Zechariah 6:12,13 – The Royal Priest

The writing of Zechariah probably contains more messianic prophecy per square inch than any other book of the Old Testament. Of the several important points within this context, we select three for notation.

1. Branch (Christ) was to build the temple of Jehovah.
2. He would function as a priest.
3. While serving as priest He would likewise be ruling as a king, thus effecting “peace” between the two offices.

First, underline the word temple, and in your margin write: Church of Christ. Then note: See Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:5. Also, this ties in wonderfully with 2 Samuel 7:12,13. Jesus built the church which, for this age, is Jehovah’s spiritual temple.

Second, observe that Branch was to be a priest upon His throne. This is reflective of His atoning work by means of the sacrifice of Himself. See Hebrews 9:11,12.

Third, this contains a premise that is devastating for the millennialists, i.e., those who contend that Jesus will return to reign for 1,000 years upon this earth. Watch the following reasoning.

1. Christ is to be a priest upon His throne.
2. But, according to the book of Hebrews, He could not be a priest upon the earth (8:4), since He was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi (7:14).
3. It is thus clear that Christ could not function as a king upon this earth.

Yet, this is precisely the assertion of the premillennial view. Thus, in connection with verse 13 — “priest on his throne,” enter this comment in your margin: See Hebrews 8:4; not a priest (hence king) on earth. Contradicts premillennialism.