The Priest on the Throne by W. W. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 2, 1909

The Priest on the Throne

By W. W. P.

Of the position which Jesus occupied after his ascension, we read in the following scriptures:—

“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19.

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.” Acts 5:30, 31.

Jesus had himself prophesied of this before the council of priests and scribes when they demanded of him, “If thou art the Christ, tell us:” —

“But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” Luke 22:69.

Then was fulfilled that wonderful prophecy recorded by Zechariah:—

“Thus speaketh Jehovah 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 Jehovah; even he shall build the temple of Jehovah: and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” Zech. 6:12, 13.

In order that he might form that union between divinity and humanity which would enable him to become “a

merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,” Jesus took the flesh, and after having offered himself as the true sacrifice for sin, he ascended into heaven to minister in behalf of man in the heavenly sanctuary. This is clearly set forth in this language:—

“Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” Heb. 8:1, 2.

The same truth is again set forth in these words:—

“For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us.” Heb. 9:24.

And again:—

“And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet.” Heb. 10:11-13.

These statements taken together constitute a plain description of the experiences of Christ at his ascension. He who had been “despised and rejected of men,” who declared that he did not have where to lay his head, was accorded royal honors in the heavenly courts. But while accepting a place “on the right hand of the Majesty on high,” he did so as the representative of man in whose behalf he appeared in the presence of God, presenting in his priestly ministration the wondrous sacrifice which he had already offered on Calvary. The position which he had left that he might seek and save that which was lost, he had now won back, as the Son of man; but not for himself alone had this been done, and he, therefore, took the place of power, not in order that he might inflict punishment, but that as priest upon the throne, he might be “an Advocate with the Father,” to minister grace and mercy to every penitent believer.

This position of honor and power which was occupied by Christ after his ascension is further mentioned in other places:—

“If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ is, seated upon the right hand of God.” Col. 3:1.

“That ye may know . . . what the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:18-21.

In view of a peculiar interpretation which has been placed upon some of these texts it seems proper to inquire whether these different expressions are designed primarily to indicate with exactness the literal place where Christ was to sit, or whether they are intended to set forth his exaltation and that accession of power and authority which would constitute him an all-sufficient Saviour. A consideration of some other passages of Scripture may help to settle this question. The promises made to the overcomer are expressed in phrases somewhat similar to those already quoted. Thus we read:—

“He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21.

This assurance of sharing royal honors with Christ is again expressed in these words:—

“If we endure, we shall also reign with him.” 2 Tim. 2:12.

By comparing these two statements, it is evident that it is not bodily position upon a material throne, but kingly authority, which is promised to the overcomer. This is clearly stated in another place:—

“And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations.” Rev. 2:26.

After the same manner Jesus replied to the high priest when he said to him, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus answered:—

“Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The meaning of such language may be readily understood by comparing it with the forms of expression now employed when speaking of the position occupied by rulers. King Edward VII, as ruler of the English people, is said to sit on the throne of England, and this he does not only when he is in the throne-room and in a formal manner gives audience to representatives of other nations, but likewise when he may be in any part of his kingdom engaged in duties of any kind; in other words, the king is always on the throne.

So also the president of the United States always sits in the executive chair, whether he is actually in the White House, or whether he is touring the country, and whether he is literally sitting or standing.

In the same way the premier of England is always at the king’s right hand, whether he is actually associated with the king at Windsor or Buckingham Palace, or whether the king may be in France or Germany, while he himself is at his office in Downing Street.

This seems to be sufficient to indicate clearly that to sit on the throne with the Father, or to sit at the right hand of God, means that Christ was exalted to the place of great power and authority; and inasmuch as he was a priest upon the throne, he could be “a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle,” fulfilling the ministry typified in the work of the earthly priests, and at the same time be at the right hand of God, and sit with the Father on his throne.

The attempt to make these scriptures teach literal position, and to deduce from them such conclusions as would confine Christ in his ministry to a particular spot or place, leads to confusion in the interpretation of the Scriptures, and to conclusions out of harmony with the evident meaning of the revelation made concerning Christ and his work.

W. W. P.