The Royal Priesthood: Recovering Our Lost Dominion

We are inheritors of a legacy far grander than the world often allows us to perceive. The narrative of scripture, from Eden to the New Jerusalem, traces a line of divine covenant, a promise of a people who would serve and reign in God’s presence. The video from BibleProject, “Królewskie kapłaństwo” (The Royal Priesthood), beautifully illuminates this trajectory, reminding us of a forgotten inheritance – our calling to be a royal priesthood.

Consider the weight of that declaration. Genesis paints a picture of humanity created in God’s image, tasked with dominion over creation, serving and stewarding God's bounty in Eden. This wasn’t merely a matter of authority; it was a priestly function, a mediation between God and the earth. The fall fractured that relationship, exiling us from that blessed state. Yet, even in that exile, God's promise remained – a descendant would arise, a greater priest, a king, to restore what was lost. Abraham, Moses, David – each a foreshadowing of the ultimate Royal Priest, Jesus Christ.

The account of Jesus’s ascension, as detailed in the video, is more than a departure; it's an inauguration. He ascends into the heavenly temple, becoming the ultimate mediator, the King of Kings. And then, the Pentecostal outpouring! The Holy Ghost descends, transforming the disciples into a living temple, a “mini-temple” filled with God’s presence. As Peter later wrote, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). We are not merely saved; we are consecrated. We are, collectively, the body of Christ, tasked with representing God and reigning in His name.

This isn't a call to merely *believe* in a distant Lord. It’s a call to *live* as royal priests. The video rightly points out that these early believers, often humble laborers – fishermen, tax collectors – *acted* as if they were priests, offering themselves, their time, their resources, in service to others. Paul’s exhortation to the Romans – to offer “your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Romans 12:1) – isn’t a poetic metaphor; it is a divine mandate.

The temple in Jerusalem, with its choirs and offerings, serves as a potent symbol. We, too, must cultivate a spirit of devotion, expressing our gratitude and obedience through our actions, our relationships, and our striving to embody the character of Christ. This requires a constant pruning of the selfish and worldly, a diligent cultivation of humility and service.

The restoration of the priesthood, through the laying on of hands and the authority of the priesthood, is a profound manifestation of this divine calling. It is a tangible link to that ancient covenant, a power to administer in God’s name, to bless, to heal, to serve.

The video concludes with the vision of a reunited heaven and earth, a glorious culmination of God's plan. This is not a distant dream; it is a destiny we actively participate in, as we strive to live as royal priests, reflecting Christ’s dominion in our own lives and communities. This recovery of our lost dominion isn't about earthly power; it’s about participating in the divine work of bringing God’s kingdom to bear upon the earth.

Let us examine our own lives, comparing them to the standard of the Royal Priesthood. Are we actively striving to embody the character of Christ? Are we offering ourselves as living sacrifices? Are we seeking to reign in His name?