THE ROYAL ROBE OF KING-PRIEST
THE ROYAL ROBE OF KING AND PRIEST
Sunday, January 15, 2023, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
During worship on Tuesday, I saw a vision of Christ standing in our midst in the King-Priest garments of the order of Melchizedek. His robe was a beautiful mixture of royal purple and royal blue trimmed in pure gold. On His head, was a crown of pure gold surrounded in beautiful rubies. In His hand was a golden scepter which he extended to us as His authority as both King and Priest.
Heb. 5:5-6: Christ did not glorify Himself to be made a high priest but He that said to Him, “You are My Son, today have I begotten You.” And he also said in another place, “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
The ministry of Jesus is eternal, unlimited and is energized by the source of an endless life. His ministry is immutable or unchangeable. His ministry is universal, flowing unto all men.
The fact that Jesus is a priest of another order, one which was in operation before the line of Aaron was established is the key to the superiority of His priesthood. We first see Melchisedec as the king-priest of Jerusalem. When Abraham was returning from rescuing Lot from the five kings who had taken him captive, his caravan was halted by this “priest of God Most High.” Then Abraham did an astonishing thing---he paid tithes to this priest (Gen. 14: 18-20).
This, of course, makes Jesus’ priesthood both royal and perpetual. It is not only a High Priestly ministry, but His is a King-Priest ministry. His ministry is that of a prophet, priest and king. All three offices meet in Him. The state of royalty is powerful. Melchisedec was king of Salem or peace (Jerusalem). He also prophesied to Abraham. (Gen. 14: 17-24). He was a prophet, priest and king.
Heb. 8:6: Now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
The more excellent ministry is simply the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ from the Most Holy Place after the order (manner or similitude of Melchisedec).” (1) K.V. the More Excellent Ministry
“The structure of this “ORDER” is first the Son is revealed (Jesus Christ, the Overcomer. the man-child, the Bride of Christ, Heavenly Jerusalem, Mt. Zion, the City of our God,) then the priesthood is anointed. No man can change this “ORDER” nor can he take this honor to himself,” but he must be called of God as Aaron was.” (The Mystery of Melchisedec by Stephen Everett, Jr. – taken from sermon notes of Pastor Carolyn Sissom, September 21, 2005)
Heb. 5:8-10 Though he was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to them that obey Him; Called of God as high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
In the vision I had on this past Tuesday, the glory and emphasis were on Christ’s royal robe.
The robe is always worn as the symbol of office and authority.
Job 29:14: “” I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.”
The robe carries with it dignity and royalty. The robes worn by judges, clergy, and academia even today dignify a man/woman for the office they hold. Every servant of the Lord who ministers in holy things should himself respect his office and should be respected because of his office.
In Exodus and Leviticus there is great detail concerning the priestly clothing and consecration. The priesthood, its robes and ritual were not an afterthought but the very life of the tabernacle service. The ministry of the priesthood was God ordained.
Blue was the color which abounded in both the Tabernacle and its ministry. It was in the veil, the curtains, the door, and the gate. Every piece of furniture was covered with a blue cloth when in transit. A blue lace fastened the holy crown to the head of the priest, while a lace of blue secured the breastplate of judgment to the ephod. Blue was worked into both the ephod and the curious girdle, while the robe was “all of blue.” As blue was in abundance in the Tabernacle, so grace is to be seen everywhere in the Church of God today.
The quality of the whole of these vestments, whether it was texture, material or workmanship, was the very best of its kind---fine linen, pure gold, precious stones, costly ointment, cunning workmanship, all used by wise hearts. This was because it was all a type of Christ’s character, and nothing but the very highest quality will do to portray Him.
Jesus was Divinity manifested in humanity so that humanity might take on Divinity by becoming the son of God. Nothing but that which was unalloyed could represent Him, who was “holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.” He is wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He is the personification of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Majesty and humility were blended in Him. Mercy and truth meet in Him and kiss each other. Humanity and Divinity harmonize only in the High Priest of our profession.
Righteousness is the foundation of all that Christ is. Our merit is an imputed righteousness. As the sons of God, we are clothed in His righteousness because we have been washed in His Blood. Having received this imputed righteousness, we are able to say with the prophet Isaiah: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…” (Isa. 61:10)
Royalty is the underlying truth of the garment so far as its name is concerned and reveals that royalty which belongs to Christ of God, the Great High Priest. The priestly office of Christ supersedes that of Aaron. He has bestowed upon His church the honor of a royal priesthood.
1 Peter 2:9: You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Most of you may recall that in 2018, I had a vision of “who shall wear the robe and Crown.”
Vision:
I was lifted by an angel presiding over a crystal stair case. When I touched the stair case, I was immediately lifted into a “cloud.” I was then dropped into the clouds and gently floated into the Hands of who I would best describe as the Holy Spirit because His image wasn’t tangible except as an airy cloud.
I was trying to inhale this Presence into my being; and be alert to perceive what I was supposed to receive. I began to intercede for many who I know are seeking the LORD for him to move in their lives and their families. I repented for everything I could think of that I had ever thought or did. I worshipped Him, was humbled and wept in joy and awe.
Then the vision changed. I saw the KING seated on a throne. He was wearing a crown and a purple robe. (Pilate put a purple robe on Jesus when he mocked him.) Standing before the KING was a woman wearing a crown and a red royal robe trimmed in gold braid. The King extended to her his golden scepter. The scripture that came to me was, Esther 5:3: “It shall be given you the half of the kingdom.”
I then heard what sounded like angels singing over and over two stanzas:
“Who shall wear the starry crown?”
“Who shall wear the robe and crown?”
The angelic voices were asking the question in song as if (perhaps) they did not know. The Bible says that only those who overcome will rule and reign with Jesus Christ. (Rev. 2:2; 21: 7-8).
So, what do I think about this?
The woman would be the “Bride of Christ” in royal apparel. The colors of the King’s robe and the Queen’s robe are significant of the colors of royalty and position. Those who will reign in Christ are clothed in royal garments from His presence.
The starry crown would refer to the Sun Clothed Woman of Revelation 12.
With the extension of the golden scepter, King Jesus is extending the full authority of His Name and half His Kingdom to His Church (Bride) as we stand in His Presence!
In the vision this past Tuesday, Christ extended His scepter toward us.
Esther 5: 1-3: It came to pass on the third day that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, opposite the king’s house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the gate of the house. When the king saw Esther the queen, standing in the court that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So,
Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter. Then said the king to her, what will you, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be even given you to half of the kingdom.
Royal apparel is the royal robe and the wardrobe of the believer.
Psa. 45:6: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Mordecai as a type of the triumphant church went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple… (Esther 8:15). Mordecai was great in the king’s house…he waxed greater and greater.
The church is the instrument of the Kingdom. She is that vehicle, channel and conduit for Him who is coming forth. Could we say the church is His scepter?
The golden (divine nature) scepter denotes all authority of the King---the power of the Name of Jesus (Mt. 28:18-20), the branch man of Isa. 4, 11, and Zech. 6 fits this principle, as does the principle of the rod of the man-child. This is also a picture of the shepherd’s staff that shall rule the nations.
The throne of God is forever and ever. It shall continue on earth throughout all the ages of time. Even when the kingdom shall be delivered up to God the Father, the throne of the Redeemer will continue. The scepter of His Kingdom is the administration of His government exactly according to the eternal counsel and will of God. The Church is the instrument of the administration of His government on earth.
45:7-9: You love righteousness, and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows. All Your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made You glad. King’s daughters were among Your honorable women; upon Your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
“As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way! (Allison Krauss).
First there is a vision; secondly a voice and third authority
Moses had his burning bush and rod.
Joshua saw the Captain of the Hosts and the sword of the Lord.
Isaiah saw the Temple filled with the glory of the Lord and a vision of the Lord filling the temple.
He also had a new commissioning.
Ezekiel saw the four living creatures and was commissioned as a spokesman to a rebellious house.
Paul experienced a light brighter than the noonday sun and a commissioning as a special chosen vessel.
John knew the pattern as the revealing of the ever-coming One, the voice of many waters, and a new command to write what he had seen.
Each of these men except Jesus was overwhelmed by what he saw. The effect of the vision was not to be puffed up with religious pride. The effect was brokenness, humility, and reverential fear.
Melchisedec served Abraham bread and wine after his return from the slaughter of the kings. Because Abraham fed on the bread and wine from Melchisedec, he was enabled to resist the temptations of the king of Sodom. This encounter altered the course of history. The bread and wine gave him the life needed to bring forth the promised seed, Isaac, in the appointed season.
Our King Jesus who is King of the entire universe extends his scepter toward us, bidding us to come and dine with Him. This encounter will bring us into destiny and purpose to receive the full inheritance as co-heirs with our Heavenly Brother Christ Jesus of Nazareth.
Revelation 1: 5-6: From Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He has made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
COMMUNION.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX
www.eastgateministries.com
Scripture from K.J.V. – this message consists of excerpts from multiple sermons and teachings I have preached in years past.