A kingdom of priest

You are identified not only with the resurrection life and ministry of Jesus, but also with His ascension life and ministry in heaven. When Jesus ascended to heaven and took His place on the throne with the Father, He entered into His two supreme unique and final ministries. He became King and Priest. And in this also, we are invited to identify ourselves with Jesus.

Let’s read a couple of passages from the book of Revelation which expressed this truth. Revelation 1, verses 5 and 6:

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)

Notice that when Jesus has freed us from our sin by His own blood, by that very act He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to God and the Father, or kings and priests, or a kingdom of priests.

The same is brought out again in Revelation 5:9-10. And then in 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9, Peter states it very clearly and briefly writing to believers:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood...” [A kingly priesthood. You are kings and priests, a kingdom of priests.]

These are the two ministries of Jesus in eternity at the throne. He rules as King, He intercedes as Priest. What are the special particular responsibilities of kings and priests? The responsibility, the task of a king is to rule. Many people don't see so clearly the task of a priest but it's made clear in scripture. The responsibility of priests is to offer sacrifices. Only priests could offer sacrifices to God in God's order. So we are made kings to rule and priests to offer sacrifices.