THE EARTHLY PRINCE | yomelyah.com

"Your sons will take the place of your forefathers. You will appoint them as princes in all the earth"

(Psalms 45:16)

The prince of the Earth

According to the context of Psalm 45, as the result of the spiritual marriage between King Jesus Christ (The Lamb) and his Royal Bride, the New Jerusalem, it will be born the earthly sons of the kingdom: the princes of the Kingdom of God: "Look! A king will reign for righteousness, And princes will rule for justice. And each one will be like a hiding place from the wind, A place of concealment from the rainstorm, Like streams of water in a waterless land, Like the shadow of a massive crag in a parched land" (Isaiah 32: 1,2, Revelation 19: 1-8 "Marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ)" Revelation 21: 1-4 "The New Jerusalem" (144,000), the Bride of King Jesus Christ). In the prophecy of Ezekiel 40-48, about the earthly administration of the Kingdom of God, the "prince" is the equivalent of the function of "chieftain", an expression used in this book: "However, the chieftain will sit in it to eat bread before Jehovah, for he is a chieftain. He will come in through the porch of the gate, and he will go out through it" (Ezekiel 44: 3). It will be examined the administrative function of the "Prince" (Chieftain). To fully understand all the authority he will have, and the limits of it, especially with the authority of the "Sons of Zadok", the future earthly priests. It is necessary to return to the vision of the Temple seen by Ezekiel (see picture) (Ezekiel 40:46 "Son of Zadok").

Regarding the role of the chieftain (or prince) over this prophetic model nation, he is described in the singular, as being one and only: "However, the chieftain will sit in it to eat bread before Jehovah, for he is a chieftain. He will come in through the porch of the gate, and he will go out through it" (Ezekiel 44:3; 45:7,16,17,22; 46:2,4,8,10,12,16,17,18; 48:21,22 (The list of biblical references where the function of the chieftain (prince) as being unique over this model nation of Israel).While the sons of Zadok, closely associated with the prince (chieftain) are described in the plural: "They are the sons of Zadok, those from the Levites who are assigned to approach Jehovah to minister to him" (Ezekiel 40:46; 43:19; 44:15; 48:11 (The list of Bible references describing the role of the sons of Zadok (the earthly priests), as a group of men). There is no doubt, that in the whole context, that there will be only one chieftain (or prince) and several sons of Zadok or earthly priests, according to this descriptive prototype of Israel.

However, in chapter 45 (Ezekiel), Jehovah God makes a statement, regarding the prince (chieftain), which implies that the prophetic description of the model Israel will have other replicas throughout the new paradise earth: “'And for the chieftain there will be land on both sides of the holy contribution and of the area allotted to the city. It will be next to the holy contribution and the possession of the city. It will be on the west side and on the east side. Its length from the western boundary to the eastern boundary will correspond to one of the tribal portions. This land will become his possession in Israel. My chieftains will no longer mistreat my people, and they will give the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes" (Ezekiel 45:7,8). "My chieftains will no longer mistreat my people" (contrary to the former Israel (see verse 9)), seems to indicate that there will be further replicas with other chieftains or princes, of the prototype of earthly administration described prophetically, throughout the earth.

Obviously, the chieftain described in the prophecy corresponds to the role of the earthly princes over the whole earthly paradise: "Look! A king will reign for righteousness, And princes will rule for justice" (Isaiah 32:1). “Your sons will take the place of your forefathers. You will appoint them as princes in all the earth” (Psalms 45:16).

If it is a description of a single model of Israel, which will apply to the whole earth, does the Bible reveal how many replicas there will be? Logically there will be 144,000 replicas all over the face of the earth: "You made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth" (Revelation 5:10; 20:4, 6). We understand that for each of the replicas according to the model of Israel, there will be a king-priest, representing the 144,000 who will reign, through the prince (chieftain). In Psalms 45:16 (describing the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) of Revelation 19:1-8, to the New Jerusalem (the 144,000)), it is written that every prince will be sons of the 144,000. implies that there will be 144,000 earthly princes who will relay the authority of the 144,000 on earth in each of the replicas of Israel described in the prophecy of Ezekiel 40-48.

Administrator of the nation, governor of the earthly courtyard of the Spiritual Temple

A temple is a place to worship God by a sacred service (Revelation 7:15 "they are rendering him sacred service"). However, in the Mosaic Law, which was a prophetic "shadow" of future earthly realities, but also in Ezekiel's vision, in the temple there were two different areas (Hebrews 10: 1 "a shadow of the good things to come"). The sanctuary temple (see photo: the building in white), and the "outer courtyard" (see photo: in red "Outer Courtyard"). And according to the book of Revelation, the whole temple (the great temple) spiritually represents the Earth in connection with the Heavens through the Sanctuary Temple. For example, in Revelation 11, it is written that the Apostle John, in the vision, measures the Temple Sanctuary, but not the "Courtyard" ("Outer Courtyard" in red): "But as for the courtyard that is outside the temple sanctuary, leave it out and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations" (Revelation 11: 2).

The fact that it is written that the "outer courtyard" of the spiritual Temple has been given to the "nations", is the demonstration that the great temple is a representation of the Earth in connection with the Heaven (see photo: "outer courtyard" in red, with the "Temple Sanctuary", the construction in white, at center). To put it simply, according to Revelation (and Genesis), the "outer courtyard" is under human administration (without God), since the rebellion in Eden (Genesis 3). And this earthly "Outer courtyard" of the spiritual temple will be forcibly taken back under the authority of the Kingdom of God, during the great tribulation: "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever" (Daniel 2: 44 and Revelation 19: 11-21, Ezekiel 38,39, Psalm 2). It is in the "Outer Courtyard" of the great temple that will be the administrative authority of the prince (chieftain) (see photo: the red area "Outer Courtyard"). Nevertheless, his authority will stop at the limits of the sanctuary temple (see photo: the white building in the center). It will be the area of the earthly priest's authority, the sons of Zadoc. The function of the "Son of Zadok" will be examined later.

In the book of Revelation it is written that the 144,000 (in heaven) will have both functions of kings and priests on earth: "you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth" (Revelation 5: 10). However, the prince (the princes) (chieftain) will not have both functions. He will not be priest in the Temple Sanctuary. He will only represent the heaven kingship authority of the 144,000, as an expression of God's sovereignty on earth, in the outer courtyard of the spiritual Temple, on all nations. While the sons of Zadoc will represent the heaven priestly authority of the 144,000, on earth in the temple sanctuary, that is, in the earthly areas where will be organized the direct worship of Jehovah God (in congregations or churches). The biblical narrative shows that King Uzziah, in a burst of pride and presumption, wanted to have both function of priest-king, burning incense in the temple sanctuary. Jehovah God did not want. King Uzziah, has been humiliated by God with leprosy. He lost his privilege in beinG king until his death, because of his permanent state of impurity. It is a biblical narrative to show, according God's Will, the prince's authority will stop at the limits the Temple Sanctuary (2 Chronicles 26: 19-21).

An administrator in the distribution of territories to the earthly resurrected ones

“This land will become his possession in Israel. My chieftains will no longer mistreat my people, and they will give the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes”

(Ezekiel 45:8)

Jehovah God will grant a territorial portion to the prince who will be approximately at the center of the territorial bands given to the resurrected (Ezekiel 45: 7). Concerning, his children, he will have to give part of his territorial portion (Ezekiel 46: 16-18). To better understand the administrative process of giving territories to the resurrected, please consult the Bible study entitled "The “lot” of the earthly resurrected ones".

It is important to understand that as followers of Christ we are no longer under the obligation of the Mosaic Law: "For Christ is the end of the Law" (Romans 10: 4). Therefore, the prophetic recommendations in the book of Ezekiel, which are like the Mosaic Law, have a spiritual correspondence, or a symbolic meaning that should be deciphered. For example the apostle Paul who wrote under inspiration that the Law has a prophetic value, showed some correspondences of the Law, to a new spiritual reality (Hebrews 10: 1). Let's take just one example: The holocaust or the total offering to God.

The holocaust symbolizes what is reserved for Jehovah, which belongs to Him under the ransom (which He has paid) and allows resurrection and keeping alive. And as Jesus Christ said, what belongs to God is alive: "He is the God, not of the dead, but of the living" (Matthew 22:32). This symbol of life of this offering is confirmed by the holocaust sacrifice made on the 16th of Nisan, the date of the resurrection of Christ (Leviticus 23:12, 1 Corinthians 15:20). The total offering to God can also represent what belongs to Jehovah as a sacred service in the temple. This is illustrated by the (spiritual) sacrifice of the daughter of Jephthah, who was not a human sacrifice, but the symbol that this young woman was dedicated by her father (in total offering (spiritual holocaust)) to serve Jehovah at the Tabernacle by a sacred service (Judges 11: 31,38-40). Thus, Christian baptism is also a form of spiritual (holocaust) total offering to Jehovah (Matthew 28: 19,20, see Revelation 7:15 The Great Crowd serves as "a sacred service in the Temple").

For more details on the prophetic value of the Law and its fulfillment, please consult the Bible study entitled "The Reality of the Law". Thus, while having this essential teaching point, we can better understand the divine recommendations written in Ezekiel's prophecy (chapters 40-48). As a result, we will stay on the general ideas, without necessarily deciphering each symbolism related to the Law.

At the expense of the people

“All the people of the land will make this contribution to the chieftain in Israel”

(Ezekiel 45:16)

If the people will have obligations to the prince, Jehovah will ensure that he does not exploit the people: “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: ‘You have gone far enough, chieftains of Israel!’ “‘Put an end to your violence and oppression, and do what is just and righteous. Stop seizing the property of my people,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘You should use accurate scales, an accurate eʹphah measure and an accurate bath measure” (Ezekiel 45:8-10).

By this text, Jehovah gives the absolute guarantee that henceforth the princes, earthly sons of the Kingdom of God, will no longer be shameless exploiters of the people. This having been said, Jehovah God specifies that the people will have obligations toward the prince. He will have to pay a contribution for rendered service for them, for the sons of Zadok, and all the "sons of Levi", the great crowd, who will officiate in the temple: ““‘This is the contribution that you should offer: one sixth of an eʹphah from each hoʹmer of wheat and one sixth of an eʹphah from each hoʹmer of barley.  The allowance of the oil is to be based on the bath measure. The bath is a tenth of a cor, and ten baths are a hoʹmer, for ten baths equal a hoʹmer.  And from the flock of the livestock of Israel, one sheep out of every 200 should be given. These will be for the grain offering, the whole burnt offering, and the communion sacrifices, in order to make atonement for the people,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. “‘All the people of the land will make this contribution to the chieftain in Israel”” (Ezekiel 45:13-16).

In repeating that the administered of the prince will no longer be under the requirements of the Mosaic Law, what must be remembered from this text, as a general idea, is that the tax for the prince will be both in the form of service or of a ministry in his favor, but also, in the form of gifts of goods in kind that could be represented by the symbolism of the "flock of the livestock" (offering of grain and oil, compare with Philippians 2:17 "I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and the holy service" compare with 2 Timothy 4: 6).

At the expense of the prince

“But the chieftain will be responsible for the whole burnt offerings, the grain offering, and the drink offering during the festivals, the new moons, the Sabbaths, and all the designated festivals of the house of Israel. He will be the one to provide the sin offering, the grain offering, the whole burnt offering, and the communion sacrifices, in order to make atonement in behalf of the house of Israel”

(Ezekiel 45:17)

By repeating, once again, that the prince's citizens will no longer be under the requirements of the Mosaic Law, we understand that in the earthly paradise there will be regular religious celebrations, throughout the year as part of worship to Jehovah, in the temple that will be on the territory of the prince. In this case, it is the prince who will provide according the expenses regarding these religious celebrations or assemblies of Jehovah's worshipers. Ezekiel chapter 46 describes the prince in his role of guarantor of the spirituality of his subjects, he will take the lead in the worship to Jehovah, or even he will be led to take an active part. How?

A spiritual leader

Ezekiel 46: 1-14 presents the prince as a man of great spirituality who cooperates with the priests, as part of worshiping Jehovah in the temple sanctuary: “The chieftain will enter from outside by way of the porch of the gate, and he will stand by the doorpost of the gate. The priests will offer his whole burnt offering and his communion sacrifices, and he will bow down at the threshold of the gate and then go out. But the gate should not be shut until the evening” (Ezekiel 46:2).

This text shows that the prince will not have the priestly function, but it is the priests who will "sacrifice" the holocausts presented in the temple sanctuary. It is written "he will stand by the doorpost of the gate", without completely entering the inner courtyard of the temple sanctuary, where is the altar (see photo). It will be the limit of the authority of the prince, where the priest's authority will begin, at "the doorpost of the gate" giving access to the inner courtyard of the temple sanctuary. What does it mean that it is the priests who will sacrifice the holocausts presented by the prince? The prophecy of Hosea taken up by the apostle Paul, under inspiration, showed that the spiritual sacrifices of the lips represent a ministry of the word: “And we will offer the praise of our lips as we would young bulls” (Hosea 14:2). “Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that make public declaration to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Thus, all the sacrifices enumerated in Ezekiel 46: 1-14, are different spiritual sacrifices of the word's ministry. That means when the prince will want to praise Jehovah, or to make exhortation to his people, in the framework of the worship to Jehovah in temple sanctuary, only the priests will make a sacrifice of "fruit of their lips". The prince will not be allowed to speak in the framework of the worship in the temple sanctuary, but he will only have to stand on the threshold of the door to hear the sacrifices of the lips of the priest.

The man (and the men) who will be named prince, earthly son of the Kingdom of God, through Christ, will be highly esteemed by Jehovah God: “However, the chieftain will sit in it to eat bread before Jehovah, for he is a chieftain. He will come in through the porch of the gate, and he will go out through it” (Ezekiel 44:3).

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