Greek word for royal is “basileus” which means kingly; rules; foundation of power
When you become a child of God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become a royal (ruler that has a foundation of power through the Trinity (Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit). This “Foundation of Power” gives you the power to keep God’s Word even when your thoughts and feeling say No!
Because you submit to the will of God (the Word of God) rather than your thoughts and feelings. That is, you allow God to take control of your life rather than you.
Foundation of power gives you the power to defeat the enemy (satan) by using the Word of God and the blood of Jesus.
“And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].” (Revelation 12:11)
Dominion comes with rulership. Therefore, you have authority through the foundation of power to not only defeat but to take control over. For example, suppose you are traveling in a car and a stranger ask you for a ride. Well, you don’t know if the person has a weapon or the motive of the person, so you decide not to give the stranger a ride in your car. Well, you may start thinking well I’m suppose to help those in need, and your conscious begins to bother you. But, the wisdom of God kicks in and says no, I should not have given the stranger a ride because of potential danger.
You have done two things: (1) taken control over a potentially dangerous situation – getting hurt by the stranger; (2) defeated thoughts of guilt that satan has put in your mind because you chose wisdom over foolishness in not picking up the stranger.
The Greek word for piresthood is “hierateuma” which means to perform the functions of a priest.
Priestly duties are: to offer a sin offering unto God for an atonement of sin for themselves and the people.
The high priest was the chief administrative officer of all priests. He was in charge of the Tabernacle and later of the Temple of Jerusalem while it stood. He alone was allowed to offer sacrifices for the sins of himself, the priests, or the people. Likewise, only he was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. Occasionally he would assist the incumbent Judge or king with “inquiring of God” concerning an appropriate course of civil or military action.
During the era of the Judges, the high priest was regarded as an associate Judge. Eli, for example, is described as having “judged” Israel for forty years, which was his term as high priest. (1 Samuel 4:18 )
The high priest also served an expiatory purpose. A man guilty of involuntary manslaughter was required to remain in a city of refuge until the high priest had died. The death of the high priest expiated the original death that the guilty man had caused.
The high priest wore a series of specialized and symbolic garments that reflected his duties and responsibilities. (Exodus 28 ) These included:
* A sleeveless purple robe.
* The ephod
* The breastplate of judgment, containing twelve gemstones each representing one of the original sons of Israel.
* The turban which covered his head.
* A small pouch in which he carried the Urim and Thummim.
When he entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he was dressed in white linen and did not wear the much more costly garments listed above.
Today, Jesus Christ is our high priest.
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For more inspiring and encouraging poems by Karmen A. Booker, purchase her book, “Seeking the Face of God”. Just go to http://womendestinedforgreatness.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/seeking-the-face-of-god/ You can also click on the Ministry Resources at the top of this blogsite to order other Ministry Resources offered by Wings of Love Women’s Ministry.