A Kingdom of Priests Excercising the King's Authority

This morning I have been looking at some verses from the Book of Revelation 5:8-10 NIV:

[8] "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. [9] And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

I was specifically reflecting on the last line of this heavenly song.  In this song, the 24 elders and 4 living creatures are singing about the Church, those who belong to the Body of Christ.  The original Greek is quite clear, we are made into a Kingdom of God and we use that Kingdom authority on earth.

The original Greek word here translated Kingdom is Basileia and it is defined as:
1)  royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
    A) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
    B) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
    C) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

As directly related the original Greek word here translated as reign is Basileuo and it is defined as:
1)  to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign
    A) of the governor of a province
    B) of the rule of the Messiah
    C) of the reign of Christians in the millennium
2) metaph. to exercise the highest influence, to control

It is interesting that some commentators want to relate this verse to the Millennial reign, which does not actually get referenced until later in the book of Revelations (Rev. 20).  When I read these verses I am immediately reminded of the charge Jesus gave to the 12 Apostles and later to the 72 that He sent out.  Here I have quoted the sending as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 10:1, 7-8 NIV:

[1] Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

[7] "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

In these verses we see Jesus making the Apostles his messengers of His Kingdom, and giving them authority to demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom.  In other words He tells them to proclaim God's kingdom and then sends them to exercise His Kingly authority as His representatives in the cities, towns and villages to which they were sent.  In my eyes, this is exactly what John records.  God had called us through His Son Jesus to be members of His Kingdom and then to exercise His Kingly Authority upon the earth.

We are all called with the same charge, according to these verses.  People from every tribe, language, people and nation are all called to be part of God's Kingdom and to exercise His Kingly Authority as His representatives.  This authority is not relegated to a select few ministers, for we are all called priests, and it is each of our responsibility to minister unto Him, to serve Him.  We are not called to church membership with a few ministers, we are called to the Kingdom of God, where we are all priests and we all reign (exercise the King's authority).

I am encouraged that the 24 elders and 4 living creatures, who John sees prophetically, are describing the heavenly perspective which is outside of time.  In other words they are seeing the completed work of the Body of Christ, and from that vantage point, people from every tribe, language, people and nation are ministering to God, and exercising Kingdom authority upon the earth.  This is not some small number of chosen ministers, but every single member of the Kingdom!  I am encouraged because even though we don't see this reality yet, we will see this reality in the fullness of time.   I am encouraged because this is my destiny too, to learn to exercise the King's authority here on earth.

Amen and Amen!