As King Hezekiah said to the Priests and Levites at the onset of a revival in Israel, the Lord is saying to us His children: ‘My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense”. 2 Chronicles 29:11
Who are we?
A Nation existing within other nations.
‘’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.’’ [1Peter 2:9 (NIV)]
We are:
1. Holy i.e., separated as God’s own lot.
Holiness is not the same as righteousness. For example, the items in Yahweh’s temple were declared holy after they were purified (consecrated) with cleansing water/blood. These are inanimate objects: without consciousness or moral engagement. Therefore, their holiness was not down to their heart or works, it was as a result of the quality of Holiness of their owner. Holiness has to do with consecration i.e., being apportioned to a deity. We who have come through Christ, are consecrated (AMP) to the Holy God (Yahweh) with the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus and the washing of water by his Word. Therefore, we are holy and separated for holy use only. [Hebrews 9:19,12:24, 1 John 5:6, Ephesians 5:26, John 19:34]
2. Chosen: by what criteria? Grace. He just wanted us, and we said Yes. So, we became His special possessions - that’s just it. [Ephesians 2:8]
3. Royal: we are of the King of Kings’ lineage and as such, we are royalty. This is not just a Christian cliché; it is exactly how our Lord sees us and as a result, the host of heaven and all of creation is waiting for us. Jesus Christ made us a responsible, dignified, serving and loving authority over all things spiritual and natural. (Rev. 1:6)
4. Priests: serving under the Great High Priest (Jesus Christ) we are to offer sacrifices and incense to God for ourselves, on behalf of the people and for the nation(s).
‘’you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.’’ 1 Peter 2:5
Our purpose is to proclaim (reveal) the excellencies of our God i.e., his wonderful deeds, virtues and perfections. His intent was that now, through the church, the many-layered wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. We are to show God off to all creation!
This is fulfilled as we develop our intimacy with Him. Then, out of us will effortlessly flow our sacrifices of
a. praise and worship, (''Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.'' Hebrews 13:15).
b. deeds in accordance with his commands to ‘’Love one another as I have loved you’’ and ‘’Go into all the world and make disciples of all men’’;
c. our daily prayers rise as a sweet smell of incense in appeal for the salvation, healing and reconciliation of all men to Jesus Christ our Lord.
( Ephesians 3:10, John 13:34, Revelation 5:8, Numbers 16:46)
THIS time we, as One Nation under God, are required to fill this world with rivers of His living water. Amen
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. [Rev. 22:20]
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‘’For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.’’ Habakkuk 2:14
‘’that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’’ – Jesus [John17:21]
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