In Training to Be Kings and Priests

Jesus Christ promised to return to set up the Kingdom of God on the earth. The Bible says that His faithful followers will be kings and priests to help Him. How can we get ready now to help serve under Christ?

Are you ready to be a king? How about a priest? The Bible says that the saints will be kings and priests in the Millennium, a time pictured by the annual Feast of Tabernacles (Revelation 1:6; 5:9-10; 20:6). It also says, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Though we don’t know exactly what we will be doing to serve Jesus Christ, as we examine the scriptures about the Kingdom of God, we can find some exciting possibilities.

What will we do as kings?

Today we grieve when we see all the injustices caused by the rulers in the world. But as kings in the Kingdom of God, we may have the opportunity to help bring righteous justice to all peoples. “Behold, a king [Christ] will reign in righteousness, and princes [faithful Christians] will rule with justice” (Isaiah 32:1).

During this lifetime we’re proving that we are faithful stewards with the things God gives us. And during the Millennium Christ will be able to trust us to rule those He asks us to serve (Luke 19:12-19; Revelation 20:4).

When Christ returns, the remnant of the descendants of the ancient tribes of Israel will be brought back to Jerusalem. Jesus Christ will then send these people to the territory assigned to their respective tribes. David will be king of Israel; the apostles will be over the individual tribes; and perhaps many of us will rule cities (Jeremiah 30:3, 9; Luke 22:29-30; 19:12-19).

At that time much of the earth will lie in ruins. As kings, we may have the opportunity to direct the rebuilding of our cities and territories to help bring about the incredible millennial scenes in the Bible.

Kings and shepherds

At the start of the Millennium, Israel will be anxious to return to God. Perhaps we will assist Christ in gently leading them (Isaiah 40:10-11). But not all will be eager to follow.

Even though Jesus Christ will have destroyed the armies that fought against Him, there will still be hundreds of millions of people alive, and not all of them are going to want to follow Him.

How will God’s government rule? Gently but firmly. The Bible talks about a rod of iron (Revelation 2:27). The implication is that it will be a shepherd’s staff to protect those who are humble and willing, but a rod of iron to those who are proud and defiant. God says that during the Millennium no one will hurt or destroy (Isaiah 11:9). Perhaps one of our tasks will be to make sure there is peace in our areas of jurisdiction (Psalm 149:6-9).

Warriors will be reeducated. As kings, we may help coordinate the recycling of instruments of destruction into instruments of production (Micah 4:3). We will help bring peace from chaos.

Priests and teachers

God’s assistants will teach God’s way in all the earth. It will start with Israel, as they are to be the model nation for the rest of the world. But perhaps we will also be sent to other lands to teach God’s ways. As priests, we will teach them the way of peace.

Yes, faithful Christians will be the shepherds that Christ sends to teach people about God’s way of life (Jeremiah 3:15). When individuals begin to stray, perhaps we will be the ones guiding them, saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).

Zechariah 8:23 paints a vivid picture of the fruits of our educational efforts: “In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” People will want to know God’s way that produces good results.

Let no one take your crown

We need to treasure the incredible calling God has given us. The Father has personally invited Christ’s faithful followers to be leaders in the Kingdom of God. He has offered us the privilege of helping bring many sons and daughters to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

Yet God warns us not to take our calling lightly and thus lose our crown of glory (Revelation 3:11). Nothing in this world can compare to the glory God wants to give us. But if we’re not careful, we can let the cares of this world cause us to lose out on our awesome destiny.

God called us, even though we are the weak of the world (1 Corinthians 1:26), to train us to become kings who can serve in His Kingdom. Let’s endure until the end so we can stand with Christ at the wedding supper and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:23).

Tim Groves is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He and his wife, Teresa, along with their four children, live in South Carolina.

For more about the wonderful Kingdom of God, see The Mystery of the Kingdom.