The third Epochal Revelation was Machiventa Melchizedek. While Melchizedek is mentioned briefly in the Bible,[1] the nature and activity of this versatile group of beings is largely unknown on Urantia. They are a group of local universe sons who perform numerous duties from education to governing to stepping into emergency situations on many levels of universe activities, including even on the physical level.[2]
Twelve Melchizedeks were in charge of our planet after the default of Adam and Eve when about five thousand years ago they learned our universe creator son, Michael, had decided to incarnate on our planet, more on this in the next section. At this time, about 3000 BC, our human predecessors on Earth knew very little about God and there was concern among these governors we were not ready for this bestowal by our creator. After appealing to various government agencies, they were essentially informed that they were on their own. Therefore one of them, Machiventa Melchizedek, volunteered to incarnate as a mortal and work toward uplifting our spiritual awareness.[3]
As a result of this, 1973 years before Jesus was born, Machiventa Melchizedek, as an imposing physical being, stepped into the tent of a Chaldean herder named Amdon and proclaimed: “I am Melchizedek, priest of El Elyon the Most High, the one and only God.”[4]Imagine if a commanding being entered your residence with such a bold statement, how would you react? After recovering from the shock, Amdon asked for more information and Machiventa’s teachings began.
Machiventa established a school at Salem (this place was later called Jebus and after that it became Jerusalem[5]). For 94 years he taught students who then went into the entire world as missionaries spreading the gospel of one God.
Melchizedek taught his followers all they had capacity to receive and assimilate. Even many modern religious ideas about heaven and earth, of man, God, and angels, are not far removed from these teachings of Melchizedek. But this great teacher subordinated everything to the doctrine of one God, a universe Deity, a heavenly Creator, a divine Father.[6]
Every member of the church he founded subscribed to the following belief system: that they believe in El Elyon, the universal father and creator of all things, that they accept the covenant of Melchizedek bestowing God’s favor based on faith instead of burnt offerings and sacrifices, and they must believe seven commandments based on similar ones from the planetary prince times. They were also to tell the good news of the covenant to all people.[7]
This simple affirmation was too advanced for the people of those times; they could not understand it is that easy to earn God’s favor, through simple faith. They believed that man is born owing God something and they must perform some ritual to purchase God’s favor, something such as sacrifices and gifts to the priests. In current times similar beliefs prevail some religions, one example is the atonement doctrine taught by some Christian religions.
There is another way to understand this covenant of Melchizedek. Normal earthly parents naturally love their children, they care for them, see to their needs, comfort them when the children are upset and forgive them when mistakes are made. We are certainly aware that there are many earthly fathers and mothers who are not necessarily good loving parents. In this portrayal of the love of God we naturally refer to loving earthly parents; their love is not dependent upon anything the child does; it is rather a natural consequence of the fact of parenthood. Parents naturally love their offspring. Is it possible that God who has created all things and beings is less loving than the earthly parents He created? Is it at all possible that God’s love could depend on some ritual we may need to perform? God loves us and this love becomes activated by our sincere faith; it truly is that simple.
For some time the Melchizedek receivers had been observing the ancestors of Abraham, and they confidently expected offspring in a certain generation who would be characterized by intelligence, initiative, sagacity, and sincerity. The children of Terah, the father of Abraham, in every way met these expectations. It was this possibility of contact with these versatile children of Terah that had considerable to do with the appearance of Machiventa at Salem, rather than in Egypt, China, India, or among the northern tribes.[8]
It is interesting the Melchizedeks could in some way observe these people (perhaps by analyzing their DNA or estimating their spiritual potential) and know their offspring “in a certain generation” would have special characteristics. They know our possibilities based upon these factors and plan for us accordingly; they know us better than we do.
Machiventa met with the children of Terah and one of them, Abraham, did choose to follow him. While Machiventa had peaceful relations with his neighboring tribes, his student Abraham was minded to spread the teachings by conquering the nearby tribes.[9] Abraham was ready to begin these wars of conquest but was concerned because he had no offspring to succeed him; because of this concern he had another conference with this priest of El Elyon.
During this meeting Machiventa told Abraham if he believed, his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky; this was the covenant between Melchizedek and Abraham.[10]
This covenant of Melchizedek with Abraham represents the great Urantian agreement between divinity and humanity whereby God agrees to do everything; man only agrees to believe God’s promises and follow his instructions. Heretofore it had been believed that salvation could be secured only by works — sacrifices and offerings; now, Melchizedek again brought to Urantia the good news that salvation, favor with God, is to be had by faith.[11]
This teaching was too advanced for Abraham and his contemporaries; it is even too advanced for many of our brothers and sisters today. God naturally loves us and wants to assist us, why do we not understand this? How many ways must it be stated? God wants to help each of us and we only need to accept His guidance. God would make this covenant with each one of us if we would only listen and let Him. Simple childlike faith in our Heavenly Father is the key to spiritual progress.
Machiventa left as unceremoniously as he arrived but the students he taught went into most of the Earth spreading his message.
One of the goals of Melchizedek’s incarnation was: That a religion of one God should be so fostered as to prepare the way for the earth bestowal of a Son of that one God. Michael could hardly come to Urantia until there existed a people believing in the Universal Father among whom he could appear.[12] This religion was the Jewish religion which was influenced by the Melchizedek tradition retained in various Canaanite tribes as well as Moses who received some of these teachings in Egypt. The teachings of Melchizedek had a profound effect on many religions and laid the foundation for the bestowal of Michael.