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

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

The Prince of Ezekiel – Who is he? Israel’s future king – see Ezek. 34:24 – “and my servant David a prince among them”. Ezek. 37:25 – “David shall be their prince for ever” (at time of permanent Sanctuary v.28). Dan. 9:25 – “Messiah the prince”. Christ is called “the Prince of life” – Acts 3:15. Acts 5:31 – Christ is a Prince and a Saviour. 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 Set apart for Divine worship (Zech. 2:12), and divided into profane (Ezek. 48:15), holy (v.14) and most holy (v.12) sections. Central section for the Levites – mortal priests; and northern section for the immortal priests. An area approx. 56 miles (90 kms) square – Ezek. 48:20 – occupying nearly all Judah’s ancient territory. East and west is the Prince’s portion – Ezek. 45:7 Southern section for the city Yahweh Shammah housing worshippers – Ezek. 48:31-35; Deut. 33:19

A house of Prayer for all Nations The Sanctuary Outer buildings approx. 1 mile (1.6 kms) square. Lofty towers (480’/148 metres) mark each corner. Circular (eternity) inner temple surrounds Mt. Zion elevated in midst. Living waters flow from under the altar. Visitors enter from north or south and go out opposite side. A house of Prayer for all Nations “Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.” Ps. 48:12

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

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

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

Boundary of the Inner Court Floor plan of Temple and inner sanctuary showing inner posts where Most Holy begins Most Holy 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 all flesh come to 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 limitations of the Levitical order of priests. Now the sons of Zadok mentioned in verse 15 must be an immortal race, because they are said to be those “who kept the charge of Yahweh’s sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray.” Bro. Henry Sulley – The Temple of Ezekiel’s Prophecy – pg. 73 Must be immortal – from past generations Enter Most Holy – come near altar (to Yahweh) Other priests are mortal (sweat, marry, shave) Levites are keepers of the charge of the House

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

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

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

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