priesthood was temporary, not permanent, in that the sacrifices had to be offered over and over again. Further, the Priests died and their priesthood was ended. Christ, on the other hand, was not from the physical tribe of Levi (He was of the natural lineage of Judah). Therefore Christ had no part in the Old Testament temporary priesthood. His priesthood was permanent in that His one sacrifice forever accomplished salvation and reconciliation to God.

      Christ’s ministry as a priest is therefore compared to that of Melchizedek “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God…to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent , having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:1-3). The writer of Hebrews goes on: “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment [Mosaic Law], but after the power of an endless life” (vs. 16-17). The Old Testament priests were appointed by law; the eternal priesthood was appointed by God and was eternal. “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent [change His mind] Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110). “By saying “The Lord said to my Lord”, David seems to be speaking of the Father [The LORD] and Christ, the Son of God [my Lord], who is the “Priest forever”, ever living to make intercession for the Saints and the Sons of God they become” (Hebrews 7:25).

      The oath “thou are a priest forever”, was never made to the Levitical priesthood. Both Christ and Melchizedek are identified as being made priests forever, seeing no beginning or end of their priesthood. Christ was also, like Melchizedek, called a King. “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33). And “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations” (Psalm 145:13). “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and

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