It may seem insignificant to some, but the only Being God intended to be both King and High Priest at one and same time is the Christ of God. There were other kings that tried to officiate as high priest and offer sacrifice to God, but they all failed. The first to remembrance was the first king of Israel, King Saul. Saul had made war with the Philistines. Jonathon had smitten the garrison at Geba and the Philistines came to retaliate. So fearful were the Jews that they hid themselves in caves and thickets, rocks and mountains and in high places. When a numberless legion of Philistines came up against Saul, Saul was waiting in Gilgal for Samuel to make sacrifice to God and inquire how the battle would fare. Samuel did not come as soon as Saul thought he ought to. Saul grew restless and fearful, everyday the Jews were getting more scared and harder to handle. “And Saul said, ‘Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings….And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came.” 1 Samuel 13:8-13. Saul had taken to offer a sacrifice. ‘there was to be NO king that was to serve in the dual capacity as priest nor any priest be king!! Only ONE king was to be High Priest at the same time He was King and that was to be Christ. “and the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ‘speak unto him, saying, 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 (the Church of Christ): 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: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” Zechariah 6:9-13
Joshua, the son of Josedech was to be given a significant promotion in rank and place to declare a prophecy. He was to be be made king. Joshua is a name that is used in memory of the greatest leader of the army of Israel who invaded the promised land and delivered the land to the Jew as promised by God. “and the Lord gave unto Israel ALL the land which He sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein….There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” Joshua 22:43-45 Now, Joshua, the son of Josedech, who was already high priest, is commanded to receive both the silver (king) and gold (high priest) crowns. This was to point to Christ when He was to be both King and Priest of the Most High God. “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand , until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool….The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Psalms 110:1-7 On the day of Pentecost in A D 33, Peter declared; “ye men of Israel…let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord (King) and Christ (High Priest).” Acts 2:36
God was showing that “in the fulness of time” Christ would be both King and High Priest. This signal event of Zechariah could not be mistaken for anyone but Jesus Christ!! For they who would think this refers to the damnable lie called pre-millenialism, Peter declares “God hath made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ in that He raised Him from the dead .” Based on this preaching, the Jews who were listening cried out to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (who is NOW declared both King and High Priest) for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:37-38
When Christ “rode on a cloud to the Ancient of Days, there was given Him a kingdom (empire), dominion (authority to govern), and glory.” Daniel 7:13-14 As He exercised His Kingship, inherit with His Kingship came His Priesthood, giving Christ Jesus the office of High Priest, for so the order of Melchizedek demands!! We, who are His subjects reign as “priest and kings,” subject to His authority and dominion, as He reigns, Revelation 5:10, and will “reign with Him for a thousand years (the symbology that shows all that belong to God.). Revelation 20:4 This shows us WHEN Christ became both King and Priest!! It was at His resurrection, not His second coming, it was when He rode TO the Ancient of days, not when He COMES BACK on that cloud on which He had gone to receive His kingdom, dominion, and glory!! Revelation 1:7, Acts 1:11
