Revelation 1:4-6 We are made rulers and priests to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the world

Revelation 1:4-6 We are made rulers and priests to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the world.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness (martyr), the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Background

Darkness cannot overcome God’s light or diminish His rule of love over creation. Indeed, His love conquers all. John writes to the seven churches to make known God’s calling and purpose for them. Indeed, God has made His children to be a kingdom and priests to rule over creation. As priests, we heal the souls of people and bring them near to God. As rulers of the kingdom, we preserve peace and prosperity by the reign of righteousness while pushing back against the forces of evil. Today’s devotion reminds us that we are made rulers and priests to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the world.

Observation

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

John addresses the seven churches and makes known the grace that is continually being poured out to them from the heavenly council. Grace (which means gift) is projected in the form of light rays of love, wisdom and power that heal the soul. This continual outpouring of divine grace promotes righteousness and peace (or Shalom in Hebrew, which means prosperity) for humanity.

Before narrowing his focus towards Jesus Christ, John gives a brief introduction of the heavenly council from whence God rules. Indeed, God is unchanging, whose reign has no end (who is and who was and who is to come). God’s council comprises Jesus Christ and the seven Spirits. The seven Spirits are not angels, but are highly ascended beings, the sons of God who rule the universe with Christ.

Christ is the faithful witness who sacrificed Himself to uphold the truth. As a human being, even though His spirit is perfect, His soul harboured the inclinations of sin (see Romans 8:3). For this reason, He was identified with the dead (see Isaiah 53:12). But with determined tenacity, Christ held onto God against the lure of sin. Thus, He became firstborn of the dead; the first to ascend to God’s right hand from the state of death and corruption. Through His resurrection, He destroyed the power of sin while freeing humanity to live to God. Jesus is also the ruler of the kings of the earth. The earth represents the part of creation that is outside of heaven. It includes not just the planet we are living on, but all creation.

To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood — and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father — to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

God did all things out of love and goodwill. Christ, who is Himself a kingdom (Basileia in Greek, means dominion) and priest purposes to reconcile the world to God. After He ascended to the Father, He continues the work of reconciliation by making us like Him, a kingdom and priest. Thus, by making us a kingdom, He elevates us to the position of ruler. And as priest, we restore harmony to the soul of humanity leading them to God to be adopted into His family.

Truth

We are made rulers and priests to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the world.

The ultimate purpose of God’s rule is to promote lasting peace and prosperity in families, communities and nations of the world. However, any rule if it is to be effective and enduring must be founded on unconditional love and empathy. A rule based on law enforcement alone cannot create true and lasting peace. Instead, it forces evil to go underground making it undetectable while it continues to fester and cause harm.

Jesus’s rule is based on love. Instead of destroying humanity, He empathised with humanity who are in bondage, who knows not what they were doing. Thus, He shed His blood to annul the law of punishment. This is unconditional love; for God desires not even one to perish but all to come to repentance and be reconciled to God. Jesus, having removed the punishment due sinners proceeded to predestine us towards perfection. Not only that, for those who commit themselves to follow Him, He grants authority to rule with Him.

How does Christ rule?

• Christ rules by predestining our circumstances and our paths.
• He rules by exposing us to temptations that are meaningful so that we may grow.
• He rules by surrounding us with His family to encourage us along the way.
• He rules by anointing us with greater authority to do His work.
• He rules by protecting us when we are not able to protect ourselves.
• He rules by healing us from sickness and shielding us from the attacks of Satan.
• He rules by enforcing the rule of law upon those who do evil.

What are the goals of Christ’s priesthood?

• He heals the wounds of our heart by His Spirit.
• He sanctifies our heart from evil desires and imbues us with faith and hope.
• He give us visions and revelations concerning the future.
• He causes us to grow in divine wisdom by enlightening our mind.
• He makes us co-creators and co-heirs with Him.

Application

As rulers possessing Christ’s authority, how should we fulfil our role?

• With Christ’s authority, we discipline those who are put under our care so that they may grow.
• With Christ’s authority, we empower those who are faithful to do His work.
• With Christ’s authority, we protect those who are not yet able to protect themselves.
• With Christ’s authority, we heal the sick and cast out demons for all who come to us for help.

As priests possessing the anointing of Christ’s blood, how should we fulfil our role?

• We lead people in the way of the truth by living an exemplary life.
• We fill them with the Spirit so that they may grow in wisdom and stature.
• We provide godly counsel so that they may know wisdom and walk in them.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the Christ-Self within me who is Ruler and Priest. I will ever depend on the Christ-Self to rule with love, wisdom and power. I believe that enduring peace and prosperity will soon come upon my family and community. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.