Article of the Month - July 2004
 

"Royal Priesthood" 
 

by Dr. John Williams
 

a.   Introduction
The title of this article is about the servants of God, for whom, interestingly, symbolically and meaningfully, several titles are given in the Bible, such as the following:

It is interesting to note that particularly the servants of God are described as the Royal Priesthood (I Peter 2:9), which describes precisely and fully, the role and the status of God's Servants, in a proper way, signifying and implying their positions, as per God's Plan and Will.  In the context of the present time, the Servants of God in general, understand their Priestly Role and status, fairly well, but the other aspect of their role, personality and status, are not fully understood and realized.  That is the reason why this article is being written, and I believe that this will enlighten the Servants of God, and give them the Revelation Knowledge of their God intended roles and status.  In this Article, probably the aspect of the status of the royalty of the servants of God, will be emphasized and elaborated, more than the priesthood.   The readers are cautioned not to perceive the content of this article, as a new doctrine, but to bring to the attention of the servants of the God, their total personality and status, so that it will positively influence them, to be more Courageous, Faithful and Role-Conscious.

b. The Concept of Royal Priesthood 
In the preceding paragraph, the role of the servants of God, has been beautifully described, blending and fabricating the thread of royalty, with the thread of priesthood, to reveal fully, the totality of the role and status of the Servants of God.  It should be remembered, that God has placed on the Servants of God, an awesome responsibility, not only to perform their role righteously and conscientiously, but also with dignity, status, power, authority, utilizing necessary resources and riches, at their disposal.  

c. Some Examples from the Old Testament
    i.  Abraham : Abraham had Dignity and Stature as a Man of God, in his times, and was accepted by the people unquestionably as God's Representative, standing in the gap between God and the people who lived at that time.  There are two things that I would like the readers to note in particular, which are the Role of a Priest (a representative or a servant of God) and of a King or an Ambassador, with enormous Power and Wealth.  In Genesis 13:2 it is written, that Abraham was very rich in Cattle, Silver and Gold.  In other words, he was living like a King, with a host of Servants, Cattle and Wealth, commanding great respect.  He was not living as a Poor destitute or a vagabond, without any Resources or Status.

         It is written in the Bible, that Abraham was called, the friend of God, and that God, even visited him in his tent, along with two Angels at noon time.  There was a Close and Intimate Relationship and Communication, between Abraham and God.  As you can see from this illustration, Abraham had, both the Priestly Role and the Kingly Status.
      
    ii.  Joseph : Joseph, as you know, was literally elevated to the highest position in the Palace of the King, and actually he lived in the Royal Palace, being in command of the whole Nation, and at the same time, he was enjoying the comforts and the luxuries of a king.  I am sure, he wore Royal Robes, when he performed his role in this capacity.
 

    iii.  Moses : Moses, a great servant of God in the old Testament times, had several personal encounters with God, played a key role, in leading God's children out of their captivity in Egypt, and led them through wilderness, for many years, providing the needs and the demands of the people, and at the same time, was playing a key role in communicating to the people, the commandments and the promises of God and enforcing the laws of God.  In his role as a Priest, he built a tabernacle in the wilderness, according to the plan of God.  Again in the case of Moses, the combination of the Qualities, Status and Role of Priesthood and Royalty, are quite evident. As we read in the Bible, he stood face to face before Pharaoh, the Emperor of Egypt, courageously, and authoritatively demanded, that he should let the children of God leave Egypt, immediately, with all of their belongings.  Moses gave Pharaoh the ultimatum, that if he would not respond to his God given Command, he will have to face some dire consequences.  He was not begging or pleading with Pharaoh, but he was exercising the God given authority and power, without any fear.  It is important that several servants of God, should grasp this truth of their dual status of Priesthood and Royalty.  The royalty part of the Priesthood, should be evident in terms of power, authority, status and even, status symbols, relevant to the times and situations.  

    iv.  David: Another important example of a person, who played a key role in the Old Testament times, is King David.  He was the one who succeeded King Saul, and was succeeded by King Solomon.  In the case of David, it is quite evident  that he had a close walk with God, and was described in the Bible, as a man after the heart of God.  He literally walked and talked with God, and had indescribable courage, because of his close relationship with God. He was quite zealous of God.  When Goliath, a Philistine, defied the children of God, he accepted the challenge, went in the name of the Lord, trusting Him fully, and killed the giant.  It is noteworthy, that he had a great zeal for God, and unquestionable courage.  With the combination of these qualities, it is not surprising to note, that he became the King, and he literally lived and ruled like a King.

    v.   Solomon: King Solomon who was given the privilege and the honor of building and dedicating the temple of God, with all Grandeur and Pomp, was anointed and succeeded as a King after David, his father. He was a naturally born and made King.  Therefore, the Kingly Characteristics and Attributes in Solomon, are unquestionable.  Further, his riches, honor and wealth was immeasurable.  On the side of priesthood, a few facts recorded in the Bible such as the Poetic Works and the Wisdom, with which the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, were written, is of a very high order, which is beyond the human level, and certainly, without doubt, with the Wisdom of God, which is a spiritual or a Godly characteristic.  The fact that he asked for more wisdom from God, to execute judgments more correctly, and to fulfill his dual role of a King and a Priest in his times, is amazing, astonishing and awesome.

    vi.  Daniel : Daniel's story in the Bible, is quite interesting and unique, particularly when we trace the way in which, he exhibited his close relationship with God, which resulted in something supernatural happening, when he was thrown in the lion's den. God sent His Angels and shut the lion's mouth.  During his life time, Daniel's Kingly and Priestly Status and Role. God not only exalted Daniel to the Kingly and Priestly position, the manner in which he grew in wisdom, ten times more than all the other contestants or candidates, when he was in the king's palace along with four others, is something worth noticing.  The fact that his countenance appeared fairer, and that his wisdom and understanding became ten times better than all the magicians and the astrologers, is adequate and ample evidence, to prove the fact beyond any shadow of doubt, that Daniel had a status, way above even the most intelligent men of his times. 
 

d.  Some Examples from New Testament
In the life and ministry of Peter, Paul and John, the disciples/apostles of the New Testament times, were quite illustrious, thrilling, dangerous and challenging, and way above the average life of a person of their times, coupled with God's interventions on numerous occasions, even in some impossible and inescapable situations, and the demonstrations of God's Power by them through miracles, healings etc., patterned after the life of Jesus Christ, is a true reflection of the Royal Priesthood, which is quite evident and is easily noticeable. 

e.  Some Examples of the Present Day Situation in the Church

    i. Roman Catholic Churches : In the Catholic Church, and more so at the higher hierarchy, the attire reflects and demonstrates the kingly appearance, particularly when they wear royal apparel.  The dress code in general, in all professions, gives some clue and indication about the nature of one's profession  and responsibilities.  While in the case of God's servants, the costumes reflect symbolically the royalty in them, spiritually speaking, they are truly the kings in the Kingdom of God.  Appropriate attire is essential because, it gives dignity and identity, calling for appropriate respect, honor and fear.  The Priesthood of the servants of God or the Pastors and the other Spiritual Leaders, is quite indicative of the role they play, and the positions they hold.
 

    ii. Denominational Churches : In Denominational Churches such as Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist etc. some dress codes and regulations are strictly observed, which certainly reflects the Royalty of their positions in God's Kingdom visibly and symbolically.  Again the Priestly Role they play, is quite obvious and observable.

    iii. Independent Churches: When it comes to several independent 
Churches, the leaders don't fully understand the significance and the meaning of the kinds of robes etc. worn by the priests. Further, since some of the old timers of the independent Churches broke away from the main line churches, and at the same time, since they have been very critical on some doctrinal issues of the traditional churches, had an aversion for everything done in the Main Line Churches and to some extent, they may have publicly condemned and criticized some of the practices of the Main Line Churches, in their attempt to discard or relinquish their identity with the Main Line Churches, chose to wear more casual and simple clothes.  In a way the royalty reflected by the Priest's Robe was less visible, and evident in an independent servant of God.  Along with this outward symbol of royalty, everything that has to do with the Kings, such as Wealth, Status, Abundance of Resources etc., slowly started fading, and eventually some of them went to the extent of taking stands against Prosperity Truths and Doctrines of the Bible. They wanted to display a poor and a simple image, claiming that Jesus was Poor, and his life style was Simple.  But the truth that Jesus became poor so that we can become rich, as stated in II Co. 8:__, has not been understood or neglected. This resulted in the Royalty part of the priesthood being adversely affected and diminished.  The qualities and Components of Kingliness, which reflects the Authority, Power and Riches of the King of Kings, who is Jesus Christ.  Of course, on the spiritual side of the Priesthood, they have far exceeded in the realm of Biblically based spiritual standards, and have excelled the traditional churches when it comes to the knowledge and application of the spiritual truths.

Conclusion: 
The purpose of this Article, is to remind the servants of God, of their rightful and God given Role, Status and Appearance, which should be properly understood, observed and reflected, both to remind themselves and to let the people know.  The unique blend or mix of these two divine nature and qualities of God, which has been imparted by God, into His Chosen Vessels, should be properly understood, nurtured, developed, displayed and performed.  A Servant of God, in simple terms, can be described as a King and a Priest with their appropriate responsibilities, rights, privileges  and status.  It is important that the Servants of God, should know, who they are, how much of power and wisdom, God has invested in them, to resist any evil force, to accomplish and fulfill  successfully, the God given specific and general Will or Destiny.  It is important to be conscious of this fact, and to live up to the Scriptural Standards described in this Article!

                                                  - END -