A prophet of God is one who has authority and who has the necessary qualifications to convey God's messages to men. He may also be an interpreter.

a. Christ executed the office of prophet, by His word and by His works. Matthew 5:24

b. Also through other agents through His Spirit, by inspiration, by spiritual illumination, through the officers of the church inspired as apostles, prophets, and teachers. Ephesians 4:11, 12, 1 John 2:20, 5:20

He continues to execute the office of prophet through eternity Revelation 7:17, 21:23

A priest is one who is qualified and authorized to "draw near to the Lord for men." Exodus 19:22, Hebrews 5:1

a. Must be taken from among men to represent them. Exodus 28:9, 12, 21, 29, Hebrews 5:12

b. Must be chosen by God. Exodus 28:1, Numbers 16:5, Hebrews 5:4

c. Must be holy--morally pure and consecrated to God. Exodus 39:30, 31, Leviticus 21:6, 8, Psalm 106:16

d. Must have a right to draw near to Jehovah and to offer sacrifices and make intercession. Exodus 19:22, Leviticus 16:3, 7, 12, 15, Numbers 16:5

e. The Old Testament declares Christ to be a priest. Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, Zechariah 6:13

f. Priestly functions ascribed to Him. Isaiah 53:10, Daniel 9:24, 25

The temple and its services and all Old Testament sacrifices typical of Christ and His work. He superseded these. Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 9:10-12, 10:11, 12

g. New Testament proof. Was taken from among men to stand for them for God. Hebrews 2:16, 4:15

Was chosen by God. Hebrews 5:5, 6

Was perfectly holy. Luke 1:35, Hebrews 7:26

Has the right of the nearest access and the greatest influence with the Father. John 11:42, 16:28, Hebrews 1:3, 9:11-24

1. He "mediated" in the general sense of the term. John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6

2. He offered propitiation. Ephesians 5:25, Hebrews 9:26, 10:12, 1 John 2:2

3. He makes intercession. Romans 8:4, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1

h. Christ as priest made atonement for us, was made a substitute for us. substitute is one appointed or accepted to act or to suffer in the tead of another, and His actions or sufferings are "vicarious".

1. The Greek preposition "huper", with the genitive, sometimes signifies "instead of", and the construction is used to set forth the relation of Christ's work to us. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15, 20, Galatians 3:13, Philemon 1:13, 1 Peter 3:18

2. The preposition "anti" definitely and always expressed substitution. Matthew 2:22, 5:38, 20:28, Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:6

3. The same is true as to what the Scriptures teach as to our sins being laid upon Christ. Leviticus 7:18, Numbers 18:27, Psalm 106:31, Isaiah 53:12, Luke 22:36, Romans 2:26, 4:3-9, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Galatians 3:13

4. The effects of Christ's action as priest are shown.

a. As toward God, they are declared to be propitiatory. Romans 3:25, 26, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 4:10

b. As respects the sinner, they are declared to be redemption, eliverance by ransom. Isaiah 51:11, 62:12, 1 Corinthians 7:23, Galatians 3:13, 14, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Peter 1:18, 19, Revelation 5:9

The kingdom of Christ a very prominent subject in Scripture. Daniel 2:44, Matthew 13:1-58, 22:1-14, Luke 13:22-30, 17:20, 21, Romans 14:17, Ephesians 1:10, 20-22, 1 Peter 3:22

a. Christ's authority embraces the universe. Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:17-23, Philippians 2:9-11

It is distinguished as --

1. "His kingdom of power", embracing the entire universe in His providential and judicial administration. John 5:22-27, 9:39, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 10:12, 13

2. "His kingdom of grace", spiritual alike as to its subjects, laws, modes of administration and instrumentalities.

3. "His kingdom of glory", the consummation of His gracious administration, will continue forever.

b. The object of Christ's authority is to accomplish the salvation of His church. Ephesians 1:22, 23

1. To cause all things to work together for the good of His people. Romans 8:28

2. To establish a kingdom for them. Luke 22:29, John 14:2

a. To subjugate all His enemies 1 Corinthians 15:25

b. That all should worship Him Hebrews 1:6, Revelation 5:9-13

c. The following are some of the titles to this kingdom, with the sense in which they are used.

1. "The kingdom of God", Luke 4:43

because of divine origin and the authority of God exercised in its administration.

2. "The kingdom of Christ", Matthew 16:28, Colossians 1:13

because He is in person the immediate sovereign.

3. "The kingdom of heaven", Matthew 11:12

because its origin and characteristics are from heaven and its consummation is to be in heaven.

d. Christ's administration of His kingdom presents two aspects --

1. As militant Ephesians 6:11-17

2. As glorified, or triumphant Revelation 3:21

Accordingly Christ is represented as

a great Captain, Revelation 19:11, 16

as a Prince reigning upon His throne Revelation 21:5, 22, 23

The throne upon which Christ sits is represented as --

A throne of grace Hebrews 4:16

A throne of judgment Revelation 20:11-15

A throne of glory Revelation 4:3, 5:6

e. The sense in which Christ's kingdom is spiritual.

1. The king is a spiritual and not an earthly sovereign. Matthew 20:28, John 18:36

2. His throne is at the right hand of God. Hebrews 1:3

3. His sceptre is spiritual. Psalm 110:2, Isaiah 61:1-3, 63:1

4. The citizens of the kingdom are spiritual men. John 4:24

5. The mode in which He administers His government is spiritual. Zechariah 4:6, 7

6. His laws are spiritual. John 4:24

7. The blessings and penalties of His kingdom are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 3:4-11, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 1:3-8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:15

f. Christ as seated at the right hand of the Father. Some of the language may be figurative, but it sets forth the glorification of Christ in heaven. It presents Him as the God-man exalted to supreme and universal glory and power. Psalm 110:1, Daniel 7:13, 14, Matthew 26:64, Mark 16:19, John 5:22, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20-22, Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 4, 2:9, 10:12, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 5:6