Tag: kingdom of priests
An unveiling of Jesus Christ!
Scripture reading for December 1st: Revelation 1
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw–that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1-3)
John wrote down this prophesy to the Church given to him by Christ’s angelic messenger. This prophecy is a revelation of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. Jesus is the Faithful Witness and First-born from the dead. When He comes again, every eye will see Him. This is the only letter of the New Testament that promises a blessing to those who read and take to heart what is written. The letter closes with a warning against adding to this or taking away from it! (Revelation 22:18-19) A key truth is that the time is near for the fulfillment of a literal revelation of Jesus from heaven.
John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos because of preaching the Word of God. While worshiping alone on that rocky island, Jesus appeared to him and he was overcome with His presence. “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and Last. I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-19) Jesus is alive and victorious! His people are now free from fear of death or punishment! He is aware of each of His servants and with them to encourage them! The best is yet to come! Amen!
God’s Treasured Possession
Scripture reading for January 26th: Exodus 19-20
What is it that you treasure more than anything else in this world? Would it be silver or gold or maybe precious jewels? Would it be your house or car? What about technology, like a computer or cell phone or video game? Would it be your health and life? What about your children? There are many possibilities to consider.
God has a treasured possession that He tells us about in His word! “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:4-6) The nation of Israel was God’s treasured possession. He had carried them on eagle’s wings out of slavery and bondage to a place of intimacy and worship. His main goal was to bring them to Himself! There was a condition, however; complete obedience by faith was expected. They would become priests to God and be set apart as His special possession!
This idea is carried into the New Testament as well. Peter talks about this same thought in his letter written to Gentile Christians as well as Jewish. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1st Peter 2:9-10)
No one can come to Christ unless drawn by the Holy Spirit and chosen by God. (John 6:43, 63-64) He shines the light of His love into our darkness and calls us into His glorious light. He takes us from our lost and hopeless state, and declares us His people by grace. However, each person must respond to God’s choice by freely choosing to become one of His chosen. (Romans 10:9-10) We become God’s treasured possession because we freely accept His will for our lives and become priests, interceding before God on behalf of others. What a treasure we have in Christ!