According to the Old Testament, priests were individuals who were set apart by God from the Israelite community. They had immense responsibilities and performed duties related to sacrifice and worship. They also served as mediators between God and the community, discerning God’s will through their understanding of the Law.
There are multiple scriptures in the New Testament that indicate that the true church members also serve as priests.
1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Revelation 1:6, “and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father…”
Revelation 5:10, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Everything that the Levitical priesthood did was a symbol of the true church’s role as priests. Those who truly strive to follow in Jesus’ footsteps will be set apart from the world, participating in different types of activities and refraining from sin. They have responsibility before God to sacrifice their own time, energy and resources to better serve their Heavenly Father. The true church members will be able to discern God’s will and plan for mankind through their understanding of the whole Word of God by the Holy Spirit.
The scriptures in Revelation seem to indicate that the priestly symbols will apply to the church even more so when they have been resurrected in heaven. It may give a glimpse into the way we will be serving the Lord and those on earth after death.
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