Study 3 Royalty and Priesthood in the

Study 3 – “Royalty and Priesthood in the Kingdom Age” Cameos of the Kingdom

Status in the Kingdom Age YAHWEH CHRIST Christ’s Immortalised Brethren Angels “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. ” Heb. 2: 5 Mortality The Restored Tribes of Israel Mortal Population of the Nations

The Prince of Ezekiel – Who is he? v Israel’s future king – see Ezek. 34: 24 – “and my servant David a prince among them”. v Ezek. 37: 25 – “David shall be their prince for ever” (at time of permanent Sanctuary v. 28). v. 28 v Dan. 9: 25 – “Messiah the prince”. v Christ is called “the Prince of life” – Acts 3: 15 v Acts 5: 31 – Christ is a Prince and a Saviour. v Rev. 1: 5 – Christ is termed the “prince of the kings of the earth”.

The Prince and Oppression Ezekiel 46: 18 § Rhetorical language to sharply contrast the Prince of the future with those of the past. § Israel’s princes “dealt by oppression with the stranger” – Ezek. 22: 6 -7, 12, 27 -29 § In the Kingdom Yahweh’s princes “shall no more oppress” His people – Ezek. 45: 7 -10 § Christ as Prince “shall save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor” – Ps. 72: 2 -4, 12 -14 § The hallmark of Christ’s rule will be justice, equity and righteousness – Isa. 11: 1 -5 § Christ’s “princes shall rule in judgement” – Isa. 32: 1

The Holy Oblation 2. Set area for 4. Central 1. An apart 5. East and 3. Southern Divine worship city section for the approx. the miles west is 56 the section for (Levites –Shammah Zech. 2: 12), and 2: 12 (90 kms) square Prince’s Yahweh divided into – mortal – – Ezek. 48: 20 portion housing profane (and – priests; Ezek. occupying Ezek. 45: 7 worshippers 48: 15), 48: 31 -35; 48: 15 all (v. 14) northern nearly holy v. 14 Ezek. and mostancient section holy Judah’sfor the Deut. 33: 19 (immortal v. 12) sections. v. 12 territory. priests

The Sanctuary A house of Prayer for all Nations 1. Outer buildings approx. 1 mile (1. 6 kms) square. 2. Lofty towers (480’/148 metres) mark each corner. 3. Circular (eternity) inner temple surrounds Mt. Zion elevated in midst. “Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. ” Ps. 48: 12 4. Living waters flow from under the altar. 5. Visitors enter from

Block plan of the Temple 3 Courts: 1. Out er 2. Inner (Holy) 3. The Most Holy Inner Court The Most Holy (Immortal Priests) Inner Court The Outer Court Prince’s court – no access for mortal worshippers The Outer Court

The Role of Kings and Priests §Receive and §convey Fellowship, Conduct worship and §sacrifices of Ascend in the Mt. sacrifice the Courtwith the worshippers to Zion of with the Prince in Singers. the §altar via “the Convey sacrifices of the eastern Prince’s table before the people. § Sit to judge court of the offerings Yahweh”. to counsel § and altar. at Minister House. at the Operate in the mortals – the altar inner gates of outer porch of table of the circular Yahweh. temple and temple. ascend to altar atop Mt. Zion. Altar

The Outer Court 1. Symmetrical arches and pillars 120’ (37 m) high on both sides of Outer Court with 11 entrance gates. 2. Worshippers met by a mortal Levite and sacrifice made. Ascend seven (covenant) steps to entrance hall and then into Outer Court. 3. Corner towers provide places for preparation of sacrifices for altar and feasts. 4. Beyond the pavement of Outer Court is the Inner Court providing access to the circular temple.

Floor plan of Temple and inner sanctuary showing inner posts where Most Holy begins Most Holy Boundary of the Inner Court

The ‘Ohel’ Veiling Zion’s Glory

The Glory Concealed Isa. 4: 5 – “And Yahweh will create over all the home of mount Zion, and over her assembly, a cloud by day and a smoke, and the shining of a fire-flame by night: for over all the glory shall be a canopy. ” - Rotherham Cloud – Veil to conceal the Divine glory Indirect glory - Mortals Direct glory – Immortals only Most Holy

Worshippers approach the Sanctuary “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall fleshcometo worship before me, saith Yahweh. ” –Isa. 66: 23

Thrones of the House of David Ps. 122: 5 About 389 thrones will be set up in the outer porches of the circular temple where saints will sit to judge the issues of mortal worshippers

Ezekiel 44 Vv. 1 -3 The Prince and the east gate Vv. 4 -8 Israel and its priests reproved Vv. 9 -14 Ordinances for the mortal priests Vv. 15 -16 The immortal priests – Sons of Zadok Vv. 17 -31 Ordinances for the mortal priests (Vv. 15 -16 are a parenthesis to provide a contrast with the Levitical priests who are mortal)

The Sons of Zadok - Ezekiel 44: 15 -16 These verses really are a parenthesis, inserted in order to show the limitationsof the Levitical order of priests. Now the sons of Zadok mentionedin verse 15 must be an immortal race, because they are said to be those “who kept the charge of Yahweh’s sanctuarywhen the childrenof Israel went astray. ” Bro. Henry Sulley – The Temple of Ezekiel’s Prophecy – pg. 73 v. Must be immortal – from past generations v. Enter Most Holy – come near altar (to Yahweh) v. Other priests are mortal (sweat, marry, shave) v. Levites are keepers of the charge of the House

Genealogy of Zadok Aaron Nadab Eleazar Phinehas Zadok Abihu Moses “So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD…. and Ithamar Zadok the priest Joshua did the king put in the room of Abiathar. ” Eli Samuel (1 Kings 2: 27, 35) David Abiathar Solomon 1 Sam. 2: 35 “And I will raise me up a faithful priest. . . ”

The Two Orders of Priests LEVITES SONS OF ZADOK Went astray – Ezek. 44: 10 Kept the charge of my Sanctuary – Ezek. 44: 15 Ministers in the Sanctuary, having charge at the gates - Ezek. 44: 11 Enter into the Sanctuary – come near to the Altar (table) – Ezek. 44: 15 -16 Slay the sacrifices for the people – Ezek. 44: 11 Offer unto Yahweh the fat and the blood – Ezek. 44: 15 Stand before the people to minister – Ezek. 44: 11 Stand before Yahweh to minister – Ezek. 44: 15 Come not near to Yahweh – Ezek. 44: 13 Come near to minister unto Yahweh – Ezek. 44: 15 Keep the charge of the House – Ezek. 44: 14 Keep the charge of the Altar – Ezek. 40: 46

pl em e. T Th – Lit. “from thence unto Yahweh”. Bro. Yahweh” Sulley says meaning is “Yahweh thither” or “to Yahweh from this place” e Yahweh Shammah Southern section About 35 kms for the residential city housing Yahweh Shammah worshippers – Yahweh Shammah is served Ezek. 48: 15 -17; 31 16 kms square by all the tribes of Israel – -35 Ezek. 48: 18 -19

Reuben Judah Joseph Yahweh Shammah Asher Benjamin Gad Dan 4, 500 reeds Simeon WEST Gad Asher (sons of Zilpah) Naphtali (Bilhah) Naphtali Issachar EAST Joseph Benjamin (sons of Rachel) Dan (Bilhah) SOUTH Simeon Issachar Zebulun (all sons of Leah) Zebulun NORTH Reuben Judah Levi (all sons of Leah) Levi The Residential City

Who shall ascend the hill of Yahweh?

Next Study (God willing) – “Sacrifice and worship in the Kingdom Age” Cameos of the Kingdom

Structure of the House 180 cubits (360’/110 m) Corner Court 40 cubits 100 cubits Outer Court 40 cubits Porch 10 Cu. 80 cu. 50 cu. Inner Court