"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever." The roles of kingdom and priests now belong to those of all nations who are freed from their sins by Jesus' blood. Now all believers are citizens of God's Kingdom and are like priests, meaning each believer is consecrated by the blood of Christ to approach God directly on his or her own behalf. John's declaration is reminiscent of Exodus 19:6:
"and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation," which Moses spoke to the people of Israel when God freed them from slavery and brought them out of Egypt. What God told the people of Israel--that if they obey His voice and keep His covenant they shall be His treasured possession among all the peoples of the Earth (Exodus 19:5)--is now fulfilled through Christ and those who believe and follow Him. Therefore, exercise your priestly role before God each day by making the sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving, by obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit, and by sanctifying your life to His service by studying His word and keeping His commands and covenant.
