Handout for Revelation 7 (1)

                                                                                           Priests and Kings

1 Peter 2:9         Priority of Worship

As a "royal" priesthood, the kingly nature of the redeemed worshipper is noted.  This passage is rooted in God's call to ancient Israel (see Ex.19:5 - 7).  Peter and John(Rev.1.5 - 6) draw this truth to full application and prophetic fulfillment in the New Testament believer.  As with Israel, deliverance through the blood of the Lamb is but the beginning.  As promised, dominion and destiny will unfold as their priestly duty is fulfilled.  True authority is always related to a walk in purity and a constancy in worship.  The spirit of worship is essential to all advance of the kingdom. Just as ancient Israel will only take the Promised Land while doing battle from a foundation of righteous worship before the Lord, so with the contemporary church.  We will only experience promised power for evangelism and spiritual victories as we prioritize and grow in our worship of the living God.  Kingdom power is kept from pollution in this way, as kingdom people keep humbly praiseful before the king - and witness His works of power with joy .

1 Peter 2:9      Worshipful Walk with God

The text not only appoints praise but represents a basic revelation of the Bible.  God wants a people who will walk with Him in prayer, march with Him in praise and thank and worship Him.  Note the progression in Peter's description of the people of the New Covenant: 1.  We are a chosen generation- a people begun with Jesus' choice of the Twelve, who became 120, to whom were added thousands at Pentecost.  We are a part of this continually expanding generation, "chosen" when we receive Christ.  2.  We are a royal priesthood.  Under the old covenant the priesthood and royalty were separated We are now - in the person of our Lord - all "kings and priests to His God" (Rev 1:6), a worshipping host and a kingly band, prepared for walking with Him in the light or warring beside Him against the hosts of darkness.  3.  We are a holy nation, composed of Jews and Gentiles - of one blood, from every nation under heaven.  4.  We are His own special people.  God's intention from the time of Abraham has been to call forth a people with a special mission - to proclaim His praise and to propagate His blessing throughout the earth.