Machiventa Melchizedek

Machiventa Melchizedek is, in The Urantia Book, one of the twelve Melchizedek receivers of Urantia, who, 1,973 years before the birth of Jesus, took on a human body near what became Jerusalem and lived for ninety-four years as the "sage of Salem" 93:1.3 93:2.1-2. He came to keep alive the truth of one God and to prepare for the bestowal of Michael 93:4.15. The book identifies him with the Melchizedek, priest of the Most High, who meets Abraham in Genesis 93:4.14.

Paper 93, presented by a Melchizedek of Nebadon, tells his story 93:10.12. The book describes him as "one of the most unique of all characters ever to become connected with the history of Urantia" 93:10.11.

The emergency bestowal

The Melchizedek Sons are "emergency Sons," able to work on many levels of the universe, even the physical 93:0.1. A corps of twelve had served as Urantia's planetary receivers since the Caligastia secession, and returned after the default of Adam and Eve 93:0.2. In the millenniums after Adam's failure, revealed truth was "threatened with extinction," and by about 3000 B.C. the concept of God had grown "very hazy" 93:1.1.

The receivers asked the Most Highs of Edentia for help and were told that affairs on Urantia were "fully in the hands of the Melchizedek custodians"; the Father Melchizedek told them to uphold truth in their own way "until the arrival of a bestowal Son" 93:1.2. Thrown on their own resources, Machiventa volunteered to do what had been done only six times in Nebadon's history: to incarnate as a temporary man 93:1.3. The Salvington authorities approved, and the receivers, with the Life Carriers and others, carried out his materialization near Salem in Palestine 93:1.3.

The sage of Salem

Machiventa's coming "was unspectacular"; no human saw his materialization 93:2.1. He was first seen when he entered the tent of Amdon, a Chaldean herder, and said: "I am Melchizedek, priest of El Elyon, the Most High, the one and only God" 93:2.1. Supper that night with Amdon was the first material food of his long universe career 93:2.2.

He looked like the blended Nodite and Sumerian peoples, was almost six feet tall, and spoke Chaldean and a half dozen other languages 93:2.5. On his breast he wore three concentric circles, "the Satania symbol of the Paradise Trinity" 93:2.5. He never married and could have no children; his body was of the type made for Caligastia's staff but carried no human life plasm, and with no tree of life available it would eventually have worn out 93:2.6. He received a Thought Adjuster, which later indwelt Jesus, "the only Thought Adjuster who ever functioned in two minds on Urantia" 93:2.7. In the flesh he could communicate only with his eleven fellow receivers 93:2.8.

Within a few years disciples gathered around him, and he became known as the priest of El Elyon, the sage of Salem, and among some tribes the king of Salem 93:2.4. Salem later became Jebus and then Jerusalem 93:2.4.

Teachings

Melchizedek modeled his Salem schools on those of the Sethite priests of the second garden; the tithing system Abraham later introduced came from the same tradition 93:3.1. He taught one universal God, but allowed people to associate this teaching with the Constellation Father of Norlatiadek, whom he called El Elyon, so that "to a majority of the Salem students Edentia was heaven and the Most High was God" 93:3.2. To a few, including Nordan the Kenite, he taught more advanced truths 93:3.4. He also taught that another Son of God would come in the flesh, "born of a woman" 93:3.7.

The creed of the Salem colony had three articles 93:4.1-4:

• Belief in El Elyon, "the only Universal Father and Creator of all things."
• Acceptance of the Melchizedek covenant, "which bestows the favor of God on my faith, not on sacrifices and burnt offerings."
• A promise to obey his seven commandments and spread the covenant.

His seven commandments followed the old Dalamatian law and the codes of the two Edens 93:4.6. In place of animal sacrifice he offered a sacrament of bread and wine, but he never fully ended sacrifice among his followers, Abraham included 93:4.14. He did not try to reform customs or teach science; "like Jesus, Melchizedek attended strictly to the fulfillment of the mission of his bestowal" 93:4.15.

Abraham and the covenant

The book says Palestine was chosen partly for its central place in the trade and travel of the time, and partly to make contact with the family of Terah 93:5.2-3. After Terah's death Melchizedek invited Abraham and his brother Nahor to Salem; Nahor stayed behind, but Abraham came with his nephew Lot 93:5.5. Abraham attended the Salem school three times and became one of its most brilliant pupils 93:4.16.

Abraham had "kingly ambitions." Melchizedek would not approve his plans of conquest, and the two parted on friendly terms, Abraham setting up his military capital at Hebron 93:5.9-11. After the battle of Siddim, where Abraham rescued Lot, Melchizedek met him as he returned, and Abraham insisted on giving a tenth of the spoils to Salem 93:5.12-13.

In a later interview Melchizedek persuaded Abraham to give up "material conquest and temporal rule in favor of the spiritual concept of the kingdom of heaven," and made a formal covenant with him: "Look now up to the heavens and number the stars if you are able; so numerous shall your seed be" 93:6.1 93:6.3. The book calls this "the great Urantian agreement between divinity and humanity whereby God agrees to do everything; man only agrees to believe" 93:6.4. After the birth of Isaac, Abraham had the covenant put in writing and changed his name from Abram 93:6.5. At its height the Salem brotherhood had over one hundred thousand tithe payers 93:6.8. Salem missionaries carried the teaching as far as the British Isles, Iceland and Japan, but outside Palestine it was absorbed into older cults 93:7.2-3.

Departure and later career

Shortly after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Machiventa decided to end his bestowal, partly because people were beginning to revere him with "superstitious fear," and partly to leave time before Abraham's death for the teaching to take root 93:8.1. One night he said good night and retired to his tent, "and when they went to call him in the morning, he was not there, for his fellows had taken him" 93:8.1. On the third day he reappeared among the receivers and resumed his former status 93:10.1.

• About 3000 B.C.: the concept of God has grown hazy; the receivers petition for help 93:1.1-2.
• 1,973 years before Jesus' birth: Machiventa appears at Salem 93:2.1.
• 94 years later: he ends his bestowal 93:4.16.
• Following nineteen centuries: he works with prophets and seers to keep the Salem truths alive 93:10.4.
• Less than a thousand years ago: he serves invisibly for a century as resident governor general of Urantia 93:10.10.

After Michael's triumph he joined the four and twenty counselors on Jerusem and was recently named "Vicegerent Planetary Prince of Urantia" 93:10.5. The book's narrators conjecture that he may replace the fallen Caligastia and someday appear on Urantia, perhaps with children of Adam and Eve, and that he will accompany Urantia mortals to Paradise 93:10.6-9 55:7.3. His title has not yet led him to change the planet's government 114:1.2.

Melchizedek and the Bible

The book presents Genesis as preserving only a fragment of his story, and reinterprets other Abraham narratives in its light:

• Genesis 14. The meeting after the battle, "Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine," and Abraham's tithe are presented as historical 93:4.14 93:5.13 Gn 14:18-20. The book says the Hebrew scribes destroyed other records of Melchizedek and kept only this one because it "reflected great honor upon Abraham" 93:9.9.
• Conversations with God. "What the Old Testament records describe as conversations between Abraham and God were in reality conferences between Abraham and Melchizedek," and "the angel of the Lord" often refers to him 93:9.7 Gn 15:1-6; Gn 16:7.
• The covenant. The promise of descendants like the stars and the line "counted to him for righteousness" are placed in Melchizedek's mouth 93:6.3 Gn 15:5-6.
• Ages of Abraham and Sarah. The book says these were altered to make Isaac's birth miraculous 93:9.8 Gn 17:17.
• Hebrews and Psalms. It cites Hebrews 7, "without father, without mother... made like a Son of God," as showing that its writer "understood the mission of Melchizedek" 93:9.11 Heb 7:1-3. It calls the comparison of Jesus to a priest "forever after the order of Melchizedek" "not altogether fortunate," though Christ did receive provisional title to Urantia "upon the orders of the twelve Melchizedek receivers" 93:3.7 93:9.11 Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6.

Index of references

Melchizedek's appearance and departure unannounced marked the end of Machiventa's emergency bestowal on Urantia. 93:8.1 93:10.2

Melchizedek, known as the Prince of Salem, appeared at Salem to contact the children of Terah, fostering truth and passing it on to Abraham and his associates. 35:4.5 93:5.3

Paper 56 was co-authored on Urantia by a Mighty Messenger at the request of the Nebadon Revelatory Corps and in collaboration with Melchizedek, the vicegerent Planetary Prince. 56:10.22

After the departure of Machiventa Melchizedek, the great leader's emergency bestowal on Urantia came to an end due to the fear of his followers revering him as a demigod. 93:8.1 93:9.1

Melchizedek, like Jesus, focused on fulfilling his mission without trying to change societal norms or introduce new practices. 93:4.15

Machiventa Melchizedek curtailed Caligastia’s power to disturb, and Michael in the flesh ultimately stripped him of all authority on Urantia. 66:8.5

Machiventa Melchizedek wisely offered a sacrament of bread and wine as a substitute for sacrificing, but failed to eradicate his followers' proclivity for the barbarous practice. 93:4.14

Machiventa Melchizedek prohibited missionaries from accepting fees or establishing exclusive congregations, hindering the development of a significant religious structure among the Greeks. 98:1.1

The Hebrew scribes destroyed almost every record of Machiventa Melchizedek, distorting their traditions to exalt themselves as the chosen people of God. 93:9.9

Machiventa Melchizedek was bestowed upon the human races of Urantia 1,973 years before the birth of Jesus, his coming unspectacular and not witnessed by human eyes, first observed by mortal man when he entered the tent of Amdon and proclaimed his mission as priest of El Elyon, the Most High, the one and only God. 93:2.1

Jesus of Nazareth, perfect in mind and spirit, had a Thought Adjuster previously prepared by the indwelling Machiventa Melchizedek. 93:2.7 136:2.2

Machiventa Melchizedek laid foundations for the spiritual rehabilitation of Urantia, continuing the supermaterial government after the physical contact had been severed. 76:5.6

Melchizedek's peaceful approach with surrounding tribes led to a friendly separation from Abraham, who sought conquest instead of defense. 93:5.11

Melchizedek organized schools at Salem on Sethite model and introduced a tithing system inspired by Abraham. 93:3.1

Melchizedek incarnated to foster a religion of one God, preparing the way for the bestowal of Michael on Earth. 96:0.2

The Melchizedek, Prince of Salem, fostered truth and passed it on to Abraham, aiding in the progression of spiritual enlightenment on Urantia. 35:4.5 51:3.9

Personal details

• Melchizedek, resembling a 6-foot tall Nodite in appearance, dressed like a priest with a sacred emblem of three concentric circles, lived a commanding and celibate life, speaking multiple languages, and completing his bestowal mission in ninety-four years. 93:2.5-6
• During his incarnation, Machiventa communicated solely with his eleven Melchizedek companions, lacking contact with other celestial beings. 93:2.8
• Machiventa Melchizedek lived 94 years as a material being, sustained by material food, partaking of it for the first time with a herder who was astonished by his presence. (93:2.2,5-6)
• Despite living among men, Machiventa never married and couldn't leave offspring, possessing a specially constructed body that did not carry human life plasm. 93:2.6
• Melchizedek, resembling Nodite and Sumerian peoples, spoke Chaldean and 6 other languages, wearing a sacred emblem on his breast. 93:2.5
• Melchizedek, resembling Nodite and Sumerian peoples, stood six feet tall and wore 3 concentric circles on his breast, symbolizing the Paradise Trinity. 93:2.5

Since his incarnation

• In the future, Machiventa Melchizedek may become the Planetary Sovereign of Urantia, possibly accompanied by descendants of Adam and Eve. 55:7.3 93:10.6
• Melchizedek collaborated with prophets and seers for nineteen centuries to preserve the truths of Salem until Michael's arrival on earth. 93:10.4
• Machiventa Melchizedek, the vicegerent Planetary Prince of Urantia, has his headquarters on Jerusem. 45:4.16
• Machiventa Melchizedek was invisibly present on Urantia for 100 years, acting as resident governor general. 93:10.10
• Machiventa Melchizedek, a member of the 24 counselors, is the eternal ambassador of Christ Michael on Urantia. 45:4.16 93:10.5
• Machiventa Melchizedek's present status is as Vicegerent Planetary Prince of Urantia. 93:10
• Machiventa Melchizedek, the vicegerent Planetary Prince of Urantia, forever representing Christ Michael. 45:4.16 93:10.5 114:0.11 114:1.2-4
• Machiventa, as a member of the Urantia directors on Jerusem, will accompany Urantia mortals to the Corps of Finality in their universal progression and ascension journey. 93:10.9

Teachings | Salem teachings

• Machiventa Melchizedek's cardinal precepts were trust and faith, teaching men to trust in God's beneficence and earn His favor through faith. 92:4.7
• covenant with Abraham whereby God does everything and
• Man believes in the spiritual concept of the kingdom of heaven, following the covenant of righteousness made with Melchizedek. 93:6
• The creed and commandments of the Melchizedek church emphasized faith over sacrifices, with a focus on belief in the Most High God and obedience to the seven commandments. 93:4.1-13
• During their Alexandrian sojourn, Jesus, Gonod, and Ganid compiled monotheistic teachings largely derived from the preachments of Machiventa Melchizedek missionaries. 131:0.1
• Machiventa Melchizedek struggled teaching the Palestinian Bedouins about the Trinity, symbolized by three concentric circles on his breastplate. 104:1.3
• Melchizedek revealed the Most High to Abraham through his ministry on Urantia, acknowledging the Vorondadek Son as the “ruler in the kingdoms of men.” 43:5.17
• Melchizedek's teaching focused on the doctrine of one God, subordinating everything to the belief in a heavenly Creator and divine Father. 93:3.6
• Melchizedek taught the advent of another Son of God who would come in the flesh and be born of a woman, inspiring the belief that Jesus was a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. 93:3.7
• Melchizedek and Machiventa were the 3rd epochal revelation, teaching trust and faith in God's beneficence. 92:4.7

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• Melchizedek, Prince of Salem 35:4.5 — Gn 14:18; Heb 7:1-3.
• Belief in sacrifice 93:4.14 — Gn 15:9-10; Gn 22:2-13; Gn 31:54.
• Melchizedek, king of Salem 93:4.14 — Gn 14:18ff.
• Omissions in record 93:9.9 — Gn 14:18-20; Heb 7:1-2.
• Melchizedek 93:2.1 — Heb 7:3. *Melchizedek, priest of Most High*: Gn 14:18-20.
• Abram to Hebron 93:5.11 — Gn 13:18.
• Tithing system 93:3.1 — Gn 14:20; Gn 28:22; 2 Ch 31:5-6,12; Lv 27:30-32; Mal 3:8-10.
• Old Planetary Prince 51:3.9 — Jn 12:31; Jn 14:30; Jn 16:11; 2 Co 4:4; Eph 2:2-3.
• Adam 51:3.9 — Gn 2:19-23.
• Eve 51:3.9 — Gn 3:20.
• Christ Michael 51:3.9 — Mt 2:1; Lk 2:4-7,11; Jn 1:14; Jn 3:16.
• Melchizedek's body 93:2.6 — Heb 7:3.
• Machiventa Melchizedek 45:4.16 — Gn 14:18ff; Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6,10; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:1-3,10,17,21; Heb 7:21.
• Rules in kingdoms of men 43:5.17 — Dn 4:17,25,32; Dn 5:21.
• Blessed be the Most High 43:5.17 — Gn 14:20; Heb 7:1.
• Priest forever, as Melchizedek 93:3.7 — Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6,10; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:11,17,21.

Where it appears

Machiventa Melchizedek is linked in 133 paragraphs of the text; the first 40 are listed.

See also

• Melchizedek Sons
• missionaries:Salem missionaries

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