A Kingdom of Priests

"'...and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel"(Exodus 19:6 NASB)

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9) NKJ)

In my book Return of the Priests, I give the following definition for priesthood: "The priesthood is a call initiated and defined by God.  Priesthood is an invitation, based on our covenant relationship of faith, into an intimate fellowship with God. The priesthood is carried out – not in the framework of a religious system – but in everyday lives. The priesthood includes all people called, claimed and redeemed by God's sovereign will and grace through Jesus Christ. The priesthood is expressed through our lives by an authority we are given by God to serve in His kingdom in response to our intimate relationship with Him."  I add to that -  we do not have a priestly mantle and a kingly mantle.  We have one mantle – each of us is a king and priest.

In other words - you (yes, you the reader) are a king and priest for God.  He invites you to enter into His courts to know Him intimately.  He invites you to go forth from His throne into a world that needs to be transformed by His power, presence and purposes.  This is a crucial time in history.  The Lord is expecting us to bring His kingdom and His will on earth as it is in heaven.  He is using us as keys to unlock the gates and invite Him in to our hearts, homes, cities, states and nation.

But I guarantee to you that it will place you into the midst of a battle between darkness and light.  This past Saturday, He placed in my heart that I should pray Psalm 91 every day.  I encourage the same of you. The battle is on. We need His strength and protection as we represent Him in a world that has turned confused and hostile. BUT YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD bringing God's light into darkness.  Seek His face! Discover His heart! Reign in His power!