CHRISTIAN KINGS
By Ken Blue
“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9.
There are a few Baptist and a great many among the Charismatic crowd, who believe Christians are kings and priest. Of course, kings have subjects and priest have those for whom they offer sacrifices. We are yet to discover the subjects or the sacrifice.
The key to this misapplication of Scripture is a dispensational one. This always results when we fail to interpret Scripture with Scripture or follow the context rule. Peter is not writing to the church comprised of Jews and Gentiles. He is writing to the Jews of the dispersion. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” 1 Peter 1:1. His writings are classified among the Jewish epistles.
The key to this misapplication of Scripture is a dispensational one.
Members of the church, the body of Christ in this dispensation, are not the subjects of Peter’s letter. These are Jews who heard the gospel of the kingdom, received John’s baptism, and had repented of their sins. They were waiting for the soon appearance of the King to establish His kingdom in Israel. They were subjects of, and recipients of the Kingdom of Heaven ministry. Thus they were destined to realize the designation of Exodus 19:5- 6 and 1 Peter 2:9.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.
One of the Baptist Distinctives I learned in college was that as Baptists we believe in the Priesthood of the Beleiver. Do you think this should not be one of our distictives, do you think it is a mislabelled distinctive or is it correct?
Christians ARE Kings because we can command demons to obey us in the name of Jesus. Those are the subjects who have to obey us. Also angels are ministering spirits for Christians.
Dear Michael, Sorry, but you are mistaken. You have no power over demons. All you have is God’s grace. Who told you that you did? Are you telling us that demons comprise your kingdom? You should read the context of the verses in my blog. The context is about Jews who will be overcomers in the Tribulation. “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10. All these promises are to Jews! God bless you.
Mr. Blue,
My Bible says the following:
Rev 5:9-10
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed US to God by thy blood OUT OF EVERY KINDRED, AND TONGUE, AND NATION;
10 And hast made US unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
(KJV)
From my understanding, “US” in verse 9 and 10 refers to ALL believers from every race. Are you saying that all mankind is Jewish? I certainly don’t think so.
Bottom line, both Jews and Gentiles martyrs in Christ during the Tribulation are talked about here, and all of them will serve in some capacity as kings and priests during Christ’s Millennial reign on earth.
In Him,
Reggie
You are correct when you answer your own question. However, are you saying every time the word “US” is used, it means you and me? These are Jews who have been gathered out of every nation, and are fulfilling the promise made to THEM. “Exodus 19:5-6 “ Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” I am sure you don’t think the words “ye” in these verses are speaking to you, unless your think you are a Jew. The bottom line is, these are Jews who are called out, or redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, and nation.
When God created Adam, He gave him dominion over the earth which in fact is a physical kingdom.In so doing, He made man The King of the Visible world. The devil came to steal that Kingdom, and He did through the adamic fall. But the second Adam came to destroy the works of the devil. He not only destroys all the visible works of the devil therefore re-establishing men’s Kingdom, but He also gave man dominion over the spiritual world. The Man CHRIST is the SUPREME KING OF KINGS , we believers. It doesn’t matter if you are jew, gentile, black, brown, white for in Christ, we are all one in all. Give praises to the Almighty who has reestablished man that the devil has tried to destroy. That is why this Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached throughout the whole earth. What is that Gospel? JESUS saves, JESUS heals, JESUS raises the dead, JESUS delivers, JESUS is the baptizer of the Holy Ghost, JESUS is Coming back again and JESUS is THE KING OF KINGS and THE LORD OF LORDS. We are thefore kings of the Supreme KING JESUS.
You are right in your comment about Adam. Jesus Christ came to Israel, (Matthew 15:24 “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” John 4:22 “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”) to restore through Israel, what Adam lost. However, Israel rejected their King and the kingdom. It has now been postponed until Jesus returns to Israel, and they accept Him as their King and Lord. The last Adam was rejected by His own nation, so they have been set aside for a time. The kingdom promises, power, and miracles were set aside with them.
God raised up a new apostle to be the ambassador of the church, which was a mystery. The kingdom gospel is not the gospel of this dispensation nor are the kingdom miracles present. They will be when God begins again to work through Israel to the whole world.
Please see my article at http://www.kenblueministries.com/2012/05/14/phony-faith-healers-who-have-no-authority-or-power/
To your comment, “The kingdom gospel is not the gospel of this dispensation nor are the kingdom miracles present. They will be when God begins again to work through Israel to the whole world.” Are you kidding me? Read Mark 16:17-18 Perhaps I have misinterpreted your statement. This also relates to your comment that we don’t have power over demons. It is not our power, of course, it is the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. We have, through the blood of Christ, power over all evil!!! If you don’t believe this, then you, quite obviously are mistaken.
No, I am not kidding you. If you think Kingdom miracles are present today, you are kidding yourself. I challenge you to read my blog WHY NO CHRISTIAN HAS AUTHORITY OR POWER TO HEAL and answer the questions. No one has, and neither will you. You need to learn how to rightly divide the Word of God.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you could
be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually
come back very soon. I want to encourage you to
continue your great writing, have a nice evening!
With regard to being kings and priests I would agree with you, though for the simple reasons that the Scripture does not say “kings and priests” in Rev. 5:10 but “Kingdom of priests” just as it did in Ex:19 and just as it does in 1 Peter 2. As I’m sure you already know, the Greek word in Rev. 5:10 translated in some versions “kings” is “basileian” which means kingdom, not kings.
With respect to your view on 1 Peter, I had never heard that explanation before. What confuses me about your view is that it sounds like you are saying that the people Peter was writing to in 1 Peter were not believers, is that true? You wrote “These are Jews who heard the gospel of the kingdom, received John’s baptism, and had repented of their sins.” Where did you read in the Scripture that they only received John’s baptism and were not baptized in Jesus? There are a couple cases mentioned, but none form these exact places. In fact, Acts 2 mentions there were people at Pentecost from the places Peter was writing to.
If these are not part of the “Church”, then that would eliminate the 3,000 who first believed at Pentecost wouldn’t it? Would you consider Peter or any of the Jewish apostles to be part of the “church?”
With regard to being kings and priests I would agree with you, though for the simple reasons that the Scripture does not say “kings and priests” in Rev. 5:10 but “Kingdom of priests” just as it did in Ex:19 and just as it does in 1 Peter 2. As I’m sure you already know, the Greek word in Rev. 5:10 translated in some versions “kings” is “basileian” which means kingdom, not kings.
I am not interested in what “other versions” say. “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10.
Also, “4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6.
With respect to your view on 1 Peter, I had never heard that explanation before. What confuses me about your view is that it sounds like you are saying that the people Peter was writing to in 1 Peter were not believers, is that true? You wrote “These are Jews who heard the gospel of the kingdom, received John’s baptism, and had repented of their sins.” Where did you read in the Scripture that they only received John’s baptism and were not baptized in Jesus? There are a couple cases mentioned, but none form these exact places. In fact, Acts 2 mentions there were people at Pentecost from the places Peter was writing to.
The people to whom Peter wrote were believers in the Kingdom Gospel. His writings fall within the Hebrew Epistles, Hebrews through Revelation. It was written to Jews, and is also a prophetic book for those Jews who will be in the Tribulation. The 3000 were not part of the church we are members of today. They went their way preaching the same gospel you find in the gospels, with one exception, the Messiah was alive, and would return if Israel repented. “37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:37-41 .
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21. If Israel would repent, Jesus would have returned to them, and “blotted out” their sins.
“ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
If these are not part of the “Church”, then that would eliminate the 3,000 who first believed at Pentecost wouldn’t it? Would you consider Peter or any of the Jewish apostles to be part of the “church?”
_You are right Ken, they need to rightly divide.
PROPHESY —- MYSTERY
ISRAEL—– BODY OF CHRIST
John 8:44 “Ye ,1789 AD, frauds, Jews, of the 1776 AD Illuminati Zionist , frauds, “liars”, are like your “father,” “god” the devil, “liars, thieves and murderers” who worship the devil.” said Jesus. Said Jesus! The King of “kings”,= the born again Christians, Sons of God. Only! Know thy self. Christian Ameruica 1776 AD, the Hebrew, God’s Chosen Israelites, Anglo Saxon, Born again Christians, “Sons of God”, and the Natural Citizens of the “union of several states,” the 1812 AD usA Republic, no democracy of Chaos and Judaism, U*nder God, subject to We the People, God’s Chosen Israelites, and the Born again Christian Government, Adamites, commanded by God. “Go ye into all the world and take the Good News of God’s Son Jesus, the King, who was murdered by the 538 BC Pharisees, or 1789 Jews, frauds, “liars” who hung My Savior on a Dogwood tree Cross in 0033 AD. Jew! A word created in 1775 by Sanderson, an English play write and taken, perverted by the Popery of Catholic-ism, a religion made by the 538 Bc Pharisees, Jesus murderers, 1789 Jews, frauds, “liars” “in the likeness” of the “father”, “god,” Bubba the devil.” The fool of “fools” the “sons of the devil.” “liars”. Jews, Pharisees, said Jesus, the creator, maker of Christianity. The Salvation, Savior of the world or all men who repent and claim His as God, the Creator and Savior. The Almighty King of kings=Christians and Lord of lords.” Son of God.” The Promise Keeper and Truth Sayer. Thank you Jesus. Amen!