The scriptures say we are
kings and priests
but what does that really mean?
In Revelation 1:6
ESV: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
NIV: and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
NASB: and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
CSB: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
NLT: He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
KJV: And athites hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
NKJV: and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
and
Rev 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth”
If we look at the role of a king and a priest, it may help us to know if that applies to us or not. Furthermore taken in context and remembering both the old and renewed covenants were made with Abraham, the first Hebrew, and the children of Israel/Jacob. In the renewed testament/covenant, it was first given
from the Jewish Messiah Yeshua
to
all the Israelites
and then to the gentiles/goy.
Romans 1:16 …first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
The Jews have a priority over the Gentiles in that the Messiah himself, Yeshua haMashiach/Jesus Christ, came first as a Jew to the Jews.
Romans 9:5.
Our understanding must be based on the times and culture when it was happening and written, and to whom it was given.
Exodus 19:6a
“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”
The role of kings in the earth is that of sovereign rule over a people or nation, where the people are the subjects and have to live and abide by the rules and regulations set by the king. There are nations/countries today that still retain a monarchy whose ruling king and or queen maintains all or a measure of control over the population. There are those whose overall rule even tells the people who and what to worship and give allegiance to. Some nations have separation between church/religion and state.
To get our understanding correct, we need to look at the scriptures and see that it was YHVH’s people that wanted a king over them so they could be like the other nations. 
“We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1Samuel.
Our Heavenly Father wanted to be their god, their king, their provider and protector; and to reign over them in righteousness and truth. He wanted relationship, their love, worship, their obedience and faithfulness to the covenant that He had made with them. He wanted to dwell among them, which is the reason for the building of the mishkan and the forming of the priesthood; because of mans sinfulness there had to be a way where they could approach a Holy God. The life blood of an innocent, sinless animal was the sacrifice put in place until Messiah fulfilled it by His sacrificial death.
The role of the priests was first given to the firstborn of each of the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 sons of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. We need to remember that the 12 tribes of Israel is not the same as the country named Israel. Not everyone can trace their lineage back to those 12 sons who are the children of Jacob/Israel. Even Messiah Yeshua/Jesus challenged the leaders of His time calling them snakes and vipers and that they were not the true sons of YHVH. They may have had Abraham as their ancestral ‘father’ but were not directly descended from his son Isaac and grandson Jacob/Israel. Recall Abraham had another son, Ishmael, who also had 12 sons. Herod who was the King in Messiahs day, was an Edomite whose lineage was from Esau, Jacob’s brother, who sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob/Israel became the chosen line through whom Messiah came.
The 12 tribes of the Israelites, apart from the tribe of Levi, were all involved with the sin of the golden calf right after the Sinai covenant had been made. Initially the firstborn sons of each tribe were to be priests before the Lord but after this event the privilege of the firstborn sons was taken away and given only to the tribe of Levi.
Num. 3:11-13
Levi had 3 sons Gershon, Kohath and Merari who became the heads of the clans of the Levites.
However we read in Num. 17:1-10, that YHVH chose Levis great, grandson Aaron and his descendants
to be His Priests from among all the Levites.
Num. 1:47-54.
There are 4 divisions of Levites:
The Gershonites descendants of Levis firstborn. who were responsible for caring for the Mishkans woven articles, the coverings of the walls and roof of the Tabernacle. They dwelt on the west side of the Mishkan.
The Kohanites descendants of Levis middle son Kohath. They carried the the sacred objects of the Mishkan. They dwelt on the south side of the Mishkan.
The Meranites descendants of Levis youngest son Merari. They carried the wooden parts of the Mishkan as well as the ropes and sockets used for the curtain of the courtyard. They dwelt on the north side of the Mishkan.
The Kohanim descendants of Levis great grand son Aaron. This clan were responsible for performing all of the korbanot/sacrifices and other ritual on behalf of all Israel. Only the kohanim were allowed to perform avodah/priestly service on behalf of Israel. They dwelt on the east side of the Mishkan.
The other Levites were employed in more menial tasks, such as the housekeeping of the tabernacle, keeping oil in the lamps, transporting the Ark of the Covenant, taking down and setting up the tabernacle when moving, and related tasks in assisting the priests
The priests could offer sacrifices for the people, burn incense on the altar, and teach the law.
The Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood thus functioned only within the tribe of Levi, and the right to have it conferred upon one was determined by lineage and worthiness.
The lineal restrictions of that Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood were lifted when the law of Moses was fulfilled, and thereafter the offices of the priesthood were conferred upon worthy men without limitation to the tribe of Levi. Numbers 8. (10)
This was the way it was all the years that they travelled through the wilderness and afterwards in the promised land. The priesthood continued after the Temple was built in Jerusalem up until it was destroyed in 70AD. We understand that as Messiah was the perfect sacrifice no more sacrifices are needed.
Under the Old Covenant, repeated sacrifices were necessary because they could not fully remove sin, they could only cover them for a period of time. Hebrews 10:18; Hebrews 10:1-4. However, through Messiah/Christ’s sacrifice, sins are forgiven once and for all.
In all of the Israelites, Levis sons were not to be enlisted in the army to risk their lives on behalf of the people. By putting themselves in harms way for the preservation all of the innocent. Instead they were called for a service even more important, more holy and sacred than that of their brothers. The Levites were appointed over the Mishkan to carry it and all its vessels and to serve it every time they moved camp. They were set apart for the most important work of all which was manual labor!
As disciples of Messiah we all desire to be closer to our Heavenly Father. What we often don’t realize however it is that the closer we get, the more of the lowly, manual, time consuming work we’re likely to be given. Being close to Him doesn’t necessarily mean that we are offered more visible or celebrated tasks, but on the contrary it means that He can trust us to work in anonymity, joyfully putting our backs into even the most menial of tasks.
The reality of their calling was the equivalent of furniture moving, to serve Him with sweat of their brows and the strength of their hands and backs. They were responsible for carrying all the pieces of the Mishkan from one camping place to the next. Num. 3:5-7. Despite this high calling and position, the Levites soon learned that a life of service to the Lord was a far from glamorous one. Their special place of honor among the sons of Israel may have earned them respect but not so much glory. Instead of an high standing among their brothers, the Levites were set apart as servants…. Their charge was to assist the High Priest and to labor on behalf of the whole Israel community.
Fast forward this to today, if we are believing that we are the kingdom of priests, we too are set apart as servants just as Messiah came as a servant of all.
In Revelation, John contemplates what YHVH has done for believers by making us a kingdom of priests.
Once we were helpless sinners, but now, as John explains in this verse, we are a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:9. Once we served sin; now we worship and serve YHVH, as a kingdom of priests. In Old Testament times, priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people of Israel and stood as mediators between them and the Lord. Now we can come directly to our Heavenly Father through Yeshua/Jesus, and we offer ourselves and spiritual sacrifices to Him.
Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5.
Under the New Covenant, Yeshua/Jesus is the
“high priest”
(the one who makes atonement for our sins) of
“our confession” (the Son of God) is Yeshua/Jesus.
Hebrews 3:1
He’s was sent to put into effect, to execute, to carry out the words that we say according to the scriptures.
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;
He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.…
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God..
This phrase reflects the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel and the Church, echoing Exodus 19:6, where God declares Israel to be a “kingdom of priests.”
Exodus 19:6
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
It signifies a spiritual transformation and elevation of believers, who are now part of God’s royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9.
The concept of a kingdom implies
governance and authority,
while priests indicate
a role of mediation and service.
This dual role highlights the believers’ responsibility to:
represent our Heavenly Father and Yeshua to the world
and: to intercede on behalf of others.
The imagery of a kingdom and priests also connects to the Davidic covenant, where the Messiah would establish an everlasting kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:16.
Those who have been made a kingdom of priests, refers to believers who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and are called to serve the Lord.
Believers are called to:
recognize their identity as a kingdom and priests
which is:
not based on personal merit but on the redemptive work of Messiah/Christ.
As priests, believers are called to serve YHVH, to intercede for others, and live lives of holiness and worship.
The promise of reigning on earth, points to the hope of Messiah/Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. Believers are encouraged to live with this future hope in mind.
The collective identity as a kingdom of priests emphasizes the unity and shared purpose of the church. Believers are called to work together in fulfilling His mission.
While the fullness of this reign is in the future, believers are called to live out the values of His kingdom now, demonstrating His love, justice, and righteousness in the world.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.
In Messiah/Christ, our High Priest, we have a closeness to the Father, and no earthly mediator is necessary. As priests in His kingdom, we recognize that salvation is not merely an insurance it’s a way of life…
Prophet, Priest and King were the only ones anointed before Messiah came. Now His Holy Spirit is available to all. His presence was only in the Mishkan and inner Sanctuary within the holy of holies in the Temple. When there is a Temple, it is their privilege and obligation to serve.
Messiah came and now we are the sanctuary, the holy of holies in His temple-our bodies, where His Holy Spirit is present.
Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1Cor. 6:19. you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
Sometimes we like to think that our Father has something more for us, something grander, or of more of a public display than what we are doing with our lives right now. But if our hearts truly desire to serve Him, we need to serve Him well today, where we are right now; and not neglect our duties where He has called us at present. As His servants, our lives are His to do with as He wills. Our only job is to dedicate ourselves to the service of our calling, not seeking glory or fame but Him only.
Even though the Levites daily bore the weight of their selection, their service was not without reward. For a life of selflessness and sacrifice, a life of lifting and carrying the burdens of others, there is this prize ….they are MINE… Numbers 3 :11–13. By redeeming the lives of the firstborn of Israel, the Levites themselves became the first born of Adonai, owned by no one and nothing, they belong solely to Adonai.
The anointing and privileges of a Priest and a King are now available to every born-again-from-above believer/disciple. We can come into the Lords presence any time, no mishkan or temple required. No sacrifice needed and no high priest to speak for us. We are not literally priests and kings but rather have the same privileges they once had and more because of Messiah.
He gave a Holy Nation access to Himself. He did not give them all the same function, but He did give them all the same rights to
pray, petition and worship.
He made a Nation with
priestly access
and
kingly access to Himself.
Neither are we actual literal Kings because the Kingship was given by Covenant only to David and his descendants through Solomon and Messiah is the King of those kings. All gentiles/goy are grafted into His people Israel by the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father through Messiah.
In the days the scriptures were written, the common people had
no personal relationship
with the king or the priests!
According to Job 22:28
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Kings decree and as discipled believers we can decree, or have the king like privilege to declare His words, (not ours) into being. His will, not ours. This is the sword of His Spirit, His word in our mouth, to speak into situations the double edged sword/word to both defend against and destroy the works of darkness and the author of them. Ephesians 6.
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, 
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