And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV)

 

It is remarkable that Scripture begins and concludes with our priestly call and vocation. Our priesthood is royal because of our relationship with Jesus, who is both King and Priest in the order of Melchizedek. We are privileged to participate in and be transformed by this higher and eternal priesthood.

Adam was the first priest, but his failure brought condemnation into creation, yet the obedience of the last Adam (which is Christ Himself) resulted in the restoration of creation to its original goodness. Right now, creation is in the eschatological tension of the already and not yet. The Apostle Paul describes this tension as the anxious groans of all creation anticipating the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19-22).

The word "sons of God" (which also includes women and children) refers to our priestly identity and lifestyle. We are adopted as God's sons because we believe Jesus is His Son. Thus, we are to take on the priestly role of liberating creation from its suffering. This liberation, however, will not be fully realised until Jesus returns and establishes a new heaven and earth. But the first step towards liberation is to reclaim our role as priests of creation. This involves introducing and expressing God's qualities of justice, righteousness, and order across the land.

As priests of creation, we are concerned with the totality of life, not just the spiritual aspect. Worship is more than just a Sunday church experience. Daily worship enables us to work and witness for God every day in the public square and marketplace. We should be as equally concerned about political integrity, social justice, and environmental issues as we are about spiritual things. We do not need to be activists to act justly and decently. Instead, we are to be active priests and kings amid God's creation, revealing and representing Him to those around us.