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Ask God: God has a special place for His chosen people; you the believer. We have direct access to God and as we Abide in Christ, we are able to bear much fruit. Enjoy the Fruit of the Spirit everyday.

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Good Evening Reader,

We are God's chosen people and His Royal Priesthood.

It is our privilege to enter into the Presence of God and enjoy His blessings.

I pray that God will be with you and strengthen you.

Give God the glory.

Elvin

What Is the Royal Priesthood of All Believers?

Have you considered the remarkable change from the Old Testament to the New Testament in how we enter God's presence? We will look at the ritual the high priest performed before entering into the presence of God in the Tabernacle. And then only once each year.

In this study, we will compare entering the presence of God before Jesus came to the earth with how we enter into the presence of God after Jesus came.

First, let us pause a moment and thank God for the privilege of communicating directly with Him. We can't call up the president of our country to chat, but we can call up the Creator of the universe anytime, day or night. Oh, what a privilege to enter into God's presence.

Peter reminds readers of their position in the kingdom of God. They are a chosen generation, a special people, and a royal priesthood. You have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. We are a royal priesthood that can reach out to God at any time and talk to the Creator, our Father.

⁹ " But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Unlike the Old Testament, where only certain individuals could serve, today, every believer shares this responsibility. But what does that really look like in your daily life? Let's explore the significance and implications of this calling.

Understanding the Powerful Message of 1 Peter 2:4-10

When you dive into 1 Peter 2:4-10, you'll find a powerful message about identity and purpose. This passage teaches you that you're a living stone chosen by God. Like Jesus, the cornerstone, you're part of God's spiritual house.

You're not just an individual; you belong to God's kingdom and are part of a community of believers. This means you have a special role to play in God's plan. And it starts with giving praise and glory to God.

You're called a royal priesthood, meaning you serve God and others by entering into God's presence to intercede for your neighbor. Your life then shines for God and reflects His light and love.

By embracing the royal priesthood of God, you will discover your purpose in God's kingdom, which is to glorify God. This position in God's kingdom encourages you to live boldly, knowing you're valued and significant in God's eyes.

The Role of the High Priest in the Old Testament for the Day of Atonement

Let's talk about the change that occurred when Jesus died on the cross, was raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven. We will first look at the ritual of the high priest of the Old Testament during the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur.

On this sacred day, you'd see the high priest enter the Most Holy Place of the temple, where God's presence dwelled. He'd bring a bull and two goats as sacrifices. One goat was sacrificed for the people's sins. At the same time, the other goat, called the scapegoat, symbolically carried their sins into the wilderness.

This act was essential for cleansing the people and restoring their relationship with God. The high priest acted as a mediator between God and the Israelites by performing these rituals, emphasizing the importance of atonement and forgiveness of their sins.

Old Testament Ritual of the Day of Atonement by the High Priest

Preparation for the Day of Atonement by the priests and the high priest probably took days, if not weeks. Every detail of the Law was carried out by the tribe of Levi to prepare the high priest to enter into the presence of God.

Exodus 40 describes how the Tabernacle was to be set up, and Leviticus 16 provides a detailed account of the procedure of the high priest on the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement represented a time for repentance, reflection, and reconciliation with God.

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would undergo a series of purification rituals. He would bathe his body in water and put on a holy tunic, linen undergarments, a linen sash, and a linen turban.

Then, he would offer a sin offering for himself and his household by slaughtering a bull. The bull's blood was carried into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the mercy seat. Two goats were selected; one goat was used for a sin offering for the Lord, and a second goat was used as a scapegoat or Azazel, which was sent into the wilderness.

The high priest then purified the Holy of Holies with the blood of the bull and the goat. This cleansed it from impurities brought about by the Israelites' sins. He offered sacrifices to the Lord for the sins of the people.

Finally, after the rituals, the high priest would remove the linen garments, bathe, and dress his regular priestly clothes. He then offers a burnt offering for himself and another for the people, making atonement for both. The fat of the sin offering was burned on the altar.

Entering the Presence of God under the New Covenant

Entering into the presence of God still carries preparation but is greatly simplified after Jesus fulfilled the Law.

Sometimes, people think they can live in rebellion against God and do as they please, and when they get in trouble, they cry out to God, thinking that He hears them. In some cases, he hears them, but not always.

What should believers do to enter into God's presence and be heard by God?

In His Word, God has promised to hear our prayers, but often, in the same verse, conditions are placed on the person praying. 1 John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us." The condition found in this verse is that "if we ask anything according to His will."

So, one of the first things to do is study the Bible to determine God's will.

Unforgiveness hinders prayers. Mark 11:25 says, "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Then, Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This verse sums up all a believer needs to do to remove hindrances to sin: Ask God to forgive you your sins.

Sins cause a separation between man and God. Since we all sin, we must be ready to ask God for forgiveness.

Pray often and pray with a continually. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

We have the privilege of going to God at any time. Unlike the old covenant, we do not need a high priest to enter the presence of God and ask for forgiveness of our sins.

Elvin

Enter into the Presence of God

Ask God For Help

Christian faith

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons.

Go to: www.AskGodForHelp.net

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