In a remarkable passage in Zechariah 6:12-13, the inspired prophet anticipates both the kingship and priesthood of Christ. Zechariah states, "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne." Consider these points:
1. "The Branch" clearly refers to Christ. (Compare Isaiah 11:1, 2).
2. "He shall build the temple of the Lord." Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:18, 19) and the church is the Lord's temple in the New Testament (Ephesians 2:19-21).
3. "He shall bear the glory." Jesus entered into glory after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. (Luke 24:26; I Peter 1:11).
4. "Shall sit and rule." Jesus was raised from the dead to sit upon the throne. (Acts 2:29-31).
5. "He shall be a priest upon his throne." Notice that sitting, ruling and functioning as a priest were to occur at the same time. The entire book of Hebrews in the New Testament ties together the Lord's throne and His priesthood. (Hebrews 8:1-5, etc.). If Jesus is not on His throne now, then He is not a priest yet. If Jesus is not our high priest, how then can we be saved? (Hebrews 4:14-16).
6. Jesus began His rule upon His throne when His kingdom (church) was established (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 29-31) on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and will continue to rule until He comes again and delivers the kingdom up to the Father. (I Corinthians 15:23-26).
7. Jesus' kingdom is spiritual in nature (John 18:36) and His servants serve Him willingly (Psalms 110:1-4).
Have you submitted to His authority? (John 12:48; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 2:38).This item originally appeared in The Chapman Challenger (9/19/01)
