David E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education
Doc. Humane Letters, Honoris Causa
The Priesthood of Melchizedek, first appearing in Genesis and mentioned in one Psalm, remains a mystery in the Bible until Hebrews, where Melchizedek, Aaron, and Jesus are thoroughly explained. In Hebrews, Jesus is compared to many traditional institutions and many notable forefathers of the faith, and found to be better in every way. Hebrews has one theme: Jesus is better in every way.
What’s the Point?
Let’s consider the point of this up front, instead at the end. The Priesthood of Melchizedek and the Tabernacle of David may be said to be two obscure institutions spoken of in the Bible, but carry tremendous theological significance, and may be intimately connected each other. Melchizedek, David, and Jesus are said to be in the forever Priesthood of Melchizedek. David radically departed from the Tabernacle of Moses with his Tabernacle of David, and the Tabernacle of David is a definitive part of Jesus and prophecy. Since all priests minister in a tabernacle or temple, the Tabernacle of David may be that special place for the Priesthood of Melchizedek.
Abram (Abraham) Honors Melchizedek the Priest
Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV), “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
David is Named in the Melchizedek Priesthood
Psalm 110:1-4 (KJV), “1. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou has the dew of thy youth. 4. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus is Highest Priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood
Jesus is the ultimate priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood. (See previous article Melchizedek Priesthood Compared to Aaron Priesthood.)
Hebrews 5:10 (KJV), “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 7:15-17 (NIV), “15. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16. one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17. For it is declared: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”
Connecting Jesus, David, and Tabernacle of David
These seem to come together in the New Testament. Jesus is Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). Jesus names Himself “Root of David” (Revelation 5:5). Jesus ascended into Heaven’s Holy of Holies to minister (Hebrews 9:24), and in that Holy of Holies is being performed the worship activities of the Tabernacle of David (harp and bowl).
Hebrews 9:24 (KJV), “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Revelation 5:5-10 (KJV), “5. And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. 8. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10. And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Music and Intercession In Heaven
Revelation 5 speaks of Harp and Bowl. Harp is playing and Bowl is praying, which indicates a powerful connection between music and intercessory prayer, with the use of the harp in particular. Harp-playing and bowl-praying reflect back to the Tabernacle of David. Did Melchizedek, King of Salem, Priest of God, also perform prophetic worship music, thus making him a prophet, priest, and king?
Summarizing David, Tabernacle of David, Melchizedek, and Jesus
The Priesthood of Melchizedek and the Tabernacle of David may be joined, considering that priests in the Bible always had a place in which to minister, and only the Aaronic Priesthood ministered in the Tabernacle of Moses, Temple of Solomon, and Temple of Ezra.
Melchizedek represents a priesthood that is not according to ancestry, carnality, or Levitical law, but through a perfect life, the power of an endless life, an indestructible life, and the virtue of life indissoluble. The law brought nothing to maturity, but Jesus is a way that does work (the beauty of holiness), that brings us right into the Presence of God.
David was prophetically practicing the priesthood that was foreshadowed by Melchizedek in Genesis, mentioned in Psalms, explained in Hebrews, and fulfilled by Jesus. Through music, David was prophetically practicing the priesthood of Jesus (the beauty of holiness), which brings us right into the Throne Room, the Holy of Holies, the Presence of God.
Rationale. Various connections between the Tabernacle of David and the Priesthood of Melchizedek include the following. (1) David was named a priest after the order of Melchizedek in Psalm 110:4, as is Jesus in Hebrews 5:10 and 6:20, and of course Melchizedek himself. (2) David was Israel’s first person to hold three offices of prophet, priest, and king, as does Jesus, (and by inference, maybe Melchizedek too). (3) Music in the Tabernacle of David was praise and worship that David commanded to be prophecy (above verses), which is directly related to Jesus, because Jesus’ testimony is the Spirit of prophecy. Melchizedek and Abraham’s encounter in Genesis 14:18-20 was entirely prophetic. (4) The Tabernacle of David must have been the special residence of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, because looking backwards from the Heavenly Tabernacle of David in Revelation 5:5-10, Jesus describes Himself as the Root of David.
Through Jesus, We Are Also Priests in the Order of Melchizedek
David was the first person to occupy all three offices of prophet, priest, and king (without any punishment from God). Through Jesus, we New Testament Believers are now God’s New Testament prophets, priests, and kings, placing us in the same Order of Melchizedek.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV), “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
Revelation 5:9-10 (KJV), “9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10. And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
The following is a chart of possible parallels between the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Tabernacle of David.
Priesthood Aaron Melchizedek
Quality Inferior Priesthood (See article Melchizedek Priesthood Compared to Aaron Priesthood) Superior Priesthood (See Melchizedek Priesthood Compared to Aaron Priesthood)
Members Descendents of Levi through Aaron (Melchizedek predates Levi by 3 generations, and predates Aaron by 6 generations: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kohath, Amram, Aaron) Melchizedek (believed to be descendent of Noah & Shem) was the Founding Father (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-3)
David (descendent of Judah) was the Old Testament Prefigure (Psalm 110:1-4)
Jesus (human descendent of Judah, Revelation 5:5, spiritually no descendent John 1:1) is the New Testament Supreme Fulfillment (Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 7:15-17)
New Testament Christians (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:9-10)
Place of Ministry Tabernacle of Moses (Exodus, Chapters 26-27)
Solomon’s Temple the First (1 Chronicles 22)
Ezra’s Temple the Second (Ezra, Chapters 1-10)
(ultimately destroyed with the Great Dispersion—Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 19:44; Luke 21:6) Tabernacle of David (1 Chronicles, Chapters 15-16)
Prophesied to be Rebuilt (Amos 9:11-15)
Partial Fulfillment of Prophesy Explained (Acts 15:16-17)
Tabernacle of David in Heaven (Revelation 5:5-10)
Offices Priests Prophets, Priests, and Kings (Genesis 14:18-20; 2 Samuel 23:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10)
Activities Burning Incense and Sacrificing Blood
(Exodus 30:1; Exodus 38:1) Sacrifices of Praise and Worship
Burning Incense in Golden Bowls are Prayers (Revelation 5:8)
Tabernacle of David on Earth (1 Chronicles 6:31; 1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 25:1-2)
New Testament Members (Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:9)
Tabernacle of David in Heaven (Revelation 5:8-10)
David E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education.
www.classroom-music.info
Dr. Knauss mentors student teachers and regular teachers into teaching excellence. He taught for 3 decades in inner-city public schools, winning over street kids into being like family, became one of the principle curriculum writers for an award-winning, internationally-recognized music department. He retired from public schools, completed a Ph.D. in Music Education, and presently is an adjunct music education professor at Baptist Bible College.
Ph.D. in Music Education
Doc. Humane Letters, Honoris Causa
The Priesthood of Melchizedek, first appearing in Genesis and mentioned in one Psalm, remains a mystery in the Bible until Hebrews, where Melchizedek, Aaron, and Jesus are thoroughly explained. In Hebrews, Jesus is compared to many traditional institutions and many notable forefathers of the faith, and found to be better in every way. Hebrews has one theme: Jesus is better in every way.
What’s the Point?
Let’s consider the point of this up front, instead at the end. The Priesthood of Melchizedek and the Tabernacle of David may be said to be two obscure institutions spoken of in the Bible, but carry tremendous theological significance, and may be intimately connected each other. Melchizedek, David, and Jesus are said to be in the forever Priesthood of Melchizedek. David radically departed from the Tabernacle of Moses with his Tabernacle of David, and the Tabernacle of David is a definitive part of Jesus and prophecy. Since all priests minister in a tabernacle or temple, the Tabernacle of David may be that special place for the Priesthood of Melchizedek.
Abram (Abraham) Honors Melchizedek the Priest
Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV), “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
David is Named in the Melchizedek Priesthood
Psalm 110:1-4 (KJV), “1. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou has the dew of thy youth. 4. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus is Highest Priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood
Jesus is the ultimate priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood. (See previous article Melchizedek Priesthood Compared to Aaron Priesthood.)
Hebrews 5:10 (KJV), “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 7:15-17 (NIV), “15. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16. one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17. For it is declared: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”
Connecting Jesus, David, and Tabernacle of David
These seem to come together in the New Testament. Jesus is Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). Jesus names Himself “Root of David” (Revelation 5:5). Jesus ascended into Heaven’s Holy of Holies to minister (Hebrews 9:24), and in that Holy of Holies is being performed the worship activities of the Tabernacle of David (harp and bowl).
Hebrews 9:24 (KJV), “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Revelation 5:5-10 (KJV), “5. And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. 8. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10. And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Music and Intercession In Heaven
Revelation 5 speaks of Harp and Bowl. Harp is playing and Bowl is praying, which indicates a powerful connection between music and intercessory prayer, with the use of the harp in particular. Harp-playing and bowl-praying reflect back to the Tabernacle of David. Did Melchizedek, King of Salem, Priest of God, also perform prophetic worship music, thus making him a prophet, priest, and king?
Summarizing David, Tabernacle of David, Melchizedek, and Jesus
The Priesthood of Melchizedek and the Tabernacle of David may be joined, considering that priests in the Bible always had a place in which to minister, and only the Aaronic Priesthood ministered in the Tabernacle of Moses, Temple of Solomon, and Temple of Ezra.
Melchizedek represents a priesthood that is not according to ancestry, carnality, or Levitical law, but through a perfect life, the power of an endless life, an indestructible life, and the virtue of life indissoluble. The law brought nothing to maturity, but Jesus is a way that does work (the beauty of holiness), that brings us right into the Presence of God.
David was prophetically practicing the priesthood that was foreshadowed by Melchizedek in Genesis, mentioned in Psalms, explained in Hebrews, and fulfilled by Jesus. Through music, David was prophetically practicing the priesthood of Jesus (the beauty of holiness), which brings us right into the Throne Room, the Holy of Holies, the Presence of God.
Rationale. Various connections between the Tabernacle of David and the Priesthood of Melchizedek include the following. (1) David was named a priest after the order of Melchizedek in Psalm 110:4, as is Jesus in Hebrews 5:10 and 6:20, and of course Melchizedek himself. (2) David was Israel’s first person to hold three offices of prophet, priest, and king, as does Jesus, (and by inference, maybe Melchizedek too). (3) Music in the Tabernacle of David was praise and worship that David commanded to be prophecy (above verses), which is directly related to Jesus, because Jesus’ testimony is the Spirit of prophecy. Melchizedek and Abraham’s encounter in Genesis 14:18-20 was entirely prophetic. (4) The Tabernacle of David must have been the special residence of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, because looking backwards from the Heavenly Tabernacle of David in Revelation 5:5-10, Jesus describes Himself as the Root of David.
Through Jesus, We Are Also Priests in the Order of Melchizedek
David was the first person to occupy all three offices of prophet, priest, and king (without any punishment from God). Through Jesus, we New Testament Believers are now God’s New Testament prophets, priests, and kings, placing us in the same Order of Melchizedek.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV), “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
Revelation 5:9-10 (KJV), “9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10. And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
The following is a chart of possible parallels between the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Tabernacle of David.
Priesthood Aaron Melchizedek
Quality Inferior Priesthood (See article Melchizedek Priesthood Compared to Aaron Priesthood) Superior Priesthood (See Melchizedek Priesthood Compared to Aaron Priesthood)
Members Descendents of Levi through Aaron (Melchizedek predates Levi by 3 generations, and predates Aaron by 6 generations: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kohath, Amram, Aaron) Melchizedek (believed to be descendent of Noah & Shem) was the Founding Father (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-3)
David (descendent of Judah) was the Old Testament Prefigure (Psalm 110:1-4)
Jesus (human descendent of Judah, Revelation 5:5, spiritually no descendent John 1:1) is the New Testament Supreme Fulfillment (Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 7:15-17)
New Testament Christians (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:9-10)
Place of Ministry Tabernacle of Moses (Exodus, Chapters 26-27)
Solomon’s Temple the First (1 Chronicles 22)
Ezra’s Temple the Second (Ezra, Chapters 1-10)
(ultimately destroyed with the Great Dispersion—Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 19:44; Luke 21:6) Tabernacle of David (1 Chronicles, Chapters 15-16)
Prophesied to be Rebuilt (Amos 9:11-15)
Partial Fulfillment of Prophesy Explained (Acts 15:16-17)
Tabernacle of David in Heaven (Revelation 5:5-10)
Offices Priests Prophets, Priests, and Kings (Genesis 14:18-20; 2 Samuel 23:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10)
Activities Burning Incense and Sacrificing Blood
(Exodus 30:1; Exodus 38:1) Sacrifices of Praise and Worship
Burning Incense in Golden Bowls are Prayers (Revelation 5:8)
Tabernacle of David on Earth (1 Chronicles 6:31; 1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 25:1-2)
New Testament Members (Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:9)
Tabernacle of David in Heaven (Revelation 5:8-10)
David E. Knauss
Ph.D. in Music Education.
www.classroom-music.info
Dr. Knauss mentors student teachers and regular teachers into teaching excellence. He taught for 3 decades in inner-city public schools, winning over street kids into being like family, became one of the principle curriculum writers for an award-winning, internationally-recognized music department. He retired from public schools, completed a Ph.D. in Music Education, and presently is an adjunct music education professor at Baptist Bible College.
