Christ Our Great High Priest (Revelation 1:13)

“Clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” — Revelation 1:13

 

Summary:

Christ’s priestly clothing in John’s vision reveals him as our great High Priest. The high priest under the law mediated between God and the people, foreshadowing Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant. His work is seen in three actions. First, Christ makes expiation: unlike the repeated and limited sacrifices of the old priesthood, his one offering of himself perfectly atones for sin. Secondly, he intercedes: having entered heaven with his own blood, he appears before God for his people and pleads his finished sacrifice. Thirdly, he blesses: as the priest emerged to pronounce peace, the risen Christ pours out the Holy Spirit and sends the Gospel’s joyful assurance that believers are reconciled, accepted, and forever favoured by God.

 

Outline:

• Christ appears in priestly glory
  • His long garment and golden girdle identify him as the High Priest of our profession.
• The high priest was the appointed mediator
  • Israel’s priest stood between God and the people, foreshadowing the Mediator of the new covenant.
• Christ makes perfect expiation
  • His sinless, once-for-all sacrifice surpasses every repeated and limited offering under the OT law.
• Christ continually intercedes
  • He appears before the Father for his people, presenting and pleading the merit of his own blood.
• Christ bestows the promised blessing
  • Through the Holy Spirit and the Gospel, he assures believers of reconciliation, acceptance, peace, and lasting favour.