Michael Rich wrote:
Ok, let's start.
Where do you find that the reference to Melchizedek is referencing messiah.?
The passage in Psalms 110 is speaking of father Abraham.
I never quoted Psalm 110. But to "humor" you as you won't believe it any way...
Genesis 14:1-2; 11-12; 14-20
1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations,
2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
12 They also took Lot, Abram's brother's son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.
The four kings of this passage had taken Abram’s nephew Lot. The Abram did something amazing. He armed and trained three hundred and eighteen of his servants, and launched a guerilla war against the four victorious kings. Because God was with him, Abram and his company overcame tremendous odds and were victorious. This is important for a number of reasons—but the one I want to consider is this: This is the first mention of war in the Bible.
Is war moral? Is war just? James says the reason there are so many wars in the world today is because of lust: one country wants another country's resources. But there is also a justifiable war, and that is what we see here. The war Abram launches was not about territory, possessions, politics, ideology, economy, or free enterprise. It was about family. Thus, I believe warfare is justified for the reason of liberating family. When people are being carried away, when family is held in captivity, I believe war is justifiable and necessary.
Returning from his victorious military raid, Abram was met by the king of Sodom—the prince of perversity—a picture of Satan himself. Abram was also met by a mysterious, marvelous monarch named Melchizedek, King of Salem. Melchizedek meaning "King of Righteousness," and Salem meaning "Peace," this is most likely a Christophany—an Old Testament appearance of Christ.
Two thousand years before Christ came to die for our sin, Melchizedek brought a symbol of His death—bread and wine, the elements of Communion. Just as we are saved by looking back to Christ's death on the Cross, Old Testament saints were saved by looking ahead to Christ's death on the Cross—of which their sacrifices were a picture. When we partake of Communion it is in remembrance of Jesus. Abram partook of Melchizedek's bread and wine in anticipation of Jesus.
The author of the Book of Hebrews gives further illumination as to Melchizedek's identity when he describes Him as being without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God. As Melchizedek's name means Righteousness, Jesus is our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). As Salem means Peace, Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). As Melchizedek had no beginning and no end, Jesus is Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:12, 13). As Melchizedek was a priest, Jesus is our Great High Priest (Hebrews 6:20; 7:25-26).