Episode Overview

Podcast: Ask Ligonier
Episode Title: Will We Need Jesus as Our Mediator in Our Glorified State?
Guest: Dr. Sinclair Ferguson
Date: January 22, 2026

This episode addresses a profound theological question: In our glorified, resurrected state as believers, will we still need Jesus as our mediator? Host Nathan W. Bingham presents the question to Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, who guides listeners through biblical teaching on Christ's ongoing role as mediator, even in glory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scriptural Foundation for Christ as Eternal Mediator

(00:30–01:15)

• Dr. Ferguson turns to the book of Revelation (chapters 4 and 5) to show that Christ is portrayed as still mediating in the heavenly vision.
• He emphasizes the enduring significance of Christ as mediator:

  “Christ is presented there as the One who is still the mediator.” – Dr. Ferguson (00:38)

2. Christ’s Threefold Office: Prophet, Priest, and King

(01:15–02:58)

• Explanation of how Jesus fulfills the mediating roles of prophet, priest, and king:

  • Old Covenant: Jesus mediated through types and shadow offices (prophets, priests, and kings as representatives)
  • Incarnation: Jesus directly embodies the roles, bringing them to fulfillment
  • Exaltation/Resurrection: He continues his mediatorial work, now glorified

• Notable quote:

  “He fulfills that office, you might say, in a series of stages. …these three offices in the Old Testament were pictures of the mediation of Christ.” – Dr. Ferguson (01:25–01:50)

3. The Ongoing Need for Christ’s Mediation

(02:58–04:38)

• Even after his earthly ministry, Jesus does not “lay down his ministry as mediator.”
• Dr. Ferguson clarifies Hebrews’ teaching:

  “He ever lives to make intercession for us…if I retranslated that, I could put it like he ever lives to make ‘mediation’ for us.” (03:30–03:45)

• Christ remains King, Prophet, and Priest, continually mediating between God and his people, even in glory.

4. Christ as King in Glory

(04:38–05:08)

• The glorified state is not “a free for all” or a democracy; it is “a kingdom and he is king.”
• Authority and order in the new creation remain under Christ’s reign.

5. Ongoing Revelation from Christ as Prophet

(05:08–05:35)

• Even in eternity, “he continues to be the only one through whom we will have knowledge of God.”

• Dr. Ferguson speculates that our “knowledge of God will be capable of increase in glory,” always mediated through Christ.

• Memorable moment:

  "His words in John 14 to Philip, ‘he who has seen me has seen the Father,’ will still be true then.” (05:29)

6. Christ’s Priestly Ministry in Glory

(05:35–06:17)

• Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice is finished, but priesthood involves more than sacrifice.
• Drawing from Hebrews 8:2 and the Greek word leiturgos (“liturgist”), Dr. Ferguson explains Jesus’ ongoing priestly role as conducting and leading the worship of God’s people.
• Illustration:

  “He will be the choir director, he’ll preach the sermon, he’ll conduct the choir. We will sing the praises of God only, as it were, led by the God-man, Jesus Christ.” (06:09)

7. The Eternal Nature of Christ’s Offices

(06:17–06:25)

• Concludes that Christ will forever be our prophet, priest, and king, ensuring our fellowship with God is always mediated through him.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Sinclair Ferguson:
  • "Christ is presented there as the One who is still the mediator." (00:38)
  • “He ever lives to be our mediator.” (03:40)
  • “So resurrection and glory are not a free for all… it’s a kingdom and He is king.” (04:50)
  • “We will sing the praises of God only as it were, led by the God-man, Jesus Christ.” (06:09)
  • “In every stage, all these three stages since the Fall, he has been prophet, priest and king. And he will be that forever.” (06:19)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:04 | Listener’s question introduced: Will we need Jesus as mediator? | | 00:30 | Dr. Ferguson’s initial answer and biblical foundation | | 01:15 | Christ’s threefold office explained (prophet, priest, king) | | 02:58 | Christ’s mediatorial work after the resurrection | | 03:30 | “He ever lives to make intercession for us”—ongoing mediation | | 04:38 | Christ’s kingship in glory | | 05:08 | Ongoing prophetic role in glory | | 05:35 | Priestly ministry as heavenly liturgist | | 06:17 | Christ will always be prophet, priest, and king |

Summary

Dr. Sinclair Ferguson compellingly anchors the answer in the grand sweep of biblical history: Adam before the Fall didn’t require a mediator because there was no rupture with God. After the Fall, all communion with God is mediated, and Scripture reveals that Christ, as mediator, will always stand between God and his people—even in glory. In the final state, Christ’s kingly, prophetic, and priestly roles continue. We will worship and know God always through the leadership and mediation of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Glory, then, is not humanity’s independent existence before God, but everlasting fellowship with him, through and with Christ, forever.