Zadok and the Throne of David

On May 6, 2023, at the coronation of King Charles iii in London, “Zadok the Priest,” an anthem by George Frideric Handel, was performed. Do you know why? Anyone who studies deeply into that question would find an incredibly inspiring truth!

Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth ii, was crowned Queen of the British Commonwealth on June 2, 1953. Leading up to the coronation, one of Britain’s leading historians at the time, Lawrence Tanner, released a series of articles condensed from his book The History of the Coronation, which explained what the coronation is, how it developed through hundreds of years, and how it would be done for Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Here are excerpts from Mr. Tanner’s material as it appeared in the Elyria, Ohio, Chronicle-Telegram.

The May 21, 1953, installment read, “The communion service after the opening ‘recognition’ ceremony changes the atmosphere of the coronation to one of devotion and deep religious significance. It is from this point that the sovereign, having dedicated herself to the service of her peoples, is solemnly consecrated, like a bishop, for her task. … Meanwhile the choir sings, as they have sung at this point in the ceremony since the earliest known English coronation service, the anthem ‘Zadok the Priest.’” A song about Zadok the priest has been sung every time a king or queen has been crowned since “the earliest known English coronation service.”

Why a song about Zadok? If we study into the history of this priest in the Bible, we will find proof of what happened with David’s throne in modern times. How many people who attended either of these coronations understood why a song about Zadok the priest was sung? Probably very few. Yet the significance behind this song involves far more than the royalty in Britain.

The story about Zadok and his sons is very inspiring, especially for God’s very elect. Let’s look into this amazing story.

Zadok Anoints Solomon King

Because of his rebellion against God, Saul lost the throne of Israel to David, who began his reign at Hebron. Saul reigned from 1051 to 1011 b.c. Many men came to assist David when he took over the kingdom after Saul’s death. Zadok the priest was among these courageous men (1 Chronicles 12:26-28).

When David’s son Absalom tried to overthrow his father (2 Samuel 15:13-16), Zadok and his family remained firm in their support for David. Toward the end of David’s life, when many of his closest companions left to support another rebellious son, Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-6), Zadok remained faithful (verse 8). David was getting old and many were beginning to doubt his leadership abilities. But not Zadok! Throughout David’s life, Zadok remained loyal because he knew God was behind this man! He had the faith to recognize whom God was using.

The Prophet Nathan warned David of Adonijah’s revolt. The king’s son had summoned many high-ranking people to a feast where the people said, “God save king Adonijah” (verses 23-25). After explaining how Adonijah had proclaimed himself king, Nathan listed those who had remained loyal to David: “But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called” (verse 26). Zadok the priest topped the list.

David called Nathan, Zadok and Benaiah to him and instructed them: “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah” (verses 33-35). David instructed Nathan to make Solomon king. And he gave the honor of anointing Solomon to Zadok.

“So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon” (verses 38-39). Solomon was made king and all the people cheered, “God save king Solomon.”

Notice that Zadok personally anointed Solomon—truly a great honor. What a reward for Zadok’s unyielding loyalty!

Let’s now look at how similar this ancient tradition is in British royal custom.

British Royal Traditions

Of Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, Mr. Tanner wrote: “At 7:33 a.m. in Westminster Abbey, where for 900 years British sovereigns have been crowned, the archbishop of Canterbury gently lowered the jeweled crown of St. Edward to her dark hair.

“Then with a great roar, the peers and peeresses and heads of state in the abbey cried: ‘God save the Queen.’

“The guns of Hyde Park, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London boomed 41 times. As the sound echoed throughout London and was relayed around the world by radio, in Britain, the nations of the Commonwealth and the colonies, the same shout went up among many of her 600 million subjects: ‘God save the Queen.’

“It was more than a prayer for the 27-year-old Queen. It held the hope of austerity-ridden Britons that this—as under former reigning queens—would be an era of greatness, happiness and prosperity.

“There to see his mother crowned was 4-year-old Prince Charles. He was clad in a white satin party suit.

“At the other end of the span of empire was 78-year-old Winston Churchill, most illustrious of the mighty assemblage of statesmen, peers, soldiers and foreign guests. …

“From the vast multitude of more than 2 million crushed into London’s center echoed the shout: ‘God save the Queen.’

“Thus was perpetuated in the person of this girl of 27 a monarchy reaching back through the centuries to foundations begun shortly after the Roman legions left this island. …

“To others it was a deeply moving religious moment, a queen anointed in holy oil and thereby sanctified in the eyes of God.”

At Solomon’s coronation, all the people cheered, “God save King Solomon!” When Elizabeth ii was crowned, all the people cheered, “God save the Queen!” King Solomon was anointed with oil, in a religious ceremony, setting him apart in the eyes of God. So was Queen Elizabeth.

Is it mere coincidence that the coronation of the kings and queens of Britain so closely parallels that of Israel’s kings?

On May 19, 1953, this was printed: “The actual place of coronation has a history of 900 years behind it, but the ceremonies and rites wherewith our sovereigns are consecrated have a history which is older still.”

The British people recognize that their coronation traditions go back centuries. What they don’t realize is that their traditions actually go back much further than when the Roman legions left the island. They go back all the way to King David!

Here are more highlights from the coronation ceremony: “[T]he crowning was made the final and principal act of investiture, and it was immediately followed by a striking innovation when the Bible was solemnly presented to the sovereign as ‘the most valuable thing that this world affords’” (May 18, 1953). The Bible does contain much hidden treasure. It reveals the truth about the origins of the British throne and the solutions to Britain’s problems. Within the pages of the Bible lies the hope for Britain.

“The Bible, paten and chalice, and the regalia are placed on the high altar. … The Queen, with her crimson robe and her cap of state removed, takes her seat in King Edward’s chair, wherein she is anointed …. The Lord Great Chamberlain presents the spurs and the Queen is girt with the sword. … The Queen seated in King Edward’s chair is crowned with Saint Edward’s crown by the archbishop of Canterbury. The Bible is presented to the Queen. … The homage ended, the drums beat and the trumpets sound and all the people shout, crying out: ‘God save Queen Elizabeth! Long live Queen Elizabeth! May the queen live forever!’” (June 2, 1953).

Over the centuries, there have been many attempts to remove the religious aspects from Britain’s coronation ceremonies. But the religious significance of the coronation has been preserved. Mr. Tanner continued, “It can at least be said that the service which will be used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth ii descends directly from the service used by Archbishop Dunstan at the coronation of King Edgar at Bath in 973. … The coronation of 1821 was held in the full time of the Romantic Movement, and George iv, with his extravagant ideas, succeeded in turning it into a magnificent pageant almost completely devoid of religious significance. … So little was the religious side of the coronation appreciated at this time that in 1838 the Times, in discussing the forthcoming coronation of Queen Victoria, announced that ‘the anointing is a part of the ceremony more recommended by antiquity than delicacy, and will probably be omitted altogether.’ But better counsels prevailed.”

Queen Elizabeth’s coronation was filled with deep religious significance. It was certainly meant to give great honor to God. Most of that honor of God is lost in Britain today.

Today, the throne in England is very unstable. Though most of the traditions were preserved for King Charles iii’s coronation, something drastic has changed. The British have forgotten God and have lost their connection with these ancient traditions. Some in Britain might know that the royal family’s ancestry can be traced all the way back to King David, but it is not intellectually fashionable to proclaim that today.

The solutions to Britain’s problems can be found within the knowledge of the true ancestry of the British throne. The rich traditions surrounding the coronation point to a significance greater than most people realize.

We need to recognize that much of the tradition surrounding the British throne comes directly from 1 Kings. This is one of the books of the former prophets, which means it contains prophecy for today and has great meaning for us. Our job as Philadelphians is to teach the British and ultimately the whole world about the significance of David’s throne.

Let’s now move back to the history of 1 Kings.

Solomon Reigns

The people of Israel made a great noise when Solomon was crowned. The cheering was so loud that Adonijah and his rebellious company heard and felt the clamor. “And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?” (1 Kings 1:40-41).

Abiathar’s son, Jonathan, brought the news that David had appointed Solomon king (verses 42-46). Of course, Abiathar and Joab would have rather heard different news.

King David was too ill to attend Solomon’s coronation. David’s loyal servants excitedly returned to tell him that Solomon was now king. “And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. And also thus said the king, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it” (verses 47-48). David was thrilled that God had allowed him to see his successor to the throne.

Meanwhile, Adonijah’s coronation feast soon changed from one of joy to one of fear. Hearing Jonathan’s report, all the guests fled (verse 49). The loyalty of Joab and Abiathar to Adonijah was short-lived. Isn’t that the way it is with disloyal people? Adonijah was left to himself.

Desperate to save his own life, Adonijah rushed to the temple. “And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword” (verses 50-51). All Adonijah’s arrogance in proclaiming himself king was gone. He knew he was facing execution for his revolt. He sought mercy from his younger brother, Solomon.

What was Solomon’s reply? “And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die” (verse 52). Solomon did not execute Adonijah at this time. He sent him to his house (verse 53).

Zadok Made Chief Priest

David had great hope for Solomon. Nearing death, he gave excellent advice to his son about ruling Israel. “Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself” (1 Kings 2:1-3).

David taught Solomon that the key to his success as king would be how well he kept the law of God, which included the Ten Commandments, the statutes and judgments. David ardently wanted a son who would truly obey God.

After David’s death, Solomon began to deal with the rebels. He had Adonijah executed because he clung to the belief that he deserved the throne (verses 15, 19-25).

Solomon did show mercy toward Abiathar. “And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord; that he might fulfil the word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh” (verses 26-27). Though Solomon showed mercy because Abiathar had suffered many afflictions with David over the years, his disloyalty still deserved punishment. Solomon removed him from his office as high priest. This brought shame on Abiathar and his family. Also, according to David’s final instructions, Solomon had Joab executed (verses 5-6, 34).

What happened to Zadok? The outcome for him and the rest of the men loyal to David was far different.

“And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar” (verse 35). Zadok was put in Abiathar’s place as chief priest. What a fantastic reward for loyalty! What an honor!

Zadok’s undying loyalty is still being praised today. Look at the words of the song “Zadok the Priest,” sung at British coronations. The words are adapted from 1 Kings 1:38-40: Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king. And all the people rejoiced and said: God save the king! Long live the king! May the king live forever. Amen, alleluia, amen.

This song was composed in 1727. Of course, the history goes back to about 1000 b.c. Just the fact that this song about Zadok the priest is sung at a British coronation strongly indicates that the throne in England originated with David and Solomon. Britain’s enemies throughout the ages would have exposed it if these scriptures had been used fraudulently.

This song should also teach us a vital lesson about loyalty to God, His government and His leadership. God uses Zadok and his sons as a symbol for all Philadelphians today. Our future coronation as kings in the future will be far more glorious than Solomon’s. We may even hear the song “Zadok the Priest”! We need to ask ourselves, Are we intensely loyal to God, His government and His leadership?

Zadok in Prophecy

In 1 Samuel 2:27-36, a man of God delivered God’s judgment to Eli, the corrupt high priest. “And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever” (verse 35).

This is a prophecy about Zadok, the man who, amid terrible betrayal, remained loyal to David’s throne to the end. This man of God was prophesying about the priest who would replace Abiathar about a hundred years after Eli died.

The book of Ezekiel was written for this end time. It carries important messages, primarily for God’s people today. And it contains prophecies about a special group of people called “the sons of Zadok.”

Ezekiel 40 describes the future temple to be built in Jerusalem after Christ’s return. (Request a free copy of Ezekiel—The End-Time Prophet.) The sons of Zadok are assigned special rooms in that temple. “And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the Lord to minister unto him” (verse 46). There is great heritage in Zadok! Notice that the sons of Zadok have a special distinction among the other Levites. They are privileged to inhabit the chamber that faces the north. Several scriptures imply that the northern heavens are where God’s throne is (Leviticus 1:11; Job 26:7; Psalm 48:1-2; 75:6; Isaiah 14:13).

These priests are uniquely special to God. They are the keepers of the charge of the altar, which means they are in charge of the ministry—a highly exalted position. They are able to come near to Jesus Christ’s throne. This is a similar description of the reward promised to the Philadelphians in Revelation 3:12 and 21.

Those in God’s Church will be priests in the millennial Kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10). Those of us who remain loyal to the end will be pillars in the temple and share Jesus Christ’s throne on Earth. Ezekiel 43:19 shows that the Levites of the seed of Zadok will be in charge of the ordinances at that future temple. We need to fully understand what it means to be of the seed of Zadok!

Strangers in the Sanctuary

Ezekiel 44 describes the future temple’s sanctuary. Verses 1-4 describe the sacredness of this holy place. No human being will be allowed to enter into it.

In prophecy, the sanctuary refers to God’s end-time Church. This chapter also describes the state of God’s sanctuary today, and it is terribly tragic!

“And the Lord said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations” (verses 5-7).

Ezekiel was told to “mark well” the activity in the sanctuary. God was very upset with what was happening there. He expected Ezekiel to deliver a message to “the rebellious,” referring to God’s Laodicean ministry today. Remember, it was the priests who were in charge of the sanctuary.

These end-time, rebellious priests have allowed “strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh,” to enter God’s sanctuary. This means that God’s Church has become polluted in this end time, which also means there was a time when it was not polluted. We witnessed this tragedy in God’s Church in this era. These verses can only refer to the Laodicean ministry!

By letting strangers into the sanctuary, this rebellious house of Israel has broken God’s covenant. The verses here are similar to those in Malachi 2.

God continues His indictment of these priests: “And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel” (Ezekiel 44:8-9). These priests are disloyal to God. They have not “kept the charge” of God’s holy things. Which priests are doing this today? In Revelation 3:10, Christ says the Philadelphians have kept God’s Word.

Why were strangers let into the sanctuary? Why was God’s covenant broken? “And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them. Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity” (Ezekiel 44:10-12). The Levites, or priests, went far from God.

This is a prophecy of the Laodicean ministers in this end time. God showed Ezekiel that the Levites caused the people to “fall into iniquity.” This means there was a time when these ministers were leading the people into righteousness. Laodicean ministers are leading God’s people into iniquity. God has strong words against these end-time Laodicean ministers. They will pay the penalty for what they are doing.

Sons of Zadok

Amid this terrible falling away, a little group remains loyal. God commends these individuals because, even as everyone else turns away, they don’t look to human beings or follow the multitude.

Notice the title God gives them: “But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me, to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 44:15). God showed Ezekiel that when the other Levites went astray, the sons of Zadok remained loyal.

Only the family of Zadok remained loyal through the entirety of David’s rule! David experienced several trying rebellions. Zadok and his sons remained completely true to David’s throne. In this end time, as the Levites went astray, only the sons of Zadok remain faithful to God. Can you begin to see the importance of this knowledge?

In David’s day, very few were in danger of losing their eternal lives. Today, however, the eternal inheritance of tens of thousands is in jeopardy! The stakes are far higher today than they were anciently, and God is mainly concerned about today. We must not forget the Laodiceans and stop loving them. God hasn’t! He keeps reaching out to them—and He does so through the sons of Zadok!

The book of Revelation shows that only the true Philadelphians remain loyal to God all the way to Christ’s return. Only the Philadelphians can be the sons of Zadok today. We show that we are sons of Zadok in many ways: We have kept God’s Word; we are loyal to David’s throne; we have The United States and Britain in Prophecy; we are digging in Jerusalem; we have staged musicals about Jeremiah, David and his throne; we are doing all we can to proclaim the key of David message to Israel and the world.

Only the pcg teaches the truth about God’s family government. Though some Laodicean churches teach about the United States and Britain in prophecy, what good is that knowledge without the knowledge of the government that will rule from that throne? In reality, only we are remaining loyal to David’s throne. This makes us the sons of Zadok in spirit. We are fighting the same battle Zadok fought!

It is a great honor to be designated as a son of Zadok. This is God’s evaluation, not any man’s. It does not matter what any Laodicean leader states about us. God is the Judge of His people; judgment is on us today. God wants to know who is a son of Zadok. The sons of Zadok have a vital role to play in the future. God must measure and prepare us for that role now.

Our supreme test is to keep all that God revealed through Mr. Armstrong and remain loyal to the leader God is using today. If we are true sons of Zadok, then we will remain loyal to God’s truth and will know which man is being led by God.

Zadok was with David from the beginning. He knew David intimately. He remained by his side after David sinned with Bathsheba. He witnessed Absalom’s revolt. He saw Adonijah’s uprising. Zadok could have said he had had enough of David. But he remained loyal. Zadok stood by David because he knew David sat on God’s throne. Zadok never betrayed God’s throne! No wonder British royalty honors such unusual loyalty.

We have also witnessed much in these end times. We saw Mr. Armstrong and the wcg go through many trials. The pcg has also faced its share of adversity throughout its history. We must examine ourselves. Do we have the intense loyalty that Zadok did? We must remain loyal to that truth and God’s government. God loves Zadok for that loyalty—so much, in fact, that He honors the faithful 5 percent in the last hour with the title “SONS OF ZADOK”! That is the title of God’s highest nobility in the last era of His Church!

Sons of Zadok is another way of saying the Philadelphians today. These sons of Zadok can only be those who experienced Israel’s turning away on a mass scale yet who remained loyal to God. Not even Mr. Armstrong was a son of Zadok! We continue the Elijah work, and I believe Mr. Armstrong will still be over us in the Kingdom of God. But God truly has high praise for this one little group of His very elect.

The New Throne of David

The United States and Britain in Prophecy traces the history of David’s throne all the way down to the British royal family in modern times. Yes, King Charles iii is a literal descendant of King David via that royal line that God preserved through the generations. That is why it is so fitting that British coronations have that connection with biblical coronations in the Davidic line.

However, in 2017, God made a dramatic change! He moved that royal line out of Britain. Queen Elizabeth ii was in fact the last British monarch who sat on David’s throne. Near the end of her life, God erased that line and planted a new throne of David within His faithful Philadelphian remnant Church in a different descendant of King David.

Your Bible has a great deal of prophecy showing that God would do this and details why He did it. I explain it thoroughly in my book The New Throne of David (request a free copy). God placed David’s throne right in His Church—among the sons of Zadok! What a magnificent honor!

The sons of Zadok possess the throne of David today. Among all of the very elect within God’s Church eras, God has given His sons of Zadok unparalleled majestic royalty! There has never been anything like it until now.

How God rewards the sons of Zadok who see the God behind the throne of David! We have the new throne of David. Is that not a big part of why we are called the sons of Zadok? Think about this noble title! This is a tremendous honor that God has given us. Surely He did so because He knew we would have the throne of David in this end time.

Notice this command: “And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord God, a young bullock for a sin offering” (Ezekiel 43:19). God is instructing people to give His precious sons of Zadok everything they need to get their work done!

God shares His throne so its occupants can serve Him and serve mankind. The sons of Zadok understand that truth: Above all, we are here to SERVE. That is actually what makes us priests. That title is meaningless if we don’t understand that.

“They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge” (Ezekiel 44:16). These sons of Zadok will be headquarters personnel forever. In the millennial temple, they are going to come near to God, ministering to Him, doing the Work of God.

Look again at Ezekiel 40:46. This “altar” refers to the ministry in the World Tomorrow—the sons of Zadok. We will come near to God, receive our instructions directly from Him, and carry those instructions out, directing operations from headquarters throughout the universe and for eternity! The reward God will give these sons of Zadok is magnificent and astounding!

Like Zadok, these individuals stay with the key of David. They hold on to the understanding about David’s throne. They remain excited about the honor of ruling with Christ in Jerusalem forever! They love that vision and won’t let anyone take it from them! Even when 95 percent of God’s own people turn away, they remain loyal.

How could we possibly get wrapped up in material things in this dying world—or be ambitious for ourselves—if we keep this glorious vision in mind? If we stay true to the key of David, we are going to rule from the highest mountain forever!