- What does the Lord do as High Priest?
The Lord Jesus is a High Priest and, as such, intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34 and Heb. 7:25. 26). Our High Priest is perfectly able to help those who are tempted (Heb. 2:18) because He became Man and, in this way, became “like unto His brethren”. He is perfectly able to sympathize with us in our struggles and problems because He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
Note: in the OT, there are two important High Priest figures: Aaron and Melchizedek. Aaron’s task was to go into the holy place (“intercede”) on behalf of the people and to make atonement for them (Lev. 16). Melchizedec, on the other hand, strengthened Abraham with bread and wine after the battle (Gen. 14:18). Today, the Lord Jesus is High Priest according to the order of Melchizedec (Heb. 5:10), but the tasks He carries out correspond to Aaron’s priesthood: He has made atonement for us on the cross, and He intercedes for us. In the future, after the tribulation period, He will strengthen the Jewish remnant after their battles, much like Melchizedec at the time.
- What does the Lord do as Advocate?
As advocate, the Lord Jesus is available for us when we have sinned. A believer does not have to sin and should not sin, but it is possible: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
He is uniquely qualified to take our cause in hand as He is “the righteous”.
Thank God, He does not only become active for us when we have confessed our sins but when we have sinned. He takes the initiative.
- Will Christ reign as king on this earth?
Yes. The Old Testament is full of prophecies confirming this. To quote just a few of them:
- “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion”. (Ps. 2:6).
- “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” (Zech. 14:9).
These scriptures leave no doubt that it will take place literally on the earth.
- Why is this important?
Apart from the fact that God said it, it is important because Christ was rejected when He came to this earth by grace. It is in the place where He was rejected that He will reign and be recognized universally.
Christ humbled Himself and God will make sure that He will be exalted (Phil. 2:5-11; Is. 52:13-15).
- When will this be, and how long?
The time of the church will end with the rapture. Then a period of seven years of tribulation will follow. At the end of this period, Christ will appear in power and set up his kingdom. This kingdom will last 1000 years: “and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4ff). This is why the coming kingdom is often referred to as “millennium” (mille=1000, annus = year).
- What will it be like in the Millennium?
Christ will reign in peace, righteousness (Is. 11:3. 5), and holiness (Zech. 14:20. 21). The earth will be purified to such an extent that Isaiah refers to it as a “new earth” (Is. 65:17; 66:22). Harmony in creation will be re-established: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb…” etc. (Is. 11:6-8, Rom. 8:19-22). And “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Is. 11:9). See also Is. 35.
It will be a time of joy (Is. 65:18. 19). Satan will be bound and confined to the “pit” (Rev. 20:1. 2). If anyone sins (this is still possible: Satan is bound but people still have the sinful flesh and can sin willingly) he will be judged swiftly (Ps. 101:8; Is. 65:20). Israel will be the center of Christ’s reign and the channel of blessing for the nations (Is. 65:18-20; Zech 14:16. 17. The church, during this time, will be the heavenly city, the “holy Jerusalem” (Rev. 21:9-22:5).
- Is it right for Christians to call Christ their “King”?
No. Neither now nor in the future. He is their Lord and He will be King, but not theirs.
Members of the Royal Family would not address the Queen as “Her Majesty”. They are much closer to the Queen than all the other subjects.
Similarly, Christians are part of the bride, the church, and therefore know Him as the bridegroom (and as Head of the church, and as their Lord).
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