A Window to A Promise: Abram Meets Melchizedek

A “window to a promise” is a type of vision or portal to an invisible dimension. When open, we “see” what God is saying about the future. Sometimes there are many witnesses to miraculous events. However, most of the time, supernatural windows open to an audience of one, as in Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek.

Other examples are Ezekiel’s eyewitness account of the moveable throne of God, and Elisha’s fiery horsemen with chariots. John the Revelator’s end-time visions were also unique individual encounters. Indeed, God seems more impressed with how people respond to His message than with crowd size. And He watches over His Word to fulfill it.

In this post I share my opinion regarding Abram’s “window” to “see” the fulfillment of his Covenant with God.

• A Long Journey Home
• Abram’s Encounter with El Elyon
• A Mysterious Tithe to a Mysterious Priest
• Opinions on Melchizedek
• Melchizedek, a Forerunner
• Abram’s Promised Reward
• Abram Finds A Window to a Promise
• A Tenth Part of … a Promise?
• Responding to a Window to a Promise
• God watches over His Promise to fulfill it

A Long Journey Home

Abram (later named Abraham) was on his way home from battle with the spoils of war. He traveled over one hundred miles (160 km) from the northern town of Dan. Still 25 miles from home, he met Bera, the king of Sodom, in the Valley of Kings east of Jerusalem.

Abram’s Encounter with El Elyon

Abram was well acquainted with YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah), the God of Covenant. Yahweh had led him from his homeland to Canaan (Gen 12:7, 13:14). But through Melchizedek, this was Abram’s first encounter with God the Most High (Yahweh El Elyon). It was “the Possessor of Heaven and earth” (El Elyon) who had given him victory in battle.

Who is the Most High? He rules over the earth, kingdoms and nations. Furthermore, according to the Scriptures, He promotes and removes leaders of His choosing (Psalm 47:2, Daniel 4:17, 25). El Elyon hears our vows (Psalm 50:14), protects us (Psalm 91), and His Voice thunders from Heaven (Psalm 18:13). Interestingly, Jesus was respectfully addressed by demons as Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7, Luke 8:28). We can read about His demonstrated Power over storms, waves, and even the fish in the sea.

A Mysterious Tithe to a Mysterious Priest

From the text, it appears that the king of Sodom neither witnessed the encounter with Melchizedek nor the transaction of the tithe, for Abram “vowed” not to take any of the spoils for himself. (Abram was quite candid about the bounty for his 318 servants and three neighbors who accompanied him to battle).

So, what did Abram tithe? Did he give from his wealth of livestock, silver, and gold? (Genesis 13:2). No soldier would ever take personal fortune or goods to a battlefield.

(Several translations of Hebrews 7:4 state that Abraham gave a tenth of the “spoils” to Melchizedek, but the Greek word “akrothinion” also translates to “the top of the heap” or “first fruits.”)

Opinions on Melchizedek

Opinions vary concerning the identity of Melchizedek, and you probably have your own. Some say that he is Shem, the son of Noah, or a contemporary of Shem. However, Hebrews 7:3 states Melchizedek has no genealogy.

Also, would the priest of the Most High and “righteous” king of Salem (Jerusalem) rule over the pagan stronghold it was in Abram’s day? God is holy and Jerusalem was not.

The Canaanites worshipped other deities and refused to surrender Jerusalem until King David (about 1000 years after Abram) wrenched it from the Jebusites and made it the capital of Israel.

I asked questions, and the Lord answered me. The first thing I heard was, “Do angels have genealogy?” Angels are spirits. They have no parents, their lives have no beginning or end (except from God’s perspective), and they sometimes look like men (Hebrews 13:2).

Everything I share here came to me by revelation, and I acknowledge it may just be a small part of the whole picture.

Melchizedek, a Forerunner

Elijah is considered to be a forerunner to John the Baptist, but Jesus stated the Baptist was greater than all who came before him.

Levi came before the Levitical priesthood that was named after him, but Levi was not greater than his descendant Aaron (the high priest) who came perhaps 400 years after.

Similarly, Melchizedek manifested the heavenly priesthood before Jesus came in the flesh around 2000 years later. Therefore, the priesthood is named after Melchizedek (Order of Melchizedek) to differentiate it from the Order of Aaron.

I began to see Melchizedek as one sent by God as a messenger (like the Angel of the Lord) and a forerunner. He is a priest of the Most High, but not greater than Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Most High, God the Son, and our eternal High Priest.

Abram’s Promised Reward

On the heels of Abram’s encounter in Genesis 14 comes Genesis 15:1:

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (NKJV, Bold font is for emphasis).

That night, God encouraged Abram to ask about the promised reward. (There he was, an old man with no children, who obediently left his homeland to journey to Canaan and live among heathen).

In every encounter, beginning in Genesis 12, God spoke with Abraham about his descendants and inheritance (seven times by my count). Is there reason to suppose that Melchizedek met with the patriarch about a different topic? I don’t think so.

Abram Finds A Window to a Promise

It is entirely possible that a supernatural dimensional portal opened to Abram to meet with Melchizedek in the holy New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12, 21:2). Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Jerusalem). Abram must have been amazed by what he saw: a new futuristic City and his Seed!

By faith he [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:9-10)

When he met with Melchizedek, Abram saw his Seed (Galatians 3:16), the Priesthood of Jesus, and the bread and wine, symbols of the New Covenant. He saw that his Seed (Jesus) would be a blessing to all nations, just as God promised. God sealed His Word (the Promise) with an oath (covenant) to confirm what He showed Abraham would surely happen. (Genesis 15, 17; Hebrews 6:13-18)

In fact, Jesus said to the Jews: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. (John 8:56)

A Tenth Part of … a Promise?

Abram’s tithe (his first fruits) appears to be related to his Promise, not finances (silver, gold or livestock).

Before any of his ten were born (Ishmael, Isaac, six more sons, plus two grandsons through Isaac), Abram gave a tenth part of his Promise (his descendants) to God. Jacob (a grandson) was about 15 years old when Abraham died. Since the Promise came through Abraham’s son Isaac (Romans 9:7), Abram essentially dedicated Jacob (renamed Israel) to the Most High. Perhaps this why Israel belongs to God.

“Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, my firstborn. (Exodus 4:22)

How did the Levites give the tenth part (Israel) to Melchizedek through Abraham long before they were born? (Hebrews 7:9)

When a dimensional portal opened to Abraham’s grandson Jacob through a dream recorded in Genesis 28:11-22, God recited the Abrahamic covenant. Then, Jacob also promised to give a tenth part to God. (Abraham taught his children about the righteousness of God and the covenant (Genesis 18:19)).

So, by faith, Jacob may also have dedicated a tenth of his descendants before they were born. The Levites, his descendants, served the Most High. But Jacob’s sons of the Promise will be saved through his Seed (Jesus). Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:25-27)

In their service before God, the Levitical priests dedicated and blessed Israel just as they did from Abraham’s loins before they were born. The High Priest (of Aaron, descendant of Levi) wore the names of the sons of Israel engraved on stones on his shoulders and his breastplate, offered as a continual memorial before the Lord. (Exodus 28:11, 12, 29)

How did a tithe of a Promise (of offspring) change to become a levy of income?

Under the Law, God required Israel to participate through a tithe of their obedience (produce/offerings) (Deuteronomy 12:11). But Israel no longer practiced faith after their 430-year stay in Egypt. However, the Seed (Jesus) restored faith. (Romans 4:13-23). We manifest faith through our love and obedience to God. (1John 5:1-5)

Responding to a Window to a Promise

To recap:

1. A dream, vision, or encounter can open a dimensional Window in the spirit. (And we must exercise spiritual discernment and understanding – a future blog topic).

2. The tenth part is a spiritual transaction of faith and obedience. Abram gave his Promised heirs (Israel) to God.

3. The Law only commands obedience, but Lord Jesus (the Seed of Promise) added faith as a requirement. (Romans 4, 5:1-11)

4. Patience and trials often precede the Promise, i.e., Abram’s bounty temptation (offer by the King of Sodom), his 25-year wait for Isaac, the near sacrifice of his Promise (Genesis 22).

5. God’s viewpoint of how He plans to fulfill a promise may be very different from what we expect. i.e., Jacob favored Joseph (and Rachel), but God chose Leah’s sons (Judah) for the Seed line and (Levi) the priesthood.

God watches over His Promise to fulfill it

Interpretation: The open door in my dream represented a window to a promise. My words echoed in my future, (just as Jesus echoed Abram’s promise 2000 years later). Specifically, God confirms whatever He speaks to us now through a Window to a Promise (a vision from God). This is because, the Lion of Judah watches over His Word to fulfill it.

We play an important role in the transaction. Can you guess it?

Our role is to speak God’s Words (and Promises) through faith, love and obedience. Amen!

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