Monday, November 23, 2009
High Priest and King
(Zechariah 6:9-14)
Joshua, the High Priest of the returned exiles, serves as a powerful symbol of the two-fold ministry of Christ. He is crowned with two crowns, depicting Christ as both King and High Priest. After Joshua’s symbolic dual coronation, we again find mention of the BRANCH, the coming Messiah. See Hebrews 7:1-3 and Ps. 110:4.
Several predictions are made of the coming Messiah (13): He “shall build the temple of the Lord,” referring to Christ’s establishing the future temple promised by Ezekiel and belonging to Christ’s millennial reign. “He shall bear the glory,” a special reference to the glory of God reflected in Christ (Col. 2:9). “He shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne,” clear declaration of Christ’s dual ministry of King and High Priest. The human High Priest Joshua never fulfilled these words. Jesus Christ, the BRANCH, will fulfill the prophecy literally when He comes to reign in Jerusalem.
Some folks seek to build a utopia on this earth. Politicians promise peace, prosperity, and health care for all. The gullible cast their votes, hoping for a little bit of heaven on earth. Alas, it shall never be! The sinfulness of man assures us that utopia is always beyond our grasp. Christians, however, look for a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). We understand that the glorious rest of the kingdom age will not come about by human effort. It will, however, come. And it will come with Jesus Christ—King and Priest—leading the charge on a white horse. It will come when He comes again (Rev. 19:11)!
