Melchizedek
of Salem is highly regarded by Legio Maria faithful. His role in the history of
glorification of mankind is re-told with broad smiles among members of the
glory-of-God movement. But who is Melchizedek? Why is he so crucial to Legion
Maria faithful?
Old
Testament High Priest
Melchizedek
is mentioned a few times in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. His name
first comes up when he meets with Abraham. In the scene, Abraham has just
rescued his nephew Lot and is having rich loot in his custody. But when Abraham
meets with Melchizedek, the patriarch recognizes the priesthood of Melchizedek
and gives a tenth of his loot to the priest. Melchizedek blesses Abraham.
Priesthood
before Aaron and Levi
Through
this encounter between Melchizedek and Abraham, we are introduced to a
priesthood that comes before the later priesthood of the house of Levi.
Melchizedek is introduced not just as a common priest ordained through an
earthly order, but as the priest of the Most High God. Moreover, Melchizedek is
said to have neither father nor mother; neither beginning nor ending. In a
sense, three critical points are made by this encounter:
1.
There
can be priesthood outside the house of Levi.
2.
The
priesthood that exists outside the house of Levi (Judaism) is greater than that
of the house of Levi and is recognized by Abraham.
3.
The
priesthood of the Most High God is without beginning and without ending.
Essentially,
Melchizedek is one like the son of God, without beginning and ending. His
priesthood is eternal and greater than the priesthood of Levi. He is a priest
for all and of all.
The
Messiah and Melchizedek
Later
on, David proclaimed in Psalms that the expected Messiah would be priest in the
order of Melchizedek. Therefore, he would serve as a priest forever and his
priesthood would be outside that of the house of Levi. The Psalmist’s prophecy
was fulfilled through Jesus. The salvation ministry of Jesus existed outside
the priesthood of Levi. Jesus was not anointed by the priests of Judaism,
neither was he accepted by the teachers of the law and the custodians of the
Levitical priesthood. However, he called all humans to God and offered himself
as an eternal ransom for human sin.
Jesus
Promised to Come Again
While
the sacrifice of Jesus was a once-for-all affair and an eternally sufficient
payment for human sin, the Lord promised to return to earth to pick his
faithful servants and take them to paradise. This promise, therefore, implies a
second appearance on earth of a person in the order of Melchizedek who would
gather the worshippers and servants of the Most High God, and take them to
heaven. In his second coming, Jesus would not be negating the efficacy of his
sacrifice on the cross but would be gathering his faithful servants up in order
to receive their eternal reward, which is eternal life.
The
Last Visitation of the Son of God
The
final visitation of a person in the order of Melchizedek is for the
establishment of God’s Reign and the rewarding of the saints. While so many
verses in the New Testament describe what would happen when the King of Kings
return to earth, they all agree that in his second coming, Jesus would not be
dealing with sin but will be rewarding his most faithful servants with eternal life.
Indeed, therefore, the final revelation of the Son of God (priesthood of the
order of Melchizedek) on earth would be to reward and glorify the saints.
Simeo
Ondeto as Priest in the Order of Melchizedek
Simeo
Ondeto does not belong to the order of Levi. He is not a Jew. Yet, on March 9th,
1962, when the Holy Spirit descended from heaven, he was declared as the second
Christ, the fulfillment of the second coming of Jesus. Besides, during his
mission, he sat on his glorious seat, passing judgment on the living and the
dead, and making saints from among the daughters and the sons of men.
Therefore, since he was not a Jew and yet fulfilled the prophecies of the
second coming of Jesus, he belongs to the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek.
Moreover, Simeo’s giving of eternal rewards to both the living and the dead
means that his ministry has eternal effect.