Our Glorious Crown
“Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest’ ” (Zechariah 6:9-11, NAS).
No cross, no crown. This spiritual axiom is clearly expressed in Scripture. “It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:11, 12). “If [we are] children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).
This truth also finds expression in various types. For example, the consecration of the Levitical priesthood in Leviticus chapter eight illustrates that, even if atonement would not have to be made (and of course, it had to), the antitypical priesthood would still have to experience sufferings to be developed and qualified for their eventual office – living and reigning with Christ as a royal priesthood.
The Royal Priesthood is also typified in the person of Melchizedek. It is intriguing that Paul, speaking of Melchizedek, says, “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered” (Hebrews 5:11). Melchizedek is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament; once in Genesis 14 and again in Psalm 110. What was Paul’s source for the many things he had to say? Why were they hard to be uttered?
The Scriptures are full of hidden treasures, hard to be uttered, and we find such buried gems in the lives of two stalwart Jews – Zerubbabel and Joshua. As the prince and the high priest of Israel after the Babylonian captivity, they were charged with the task of rebuilding the temple. As their work intertwined in this regard, their offices combined to provide us yet another type of the priestly king or kingly priest – Melchizedek.
The Prophet Zechariah was their contemporary. His visions, along with those of Haggai, served to strengthen Zerubbabel and Joshua to persevere in completing the work of building God’s temple. In the sixth chapter of Zechariah we see four men selected from among those who had returned from Babylon – Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Josiah son of Zephaniah. They were charged with preparing a four-part crown which was to grace the head of Joshua the high priest.
“The word of the LORD also came to me, saying, ‘Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah; and you go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon. Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest’ ” (Zechariah 6:9-11, NAS).
How strange! The lineage of Israel’s crowned heads came through Judah, not Levi. The progression of the vision is interrupted before Joshua may ascend to the throne.
“Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD’ ” (Zechariah 6:12, NAS).
The Scriptures are marvelously consistent. We are confident that they are the inspired Word of God. Just as no one from the tribe of Judah could be a priest, so no Levite would rule as king. The Kingly Priest would be from the new order of priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood. On this account, before Joshua could ascend to the throne, he was given a vision of the Branch, the one who would possess the throne. The Branch out of Babylon was Zerubbabel; but he was only a type of the greater Branch – our Lord Jesus Christ. (See Jeremiah 33:15.)
Illustration of a High Priest
“Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices” (Zechariah 6:13, NAS).
We understand from Hebrews chapters five and seven that Jesus is already entered into his Melchizedek priesthood. However, the priestly sacrificing of his body members (typified in the Levitical priesthood) must be completed before they are glorified and sit upon the throne. Then, when the sanctification of the body members is finished, “the counsel of peace will be between the two offices” – King and Priest – ministering peace, righteousness, life and blessing to mankind.
“Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah” (Zechariah 6:14, NAS).
Zechariah’s four-part crown will become a memorial to remind all intelligent creatures of the sacrificial work of The Christ. By their love and willing sufferings they develop the character required for their office as Kingly Priests – the Divine Character. Our Lord Jesus was the forerunner of this calling, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And [thus] being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8, 9). It is significant that this statement is made in the context of Jesus having attained to his office of Melchizedek Priest.
The four parts of the crown in Zechariah’s vision represent the four aspects of God’s glorious character – Power, Love, Wisdom and Justice. “The crowns shall be to Helem, Tobiah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah.” The Hebrew meanings of the names seem to coincide with the four aspects of God’s character.
(1) Helem – Hebrew, “a dream,” representing Divine Power which enables our God to plan His dreams for His creatures throughout ages of glory and surely bring His vision to fruition.
(2) Tobiah – Hebrew, “the goodness of Jehovah,” re- lates to God’s Love, the superlative encapsulation of Jehovah, “God is love.”
(3) Jedaiah – Hebrew, “Jehovah has known,” represents the infinite Wisdom of our great God.
(4) Hen the son of Zephaniah – Hebrew, “grace” the son of “Jehovah has secreted,” beautifully refers to Divine Justice. The mystery of God’s grace, His Christ who would suffer and die for mankind and thus satisfy justice, was secreted from ages and generations and remains so to the present save for a few to whom God has revealed it.
Zechariah the Prophet (Michelangelo)
The lesson – that Jesus and his Church will ultimately obtain the crowning glory of Divine Character only by engaging in the sufferings typified in the Levitical priesthood. No cross, no crown.
” ‘Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.” Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God’ ” (Zechariah 6:15, NAS).
These are beautiful gems of truth. In the present time we are privileged to grow into the character likeness of our Heavenly Father! In the future we shall reign and share the glory with Jesus in blessing all those who are afar off – the remainder of mankind. The reality and grand fulfillment of this prophecy will take place in God’s Kingdom; if we completely obey the LORD our God!
– Bro. O. B. Elbert