Malachi, a prophet of the mid-fifth century B.C., is speaking to the Jewish community almost a century after the return from the Babylonian exile. The original enthusiasm and expectation of the tiny remnant who did return had by now turned into frustration and depression. The people had lost faith in God’s love for them and had become lax in their worship—conditions which Malachi lays at the feet of the clergy.

So the corrupt priests in Israel, instead of taking the best offering of their flocks, took the lame and the deformed and put that upon the altar, even though the law as stated in Deuteronomy required that animals fit for sacrifice had to be perfect—they could not be blind, lame or have any “ill blemish.” <1>  The whole idea of sacrifice—that the offering to God is something of value that the giver is willing to give up in order to prove his sincerity—was being mocked by these priests.

The term “governor” refers to the governor appointed by the Persians, who ruled the land at that time. The implication is that the priests wouldn’t even treat their foreign rulers with as much disrespect as they have treated their God.

Thus, it is a teaching that if we would be priests and priestesses of the sacred fire under the Order of Melchizedek, we must give the sacrifice upon the altar of the firstfruits of our Christhood—not of our human creation, not of that which is dispensable which we desire to be rid of. We must place the very best of ourselves, even as Jesus Christ did set the example of giving his Christhood for the salvation of the whole world.

Therefore, the priesthood in Israel was condemned by God for their misuse of the light of the Holy of Holies and, in the performing of their offices, the defilement of the table of sacrifice. The word table as used here means the altar.

Understand that these priests are in the world today. They are a tribe of fallen ones—some reincarnated and others who are of the same ilk. And thus they function as leaders of the people in Church and in State but they do not offer the acceptable offering before the hearts of the people, before the Mighty I AM Presence. They pretend to officiate and to bear the burden of the LORD as they sit in their seats of authority. And yet they do not.

Archangel Michael has called me to read to you from sacred scripture the judgment upon those who hold an office in the name of the people and in the name of God and yet defile the mantle of that office.

The high priest is the Lord Christ, your own beloved Christ Self. And you also have a mantle. It is the mantle of the disciple. Let it not, then, be trailed in the dust of darkness. Let the mantle remain pure and unsullied. And let your office be upheld; for it is the office that was once held by our brother Jesus Christ when he was a disciple on the Path proving the way of his Christhood.

We understand that the judgment and the power of God’s judgment as it is written in scripture goes forth again when it is read from the high altar. And all that follows in this vein as the response of the congregation of the righteous (those who in the LORD’s righteousness lawfully exercise the power of His Word) is the means of the implementation of the judgment through Archangel Michael, as you have invoked the decree dictated by Jesus Christ—“They Shall Not Pass!”

Thus, in the understanding of the betrayal of the office of priest by some of the Levites—descendants of Levi, the son of Jacob, who were consecrated as the priestly order in ancient Israel—realize that that judgment is sustained until the individual turns away from his sin. Realize that as it was then, so it is today: those who betray the divine calling, whatever their profession or sacred labor, must give accounting under their own I AM Presence.

And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. (Mal. 1:9-10)