SUPERIORITY: YOU'VE BEEN PROMOTED!!!

  

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SUPERIORITY: PROMOTED TO A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

“…you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

“… If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 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 19:5-6 NASB).

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The “Royal Priesthood” is meaningless unless the people BEHIND the title gives worth to it. The title doesn’t automatically give credence to the people; the people give credence to the title. “… If you …obey My voice … keep My covenant …. be My own possession among all the peoples …you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests …” (Exodus 19:5-6 NASB).

The word “royal” refers to something belonging to a king. The word “hood” is added to refer to a collective group or community of people. “… royal PRIESTHOOD…” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

Priest is used to describe a people who have decided to dedicate their entire life to sustaining a committed lifestyle of humble worship, ministry, and sacred servitude to God through Christ Jesus. “… [They] …  are … [the] … royal PRIESTHOOD…” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

Thus, “royal priesthood” is the community of believers who TRULY and WHOLHEARTEDLY belong to the King of kings. They have collectively and privately surrendered their whole life to his sacred service. “… [They]…  are … [the] … royal PRIESTHOOD…” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

The high priesthood in the Old Testament was an office meant for God-appointed holy men, set apart, to be interventionists, interceders, or mediators, or representatives on behalf of Israelites who wanted to make reprimands for their sins, offer gifts, and sacrifices to God. “… For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins…” (Hebrews 5:1 NASB).

Men of the high priesthood were considered to be ordained, by God, with a certain degree of holiness and were the only ones who could enter INTO the HOLY of HOLIES with theirs and the peoples sacrifices, prayers, and thanksgivings. “…Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins…” (Hebrews 5:1 NLT).

Christ was also ordained to be a high priest. “…Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him…” (Hebrews 5:5 NASB).

A high priest was basically meant to be a ready and available mediator between God and the Israelite, but they sometimes needed a mediator themselves. Christ was a sinless priest. “… He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven…” (Hebrews 7:26 NLT)

High priest mediated between God and man by ministering to the people on God’s behalf, teaching the law to the people, praying on behalf of the people for God’s guidance, offering gifts and sacrifices day after day, and adhering faithfully to a sacred and consecrated lifestyle. Christ was the last high priest. “…There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “… There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever…” (Hebrews 7:24-25 NLT).

The high priest, to the best of their ability, kept the office maintained and upheld to the standard of holiness through their practices and behaviors. Christ consecrated the office of high priest with an oath. “… This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God…” (Hebrews 7:20-22 NLT).

High priests wore distinctive clothing that set them apart when they were among the people or when they entered into the Holy place. “…The Son is …the exact representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV).

 They and their clothing had to be consecrated BEFORE they could approach or enter the HOLY of HOLIES. “… I AM HOLY..” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV).

The Melchizedek priesthood in Genesis chapter fourteen is the most mentioned. “…Melchizedek king of Salem … was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand...” (Genesis 14:18-20 NASB).

The Melchizedek was the highest level of consecrated priesthood BEFORE the severe apostasy of the Israelites. Jesus was a HIGH PRIEST according to his order. “ … Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek…” (Hebrews 6:20 NASB).

However, Jesus became the SUPREME HIGH PRIEST when entered a place more SUPREME than the HOLY of HOLIES. “… That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals. For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf…” (Hebrews 9:23-24 NASB).

The old system of high priesthood came to an end with Jesus. Jesus’  HIGH priesthood was and is the most superior to this very day, which simply implies that Jesus will hold this office eternally. “… This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek…” (Hebrews 6:19-20 NLT).

Jesus Christ NOW completely fulfills and holds this high priestly office forever! “… Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever …” (Hebrews 6:20 NASB).

The HIGH PRIEST was the ONLY one who could go into the HOLY of HOLIES. “… Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests.  Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service…” (Exodus 28:1-4 NLT).

The HOLY of HOLIES was the sacred room that contained the ARK of the COVENANT which was a symbol of the relationship between God and Israel.

The HOLY of HOLIES was honored with the PRESENCE of God and once a year ONLY a consecrated HIGH PRIEST could enter into that sacred place. “… Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat…” (Leviticus 16:2 NASB).

The HOLY of HOLIES was covered with a THICK veil that symbolized the barrier of sin that existed between sinful man and the HOLY God. “…Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor…” (Habakukk 1:13 NASB).

God, in his MERCY, would appear every year to forgive the peoples sin. “…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED, because his compassions FAIL NOT. They are NEW EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV). “…For as the heaven is high above the earth, so GREAT is his MERCY toward them that fear him…” (Psalms 103:11 KJV). “…THE MERCY of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting …” (Psalms 103:17 KJV).

The HOLY of HOLIES was the yearly place of atonement and ONLY the HIGH PRIEST was permitted to enter into the sacred place to make sacrifices for his sins and the sins of the people.

The HOLY of HOLIES was PROOF that sinful man could NOT enter into the PRESENCE of the HOLY God in his UNHOLY condition.

The HIGH PRIEST, himself, before entering into the HOLY of HOLIES had to be sanctified, properly clothed (Exodus 28 NASB), bring his own sacrificial blood to make atonement for his OWN sins, and had to cover his natural eyes from directly looking at God’s glory. “… only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance…” (Hebrew 9:7 NLT).

The HOLY of HOLIES was as INTIMATE as the HIGH PRIEST could get to the PRESENCE of the HOLY God.

The rest of the ISRAELITES were even further removed from his most intimate presence and could only access God through the mediating HIGH PRIEST.

When Jesus DIED he broke down the BARRIER of SIN that existed between God and man forever as symbolized in the tearing of the temple veil. “… Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split…” (Matthew 27:50-51 NASB).

When the temple veil was torn in two, the Old Testament system of the human HIGH PRIEST being the mediator between sinful man and the HOLY God became obsolete.

Man no longer had to be separated from the PRESENCE of the HOLY God.

Man no longer had to depend on a mediating human HIGH PRIEST to perform atoning sacrifices year after year after year on their behalf. “… The priest stands … before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again…” (Hebrews 10:11 NLT).

Christ’s death authorized the New Covenant which gave men and women of faith a promotion to HIGH PRIEST, because of Jesus, the SUPREME HIGH PRIEST. “… Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB).

The “royal priesthood” has direct access to the PRESENCE of the HOLY God, the MOST HOLY place, through Jesus Christ. “… Dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

“ … [Jesus] … the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NASB). Christ’s atoning sacrifice was a once-for-all sacrifice, which took away the need for yearly sacrifices, which could never truly take away mankind’s sin enough to break down the barrier between them and God permanently. “… Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins…” (Hebrews 10:11 NLT).

The PRESENCE of the HOLY God is opened to ALL those who come to him through Jesus Christ by faith.  “ …   Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB). “… By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

The barrier between God and man has been torn down through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. .  “ …   He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB). “…through the curtain into the Most Holy Place…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).

In the Old Testament animal sacrifices provided a temporary covering for sins. “…Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV).

The shedding of blood was required by God as an atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).  

This atoning sacrifice, though temporary and limited, satisfied God for the offenses of sins committed by his people. ^“… It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV).

The animal, representing the atoning sacrifice of the day, was temporary. The animal’s shed blood (sacrificed life), covered the sins of the people and freed them from the consequences of their sin. . ^“… It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV).“…without shedding of blood (a sacrificed life)… [there] … is no remission (forgiveness of sin)…” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV).

This is not complicated and it is a very small synopsis of this vast topic. Animal sacrifices took place thousands of years ago and was simply a method God decided upon as the atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. “…Without shedding of blood (a sacrificed life)… [there] … is no remission (forgiveness of sin)…” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “… for it is the blood (life) that maketh an atonement for the soul…” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV).

Animal sacrifices, of course, have LONG stopped.  “… By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). “… He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). 

Thus, during ancient times certain animals died to serve as temporary substitutes for the people’s sin. It was a temporary substitute only and since it was temporary, the animal sacrifices, had to be repeated over and over every year. “…But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…” (Hebrews 10:1-4 NASB).

The animal sacrifices, therefore, were a vision of the ultimate and permanent sacrifice predicted in Jesus Christ, who was to come!!! “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…” (Hebrews 10:1-4 NASB).

Sin separated the HOLY God from his people. “… [Their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from [their]… God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).  

Jesus Christ became the begotten (supernaturally and specially created) atoning sacrifice in order to restore God’s people BACK into an intimate relationship with Him. “…For Christ also died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

The relationship with God through Christ is a blood covenant between God and his people. This covenant relationship is witnessed between Jesus and God. “… I and my Father are ONE…” (John 10:30 KJV).

A blood covenant is usually between two parties however, one or both of those parties can be a representative for an entire family or a group of people. The HIGH PRIEST was the yearly representative (and mediator) for himself and the Israelites

If one of the parties of the blood covenant is a representative of a group of people, he totally represents every single person, equally, in the group. The HIGH PRIEST mediated for every Israelite.

The representative also is the guarantee that every responsibility or binding agreement of the covenant will be kept by those he represented.

The representative, therefore, acts on behalf of everyone in the entire group.

The representative is considered the “mediator” and the “guarantee” for each individual member of the group.

In other words, each individual member of the group is represented “IN” him as the Israelites were represented in the HIGH PRIEST.

When the representative walked through the bloodied bodies in the Old Testament, he “sealed” the blood covenant for every single member of the entire group.

Believers are SEALED with the Holy Spirit as sign that are in agreement with the new covenant with God through Christ. “… After listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise…” (Ephesians 1:13 NASB).

However, in the New Testament, Jesus is both YOUR representative or HIGH PRIEST “and” atoning sacrifice in the covenant relationship with God. “… He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).  “… Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever …” (Hebrews 6:20 NASB).

Jesus is the slain, Lamb of God, that voluntarily traded his life for yours to become the atoning sacrifice for your sins. “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV).

Jesus’ sacrificial death was the atoning sacrifice for your sins. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). “…Christ …. died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, SO THAT HE MIGHT BRING US …TO GOD…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…a right relationship with God … comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB).

You can NOW enter freely into the new blood covenant relationship (the HOLY of HOLIES) with God THROUGH Christ. “…This cup is the new covenant in my blood …which is poured out for you…” (Luke 22:20 ASV).

Jesus’ death was like the death of the slain animal used in sacrifices in the Old Testament for blood covenants and sin offerings.

 His blood is now the blood of the new covenant, which is an everlasting covenant (Ezekiel 37:26). “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 KJV).

Jesus is our permanent and once-for-all substitute for sin. “…Christ …. died for sins ONCE for all…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).  His sacrificial death allows you to enter into an everlasting covenant relationship with God through your representative, JESUS CHRIST. …That He might bring us to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

Jesus is both your atoning sacrifice and your representative (high priest; mediator) in the covenant relationship with God. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust … having been put to death in the flesh…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

Jesus enters the relationship with God as your representative, or supreme high priest, or mediator. “…There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…”

We, who are “IN” Christ and are represented by Him, enter the relationship too; the HOLY of HOLIES . “…Who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…”

Now, through Christ, we are able to keep the obligations and responsibilities of the covenant. “For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).  “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). SHOUT!!!

In addition, Jesus became the “guarantee” that the covenant with God is kept. “…Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant…” (Hebrews 7:22 NIV). “… “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God…” (Hebrews 7:20-22 NLT).

We can now DIRECTLY enjoy the same “oneness” relationship (the HOLY of HOLIES) with God THROUGH Christ. Jesus said, "I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV).

You can too. The bible says, “…That they may ALL BE ONE; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may BE IN US, so that the world may believe that You sent Me…” (John 17:21-23 NASB).

Jesus Christ existed to become a ransom for many by his sacrificial death. “….THE SON OF MAN CAME …TO GIVE his life as a ransom for many…" (Matthew 20:28 NIV). He is also the atoning sacrifice for YOUR sin. “He “is” the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).

The human HIGH PRIEST was the supreme religious leader in Ancient Near East and the office was hereditary to his biological race and ethnic group.

King Jesus is the “NOW” the “supreme” HIGH PRIEST and leader of ALL and his family of believers (the royal priesthood) have inherited his duties. “… If you …obey My voice … keep My covenant …. be My own possession among all the peoples …you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests …” (Exodus 19:5-6 NASB).

The royal priesthood therefore, is holy in their conduct and responsible for priestly ministry such as, worship, thanksgiving, seeking the will of God, being the mouthpiece for God’s word, interceding for others, healing, and reconciling men to God. “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…be… conformed to the IMAGE OF HIS SON…” (Romans 8:29 KJV).

The “royal priesthood” is anointed, consecrated, or “set apart,” through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to do the same works that Jesus did. “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

“…And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, THIS DAY is this scripture fulfilled in your ears…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).

Jesus was anointed too and set apart for God’s SERVICE as God’s servant. “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).

The anointed “royal priesthood” is set apart too for service to God. The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers the “royal priesthood” to do the special tasks God has chosen them to specifically do.

The anointing was often used in the Old Testament to set kings, priests, or leaders apart as a symbol of cleansing or holiness.

This anointing is important for believers today who are called the “royal priesthood.” “…you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).