PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING
(Message delivered by Pastor at the RELC 10.30 am Service, Jan 11, 04)
Text: Matt. 21:1-16
For the last two or three years I have been preaching a series of messages from the Gospel of Matthew except for special occasions like Christmas or Easter. We have celebrated Christmas just two weeks ago and I spoke on “What were the ponderings in Virgin Mary’s heart at the birth of God’s Son?” It was His coming into this world to die for our sins. Today’s message from the Gospel of Matthew speaks rather of the concluding of His ministries. This account of His Triumphal Entry declares Jesus to be Prophet, (soon Priest), and King. Do you know that Jesus has a three-fold office to perform when He came to save us?
He first launched out into His preaching ministry as Mark 1:38 tells us, “And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” Publicans and sinners, women like the woman of Samaria with five husbands, who received Him gladly were saved, but scribes (theologians) and Pharisees, hypocrites, who rejected Him were condemned
and bound for hell.
In the Triumphal Entry on a donkey to Jerusalem it was the beginning of the last week of His life. What follows in his prophetic ministry will astound you how in case after case of the Pharisees’ oppositions to Jesus preaching they were exposed and condemned.
Then follows Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, “He saved others, Himself He cannot save.” By His death for our sins He became our High Priest.
What we are now considering is this statement from Zechariah 9:9, “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” The ass is a gentle work animal which symbolises our Lord. He is King of the Church but conquers us by His meekness and humility. By riding into Jerusalem He symbolises His kingly rule over the Church for 2,000 years till now. As King He protects the Church against all His enemies. Do you know He promises His disciples His holy presence to the end of the world? He does not permit our harm or martyrdom but rarely. He takes good care of His servants.
Internally the King rules between members of the same Church. Matt. 24:10, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” In the same Church we not only find false Christs and prophets in the end times but contentions between false brothers. Jesus judges them.
When Jesus was lambasted by the Pharisees and high Churchmen, who almost pushed him down a hill, He withdrew from Nazareth to Capernaum. So we have followed His footsteps and heeded St. Paul, “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will reply, saith the Lord.”
But soon Jesus is coming again. No more will He be riding on a donkey but a white horse. Rev. 19:11-16, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Jesus is coming again quite probably in our lifetime when the last World War will break out at the Euphrates River which is Iraq. Rev. 9:13-16, “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.” This is WWIII, identified by Dr Walvoord of Dallas Seminary. One-third of mankind will be killed. Jesus will come down to Mount of Olives to save Israel and then rule the world from Jerusalem for 1,000 years.
He will save the Church by a Rapture, a catching up of saints. The question is, “Are you ready for your Prophet, Priest and King to come to your rescue?”
First Two Chapel Messages by the Principal to FEBC Students
My Glory will I not give to another
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another.” Isa. 42:8.
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD.” Jer 9:23-24
“He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:18
This verse reveals why Paul says in Romans 3:4, “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” For every man who speaks not according to God’s Word but according to his own wisdom seeks his own glory. He can criticise the Word of God without fear of damnation. Jesus comments in effect, “This is a lie.”
But He sets us the example, “But he that seeks the glory of him that sent him is true (There is never once he spoke apart from his Father and you can’t find any unrighteousness in him.)”
Is anything a preacher says without humility and full of boastfulness? Do you look down on those who stress on faith “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” and spurn their “foolish faith”? “There are mistakes in God’s Word, but these don’t affect doctrine, so they are alright.” This is the main reason that has caused the founding pastor of Life Church to resign.
Second Message: Why I Resign from Life Church?
Because I reject their 99.9% Perfect Bible, but believe a 100% Perfect Bible without any mistake and by the logic of faith nearly 300 have come out with him.
This second message is joined to the first message and I have to quote God’s Word 7 times to show how we have a 100% Perfect Bible because God has declared a perfectly preserved Bible.
1. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16
2. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Ps 12:6-7
3. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matt 5:18
4. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matt 24:35
5. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Mark 13:31
6. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Luke 21:33
7. The scripture cannot be broken. John 10:35b
