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Friend, you are a king and a priest!

Revelation 5:6-10  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.  8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 

There is a moment in Revelation 5 when all of heaven stands in awe. The Lamb who was slain steps forward and takes the scroll—and a chorus breaks out. The elders bow, the living creatures cry out, and countless angels lift their voices together. At the heart of their song is not what Yeshua (Jesus) has gained for Himself, but what He has given to you: He has made you basileis kai hiereis—kings and priests. Not one day, not just a possibility—made. A completed reality, established in eternity and proclaimed before all of heaven.

The Greek words carry weight. Basileis speaks of authority, governance, and rule. Hiereis speaks of access, nearness, and priestly function before God. In one identity, heaven has joined what we often separate—authority and intimacy, dominion and presence. You were not created to choose between them. You were created to carry both.

This was always God’s intention. When Peter declares that you are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), he is not introducing a new idea -- he is restoring an ancient one. He reaches back to Exodus, where God stood before a nation of former slaves and declared, “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6) Every Israelite was meant to live in that dual identity—kingly access, priestly function. But the failure at Sinai narrowed what was meant for all into something carried by a few. What was delayed then is now being restored in Yeshua. He brings to completion what was first spoken -- extending it beyond one nation to all who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Yet this is where the great misunderstanding lies. The tragedy is not that people reject this identity—it is that most never fully step into it. They receive forgiveness and stop there, grateful to be pardoned but unaware that the pardon was only the doorway. You are not a forgiven sinner managing your failures until eternity arrives. You are a king and a priest—a crafted masterpiece—called into purpose. The same passage that declares who you are also declares what you will do: they shall reign on the earth. Present and future. Already and not yet. 

This is the Kingdom insight: you are not preparing to become something -- you are awakening to what has already been declared.

Friend, you don't have to remain at the starting point of forgiveness -- because God has given you His kingom! He is inviting you to walk in His authority, make decisions aligned with His heart, and live out what He has already placed within you. Wherever you go, you carry His authority and His presence. You are not striving to become something new—you are growing into what has already been declared. Heaven already knows who you are, and today is an opportunity to walk more fully in that reality.

Shabbat Shalom -- have a great weekend, we'll see you on Monday!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George (Maryland) & Baht Rivka (Israel)