Christ's Three-Fold Office in Zechariah 1:7-17

The catechism of Baptist pastor Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) teaches us that Christ holds a three-fold office. 

Q. 27. What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation.

We see these three offices on display in the first of Zechariah’s “night visions.”

“I saw at night, and behold, a man was riding on a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees which were in the ravine, with red, sorrel and white horses behind him. Then I said, ‘My lord, what are these?’ And the angel who was speaking with me said to me, ‘I will show you what these are.’ And the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered and said, ‘These are those whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.’ So they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is peaceful and quiet’” (Zechariah 1:8-11). 

Zechariah sees “a man” who is also “the angel of the LORD.” In the Old Testament, the “angel of the LORD” speaks as the LORD, and those who encounter him declare that they have seen the LORD (Genesis 16:10,13; 22:11-12,15-18; 31:11-13; 48:15-16; Exodus 3:2,6; Judges 6:22; 13:21-22). It has traditionally been taught that this “angel of the LORD” is a pre-incarnate appearing of God the Son. In His incarnation it will be said of Him that He is the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:13; see also John 1:14; 14:9; Hebrews 1:3). Further, He “explains” the Father to us (John 1:18; see also John 3:34; 8:28,38). The Son is eternally divine, and is not a creature – He is, in other words, not an “angel” in the sense of the created heavenly beings that also have that name. The title “angel” means “messenger.” The Son reveals the nature and will of the Father to us in His very Person. When Zechariah sees this “angel of the LORD,” the prophet is seeing the Son. Further, the three-fold office of Christ is imaged in this vision, as well.

First, we see Christ as King. The angelic horsemen sent on patrol throughout the earth report to Him Who commands the heavenly armies of God (Matthew 13:41; 16:27; 24:31; 25:31; Mark 8:38; 13:27; Luke 9:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11-16).

Q. 30. How does Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. 

After receiving the report of the angelic patrols, the “angel of the LORD” speaks to the “LORD of hosts” on behalf of the covenant people. 

“Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O LORD of hosts, how long will You have no compassion for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant these seventy years?’” (Zechariah 1:12).

Not only is Christ a King, but He is our Priest, interceding on behalf of His people before the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). All that we need is given from the Father through our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), the Son, by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

Q. 29. How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself, a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.

The “angel of the LORD” then receives a message of grace and comfort from the “LORD of hosts.”

“The LORD answered the angel who was speaking with me with gracious words, comforting words. So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, ‘Proclaim, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. But I am very angry with the nations who are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they furthered the disaster.’ Therefore thus says the Lord, ‘I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.’” Again, proclaim, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem’”’” (Zechariah 1:13-17). 

He is King, and Priest, but He has also given us the final, all-sufficient revelation of God to us through the Spirit-inspired apostolic authors of the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1). He is our Prophet. 

Q. 28. How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by this Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. 

In February of 519 B.C., a prophet from the priestly family of Israel had visions one night. In the first vision he saw a darkness deeper than the surrounding night (the Hebrew word here translated “ravine” usually refers to the depths of the sea). God’s people were in difficult straits at this time, discouraged and overwhelmed. In this darkness, though, the prophet saw One Who is Immanuel, God-with-us. This One is the King Who will command all the powers of heaven and earth to the ultimate good of His people in His perfect timing. This One is the Priest Who intercedes day and night for those who have found salvation through faith in Him alone. This One is the Prophet Who has given us the gracious, comforting Word that is so sufficient no further Word need be given.

This is our Lord Jesus.

“This office of mediator between God and humanity is appropriate for Christ alone, Who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God. This office may not be transferred from Him to anyone else, either in whole or in part. The number and character of these offices is essential. Because we are ignorant, we need His prophetic office. Because we are alienated from God and imperfect in the best of our service, we need His priestly office to reconcile us and present us to God as acceptable. Because we are hostile and utterly unable to return to God, and so that we can be rescued and made secure from our spiritual enemies, we need His kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, sustain, deliver, and preserve us for His heavenly kingdom” (The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English, 8.9-10).