Overview Jesus of Nazareth — the Christ by Wolfgang Schneider Contents The term Christ The Necessity of a Savior Jesus, the Christ Jesus Christ — the Highpriest Jesus Christ — the Prophet Jesus Christ — the King Conclusion For many people, and also for many Christians, it is almost common and taken for granted to speak of Jesus of Nazareth as Jesus Christ. The term Jesus Christ is very common and used by many, but perhaps it is not quite clear to the many what this term Christ actually means, and which relationship this term really has to Jesus. In this study I want to set forth at first what the term Christ actually means, then I would like to show some of the important aspects and how Jesus indeed is in these respects the Christ. The term Christ First we need to clarify what the word Christ by itself means. Christ is a derivation from the Greek word christos, and it means anointed or in its form as a noun the anointed. The Hebrew word which is translated as Messiah into English, has the same meaning. Christ and Messiah really have the same meaning: Anointed. There are examples of the use of the word anointed in several places in the Old Testament, especially also in connection with the installation of persons into certain public ministries. Such an anointing was symbolically pointing toward something special, in this such an anointed person differed from other men. He had been entrusted a special service, a special obligation to which he had been equipped with power or authority in a certain way. There were many Anointed throughout the history of mankind, but only one really has this title in combination with his name, Jesus of Nazareth. The Scriptures teach us what is connected with this truth and why it is this way. Contents The Necessity of a Savior With the fall of man and the sin of Adam, mankind was put in a situation where man needed a savior, a redeemer. Because of Adams sin there had been a separation between God and man which brought with it consequences for man in three important aspects for which God then in the person of the savior and redeemer provided an answer. God provided this savior and redeemer in the person of His only begotten Son Jesus. He was the mediator between God and man, he accomplished what was necessary to effect mans salvation. These three basic aspects or needs which resulted from the sin of Adam can be seen very nicely in a section in Romans 3. Romans 3:9-11: What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Paul shows that really no man whatever has an advantage, but rather that all after Adam, even the Jews who did have in certain respects a certain advantage, were under sin! This being under sin is then further characterized by Paul with some remarkable quotes from Psalm 41: (1) There is none righteous …; (2) There is none that understandeth; and (3) there is non that seeketh after God. Sin achieved that man was guilty before God, for man lost his righteousness and without it he is lost, he is separated from God and has no fellowship any longer with God — there is none righteous. Man thus needs forgiveness and remission of his sin and sins, he needs a justification and in that a restoration of his righteousness before God which again allows him to enjoy fellowship with God. For the accomplishment of this task, a priest was needed. Sin furthermore brought man into a situation where he, being without God and foreign to the knowledge of God, was in darkness, and his mind and heart being darkened — there is non that understandeth. Man therefore needs light on his path, and this light comes by means of the revelation of the knowledge of Gods Word, Gods will and Gods ways. For the accomplishment of this task, a prophet was needed. Sin, being disobedience toward God and rebellion against Gods rulership, made man to be rebellious and caused him to be at enmity against God and other men, for man is foolish and proud — there is non that seeketh after God. Man, as a special creation, needs an authoritative rule, in order to live properly in unity with God and his fellowmen. For the accomplishment of this task a king was needed. In the times of the Old Testament it was exactly these three categories of public service — priest, prophet, king — which were installed into their office by means of an anointing with oil. The following are two sections of Scripture about the anointing of the priest. Exodus 29:21: And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons garments with him. Leviticus 8:12: And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aarons head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. The anointing of a prophet is mentioned in a word of the Lord to Elijah. 1 Kings 19:15,16: And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus … … and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. An example of the anointing of a king is Davids anointing by the prophet Samuel. 1 Samuel 16:13: Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him [David] in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. God had arranged to meet these needs of man even during the times of the Old Testament already in a certain way by means of the priests, prophets and kings He called. But all these priests, prophets and kings, who were taken from among men are imperfect and unsatisfactory and lastly lack because of their own sin, because they too are under sin. A perfect priest, a perfect prophet and a perfect king was needed for mankind, and God had already foreseen him before the foundation of the world and he was manifested in these last days in order to fulfill Gods plan which He had purposed in the beginning. Contents Jesus, the Christ This perfect priest, prophet and king was Gods only begotten Son Jesus Christ. The different anointed persons of the times of the Old Testament were only a type, a foreshadow of the true Anointed of God who was to come. Acts 2:29-36: Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. In this teaching on the day of Pentecost, Peter speaks these words and he makes clear that it is this Jesus whom they had crucified and who had been raised from the dead by God, that it was this Jesus whom God had made to be both Lord and Christ. Peter speaks about the actual anointing of Jesus at a different occasion, when he proclaimed Christ among the Gentiles for the first time. Acts 10:34-38: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Here we now actually can learn what really happened at the so-called baptism of Jesus. The remarkable thing in that event was the anointing of Jesus by God with holy spirit and with power. Prior to this anointing a washing took place which also was part of the Laws instructions about the installation of the highpriest and priests. John then records that he saw holy spirit come upon Jesus in the form of a dove. This event is called here by Peter, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. With this anointing Jesus of Nazareth really then was Jesus Christ (Jesus, the Anointed)! Jesus as the Christ was installed as the Highpriest, as the Prophet and as the King! Contents Jesus Christ – the Highpriest Man tremendous truths about this aspect of the priestly service of Jesus can be seen in and taken from the epistle to the Hebrews. Jesus is the highpriest, who offered himself as the one and only sacrifice in order to accomplish an eternal redemption for all who now believe on him. The service of the priest was mainly to do service before God on behalf of man, to offer sacrifices for mans sins. Hebrews 5:1.3: For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. The priests in the Old Testament were chosen and called of God, but they were imperfect and they themselves needed forgiveness of sins also, which made it necessary that they needed to first make a sacrifice for themselves and only after that could they offer for the sins of the people. Hebrews 7:27: Who [Jesus] needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the peoples: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 9:7: But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Another point to observe is that the priesthood of each priest was terminated by their death; it was therefore not a lasting priesthood. Hebrews 7:23: And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: Furthermore, the imperfection of each priestly service was manifested in the fact that the sacrifices which were offered could not really take away sin, instead they only served as types and were rather a constant reminder of the sin and did not achieve a clearing of ones conscience. Hebrews 10:1-4: For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Thus it was with the Old Testament priests and prophets and their service, but with Christ it was different. Jesus Christ was the perfect highpriest who entered the most holy place of the true tabernacle only once wit ha perfect sacrifice. This sacrifice was himself! Some longer sections in Hebrews clarify these wonderful truths about Jesus Christs ministry as the highpriest. Hebrews 7:20-28: And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the peoples: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is ordained as the highpriest whose service is eternal and perfect. This aspect can be seen as foreshadowed in the expression that Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchisedec and not after the order of Aaron. He then went with his blood into the true sanctuary and the most holy place in order to accomplish an eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:11-14: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? The one time sacrifice of Jesus in the true sanctuary and the accomplished salvation and redemption are emphasized several times. Hebrews 9:24-28: For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Jesus suffered once as he was offering his one sacrifice, and he accomplished that we should be sanctified and made holy and for ever more be perfected. Hebrews 10:10-14: By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Jesus, the Christ, is the true and perfect highpriest who has achieved expiation of our sins by his one sacrifice and through him we are now sanctified and can serve the living God with a pure conscience. Contents Jesus Christ — the Prophet The prophet stands in Gods place and declares to the people Gods Word and Gods will. Mankind, after the fall, was lacking a knowledge of God, and his mind and heart were darkened. The prophet has a ministry to declare to the people Gods message. Jesus was the prophet of God – he came and declared Gods Word to the people and he made known God to them. John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son1, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. Jesus made known God, His Father, in the most perfect way. In a certain way, people could see the Father when they saw Jesus Christ, just because Jesus Christ lived in all things and did in all things what the Father wanted. He always did the Fathers will. John 14:9.10: Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. Of course, Jesus does not declare here that he himself was the Father, God. His words only express what we also sometimes might say when we see a child and recognize in him the attitudes or attributes of his father: Just like his dad! But, do we mean to imply that son and father are one and the same? Of course not. In the same way, Jesus did not claim here to actually be God. What is expressed in his words here is really his office as the prophet who made known God in the most perfect way. Indeed, Israel was awaiting a prophet who already had been prophesied of in the Old Testament. When John the baptist began his ministry he was asked whether he was that prophet which of course he denied (cp. John 1:21). Later then we read of an event after the feeding of the about 5000 by Jesus. John 6:14: Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. Still a little later, when Jesus was staying at Jerusalem during the feast of tabernacles, some from among the people were of the opinion that he was the promised prophet who was to come. John 7:40: Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. That a special prophet was to come had already been written about in the writings of Moses, and Jesus made reference to this in a discussion he had with the Pharisees. John 5:45.46: Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. An essential truth which Moses had written concerning him was in reference to his ministry as a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:15: The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; This truth is again reiterated in Deuteronomy 34 in the record about the death of Moses. Deuteronomy 34:10: And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, Well, there were definitely other prophets of God who arose in Israel after Moses, but they were not of the kind whom the LORD knew face to face as had been the case with Moses. Moses had been in a special way a type of the coming prophet Jesus Christ. Numbers 12:6-8: And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? Even though there is this tremendous relationship between God and Moses, it also becomes evident from the Scriptures that there would also be a difference between Moses and the coming prophet Jesus Christ. Hebrews 3:1.2.5.6: Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Moses was a servant in the house of God; Jesus however was the Son. Remarkable indeed is the aspect of faithfulness which is especially emphasized here. That Jesus indeed was this prophet of whom Moses already had spoken and who had been recognized as such by some among the people is confirmed also in a speech by Peter sometime after Pentecost. Acts 3:21-23: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Jesus, the Christ, was this prophet. Contents Jesus Christ – the King Another aspect about the Anointed of God which we are to consider some more is Jesus Christ as the King. Man has been created in a way where he really needs a rulership, and this ruler of course was God Himself in the beginning. After the fall Gods plan also encompassed a certain type of rulership for man as a social being, and at first this rulership was exercised by the patriarchs, later on then it was the judges, later on then it was kings over Gods people. But all these were imperfect and it really is in the end the Anointed of God, the promised Messiah, who also will be as the King and Lord the perfect and just ruler over Gods people. Jeremiah 23:5.6: Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Here we read of a prophecy about the coming king, and it is especially emphasized that he will be a righteous ruler who will rule well. It also becomes clear that he, even though raised up by God , will come out of the house of David. The Messiah Jesus as king was of the line of king David who had been elected after Gods own choice (heart) to be king over Gods people Israel. Isaiah 11:2-5: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. In this prophecy of the prophet Isaiah we can see once again that the coming king will be clothed in righteousness and will rule well in the land. He will be enabled to do so because of the spirit of God which he will receive from the LORD as he is anointed with it. The statement in verse 2 can be more readily understood in light of another passage which we previously read from Acts 10:38 and where it is said that Christ was anointed with holy spirit and power. Already in the prayer of the prophet Samuels mother we can see another hint to the king as being anointed. 1 Samuel 2:10: … the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. Here we can recognize once again the relationship of his [Gods] anointed and also his [Gods] king. This king is the Anointed of the LORD. The Messiah is spoken of many times as the king in the book of Psalms, and in many of those passages it is especially stated what will then be coming to pass at the return of Christ, when he indeed will reign over the nations, etc. Psalm 2:2-10: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. We recognize that here as well my king is spoken of, the perfect ruler who has been anointed to be king by God and been installed to rule over all the nations. Once again it is emphasized that this king will be the Son of God. A few more wonderful truths about the kingdom of the Messiah are mentioned in Psalm 72. This Psalm gives an overall picture of the coming king and his kingdom. First it is shown that the Messiah will be the Son of the King (verse 1). As already stated in some other passages of Scripture, the Messiah will reign in perfect righteousness (verses 2 - 4). His reign will not be like that of the kings of the earth, but rather it will be gracious and a blessing (verses 5-7). The Messiah will not only reign over one nation, Israel, but instead many will come to bow and submit to him (verses 8-11). In the reign of the Messiah the great mercy of God will be exhibited (verses 12-14), and his kingdom and reign brings blessing and prosperity in all regards (verses 15-17). In a special way God will be praised and blessed in a perfect manner during the royal reign of the Messiah (verses 18-19). That these prophecies about the coming Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, becomes clear from many scriptures in the New Testament. Luke 1:30-35: And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Already in the announcement of the birth of Jesus made by Gabriel to Mary, it is confirmed that indeed this Jesus will be the promised king, for he shall reign and be called Son of the Highest. This kingdom or reign was of course not of this world, nor did Jesus reign as the Christ in the manner of the kings of the earth. Jesus affirmed this himself before Pilate when Pilate asked him about his kingdom. John 18:33-37: Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Jesus affirmed before Pilate that he truly was a king, that he was the king who was to come. He also pointed out that his kingdom was not of this world and that his reign would therefore not be manifested in a worldly form. Jesus kingdom is of God, his authority and might have been given to him by God, and he is even now Lord and has been given a name which is above all other names so that in the end really every knee must bow before him (cp. Phi 2:9.10). He humbled himself, but he was exalted by God above all other creature. However, his reign is still not come into full manifestation, but his kingdom does already exist even now. Colossians 1:13,14: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Those who believe on Christ and who have therefore part in the redemption, those have already been translated into the kingdom of Christ (the kingdom of his [Gods] dear Son). This kingdom and Christs reign will yet be made manifest when the Son of man will come and be made manifest. Revelation 19:14-16: And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Here we read of the coming of the Son of man in his might and glory as king of kings and lord of lords! Nothing and no one will be able to withstand him, and all knees will bow to him. This reign, this kingdom, Christ will in the end hand over to God again, he will give it up to his Father, God. 1 Corinthians 15:23-28: But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christs at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Thus the circle closes again which had started with Gods reign over all things in Genesis at the beginning of human history and which will finally end again in a state where everything will be subject to God . Contents Conclusion In our study, we have seen that Jesus as the Anointed is the perfect highpriest, the perfect prophet, and also the perfect king. In these aspects and his function as savior and redeemer, Jesus was Gods answer to certain definite needs man has. Jesus of Nazareth is the highpriest who was ordained and anointed of God, who then offered himself as a sacrifice without spot or blemish to God (cp. Heb 9:14); he is the prophet anointed of God who is to proclaim the Word of God to man (cp. Joh 17:8); and he is the coming king who has been anointed of God to be king of kings and lord of lords (cp. Rev 19:16). In Revelation 1 there is a mention of all three of these aspects in one passage together. Revelation 1:5: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Jesus is the faithful witness – as the prophet; he is also prince of the kings of the earth – as the king; and he has washed us from our sins in his own blood – as the highpriest. In Hebrews 1 as well, Jesus is presented as the priest, prophet and king. Hebrews 1:1-3: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hath … spoken unto us by his Son – as the prophet; had himself purged our sins – as the highpriest; and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high – as the king. In the Old Testament there are three persons who point to Christ in a special way as types and who serve as a type for his ministry as the Anointed of God: Melchisedec as the priest of the most high God; Moses as the prophet with whom God conversed face to face; and David as the king whom God had chosen after His own heart. O, what a wonderful savior and redeemer we really have! May we all realize far more after reading this study what Jesus accomplished as the Christ, as the promised Messiah, and what he yet will fulfill and complete! Contents Footnotes: 1 This expression the only begotten Son is translated from a reading in the Greek Mss, there are some alternate readings in some Mss for this passage. Some old Mss have the only begotten of God, some have the only begotten Son of God, others have the reading given in the KJV. Perhaps the reading the only begotten of God is the original one. Jesus Christ is Gods Son, Gods only begotten Son, he is the one begotten of God — but we should note, that he is not said to be God Himself. >> back to overview
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 03:49:44 +0000
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