Melchizedek

Melchizedek is shown the descent of the Savior into the lower regions, His struggle with the rulers, the cross, and His triumph over the powers.

1And after these things the heavens were opened unto Melchizedek, and he beheld a vision of the descent of the Lord.

2And he saw the Beloved coming down from the bosom of the Father, clothed in the garment of glory, that He might put on flesh in the womb of the virgin.

3And the rulers of this age perceived Him not, for He passed through their watch in silence, even as a king who entereth his own city in disguise.

4And He was born among the lowly, and laid in a manger, and the heavens sang above Him, but the earth knew Him not, save the few who watched and waited.

5And He grew, and went forth in the power of the Spirit, and proclaimed the kingdom, and healed the sick, and cast out devils, and taught the way of the Father.

6But the powers of darkness gathered together against Him. The rulers, the authorities, the world-powers — they conspired to kill the Lord of glory, not knowing that by His death they themselves should be undone.

7And He was taken, and bound, and beaten, and crowned with thorns, and led to the place of the skull. And there they nailed Him to the tree.

8And the false teachers shall say afterward: He suffered not. He felt no pain. The Christ withdrew, and another took His place. But thou, O Melchizedek, hearken unto the truth.

9He suffered in truth. The nails pierced His hands and His feet. The spear opened His side. The blood and the water came forth. And He gave up the ghost, saying: Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.

10And He descended into the lower parts of the earth, where the souls of the prisoners were bound. And He preached unto them, and broke the chains of their captivity.

11And the gates of hell could not hold Him. He spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

12And on the third day He rose, the firstborn from the dead, and the keys of death and of hell were placed in His hand.

13And He appeared unto His own, and ate with them, and breathed upon them the Holy Ghost, and commanded them to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

14And He ascended on high, leading captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men, even the gift of His Spirit unto them that believe.

15And the angels of God ministered before Him in His ascending, and the four Luminaries bowed before His throne, and the host of the saved ones followed Him in the ranks of glory.

16Now in that day, O Melchizedek, the adversary shall be cast down, and his angels with him. And the great red dragon shall lose his place in the heavens.

17And there shall come the harvest of the earth, when the Son of Man shall send forth His reapers. The wheat shall be gathered into His barn, and the tares shall be bound in bundles to be burned.

18And the holy city shall come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And the tabernacle of God shall be with men, and He shall dwell with them.

19And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things shall be passed away.

20And He that sitteth upon the throne shall say: Behold, I make all things new. And the saints shall reign with Him for ever and ever.

21Therefore, Melchizedek, fight the good fight. Keep thy garments unspotted from the world. Endure unto the end, and the crown of life shall be given unto thee.

22For the days of the priesthood are short, but the priesthood itself is eternal. Thou hast received the holy order; thou shalt bear it through the generations of thy seed.

23And in the day of judgment thou shalt stand at the right hand of the Lamb, and they that have received thy blessing shall stand with thee, and the Lord shall acknowledge thee before His Father and the holy angels.

24Now I declare unto thee a hidden thing: even thou, Melchizedek, art a token of Him that cometh. As thou art now in Salem, so shall He stand in Jerusalem. As thou breakest bread and pourest wine, so shall He break His body and pour His blood.

25And thy name shall not perish, for it is written in the Book of Life. And the order which thou bearest shall be given again in the latter days, when the dispensation of the fulness of times is restored.

26For the priesthood of Melchizedek shall not be hidden forever. It shall be brought forth again in the last hour, when the Lord raiseth up His servant to gather Israel from the four corners of the earth.

27And the children of the covenant shall know it, and they shall walk in the holy order, even as thou hast walked. And they shall offer the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit before the Lord.

28Thus saith the angel of the Lord unto Melchizedek the high priest. Take heed, and be of good courage. The Lord thy God is with thee.

29And Melchizedek bowed himself unto the earth, and worshipped, and the vision was gone from before his eyes. But the words of the angel were written upon his heart, and he forgot them not.

30And he arose, and went forth in the strength of the Lord, to fulfil the ministry which had been given him, until the day when his work should be finished and he should be received up into glory.