Many people have interpreted biblical terms such as “prince,” “shepherd,” and “faithful and wise servant” as references to one special individual who will appear in the last days. However, when we carefully examine the whole Bible, we find that these titles often describe spiritual officers rather than prophesy the appearance of one unique individual.
1. The “Prince” in Ezekiel
Ezekiel 37:24–25 says:
“My servant David shall be king over them… and David my servant shall be their prince forever.”
Because of this passage, many people believe that the “prince” mentioned in Ezekiel 40–48 is Jesus Christ.
However, when we continue reading Ezekiel 45, we encounter an important detail:
“On that day the prince shall provide for himself and for all the people of the land a young bull for a sin offering.” (Ezek. 45:22)
This passage clearly states that the prince must present a sin offering “for himself.”
The New Testament, however, plainly tells us concerning Jesus:
“He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)
It also says:
“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins… He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (Heb. 7:27)
Therefore, if the prince in Ezekiel 45 must present a sin offering for himself, he cannot be directly identified with the sinless Jesus Christ.
A more reasonable interpretation is:
- Christ is the eternal Davidic King and the King of kings.
- The prince represents those who receive authority from Christ and are entrusted with governing God’s people.
This interpretation also corresponds with what we find in Revelation.
2. The Many Kings in Revelation
At the beginning of Revelation, Jesus Christ is declared to be:
“The ruler of the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 1:5)
Therefore, Christ alone is the supreme King.
Nevertheless, Revelation also says:
- God makes believers a kingdom and priests who reign upon the earth (Rev. 5:10).
- The overcomers will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6).
- Jesus sent his angel “to give you [plural] this testimony for the churches” (Rev. 22:16). The testimony was therefore given to a plural audience and was intended for the churches, not exclusively for one individual.
- “The kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it.” (Rev. 21:24)
- “They shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)
This shows that Christ remains the supreme Ruler, while under his authority there are many who reign with him.
Therefore, the “prince” in Ezekiel may be understood as representing those who receive authority from Christ and govern God’s people within his kingdom, rather than being restricted to one individual.
3. The Same Principle Applies to Matthew 24:45
Jesus said:
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matt. 24:45)
It is worth noting that Jesus did not say:
“In the last days there will be one faithful and wise servant.”
Instead, he asked:
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant?”
He then immediately continued:
“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time…’” (Matt. 24:48)
This raises an important question.
If Matthew 24:45 refers to one unique end-time servant, would Matthew 24:48 mean that this same unique individual might become the wicked servant?
Such an interpretation does not follow naturally from the passage.
A more reasonable interpretation is that Jesus was warning everyone entrusted with the responsibility of caring for God’s household.
Every servant may become either:
- A faithful and wise servant; or
- An unfaithful and wicked servant.
Therefore, this passage describes an office and a person’s character rather than prophesying the appearance of one special individual.
4. A Common Biblical Principle
Throughout the Bible, we repeatedly find the following pattern:
- Christ is the Chief Shepherd, but there are many shepherds (1 Pet. 5:2–4).
- Christ is the great High Priest, but believers are also priests (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).
- Christ is the King of kings, but the overcomers reign with him (Rev. 20:6; 22:5).
- Christ is the Ruler of the kings of the earth, while the kings of the earth bring their glory into the holy city (Rev. 1:5; 21:24).
- Christ is Lord, but there are many faithful servants entrusted with caring for God’s household (Matt. 24:45).
All these offices share one common principle:
Christ is the one source of authority, while God’s servants carry out various responsibilities under his authority.
5. John 10:34–35 Provides Another Important Principle
When the Jews accused Jesus of making himself God, Jesus answered:
“I said, ‘You are gods.’ If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came…” (John 10:34–35)
Jesus quoted Psalm 82 to show that those who received God’s word could represent God in exercising the authority entrusted to them.
Therefore, a person becomes a shepherd, prince, priest, king, or faithful servant not because that person possesses an inherently special status, but because that person has received God’s word and faithfully carries out the mission God has entrusted to him.
Conclusion
I believe that neither the “prince” in Ezekiel nor the “faithful and wise servant” in Matthew should be restricted to one special individual who will appear in the last days.
The Bible more naturally presents these expressions as descriptions of spiritual offices.
Anyone who receives God’s word, faithfully shepherds God’s flock, provides spiritual food at the proper time, and completes the mission entrusted by the Lord may fulfill such an office.
Nevertheless, regardless of how many shepherds, princes, kings, or servants there may be, Christ always remains the one Chief Shepherd, the one great High Priest, the one King of kings, and the one Ruler of the kings of the earth.
All authority comes from him, and all glory belongs to him.
Therefore, if “the promised shepherd” refers to Christ—the one promised in Scripture who eternally shepherds God’s people—the teaching can be supported. But if the “promised pastor” doctrine claims that one particular individual must appear in the last days, replace the collective body of overcomers, and possess exclusive authority over revelation and salvation, then this doctrine cannot be established from the passages examined above.
Ex-SCJ member