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"Prophet, Priest and King -- A Word for NOW, Not Only in the Future"
by Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
comments@frangipane.org
 The
Anointing
We refer to our Lord as Jesus Christ, but His name, simply, was Jesus (or Yeshua
in Hebrew). The term Christ comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word
for "Messiah," which meant "the Anointed One." Thus, it would be perfectly accurate
to call our Savior, "Jesus, the Anointed One."
But where does the phrase "Anointed One" come from and how does it apply to the
Lord? While anyone could anoint and refresh their head with oil (or anoint the dying
for burial), only a special blend of spices and oils was used as "holy anointing
oil," and then only in sacred ceremonies (see Exodus 30:22-31). It was copiously
poured upon the consecrated individual, perhaps a liter or more flowing down upon
his head, beard, and garments (Psalm 133). It was an obvious outpouring of oil,
not merely a dab on the forehead as might accompany our use of anointing oil today.
It was done with solemn prayer and reverence, for it was through this ritual of
anointing that Israel's prophets, priests, and kings were identified and then dedicated
to God.
The act of anointing a chosen leader with oil was a ritual pregnant with the hope
of divine fulfillment. Indeed, it was a foreshadowing of the ultimate prophet, priest,
and king to be unveiled in the ministry of the Messiah. His anointing would not
be with oil, but with the reality the oil symbolized: the "Holy Spirit and...power"
(Acts 10:38; see Luke 4).
The Priest and Prophet
Throughout the Old Testament, only prophets, priests, and kings received the rite
of holy anointing. Likewise, for all the diversity we see in Jesus' ministry, everything
He accomplished was rooted in the soil of His prophetic, priestly, and kingly roles.
Now, it is vital we understand the anointing upon God's Son, for in seeing Him we
peer into the destiny of the church. For the ascendant ministry of Jesus, the Anointed
One, continues, even as the Holy Spirit transfers the fullness of Christ, as He
is in heaven, into His people on earth. In other words, all that the Messiah was
as prophet, priest, and king is still alive and is still being released into our
world through His true church. "For of His fullness
we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16). This means
God desires that His church - the body of the Anointed One - would manifest in the
earth in three distinct, yet interconnected, ministries: that of Christ the prophet,
priest, and king.
The priestly ministry of the Lord is one of intercession and redemptive sacrifice.
The Messiah, as our great "High Priest" (Hebrews 3:1), rendered Himself as our "guilt
offering" (Isaiah 53:10); He is the "Lamb standing, as if slain" before the throne
of God (Revelation 5:6). Yet, because we are created in His image, we also carry
His priestly role of intercession. We become His living house, which is "a house
of prayer." He calls us to be a "kingdom [of] priests" and a "royal priesthood"
(Revelation 1:6; I Peter 2:9).
As priests, we offer the sacrifice of His Son's death, both for our sins and also
for the world around us. The Messiah is our great High Priest living in heaven;
the church reveals the intercessions of the Anointed One on earth. It is the same
anointing. The ministry of the priest has been fulfilled by Jesus, and embraced
and followed by us.
Jesus was also God's prophet, and more: He was the Word of God made flesh (John
1:14). The Messiah understood God's word, not merely in its skeletal form of doctrines,
but as the union of the Father's living consciousness with Jesus' own thought-life.
Thus, the Messiah viewed life on earth as God would perceive it. Jesus' prophetic
perception x-rayed into the secrets of men's hearts. At the same time, He saw into,
and understood, the deep mysteries of God's heart.
His prophetic nature enabled Him to stand beyond the boundaries of time and pierce
the enigma of ages past, as well as herald the wonders of times still to come. Yet,
as His priestly ministry is extended to His church, so His prophetic ministry is
imparted to us as well. As it is written, He gave "some as prophets" who, though
imperfect, also burn with the flaming sword of God's word (Ephesians 4:11; Luke
11:49; I Corinthians 14; Revelation 11).
But Kings?
The church is learning, in varying degrees, how to serve Christ's priestly and prophetic
ministry. Yet His "kingly" or governmental authority, outside of church proper,
has not been accepted by many Christians. The idea of being granted such authority
- of seeking to serve God in positions of political influence - has been deferred
either to the Millennium or it has been outright scorned as heretical, "kingdom
now" theology. Yet, we have never suggested that "the world must be conquered by
Christians before Jesus can return," which is "kingdom now" theology. Nor are we
trying to reduce the spiritual reality of the church to a political entity. Our
quest is not to see the church become political, but the political become spiritual,
where the integrity, wisdom, and justice of Christ Himself manifests in secular
leadership.
For those of us who say Christ's kingly anointing is reserved only for the age to
come, let me remind you Christ is king right now and our call is to grow up "in
all aspects" unto Him who is our head (Ephesians 4:15). Right now, Jesus is seated
as king on God's throne; He has received "all authority...in heaven and on earth"
(Matthew 28:18). We are specifically told: "As He is, so also are we in this world"
(1 John 4:17; see also Ephesians 1:18-23, Revelation 17:14). These are "present
tense" promises, not only Millennial. We must, therefore, measure the stature of
the church by the dimensions of Christ: Is Jesus prophet, priest, and king right
now in heaven? Absolutely! Then it is God's will that He should be revealed as prophet,
priest, and king on earth through the church. This is the very thing we ask each
time we pray: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!"
All that Christ is in heaven will, in varying measures, be manifested in the true
church before Jesus returns. Will there be a greater fulfillment in the age to come?
Of course. But, dear one, even as He has emerged in the church as priest and prophet,
so there must also be some fulfillment of governmental authority in this present
age as well.
You see, what our Father desires to reveal through the church is not about us; it
is about the manifest destiny of Jesus His Son. Just as some of us are called to
reveal Christ the intercessor and others are sent by God to manifest the life of
Christ the prophet, so the unveiling of Christ's governmental authority shall come
forth in chosen leaders at the end of the age.
Our Goal: National Transformation
People argue, "If God is going to bring revival, He will do it through the church."
Of course He will, but who says that the church cannot raise up men and women of
integrity, honor, and wisdom and support them in their call to serve God in secular
leadership? Indeed, if Christians are in government, and we live in a nation where
the priestly and prophetic role of the church is unfolding, we must recognize the
potential for God to use imperfect people to reveal the threefold anointing of Christ.
Where we see Christian political leaders, even those who have made mistakes, let
us come alongside them in intercessory prayer and the voice of the prophetic, and
take faith for God to use them still.
Imagine the heavenly potential that is possible when, instead of dividing because
of differences, the church honors the intercessory, prophetic, and kingly nature
of Christ. Imagine when these three streams of anointing converge and, in unity,
serve God to bring justice, mercy, and healing to their cultures!
We think of revival as something where people flop or hop, cry or run or dance as
they experience an ecstatic, emotional release - and all that is fine. But personal
revival is only the first step toward transforming a nation. We need godly people
to serve in elected office. Indeed, there never was a revival in the Old Testament
that did not come through the authority of the secular leader, the king!
Thus, we must have long-term plans, especially in democracies where officials are
elected. We must recognize and cultivate the "kingly anointing," even when these
future leaders are yet children. Again, when I speak of the kingly anointing, I
am speaking of the principle of godly rule. Elected leaders must know how to govern
with justice and pass laws with integrity. A president or governor cannot think
of themselves as a king, but he or she must rule with the humility, character, and
wisdom of Christ (see Luke 22:25-26).
Prophetic,
Priestly, and Kingly Anointings Key to Transforming Our Nations
Each of us carries, in a certain measure, the Messiah's anointing as prophet, priest,
and king within us. As we mature and deepen in our conformity to Christ, all three
unveilings will be manifest through us in varying levels. But for most, there is
a primary call that identifies our main strength. The naturalness we find in intercessory
prayer indicates God is using us in the priestly role. The ease in unearthing revelatory
truths from the Scriptures and the sense of clarity in discernment are evidences
that your call is prophetic. The passion for justice, for divine order, and righteous
government indicates emerging in you is the anointing of Christ the King.
Let us identify those Christians who are currently serving in government or running
for government, and let us pray for the unveiling of Christ in their lives. They
do not need to be perfect, only yielded. They will make mistakes, but will make
fewer errors as the other aspects of the Messiah's anointing come alongside in both
prayer and prophetic guidance.
Would you recognize true Christianity? It is identified by one reality: people becoming
Christlike in prayer, the prophetic word, and in governmental authority (see Ephesians
4:15). Where the true church is growing in maturity, it will be united in the priestly,
prophetic, and kingly anointing of Christ.
Lord, we pray for all who are in public offices, especially those who call upon
Your name. Lord, help us to see the union of the prophetic, priestly, and kingly
anointings as key to transforming our nations. Rule, O Lord, in the midst of Your
enemies. In Jesus' name! Amen.
by Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
comments@frangipane.org
A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2004
All rights reserved.
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Special Prayer Request for Francis:
Francis will be traveling next week and would appreciate your prayers. We have provided
his itinerary below.
October 12-13:
Messenger Fellowship Conference at Belmont Church, Nashville, TN 615-256-2123, ext.
111 or AdrienneS@belmont.org
November 11-13:
Visionary Advancement Strategies, Kirkland, WA www.vision2advance.com 425-820-2900
December 6-8: MorningStar Roundtable & Board Meeting, Charlotte, NC
____________________
Upcoming National Events
America for Jesus Rally
www.americaforjesus.org
October 22, 2004
The Washington Mall in Washington DC.
From 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Prayer Rally
From 6:00 PM - Midnight Praise and Worship Celebration
Mayday for Marriage Rally
www.maydayformarriage.com
National Mall in Washington DC.
October 15, 2004
Noon to 3PM
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