Priests and Kings
By Capazin Thornton
Today is Yom Kippur on the Jewish calendar. And, interestingly, the Vatican’s Pope Francis is visiting the United States. This seems a good time to look briefly at the ministry of priests and kings under the Old and New Covenant.
Old Covenant Priests and Kings
Under the Old Covenant, priests came from the tribe of Levi. Their ministry was one of reconciliation, intercession and worship.
Kings came from the tribe of Judah. Kings ruled, judged and issued decrees. They waged war to establish territorial reign and dominion. Their ministry was one of authority, power, rule, and dominion.
Christ ushered in a New Priesthood
Christ ushered in a new priesthood, unique in many ways.
- Jesus Christ is High Priest by Divine appointment, not physical descent.
- Jesus sprang out from the royal tribe of Judah, not the priestly tribe of Levi.
- Christ is both a priest and a king. “To him belongs the royal title. He will rule both as King and as Priest, with perfect harmony between the two!”—Zech 6:13, TLB
- Christ is a priest and king after the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was a priest and king before the Old Covenant.
- Christ officiates as High Priest forever.
Only One Mediator between God and man—Christ Jesus
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and man: the man Jesus Christ.” 1 Tim 2:5
Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. His sinless blood sprinkled on Heaven’s mercy seat was payment in full for our sins forever. His shed blood has paid the price in full for every person to be reconciled to God. When we receive Christ as Savior, our sins are blotted out forever. We have atonement (at-one-ment) or peace with God through the blood of His cross. Heb 9:19-24; Col 1:20
Christ is our Present Day High Priest and King forever
Christ is our High Priest forever. He is our advocate, our defense counselor. He stands in the presence of God on our behalf, making intercession for us. Heb 4:15-16; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25
Christ is king forever.
“…His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Dan 714b
Seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, all authority, power, rule and dominion belong to Him. He is the eternal King of kings and the Lord of lords.
All Christ believers are priests and kings
“. . . Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over all the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev 1:5-6, NKJV
Believers are priests to God
“You also, as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ . . . 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 Pet 2:5, 9
Every believer is called to represent men to God through intercessory prayer, to offer up spiritual sacrifices of prayer, thanksgiving and praise for all people.
Believers are kings
As kings, every believer has spiritual authority to bring the kingdom of God and will of Heaven to bear in the earth. (Mt 6:10)
Believers have authority in the Name of Jesus to invade the kingdom of darkness and snatch out the heirs of salvation. When we pray effective fervent prayers, the kingdom of darkness is subdued, light breaks forth into people’s lives, and truth and righteousness prevail.
The Bible says, “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt 11:12). The violent or “forceful ones” lay hold to what rightfully belongs to them as joint heirs with Christ. And they press into the spirit realm through prayer and praise to help others receive the salvation and blessings paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Calling all priest and kings
God’s will for all believers is that we show forth and proclaim praises for His goodness, mercy, grace, love and awesome holiness. God is calling all priests and kings to stand before Him and declare His Word to build walls of protection, fill spiritual gaps, and fight in the spirit for people’s souls, so that multitudes may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author in Orange County, California.
