The Priests of the New Covenant

We are a chosen generation for the purpose of being a royal priesthood for God. 1 Peter 2:9. This is an exalted calling which is for all those who have received an ear with which to hear. Now the time of reformation has come. Hebrews 9:10.

The priests in the old covenant had a tabernacle prepared for them. The first part, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, is called the sanctuary. Hebrews 9:2.

The lampstand cast light on the veil; and the priest was to have a memorial sacrifice, an offering made by fire to the Lord, on the table which was made of pure gold. Leviticus 24:1-7. Everything, was to be done according to the statutes, continually. Numbers 18:3 was a pat­tern for the priests of the new covenant. The priests had been en­trusted with much; nevertheless, they could not enter the Holiest with their ministry.

Now Christ has come, and the veil has been rent from top to bot­tom. The entrance into the Holiest has now been opened for us to per­form the priestly ministry.

The children of Israel were commanded to bring the priests pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continu­ally. Exodus 27:20. In the new covenant the priests have to procure this oil themselves by finding their life and losing it. We praise God for the priestly ministry of the new covenant to which He has called us. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy na­tion, His own special people, that you may proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. Jesus inaugurated a royal priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek, and this priestly ministry is performed in His steps. Now it is the flesh with its passions and desires which is the veil that bars the way into the Holiest. When the flesh is crucified, the body can be presented to God as an acceptable sacrifice. The High Priest points out the sacrifices, and we, as the priests, put them to death by the power of the Spirit.

Moses had to put a veil over the glory of his face so that the chil­dren of Israel could not see the end of what was passing away. 2 Corinthians 3:13. In the new covenant, the glory of a godfearing per­son does not fade away, because there the light of the knowledge of the glory of God radiates from us in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6. The bride knows that she is a priest, and she is along in the great slaughter in the land of Edom by using the two-edged sword in her hand, within and without. Isaiah 34:6.

God be praised for this exalted and royal priesthood and for grace and the calling to be part of it. We no longer need to walk around in the outer court or in the sanctuary; but we can enter into the Holiest so we can carry out a perfect priestly ministry.