A Kingdom of Priests

[8thdaypriest]

This is a continuation of a discussion under "The unbearable yoke" tread.

Exodus 19:5-6 “. . . if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

(Priest is kohen - Strong’s #03548.)

Here we have the LORD’s original intent and purpose for Israel. Remember - His word will be accomplished (Isaiah 55:11).

Eleven of the tribes did not even complete the process of covenant. While Moses was on the mountain, they worshiped the golden calf. ONLY the tribe of Levi showed loyalty to the LORD (and to Moses), and faithfulness to covenant - therefore the LORD made them the priests. But that does not negate HIS original plan to make ALL of Israel into a "kingdom of priests." His word will not be made void (not even by eleven rebellious tribes).

I Peter 2:5, 9, 10 [speaking to believers after the resurrection.] “. . . you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ . . . you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation [israel], His own special people...”

All faithful believers are grafted into Israel (Ephesians 2, Romans 11), therefore all those delivered at the Second Coming will go on to serve as priests.

The unfaithful will be “cut off” from the people of God.

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:9-10 The twenty four elders [presently in heaven] proclaim that Christ “has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.”

You Jesus “were slain”. . . “and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”

NOTE: These “priests” are redeemed from “every tribe, tongue, people and nation.”

They are NOT all Hebrews, much less Levites ! (Rev. 5:9-10)

NOTE: The verbs here are in the Greek aorist tense, meaning that this is an ongoing process, not a completed fact. These 24 elders are being made (are being prepared to be) priests and kings. Notice where they will reign - “on the earth.” They are not reigning yet. Their consecration will not be complete until “the 8th day.”

I believe that all of the redeemed will constitute the Israel of God. The LORD's original purpose will be accomplished. ALL Israel will become "a kingdom of priests." And they will govern the nations, on the earth.

Now - I don't believe that happens until "the 8th day." Those to be consecrated as priests could not begin to minister as priests until the 8th day. (That would be the 8th millennium. I know some folks believe that will happen at the 7th millennium.)

Anyway - my point is that the LORD's promise to faithful descendants of Aaron, and Phinehas will NOT be broken. They WILL BE priests. They just won't be the ONLY priests. There will be priests of EVERY tribe - because EVERY redeemed Israelite will be a priest. Even women, and slaves will become priests. EVERYONE who is given "everlasting life" at the first resurrection will become a priest. And they "will reign on the earth."

THAT tells me that something HAS changed (or will be "changed", because all these other tribes were NOT ALLOWED to be priests during the first age. Only after "heaven and earth" "pass away" at the Second Coming, will the priesthood be expanded to include all of Israel redeemed.

Shalom

Rachel

www.prophecyviewpoint.com

[BobRyan]

AFter the 2nd coming - everything else is pointless doctrinal debate - because the saints are in heaven with God and He will be sure to do whatever He is going to do "correctly" we won't need to instruct Him on that point.

Agreed?

[phkrause]

AFter the 2nd coming - everything else is pointless doctrinal debate - because the saints are in heaven with God and He will be sure to do whatever He is going to do "correctly" we won't need to instruct Him on that point.

Agreed?

[8thdaypriest]

Thanks Joe,

I will try to retrace my steps (as it were).

In studying the effects of the last plagues, I could not help but conclude that ALL LIFE is wiped out on planet earth. Anyone who has watched the Science channel or the History channel, has seen those programs with simulation of an asteroid hit that wipes out most life on earth. Christ is coming "in the glory of His Father." This is glory that created a billion suns. It's unimaginable!

Soooo - if everything is GONE, and the earth is "resting" in desolation, then

WHEN do we "rule the nations" with Him?? It can't be during the 7th millennium.

Here's a couple of verses:

According to Leviticus 26:33-35, desolation IS "rest" for the land.

Jeremiah 4:23-26 [After the great day of the Lord] “I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth. I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled. I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.”

And of course the wasted description of earth after the 7 bowls of wrath, fit's with the "pit" into which Satan is cast.

In the Septuagint (an ancient translation from Hebrew to Greek) the Greek word “abussos” (Strong’s #12 - meaning bottomless or boundless) was used to translate the Hebrew “bohuw” (#0922 - meaning emptiness, void or waste). See Genesis 1:2 & Jeremiah 4:23. The same Greek word “abussos” is translated as “bottomless pit” in Revelation 20:1-2 of our English Bible. Satan is thrown into the abyss - the emptiness, the void, the waste - a perfect description of earth after the seven last plagues.

NEXT: I came to understand that every believer who enters into covenant with the Father thru Christ BECOMES an Israelite - "grafted in". His/her name is written into the Book of Life. That's Ephesians 2. Salvation is NOT about DNA. It's about faith, and covenant.

NEXT: The whole “Israel” thing got me reading a LOT of Old Testament, and I discovered that there are really only two kinds of people - Israelites AND “the nations” (strangers/foreigners/Gentiles). God judges Israelites differently. They are held to a higher standard, because they they KNOW the Law. And they are judged on Yom Kippur. “The nations” were NOT judged on Yom Kippur. Wow - THAT ONE hit me like a ton of bricks.

I discovered that the Second Coming is judgment day. It is Yom Kippur day. BUT - only Israel was judged on Yom Kippur. So that would mean that “the nations” who lived in ignorance of Yahweh and His Law are NOT judged on that day.

NOW - there WAS “the mixed multitude.” Those were people who traveled with Israel, who knew about Yahweh and knew about His Law. And His Law applied to everyone in the camp - not just to Israelites. They would also have been judged at Yom Kippur. But that left a LOT of other people - whole “nations” - who lived in ignorance of the God of Israel. WHEN will THEY be JUDGED??

And THAT is what brought me to “the rest of the dead” (Rev. 20:5). I wondered if “the rest of the dead” might be “the nations” who were NOT judged at the Second Coming - Yom Kippur.

I KNEW that they would be resurrected, because that is the only way that they would “live again.” And I KNEW that they would “live again” AFTER the 1000 years of the 7th millennium, but I wondered if they would be resurrected just to face judgment and then death by fire.

So I began searching thru the Old Testament, looking for “the nations,” and I found them, right there with Israel “returned to the land.” They were living around Israel, and even within Israel. There were dozens of prophecies promising that Israel would be “returned to the land” and within those prophecies were Gentiles (even from the enemies of Israel) also “returned” to their lands. I thought that these prophecies might only apply to the return from Babylon under Ezra and Nehemiah, but looking closely I realized that many of these “return” prophecies could NOT possible apply to the ancient return from Babylon. With this “return” came wonderful peace, and tame animals like the lion, and wolf, and cobra, and dominance over every other nation.

There was only one conclusion. These “nations” will be “the rest of the dead.” And many from these nations will come to know the LORD.

The “nations” cannot justly be judged by the LORD until they have learned that He exists, that He is the creator of Heaven and Earth, and that He has a Law (of unselfish love) by which all created beings are ultimately judged. He also provides a healing, by the indwelling Spirit of His Son, by which each person may come into harmony with God. To be found incompatible with His kingdom, the individual must resist all education in the things of God, and must resist the indwelling Spirit. The point being that resistance is possible. God will NOT overpower the human mind or will.

I realized that the Gog-Magog war is a rebellion, by those from “the nations” who have resisted the love of God, and want to overthrow the ruler-ship of Christ the King. See the study “Gog and Magog.”

So here I was - “the rest of the dead” will be those “nations” resurrected AFTER the 1000 years of the 7th millennium. They will be taught, and governed by Israel “returned to the land.” And THAT is what led me to the “kingdom of priests.”

From Mt Sinai, the LORD said to Israel (all of Israel), “You will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” God’s word ALWAYS comes to pass. Whatever the delays, or the detours - eventually His word will be accomplished.

The study “A Kingdom of Priests” covers this in detail.

My study of the priesthood and the Tabernacle finally led me to all those commands concerning “the 8th day.”

God has promised perfect “circumcision” of the heart. So WHEN will that be accomplished?

Simple - the 8th day.

He has promised complete healing and cleaning.

So WHEN will that be accomplished?

Simple - the 8th day.

He will “present” this earthly kingdom to His Father as an offering - perfectly restored. WHEN will that happen? In the ancient Tabernacle, a newborn animal became acceptable for presentation to the LORD as an offering - at the 8th day.

And the priesthood - they could NOT begin to minister as priests until they had completed 7 days of consecration. “With the LORD a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand year as a day”.

NOTE: Did you know that Nadab and Abihu were destroyed by the "fire of God" ON THE 8TH DAY? The same day that they began to serve as priests, with Aaron their father. Interesting!!

The final judgment and the “lake of fire” will follow AFTER the rebellion of Gog-Magog. It is the final cleansing event in the great war with Evil. That event is also address in a study, “Final Judgment - Lake of Fire.” I do NOT BELIEVE that anyone will be resurrected again - for this final judgment. "The dead" will stand before the judgment, only in the sense of the record of their works. This TELLS ME that human beings are doing the judging. They need "books" of record, because they cannot read minds/hearts. Only with the consent of the governed will the Father destroy billions of rebellious human beings. In the OT, the "whole congregation" was required to participate in executions. The redeemed must be consenting to the forever death of these people. They are like rabid dogs, who would only cause more pain.

Finally - I began to flesh out more of the details. Children - for instance, and the mentally compromised. I realized that the LORD cannot simply give eternal life in His kingdom to someone because they died as a child. He would have to manipulate the mind of that child (without his consent) to ensure his/her continuing harmony with the Law of unselfish love. And manipulation is something that God will NOT do. If six thousand years of pain and suffering tell us anything, it is that God does NOT force human beings to His will.

Citizenship in the eternal Kingdom of God is based upon CHOICE - informed CHOICE. Which means that young children, the mentally compromised, and the uninformed MUST be resurrected, then informed (taught), and then allowed to choose. Short of this - God cannot be JUST and MERCIFUL.

Well - that was my journey of study, leading me to my present understanding of “The 8th Day.” For much greater detail with LOTS of Scripture support, please read through or view the studies at my website.

www.prophecyviewpoint.com

Shalom and Blessings

Rachel

[8thdaypriest]

Many of the prophecies were DUAL. They warned of the coming destruction by the Babylonians, but they ALSO warned of the coming destruction of the ENTIRE EARTH at the end of this age.

If the earth is "moved out of its place" - knocked out of its orbit around the sun-

if the "sky" is "rolled up like a scroll"-

if every living thing in the sea dies (that's 75% of our oxygen)-

if ALL trees, and ALL green grass are burned up (that's another 25%)-

if the "heavens will be dissolved, being on fire" (II Peter 3:10-13)

and the earth and the works that are therein are "burned up" as the elements melt -

if "heaven and earth" "pass away" - (Mark 13:31)

I don't see how any life on this planet is possible.

Why do folks believe Messiah will set up on earth during the 7th millennium?

The Temple cannot be cleansed and consecrated until "the 8th day."

The priesthood cannot complete their consecration and begin to serve until "the 8th day", which "with the LORD" would be the 8th millennium(2 Peter 3:8).

Show me - how you arrive at Messiah setting up His House ON THE EARTH - during the 7th millennium.

Shalom,

Rachel

www.prophecyviewpoint.com

[8thdaypriest]

Hmmmmm - so you want to keep everyone ON THE EARTH, rather than going to "My Father's House" where Christ has "prepared a place" for us.

I believe a giant asteroid will impact earth. ALL life on earth will be wiped out.

The sun will be "heated seven times hotter." That's either the biggest solar flare of all time, or the earth is "moved out of her place" and knocked closer to the sun.

BEFORE this impact - and the 7 last plagues - I believe Christ will REMOVE His people.

In the type - Lot and his "family" was pulled OUT of Sodom by the hand of angels BEFORE the fireballs hit. The LORD had told Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom so long as ANY righteous were there - so - they had to be removed BEFORE the destruction.

Just an aside - I believe Lot's wife represents those who ARE in covenant, but whose hearts are not with Yeshua, but are with the world. They will be left behind, when Christ returns for his own.

I don't believe the righteous will be on the earth during the 7 last plagues. They will be removed to a safer dimension - and they will receive "spiritual bodies" which cannot be killed by physical means. They WILL be here during the "Trumpets", but will be translated when the voice of God says "come up here" at the "last trump."

We don't really know WHERE "here" is. It could be very nearby - just in another dimension.

The point about the end of the age being "as it was in the days of Noah" - is that EVERY human being who remained OUTSIDE of the ark DIED. It that sense - the 8 people in the ark, WERE REMOVED from the environment which sustained the destruction. Revelation says that the Beast power is given authority over EVERY nation, kindred, tongue and people, and ALL will worship him except those whose names are retained in the Lamb's Book of Life. And EVERYONE who "worships the Beast or his image" will be tormented with the 7 last plagues.

I believe the people of God have to be REMOVED from the earth. The only "place" which has been "prepared" for them, is "in My Father's House" - which IS "the true Tabernacle."

I believe that Ezekiel's Temple, will be another COPY Tabernalce - of the true one. The "nations" resurrected at the 8th millennium, are NOT READY yet to stand in the presence of God. They will still need a buffer, while they are being taught the ways of God. Hence the priesthood. Ezekiel's Temple is much smaller than the Holy City New Jerusalem. It only stands 200 feet high.

The redeemed will build this Temple, when they are "returned to the land."

I think it possible that the redeemed may be "returned to the land" half way thru the 8th millennium (at the Jubilee)to begin the rebuilding process in preparation for the resurrection of "the rest of the dead" at the END of the 8th millennium. Jubilee began at the 7th month on Yom Kippur, in the 50th year. Every man was "returned to his inheritance." That would include Yeshua.

Anyway -

Here's a passage I like very much.

Isaiah 61:4-9 “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. ‘For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.’”

NOTE: These are Melchizedek priests. These priests are given a “double portion” in the land, and “double honor” - the birthright of the first born. These CANNOT be Levite priests. The Levites were given NO inheritance in the land (Num. 18:20-24, Num. 26:62, Deut. 18:2, Josh. 13:33).

NOTE: There are Gentiles (strangers, foreigners) who serve these priests. Where do they come from? They are “the rest of the dead,” raised to life after the 1000 years of the 7th millennium. They are “the nations” of Revelation Chapter 20.

Shalom,

Rachel

[8thdaypriest]

I was just thinking about the "24 Elders." I believe these are the same who were raised from the dead by Christ, just after His own resurrection (Matthew 27:51-53). They ascended with Him to "the Father's House." And they also are being made "kings and priests" (a kingdom of priests). They were redeemed by His blood, "out of EVERY tribe and tongue and people and nation" so these don't sound like they are only Levites. (Rev. 5:8-10)

The verb is in the aorist tense, so they are "being made" to be priests. It's not a completed process - yet.

King David divided the priesthood into 24 courses, who rotated the duties at the Temple. I believe this is where the "24 Elders" points back to. I doubt there are just 24 of them. There are probably 24 courses.

I believe that Christ resurrected human beings from the age before His death, to serve as witnesses, of what He is doing in Heaven. I'm NOT saying that EVERY human being who believed in and served Yahweh before the death of His Son, was resurrected. I'm saying that "many of the saints" were raised and ascended with Yeshua when He returned to the "Father's House."

The point being that these saints are living in Heaven - now - since they were resurrected almost 2000 years ago. So what's wrong with ALL of the redeemed from the Second Coming resurrection also spending a period of time in "the Father's House" ??

There is a study at my website titled "Where Are the Dead?" It goes into the state of man in death, which I believe is a state of unconsciousness (or sleep), with God retaining a "memory" of the person, which He later uses to resurrect.

Blessings,

Rachel

www.prophecyviewpoint.com

[8thdaypriest]

NKJ John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

NKJ Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The word translated as "prepared" is the same in both verses.

NKJ Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,

Yeshua LEFT earth, to go back to "where He was before" (John 6:64)-Heaven (John 3:13)- His Father's House - where He would "prepare a place" for the redeemed. That PLACE is "a city" - the Holy City New Jerusalem. That CITY will be the "bride" of Yeshua.

NKJ Hebrews 11:10 Abraham waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

So no - I do not think the "place" Yeshua went to prepare is going to be simply the earthly Temple - cleansed.

"Heaven itself" IS THE TABERNACLE. The one on earth was only a "copy." The disciples came to understand this. The existence of the book of Hebrews tells us that they did. If we are to be consecrated to serve as a priesthood for God and Christ (Rev. 20:6) then we must go to the "true tabernacle".

When we "return" to the land after our consecration at "the true Tabernacle", Yeshua WILL touch down on the Mt. of Olives and it WILL become a plain - where the Holy City will come down, once the earth is "cleansed". THEN Heaven will have come to earth. God and the Lamb will BE the Temple, within that City.

Shalom

www.prophecyviewpoint.com

[8thdaypriest]

OK - Let's see if I can explain better:

The OT Tabernacle (the part covered by the tent) represented "Heaven itself."

The courtyard would then represent the earth.

So the alter where Messiah was sacrificed would be on the earth, and the place where the wicked will meet their end.

Messiah:

1st coming - to be sacrificed

2nd coming - Yom Kippur - to rescue His redeemed Israel, and to judge and destroy the rebellious of Israel (and the mixed multitude).

They are "caught up to meet Him in the air". The voice says "come up here."

Redeemed Israel spends time with Messiah in Heaven itself - the Father's House, while the earth is destroyed by the last plagues, and is desolate and lifeless.

They complete a consecration for the priesthood.

They will serve as "priests of God and of Christ".

3rd coming - to reign as KING - to complete the reconciliation of mankind to the Father.

Redeemed Israel returns to the earth, with Yeshua.

He touches down on the Mt. of Olives which becomes a plain, where the Holy City (and the Father) will later come down, AFTER the earth is cleansed of evil.

The priests rebuild and repair. They build the Temple seen by Ezekiel, which will serve for "the nations" who will be coming up to Jerusalem to learn the ways of Yahweh.

The river bringing life flows out from this Temple, resulting in a great resurrection of life on planet earth. The "rest of the dead" now live again.

The nations learn the ways of Yahweh, as the priests govern and teach the "ways of the LORD." We "reign with Him 1000 years."

Many from the nations come into covenant with Yahweh.

The majority rebel - under a general named Gog.

These are destroyed by fire at the Battle of Gog-Magog.

The redeemed had fled into Jerusalem for safety from the Gog-Magog army.

Outside the City are "dogs."

The final judgment review of the records concerning those now dead, takes place - followed by the final destruction of Sheol (with all of the dead) in the lake of fire.

The earth is NOW cleansed of evil.

The reconciliation is complete.

Yeshua can NOW present this Kingdom to His Father (I Cor. 15:)

The Holy City New Jerusalem descends as God the Father joins His Son on planet earth.

God and The Lamb ARE the Temple of this City.

Eternity ....................

I think the main difference we have Joe, is that I have no problem with the redeemed spending time at "the true Tabernacle" which is Heaven itself - to complete their consecration as priests. Then they will begin to serve at "the 8th day" which would be the 8th millennium, if a day with the LORD is as a thousand years.

Shalom,

Rachel

www.prophecyviewpoint.com

[8thdaypriest]

Re Zech 14:5,

I think they flee there from the Gog-Magog hordes.

Re: the earth is now "cleansed."

Actually - I was thinking about the requirement that an offering to the LORD must be "without blemish." If Yeshua will "present" the Kingdom to God His Father - as an offering, then that cannot not happen UNTIL the earth is perfectly "clean" from evil. And - it will happen on "the 8th day" - as in the type.

Let me see:

OK - I spent some time talking about the effects of the plagues, and how they will wipe out all life on earth, and the earth itself will be "moved out of it's place" (orbit).

So - do you think the redeemed can be removed to some safe distance?

And for how long?

[8thdaypriest]

The 24 Elders are described as "before His throne." That puts at least some men (humans)in the company of the Father.

But the Father's throne has never been located ON THE EARTH.

THAT will be "new."

[8thdaypriest]

Yes genesis7,

I agree that in the time of Hezekiah, (800 BC)the earth was moved. A large object passed by on the outside of the earth relative to the sun, and pulled us into an orbit which is 5.25 days longer. Cultures around the world began adding the 5.25 days after that time.

I believe this will be corrected by another "near earth object" which will PULL us back into a correct orbit, BEFORE Yeshua returns. The time prophecies of the end, including the 1260, 1290, and 1335 cannot be played out until the orbit is reset.

But those movements of the earth in times past did not "consume all things", or melt the elements so that "the earth" was "without form and void."

So when do you believe the 24 Elders sit before the throne. When does that scene take place??

Maybe they are sitting at the door of the Heavenly Tabernacle - The Holy City. That would still be "before the throne."

[8thdaypriest]

Yes, I know you how you interpret this. But I do not have evidence from Scripture that humans are in heaven.

The Pharisees had a tradition that men could and did enter Heaven. That is why Yehoshua told Nicodemus:

Quote:

John 3:13 3.13 ... And no man hath ascended up to heaven ...

I've heard this argument at the Church of God 7th Day.

So where do you believe Elijah went when he was "taken up into heaven." Where was Enoch taken? When Moses was resurrected - where was he taken?

Who do you believe the 24 Elders are? - of Revelation 4-5 ?

[8thdaypriest]

Re: Moses

Romans 5:14. Death reigned from Adam to Moses.

Says to me - Moses was the first man rescued from death, by resurrection.

Re: 24 Elders

"You have redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests (a Kingdom of priests) to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."

I believe these were resurrected by Christ just after His own resurrection (Matt. 27:51-53). I believe He took them back to Heaven with Him - as firstfruits. "He led captivity captive." They would act as witnesses to the closing events.

Re: John 3:13

I believe Yeshua was telling Nicodemus that He was the ONLY one who had intimate knowledge of Heaven, because He came from Heaven. No other man had EVER ascended to Heaven AND BROUGHT BACK essential knowledge of the Divine. (Prov. 30:4-5, John 1:18, Rom. 10:6, Deut. 30:12)

I do not agree with your view that no other human beings have gone up to Heaven. Several now reside there. But they have never DESCENDED back to earth, to share information explaining "Heaven."

We can agree to disagree.

www.prophecyviewpoint.com