Is Jesus Currently Ruling Upon His Throne?

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).

RK