Will You Be a Priest or a King in God’s Kingdom?

Prayer ~ Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him--even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One." Revelation 1:4-8 (Underlined for emphasis.)

 

Meditate. What does it mean to be a king or a priest in God’s Kingdom?

 

Initially, God chose only to have Aaron, brother of Moses, and his sons serve as priests. They were wandering in the desert still as part of their Exodus from Egypt. God instructed Moses…

Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. Exodus 28:1

This was the beginning of the priestly line for the children of Israel, namely for Aaron’s family. Only men were allowed to be priests. They were ministered to or assisted by the Levites who actually did the sacrifices at the Tabernacle and the Temple. Since the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, there is no need for Priests or Levites and their sacrificial duties today. Some men, since God only ordained men to be priests, still trace their heritage to Aaron and are considered “priests” although their responsibility may only be to pray for their congregation. It is not a religious occupation as that of a Rabbi.

 

Let’s jump back to chapter one of Revelation and look at this being made a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. It appears that the priesthood designation will change after the Rapture of the Christians when Jesus is going to make some of the raptured saints be priests and some to be kings serving God on earth. Teachings on this subject may seem controversial since it is not spelled out in a verse-by-verse command. As John wrote for Jesus, He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. We, I’m hoping to be in this group, will serve our Heavenly Father as priests…and kings, yet there won't likely be any sacrifices involved.

 

In Isaiah scripture mentions that when Israel is restored, which could refer to after the Babylon captivity or to the time now when Israel has gathered back in their land from all over the world, they will be served by kings and queens.

Kings and queens will serve you and care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who trust in me will never be put to shame. Isaiah 49:23

I would like to think that if God wants us to serve as kings on earth, during the Millennium kingdom, we would be caring for the needs of others as in the Isaiah scripture. This subject is going to require some more focused study and prayer. Sometimes the mysteries of God’s word have hidden meanings and other times the message is straight-forward. At any rate, you may be challenged to dig into God’s word and find answers for yourself. May His Kingdom come soon. Will you be a priest or a king in God’s Kingdom?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!" As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay. Psalm 40:16-17

 

Memory Verse of the Week ~ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

 

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories (Children’s storybook)

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Who do you serve?

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