Christ the King: Part 4. In Glory.

[Marilyn C]

KingPriest.


Jesus Christ was appointed Priest by the Father.

`The LORD (Father) has sworn...:You (Lord Jesus) are a Priest forever...` (Ps. 110: 4)


It was a new order of priest different than the Aaronic priesthood. There were many High priests under the Aaronic order but there is only one great High Priest. Each High priest in Israel succeeded the other, with many weaknesses, but we have a High Priest, `Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.` (Heb. 13: 8)

The Aaronic Priesthood was established for a nation, whereas Christ`s Priesthood is for all mankind, it is universal. He is the one mediator between God and man. (1 Tim. 2: 5)

`We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary...` (Heb. 8: 1)



The New Order of Melchizedek, a royal priest, a Kingpriest.

Melchizedek was a godly king of the ancient city of Jerusalem, who officiated as a priest unto God. (Gen. 14: 18 - 20) He was a type of Christ, a King Priest.

`For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High, first being translated `King of Righteousness,` and then also King of Salem, meaning `King of Peace.` (Heb. 7: 1 & 2)


Melchizedek - Heb. Malkiy, (king), Tsedeq, (right) - King of Righteousness.

Salem - Heb. `Shalem,` (peaceful). Early name for Jerusalem. King of Peace.



The Throne of Christ the Kingpriest.

In the unveiling of Christ, we are shown Him seated on the throne of His glory. This throne has the authority and power appointed of the Father. (Rev. 4)

`I have set my King on my Holy hill of Mount Zion.` (Ps. 2: 6)

`Behold, a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; ...`(Rev. 4: 2)


The gem stones indicate the High Priest`s garment. Christ however is High Priest because of His Holy Character and Mediatorial work between God and man.

`This man, after He had offered one sacrifice for ever, sat down at the right hand of God.` (Heb. 10: 12)

`For this reason He is the mediator of the new covenant,...` (Heb. 9: 15)

 

[Marilyn C]

King of the Nations.


God the Father will give His Son, as His inheritance, the nations.

`Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance.` (Ps. 2: 8)



In the Tribulation - the Great Multitude of the Nations.

During the tribulation when God`s judgments are poured He still has His hand of mercy outstretched to those who repent. A great multitude, that no one can count of the nations, died of hunger, heat and thirst but `washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.` (Rev. 7: 9 - 16)



And those who do not bow to the anti-Christ.

Then there are those who did not bow to the image of the anti-Christ, nor took his mark, number or name, but looked for Israel`s Messiah to come and set up His righteous kingdom through Israel. (Rev. 15: 2) They sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

`Great and marvellous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the Holy Ones, (of the nations). Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name?` (Rev. 15: 3)



The Song of Moses. He ascribed greatness to God, His work perfect, and all His ways, just. As one of the two witnesses of Christ, Israel`s coming Messiah, he would have witnessed of Christ, His greatness and justice. (Rev. 11: 3- 6)

`Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice.` (Deut. 32: 3 & 4)



The Song of the `Lamb` refers to Christ`s sacrifice as Israel`s Passover Lamb. It is His title as the victor standing on Mount Zion in glory, the One who overcame Satan and his world government. It is Christ`s `battle scarred dress,` in which He fought and won to receive the greatest honour. `Behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion...` (Rev. 14: 1)

These `holy ones,` also reveal that all the nations will come and worship the Lord.

`For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you, for your judgments have been manifested.` (Rev. 15: 4)



After the tribulation all nations under Christ the King of the Nations.

The Lord will judge the nations as to who will enter His kingdom rule through Israel. Representatives of these nations will be required to go up each year to Jerusalem to worship the King and learn of His ways. (Micah 4: 2)


`And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and keep the Feast of Tabernacles.` (Zech. 14: 16)

 

[Marilyn C]

King of Kings.

`Out of the `ivory palaces` into a world of woe, Only His great eternal love, made my Saviour go.` (chorus of Hymn by H. Barraclough 1915)

`Out of the ivory palaces` where myriads of angelic beings worshipped and adored Him, where celestial music played enchanting symphonies, and the Father anointed Him with the oil of gladness, the Saviour came to this dark, sinful world to be born in a stable. (Ps. 45: 6 - 8)

The contrast is too great for us to really appreciate or even understand, but we know in part that our Saviour and Lord has such a great love that enabled Him to overcome in the greatest battle there ever was, against the most demonic being who cruelly subjected Christ to the most humiliating and excruciatingly, painful death imaginable.

Thus, this conqueror of sin, death and hell is crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

`Then I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on Him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood,....and on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.` (Rev. 19: 11 - 13, & 16)



This King of Kings will come again to this earth in great power and glory to deliver Israel and bring vengeance upon the rebellious.

`Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; he will provide atonement for His land and His people.` (Deut. 32: 43)

The Lord Jesus Christ, will yet be King over all the earth. (Ps. 47: 2) He will establish His rule over Israel and over the nations. (Zech. 14: 16)


Then on into the New Heaven and New Earth all realms and rulership will come under His jurisdiction. From the highest heaven to the lowest position, all will be ruled in righteousness and peace by this great King of Kings.

In the third heaven, the highest, this King and High Priest will rule with His order of Kingpriests, and in the lower heavens, the Universe, there will be kings and priests who rule, and on the earth kings and priest who also rule.

Of His great Kingdom and government of peace there will be no end but ever increasing.

`Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.` (Isa. 9: 7)

 

[Marilyn C]

CONCLUSION


What has been highlighted to me doing this study is the initial part the Father has in bringing about His great purpose through His Son and through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Godhead working together for the Father`s great purpose.

God the Father `...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposes in Himself, that in the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him.` (Eph. 1: 9 & 10)

In `one` denotes in unity and harmony of all things under Christ`s rulership.



When Christ came as a babe, `a body was prepared for Him.` (Heb. 10: 5) He was born of the right family, (David`s line) and ruling tribe, (Judah) that God had established over Israel.

Christ was appointed Priest by the Father of a new order, a kingpriest and set upon His throne in the highest heavens. This glorified Son of God and Son of Man `sits` enthroned

`far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named , not only in this age but also in the one to come.` (Eph. 1: 21 & 22)



God the Father has bequeathed the nations and all things to His Son.

So not only is this great conqueror, King of Kings, ruling over all, but He is also Lord of Lords, administrating over every detail in all His great kingdom, and finally He is the Father`s heir who takes possession of all the lands, peoples, rulership, realms, and exercises His great power and authority in a reign of Righteousness and Peace.



`For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.` (Rom. 14: 17)