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Our King-Priest

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 26, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 26.

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Our King-Priest.

Every high priest after the order of Aaron was a type, but not a perfect type, of Christ. They were imperfect shadows of a perfect substance.
They were sinful men, who must first offer for themselves before they offered for the people. Heb. 5: 1-3.
Jesus Christ in the days of His flesh passed thru the severe conflict, and with strong crying and tears to God became a perfect offering and priest for God’s children, “holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners.” Heb. 5: 6-9; 7: 26.
The priests of Aaron offered many times the same sacrifices, which could not take away sin. Heb. 10: 1-4.
Jesus Christ offered Himself “once for all,” an effectual offering for the sinner. Heb. 7: 27.
The priests of Aaron were many, because they were dying, mortal men. Heb. 7: 23.
Jesus Christ continues ever a Priest and Saviour “to the uttermost” for all who trust Him. Heb. 7: 23-25.
The seed of Aaron were made priests after “the law of a carnal commandment.” Heb. 7: 16.
Jesus Christ became a priest because He was a Son, by the word of God’s oath, and “after the power of an endless life.” Heb. 5: 5, 6, 10; 7: 21.
The men of Aaron’s house must, according to the law, always be of the same tribe, that of Levi.
Jesus came of the tribe of Judah, necessitating a change of the Levitical law regulating the priesthood. Heb. 7: 11-14.
These are the more striking differences. On the other hand, each high priest of Aaron’s family in his offerings, in the yearly round of service, typified Christ in His complete service—“once for all.”
There was another type of Christ—Melchizedek, who in both character and office was a type of our great High Priest. The word Melchizedek comes from two words, melek meaning “king,” and zedek, “right,” or righteousness. Christ conquered all sin. As peace comes by righteousness, He was also King of Salem—King of Peace. Christ therefore is King-Priest, reigning on the throne of His Father. Rev. 3: 21. To that position God called Him: “Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Ps. 110: 1. There Christ has sat as priest since He ascended. Eph. 1: 20; Heb. 8: 1.
While there, on the throne of grace, He is gathering out spiritual stones for God’s great spiritual temple. Zech. 6: 12, 13; Eph. 2: 19-22.
When Christ’s work is ended as priest, when the last sinner is gathered home, the last prayer offered, Christ will leave His mediatorial seat, human destiny will be fixed forever, and soon He will come to take His own throne—the throne and dominion of David, embracing the whole earth renewed—and reign thereon forever. Rev. 3: 21; Matt. 25: 31. This is beautifully set forth in 1 Cor. 15: 24-28, which we paraphrase in brackets:
“Then cometh the end [of the Gospel age, Christ’s priesthood, Matt. 28: 20], when He [the Son] shall deliver up the kingdom [of grace, Heb. 4: 16] to God, even the Father; when He [the Father] shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He [the Son] must reign [on the throne of grace as priest, Heb. 8: 1; Rev. 3: 21], till He [the Father] hath put all enemies under His [the Son’s] feet [as He promised, Ps. 110: 1]. The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. For, He [the Father] put all things [in purpose and promise] in subjection under His [the Son’s] feet. But when He saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that He [the Father] is excepted who did subject all things unto Him [the Son]. And when all things have been subjected unto Him [the Son], then shall the Son also Himself be subjected to Him [the Father] that did subject all things unto Him [the Son], that God may be all in all.”
The priest-reign of Christ will be ended just before He comes. His own reign will begin when He comes; for a thousand years He will reign in the New Jerusalem on high; for eternity, after the thousand years, in the glorious earth made new.
Dear soul, our High Priest is able to bring us there. He “ever liveth.” He will help us “all the way.”