OUR REIGNING PRIEST

Will Jesus Reign in the future on a physical-literal throne in the physical-literal city of Jerusalem? Will His reign be over Israel? The world? Will this reign be for 1000 years? Eternity?

Does Jesus reign NOW? Is He currently sitting on the right hand of God in glory ruling over His kingdom from heaven? Is he the exalted sovereign who's reign began at His ascension and will continue into eternity? Is Jesus fulfilling the prophecy to have one of David's seed sitting on David's throne?

In answering this let us first recognize that we already have a HIGH PRIEST.

Hebrews 4:14

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
...
Not only do we have a high priest, but that high priest has already passed into heaven. Jesus began his priestly ministry when he ascended to His Father in Heaven and sat at His right hand.

Hebrews 8:1

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;"

Not only is He in heaven seated at the Right hand of the throne of the Majesty on High...but he is a priest FOREVER!

Hebrews 5:6

"As he saith also in another place, THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 6:20

"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, MADE AN HIGH PRIEST FOREVER after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 7:17

"For he testifieth, THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 7:21

"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 FOREVER after the order of Melchisedec"

So FIVE TIMES in the book of Hebrews we are told that Jesus' High priestly ministry is an eternal ministry...it is "FOREVER". A never ending priesthood because he has a never ending life.

Now read Hebrews 8:4

"Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law:" (ESV)

What is the implication of this. Well, if Jesus cannot come to earth without giving up his priesthood (and that is what the verse says) and the dispensational position demands that Jesus come physically and bodily to earth in order to become king....then either Jesus will give up what is otherwise called an eternal priesthood (That cannot happen). Or, he CANNOT come to earth physically and bodily.

The fact is...He is KING NOW. He is Priest NOW. He serves in both roles in the spiritual realm, and is not going to do so on earth literally-physically-bodil y.

Comments??