by Jon R. Welker

I recently returned from a ministry trip to Texas. At my first stop in East Texas, I was asked about the Zadok priesthood. My host said her search on the internet came up empty regarding material about Zadok. That led to my sharing at an evening meeting about the Zadok priesthood and its relationship to our present generation. I expanded that message at a series of meetings in West Texas where I had been invited to speak. I received enthusiastic responses from many people at all the gatherings.

Therefore, I believe it would be beneficial if I were to again present some of the information about the Zadok priesthood which appeared in some of our publications a few years ago. We have also compiled this into a small booklet for further study. If you want a copy, go to our online store: Melchizedek and the Zadok Priesthood. It will contain more background information than presented in these Chats.

Let me first quote the specific ministry of the Zadok priesthood.

"But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to minister unto Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer unto Me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD….
And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:15,23

I am persuaded that this is what is greatly lacking in many of the churches today. People are confused between what is profane (common) and what is holy (sacred), and between what is clean (acceptable to partake of) and what is unclean (what should be avoided in our culture). This will be further clarified as you progress in this study of the Zadok priesthood. And I believe you will understand how we have a further indication that we are living in the "days of Lot and the coming of the Son of man" (see Lk. 17:28-30).

JEHOVAH-SHAMAH - The Lord is There -

In order to better understand the priesthood of Zadok, it is important to grasp the meaning of another Name of God: Jehovah-shammah. First I will quote from E.W. Bullinger's Divine Names and Titles booklet:

JEHOVAH-SHAMAH: The Lord is there.

`...The name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there' (Ezek. 48:35).
`Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously' (Isa. 24:23).
This is the order of the Jehovah titles according to their Divine order in the Hebrew canon. But there remains another, a 7th, still in the same order of the books, for the Psalms come after Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible. Thus, the historical order in the book of the Bible corresponds to the theological and experimental order according to the purposes of God.

What Bullinger was saying is that there is in the Hebrew Bible a sequential order in the appearance of these Jehovah Names: Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-rophe; Jehovah-nissi, Jehovah-shalom; Jehovah-tsidkenu and Jehovah-shammah, which is the 6th to the Prophet Ezekiel. But, as he says, the Psalms come after that in the Hebrew Bible, and the 7th introduces the New Testament God Who is to "be with us," therefore, it's not by coincidence that that 6th one is Jehovah-shammah, "the Lord is there," and that the one to come in the New Testament is Emmanuel, "God with us." The 7th, Jehovah-rohi, means "The Lord is my Shepherd," and Jesus came as the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11,14). (Bullinger and other scholars differ as to the number of Jehovah Names which should be considered specific titles. For example, some include Jehovah-makkeh [I Am the Lord that smiteth thee] and Jehovah-m'kaddesh [I the Lord am holy] while others omit them.)

Jehovah-shammah is a logical follow-up to Jehovah-tsidkenu. As a matter of fact, we can see that it is the combination of God's character of righteousness (His righteousness) which comes through the blood of the Passover Lamb, that allows us to experience God's Presence ("the Lord is there"). If we do not first have a meeting with the King of Righteousness, we cannot really go on in God. Our behavior, and our life, will not take on a new dimension. We can have an intellectual awareness of certain aspects of God, but when we have a meeting with the King of Righteousness, something begins to happen, and we are ready to experience `the Lord as my Shepherd', because we are then ready to be shepherded. We are then ready to also enter into the New Covenant promises and the fullness of God's Name.

MELCHIZEDEK

Melchizedek actually means `king of righteousness' or `king of the righteous ones.' Jehovah-tsidkenu means `the Lord our Righteousness.' He wants us to have His righteousness. When the Jehovah-shammah Name was revealed in Ezekiel, it was again during a time of great trial and when the Lord's Presence had been withdrawn. The first chapters of the Book of Ezekiel show the pattern of the Lord's Glory or Presence departing from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezek. 10:4, 18; 11:23). But in the last chapters we are shown a new Temple and we're given a prophecy of a time of God being there. The old Levitical order, and their ministry before God, is done away with. Their ability to come before the Lord is taken away and given to the priests of Zadok:

"But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to minister unto Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer unto Me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD…." Ezekiel 44:15

Sound familiar? Zadok is the same as zedek: Melchizedek was King of Zedek! Zadok means `the righteous ones,' or `the righteous'! They are to serve God!

"...And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there." Ezekiel 48:35

Let me lay the foundation for you to "walk around" (Mic. 4:5; Zech. 10:12) in this Name of "righteousness" and that which allows us to experience God's Presence (Jehovah-shammah).

"And the Levites that are gone away far from Me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from Me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them. Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up Mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity. And they shall not come near unto Me, to do the office of a priest unto Me, nor to come near to any of My holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed." Ezekiel 44:10-13

I believe that this is symbolic of what has happened in much of the church throughout history, but particularly in this end-time. Those who have ministered before God have also served idols. God says they have served Him, even if corruptly, but they are going to be exposed and bear their shame. They will not be able to draw near to Him as a "priest" because of their iniquity. That's the condition of this old-order church which is going to be done away with.

"But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to minister unto Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer unto Me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD: they shall enter into My sanctuary, and they shall come near to My table, to minister unto Me, and they shall keep My charge." Ezekiel 44:15-16

"And they [still speaking of Zadok's seed] shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:23

They are the righteous ones; they are in the pattern of Zedek. They have "met" the King of Zedek!

During the time of king David, there was a priest named Abiathar and there was a priest named Zadok (II Sam. 8:17). Abiathar at one time was faithful to king David, but when Adonijah, king David's son, sought to usurp the throne, Abiathar changed his allegiance to king David's son. He had not been faithful. He went over to a false system that did not have God's anointing. King David was God's anointed, and God had declared that David was to be king. It had already been established that it was through Solomon that David's seed would be preserved. But Zadok remained faithful. These things are not by happenstance.

I have frequently shared the idea that the revelation of the character and attributes of God's Names had their origin in the meeting between Abram and Melchizedek in "the days of Lot." All of God's Jehovah Names link with that period of time.

"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 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; abideth a priest continually." Hebrews 7:1-3

Our righteousness is of God (I Cor. 1:30). So, the Jehovah Names have their origin in the days of Abraham (the father of our faith - Rom. 4:11) and Melchizedek, of whom Jesus takes His priesthood (Ps. 110:4), and of whom we get our "royal priesthood" (I Pet. 2:9). After encountering the "king of righteousness" we are ready to walk in the way of righteousness. It can't be our own righteousness, but it must be the righteousness of God (II Cor. 5:21). As with Abraham, such righteousness comes by faith. Because he believed God, it was counted to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). There's a time in our life that we have to step out, one way or another, in faith. That is like meeting the One without beginning of days nor end of life whose priesthood has no end, Who is the "king of righteousness." God wants us to be "Zadok priests," serving at His altar and able to draw near to Him in the realization that "God is there" (Jehovah-shammah, "the Lord is there"). And if the Lord is there, He will lead me as the Good Shepherd (Jehovah-rohi).

ABRAHAM MEETS MELCHIZEDEK

In the New Testament, we're told that Jesus received a Name above all other names, and that at His Name, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord! (See Philip. 2:10-11.) When Abraham met Melchizedek, it is stated that his offspring were still in his loins:

"And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." Hebrews 7:9-10

Therefore, when Melchizedek blessed Abram, that which was transmitted in that blessing was passed on to all of his seed, and through Jesus Christ, that blessing by the "king of righteousness" was conveyed to the "seed of the faith of Abraham." Therefore, Abraham's seed was impressed with that same priesthood of righteousness. The old order passes away. The priests who serve in the shame of their own iniquity and idolatry "cannot draw near Me," said the Lord (Ezek. 44:13).

"…The name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there." Ezekiel 48:35

And the priests that serve in it are the priests of Zadok who kept the charge of God's sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray; "...they shall come near to Me to minister unto Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer unto Me the fat and the blood..." (Ezek. 44:15).

Jesus said,

"But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:29-30

Yes, that may encompass a spiritual revelation or manifestation, but it will also be a literal coming of Jesus in the same pattern as Melchizedek appeared to Abram - as a man!

"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." Hebrews 7:4

"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…." Romans 3:21-22

"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision." Romans 4:1-10

Physically, Abraham was not circumcised at that time, yet we could say that he was circumcised! In what way? In his heart!

"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked." Deuteronomy 10:16

"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." Deuteronomy 30:6

"Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings." Jeremiah 4:4

Later, the outer circumcision of his flesh was God's covenant with Abraham in order to say, "Abraham, I'm going to acknowledge this covenant: your heart is circumcised to Me."

"And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt Me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant." Genesis 17:11-13

This is based upon reality!

Some can get puffed up about their knowledge of God. They strut around showing forth some sign of their intellectual understanding of God. But faith must lead you to step out into a life of righteousness. That is a meeting with the Most High God! As mentioned, Abraham's physical sign of circumcision was but a seal of what had already taken place within his heart.

"I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the Most High God, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich…." Genesis 14:22-23

That declared a great change in his orientation to life. How many people who call themselves Christians are anything more than "carnal (Lot) believers"? Lot could have been circumcised unto God, but he wasn't, for he was not circumcised in his heart. Therefore, there was no "covenant of circumcision" for him. Likewise, carnal "Lot believers" claim an imputed righteousness because they believe in God. Yet their life does not manifest real change whereby people look upon them and say, "the Lord is there (Jehovah-shammah) - I see the Lord in that person." It's not about paying your bills on time or being "a good person" by the world's standards. But it is about the Lord being there - present in our lives - and His righteousness observable.

Do you want the Lord to "be there" in your life? There are times in our lives when we may feel we are marching around some `stronghold,' our "Jericho," and we don't see any movement towards victory. It may appear like that for days and days and even longer, and still you may only behold the flesh nature (the offspring of Esau, the seed of the flesh). The giants and those great walls of "Jericho" seem so impregnable. By faith you then continue your walk around this `fortress' in your life. But still you don't see any change in your situation or those around you. Will you stick with it and exercise patience and the faith of Abraham? If you do, then finally you will see the walls crumble as you come to the revelation that the Lord has been present all along; "the Lord is there." He's a wonderful God! He's there - always! Jehovah-shammah.