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Sermonette: Kings and Priests
#FT25-08PMs
James Beaubelle
Given 14-Oct-25; 18 minutes
2025-10-14
summary: This insightful message explores the profound meaning of the Eighth Day- a dramatic pivotal moment in God's divine plan of salvation, symbolizing new beginnings and the final phase of God's redemptive work. Sadly, though very few scriptures speak directly about it, the Eighth Day reveals abundant spiritual depth, depicting the resurrection, judgment, and the establishment of God's eternal Kingdom. Two of the key themes rooted in Revelation 5:10 are that resurrected saints will become kings and priests, serving under the Melchizedek priesthood and a summons to active preparation for this divine roll. Those in the first resurrection will serve alongside Christ, administering justice and mercy as God's government extends over the entire earth. This timeframe includes the time following Satan's final rebellion and destruction described in Revelation 20, culminating into the Great White Throne Judgment , when billions will be resurrected and judged according to their works. As future kings and priests, we, as God's called out saints must cultivate readiness through sanctification, developing their spiritual gifts, proving themselves faithful in the small things, enabling themselves to be useful to the Master in greater things, actively growing in righteousness, serving others , and overcoming worldly entanglements. Just as ancient Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests ( Exodus 19:5-6, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16) must live their lives of humble service toward others. The Eighth Day depicts a time when God's wisdom will replace the folly of the world, celebrating the dawn of eternity, when God's people, transformed as kings and priests, will serve with Christ in love , righteousness, and peace as all creation enters its final renewal.
transcript:
When I saw that I was scheduled to speak on this holy day, my thoughts went to thinking there is so little amount of scriptures that speak directly about the 8th day to mine a message from. Speakers love an abundance of scriptures on our topics. All of us, I'm sure, can attest to gathering subject matter and never gets put into our messages. Left on the cutting room floor, you might say or put aside for possible future message. So I saw little direct scriptures concerning the meaning and the importance of the 8th day. As I considered this, I thought. Certainly this was done intentionally. When do we ever see our God do anything in a haphazard manner? We do not. Obviously it was my view, my perspective about this that was wrong, and upon reflection I saw it was not a scarcity of things related to this day. But in reality, there is an abundance of thought and purpose that can be related and rooted into the 8th day. Even in the name itself, we find the number 8 sitting as an indicator or signal for very many biblical topics. In biblical numerology, we see the number 8 has been used or placed into events to define, as David said earlier, new beginnings are a pivotal changes. When viewed from this perspective, we can see this holy day as a major pivot point in God's plan of salvation. When fit into the view of God's 7000 year plan leading up to the redemption of millions of people, this eighth day becomes crucial not only for us to understand where we fit into the timeline, but speaks of those millions or even billions who are waiting to be called out of their graves and the establishment of God's government over the whole earth. Even though I'm sure most all of them will not have a clue of what just happened. I want to just look at two of the many topics that can be folded into the 8th day, topics that we need to put ourselves into for our preparation into the kingdom of God with Christ as he establishes his authority over the entire earth. One is pulled from Revelation 5 and verse 10 where it says in the New King James. And he has made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth. That's a past tense statement. Those who are in the first resurrection, those who are heirs with Christ have become partakers with Him in the Melchizedek priesthood. Christ, who was made high priest by the Father after the order of Melchizedek. This priestly order, I believe, was in existence long before the physical creation came to be and of course, long before the the the the priesthood was established. Let's read this together in the book of Hebrews in chapter 5. We'll pick up two verses here. Hebrews chapter 5 verse 5 and 6. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become a high priest, but it was he, that's the Father, who said to him, You are my son. Today I have begotten you. For 6, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. That other place is noted as Psalm 110 in verse 4 where David spoke of Christ's coming reign and the wrath against his enemies. Verse 4 read, The Lord has sworn and will not relent. You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. This shows us that everything that pertains to the service and the worship of God has been transferred to the true tabernacle where Christ serves as high priest, overseeing a New Covenant, and he became the mediator between God and man. What we need to see as represented by the 8th day is our position in becoming kings and priests serving under our Lord and high priests as we carry out our priestly duties. Those first fruits who would have just spent 1000 years ruling and learning with Christ will now at the start of the 8th day be present with Him as Satan is released from his 1000 year bondage. And once again goes forth to deceive the nations and to battle against God's rule. How much time this goes on for, I do not know. The Bible says, but in a little while, and in a little while it comes to its end, and Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20 covers what will occur in verse 7 through 10, and what we see is Satan put away forever as he joins the beast and the false prophet, awaiting him in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone continually. I find it most ironic. At the saints you. That the saints that Satan so desperately wanted to destroy have arrived with Christ to witness Satan's last effort against God and see Him cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented for ever and ever. Certainly Christ has given each of us a complete victory. It is certainly a time of new beginnings. After this we come next to the days of the white thronene judgment that will occur. Both the small and the great men and women are being judged fairly, for each will be judged according to their own works. Verse 12 says, and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to the works by the things that were written in the books. This is very serious work we will be involved with. And as I read these things, it makes me both joyful, but it also makes me fear our God all the more. What our role will be in detail, I do not know, but I expect it to be very significant as we participate with our Lord in all civil and religious duties put upon us. Duties as kings, duties as priests that we will have been prepared for in this life today and during the 1000 years spent with God prior to the release of the evil one and the beginning of that white throne judgment period that followed. It will be for those who by faith have overcome, those who follow Christ now and overcome, who will also follow Him then on the 8th day. Those who have entered into His rest will follow him out of the 7th millennium and into the 8th, and it is here, I believe, we will receive our office and assignments spoken of in John 14, or if we've gotten them already, we will get about the business, about the work. With the millions of recently resurrected men and women as Christ continues to set his government. Over all the earth It is also here in our position as kings and priests and we will have its greatest effect and greatest amount of joy for us, for we will be doing what we love as we serve our God, our great God in His creative process as the knowledge of God and the salvation of God covers the entire earth. This time will be for those first fruits who have and who do today hear his voice and work, work to stay clear of worldly entanglements. Those who daily offer up praises to God. And by faith hold fast to the hope set before them. Even while they must bear up to the chastisements from God and the sufferings and losses that we all have in the flesh. Those who work towards higher spiritual goals and shun the pursuit of earthly riches and pleasures, those who proclaim to God by how they live, that they are pilgrims and look and wait for a city whose builder is God. And know that if they are anything of value, it is because of what God has done. With them and for them. Please turn to 2 Timothy. We're going to head into chapter 2. I will anyway. II Timothy verse 2021. Here we get a good piece of advice, advice we would do well to take account of. Starting in verse 20 of II Timothy 2. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honor, some for dishonor. 21, here comes the advice. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful to for the master, prepared for every good work. I think all of us desire to be useful to God. It's part of what identifies us as children of God. Serving God seems to be woven into our spiritual DNA. True religion is not just waiting for the 8th day to arrive. But to be actively preparing for the day to arrive. By a life that works towards a state of readiness usable by our Savior to his end. The parable of the talents we all know well, Matthew 25 verses 19 to 23, is very clear on this point. Those who invest and increase the talents God has given them. Will receive a reward. Those who hold back from investing the gifts God has provided. Will be punished. We see no middle ground in this parable for lazy servants and those who would ignore clear instructions on this. Luke's version and the parable of the pounds are minus in verse 12, and that's chapter 20, verse 27 through 12 to 27 of Chapter 19 directly state cities as a reward for their service to their master. What we see then it is not only those who are faithful in the small things who hold a trust and belief with God in His promises and his words in their everyday living, they are the ones working to follow Christ and will be rewarded. Those who produce fruits of righteousness and willingly serve others have the qualities needed to serve as kings and priests. It's that important. These are those who will stand with him on the 8th day as his kings and priests prepared for good works. Melchizedek Means king of righteousness. And this be one of the greatest characteristics of Christ's government. Christ is also acknowledged as king of Salem. Meaning king of peace, showing us another quality of his leadership as righteousness and peace is spread over all the earth. Let us hold fast to our calling as we prepare for the days ahead when we can serve our king and fellow men in the soon coming age. Let us not get discouraged by the constant trials and temptations we must endure. I know, at least for me, I know, we can often look at our own lives as being weak. And know we have too often. Disappointed God and ourselves in our conduct and thought. We can struggle in areas we feel should be easily in our control after this much time being seated in the congregation of our Lord. But God hasn't stopped working with us. Let us keep our faith focused on our shepherd who will lift us up in our times of trial and need. Let us do our small part in the preparations that are needful to please him, seeking his wisdom in all things with an honest humility. I'm on to my second topic. And there are many others that fit into the 8th day is the sheer volume of working with others we will need to be doing as Christ puts down his enemies and rules over all the nations of men prior to the 8th day time period. We get a glimpse of this work when we are told in Revelation 19:15, prior to Satan being locked up for a 1000 years, that Christ will rule with a rod of iron. It's not clear to me what we will be doing in detail, but if we are following Christ at this time. I certainly expect him to delegate a lot of work to his saints. I think it's safe to say that God's purpose for bringing many sons and daughters into the kingdom of God has been going on long before the foundation of the world was done. I do not expect it to stop after our lives in the flesh, nor does it stop after the second resurrection. I actually think it grows in its activity level. We're going to be busy folks. Will not the first fruits be an example to all of mankind, how men ought to be living? God's desire for Israel was for them to be a separate people, chosen to be a holy people and a nation of priests before God. We've heard that a couple times during this feast. In Exodus 19:5-6, God tells Moses to speak this message to Israel just prior to the giving of the 10 Commandments from Mount Sinai. I will quote this now. Therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people, for all the earth is mine. Verse 6, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priest and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. Can we see here the link between God's priest and serving? Israel failed in this. We must not. Has not our Savior, our high priests, as our example, been serving the creation every day. Philippians 2 and verse 7, another one we've heard this feast. Paul tells us that Christ took on the form of a servant, but made himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a bond servant and coming in the likeness of men. Serving others is a top priority with our God. Read Matthew 25 verses 31 to 46, we will not do that now, and it seems any chance of salvation hangs on the service and the help we are willing to give others. I will just read the last two verses in verse 44. Those on the left, AKA, also known as the goats, asked, Lord. When did we see you hungry? Are thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick and did not minister to you, did not serve you. Verse 45 and then he will answer them saying assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. Is there any doubt we worship a God who places serving as a main function that His people will do? Let me close this message for today with a couple of more thoughts on the 8th day. It will be a time when the wisdom of this world will have come to nothing as it is replaced with the wisdom of our God. All the lies, all the wickedness that Satan pushed on mankind must now be washed away and destroyed, never to return. The knowledge and the holiness of God will now be placed in men's minds and more importantly in their hearts. Out of the heart, our Lord said, came so much evil. And it will now be out of the heart, will come the good things of love towards gods and to other men. The 8th day represents this turning point when resurrected men will seek and find the truth that had been so often hidden from their sight, a time when they will serve God by choice as you do today and fall in love with His law and with God Himself. Like the prodigal son who after a long time were told in verse 17 of Luke 15, he came to himself. That's Bible language, it means he repented for what he had become and for what he had done. And sought out God's forgiveness and His Father's love and reconciliation. I think there will be a lot of this kind of thinking on the 8th day. For this earth must be cleansed of all sin to be a suitable place for God to dwell with men. It will take some time and sometimes a strong judgment to get accomplished. But it will happen, and many other good things will begin on the 8th day.
RJB/aws+/
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