Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King
The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ operates in three distinct offices. He operates as Prophet, Priest, and King.
Understanding God’s role in our world and His dealings with humanity is vital. The Christian today will experience abundant spiritual health in their walk with the Lord as they grasp intimate truths through fervent study of Scriptures and rightly dividing the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15).
We are revealed in the Bible that Jesus Christ operates in three distinct offices. He operates as Prophet, Priest, and King:
Jesus Christ as Prophet (John 6:14, Acts 3:22-26):
Prior to Jesus’ arrival to Earth, God raised up prophets to communicate His word to the world (Moses, Samuel, etc.). When Jesus visited Earth some 2000 years ago, He came as the world’s Great Prophet. Jesus came as God in flesh to reveal divine truth to humankind (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus authenticated His role as Prophet by fulfilling prophecy, performing miracles and executing the will of the Father perfectly.
Christ fulfilled His prophetic work by delivering the final revelation of God, which was written as Divine Scripture through apostolic penmanship. The biblical canon (66 books of Divine Scripture in Old & New Testaments) is now closed (Psalm 119:89, Jude 3, Rev. 22:18-19; Christ speaks definitively today through His written Word rather than ongoing new revelation.
Jesus Christ as Priest (Heb. 4:14-16, 7:24-27):
In our present age (the Church age or Age of Grace), Jesus is now acting as our Great High Priest. Jesus represented humanity before God by offering Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice (Jesus shed His sinless blood, died, was buried, and rose again to offer the full substitutionary sin payment for the world) and continually intercedes for the Christian throughout their life (this is our sanctification). Jesus is presently sitting at God the Father’s right hand (Heb. 1:3, 8:1). Jesus’ primary active office in heaven today is Priestly Intercessor and Advocate – (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25, 1 John 2:1-2).
Before His ascension, Jesus promised that the Spirit of Truth would guide believers into all truth and take of what is Christ’s to disclose it to believers. The Spirit actively applies Christ's prophetic Word to believers today (John 14:26, 16:12-14). As ambassadors in union with Christ, Christians herald Christ’s message to the world through preaching and teaching of both salvation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and discipleship (actively living the Christian life) through the Scriptures (Matt. 28:19-20, 2 Cor. 5:20).
Jesus Christ as King (Matt. 25:31, Luke 1:31-33, Rev. 19:16):
In the future age (the Millenium or Millennial Kingdom), Jesus will be acting as King of Kings over the whole Earth reigning and ruling from Jerusalem for 1000 years. Jesus will govern with sovereign authority executing righteous divine rule over all nations and all creation. This Millennial Kingdom will be setup at Christ’s return in His 2nd Coming (Isa. 9:7, Rev. 20:4-6).
Let us rejoice in Christ's past work as Prophet disclosing complete Truth in which we benefit from today. Let us walk in the Spirit daily serving Christ as our Great High Priest knowing He intercedes and advocates for us. Finally, let us be comforted knowing Christ is coming back soon to rule and reign as King of Kings in His Millennial Kingdom, and we will fully support Him as permitted.
