dedication wrote;

"The confusion comes because people think "a kingdom of priests" in Exodus 19:6 and Peter's reference to "a royal priesthood" refers to an office or position in some sort of hierarchy in authority."

I disagree. You haven't explained what it is this Royal Priesthood is supposed to be like? You keep insisting that it is not something, but can't explain what you believe it to be!

What we know for sure is that this priesthood mentioned by the Apostle Peter existed before the experience of Israel of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai. So, could you please explain what it is you believe this royal priesthood to be?

Also, was the wilderness tabernacle in existence at the time of Exodus 19?

Have you read all the quotes posted in which EGW refers to both texts -
one in OT and one in NT.

Yes, this royal priesthood existed before there was any Levitical priesthood and exists after the Levitical priesthood ceased.
Because it is NOT dealing with an ecclesiastical position or office.
And yes, I did explain it several times -- it has nothing to do with ecclesiastical offices or positions.
You just don't want to accept the evidence, but there are dozens of quotes showing that is correct.

The Royal priesthood, and chosen nation, a nation of priests, a holy people, has to do with being a genuine member of God's people, fully trusting and committed to God, thus by our very lives showing forth the praise and glory of God.

No one is barred by race or gender from accepting God's call to be citizens of HIS KINGDOM, His nation, and being ambassadors for Him in this world.

BY EGW
Loyalty to God, unquestioning obedience to His law, would make His people a wonder in the world, because He would be able to fulfill His rich and abundant promises to them, and make them a praise in the earth. They would be a holy people unto Him.
“Now therefore,” God declares, “if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.” How wonderful the largeness of God’s promises! And they are given to all who will hearken to His Word, believing His declarations, and obeying His commands. Obedience to His law is the condition of future and eternal happiness.—Southern Watchman, Feb. 16, 1904. {BLJ 65.5}

So what are the conditions of being part of God's "holy nation, a kingdom of priests"?

--harken to God's Word
--believe, (have faith, trust) in His promises
--obey his commands

And this was offered to Israel in Exodus 19:1-6 and the people rejected it in Exodus 19:8.

APL is right on this one --
After God's call to Israel was given, to be a "royal priesthood" a "holy nation", they rashly answered "we will do it".

But what happened? The didn't meet the conditions, they couldn't meet the conditions because those conditions can only be met when God is the center of our lives, but they thought they could do it.

So what happened? They set up a golden calf and indulged in pagan worship just days after their promise. THEY BROKE their covenant. They didn't enter into the "everlasting covenant".
Plan "A" the "everlasting covenant" wasn't understood,

BECAUSE OF their failure
God instituted plan "B" the Levitical priesthood with the only tribe that didn't indulge in the pagan worship.

Israel never became a "nation of priests" a "holy people" a light set upon a hill bringing glory and praise to God.

They had a "priesthood" within their nation to try and get their focus on eternal realities.
The tribe of JUDAH was NOT part of the priesthood of Israel. For a man from the tribe of Judah to assume priestly duties resulted in grave punishment (death or leprosy as in the case of Uzziah)
BUT it was not part of God's original plan to set up a priesthood restricted to one family line in one particular tribe, in one particular nation.

At the cross that plan "B" ceased and plan "A" is again offered. There is now no specific earthly defined "nation" or "tribe" one must be part of to be part of God's holy nation and priesthood.

The new testament makes this so clear!

That whole system and law defining an "order of priests" and the whole sanctuary service was introduced, ADDED, because of unbelief, to try and lead them to Christ, and when Christ came that whole system ceased.

dedication wrote;

"The new testament makes this so clear!

That whole system and law defining an "order of priests" and the whole sanctuary service was introduced, ADDED, because of unbelief, to try and lead them to Christ, and when Christ came that whole system ceased."

It was added to clarify more about God and His nature! Initially, God's people built an alter and offered a sacrificed with blood to show their faith in God's plan of redemption because that is all that was needed!

As time went on and God's people failed to live up to the faith handed down to them, God added the ceremonial service to teach the lessons lost over the centuries. An earthly sanctuary wasn't required because God's people had enough understanding of the plan of salvation. As their understanding dwindled over time, the ceremonial service was required to re-teach the old lessons.

But, that all male priesthood was a revelation of God all the same! To deny that is sheer prejudice.

Now that Christ has come as the true revelation of the Father, all that is needed are the simple services of communion, baptism, dedication and so on.

dedication wrote;

"Yes, this royal priesthood existed before there was any Levitical priesthood and exists after the Levitical priesthood ceased."

I appreciate you answering my question.

Now that we have established that God's people have always had this responsibility of being priests before God, we know the orders of priests consisting of Melchizedek, Aaron and the Levites were also all male for a very definite reason and purpose that is being completely ignored. And yes! There is and always has been authority intrinsic to all three of these all male priesthoods.

I never denied that the Levitical priesthood was all male. They were also ONLY from the tribe of Levi, and only from certain families within the tribe of Levi. Any other MEN who aspired to the priesthood were severely punished. Which of course excluded most males as well as women.

But that all ended at the cross -- it is the extension of the Levitical priesthood that is wrong.

The only true extension of the Levitical priesthood (as well as Melchisedec's priesthood) is in Christ who is our HIGH PRIEST in the heavenly sanctuary. He is the fulfillment of all those priestly types. The Levitical priesthood ended at the cross.

Of course there are lessons to be learnt for just like a Levitical priest had to be a direct descendant from Aaron or he was cast out of the priesthood, we know that to be a member of the ROYAL PRIESTHOOD the Christian must have a direct connection with Christ, the heavenly High Priest,

But the ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, THE HOLY KINGDOM is not the Levitical priesthood and the only restrictions to being a member is that one must be connected with Christ, the High Priest. Cleansed by His ministry, transformed by His power, and living in newness of life by His Holy Spirit.

The ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, AND HOLY KINGDOM is comprised of all of God's redeemed, faithful, trusting, commandment keeping people.


To deny Peter's declaration to believers that they are God's holy nation, a royal priesthood, and insist this is "all male" is sheer prejudice.


To equate the "holy nation and kingdom of priests" with the Levitical priesthood, is also very wrong and ignoring many passages that say otherwise.

To equate "God's holy nation, a royal priesthood" as being just pastors and insist this makes them priests, and by this implying they are sole inheritors of that promise, is also very wrong and inconsistent with what the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy teaches.

Why was the Levitical priesthood formed? UNBELIEF. It was not plan A.
Why did Israel never become a royal priesthood, a holy nation? UNBELIEF.

Doug Batchelor makes the same mistake as Alchemy in equating pastors with the priesthood, among other mistakes.

Those [men and women] who would have the character of Christ must practice his teachings. They [men and women] must study the Pattern. Then they [men and women] will reveal a Christ-like character in their [men and women] association with one another, and their [men and women] united influence will be exerted in helping to transform the character of others [men and women]. They [men and women] will drink in the sympathy of Jesus, and exercise the same forbearance, supporting, encouraging, and animating one another [men and women] in the work, each [men and women] being a vital member of the organized body, allied to Jesus, growing up into Christ, the living head, unto the full stature of men and women [emphasis added]. Then they[men and women] will shine as lights in the world, being of one judgment, moved by the same Spirit. They[men and women] will be a distinct power in the world. The mighty cleaver of truth has detached us from the world, and placed us apart, a separate people. "Ye [men and women] are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood [men and women], a holy nation [men and women], a peculiar people [men and women]; that ye [men and women] should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you [men and women] out of darkness into his marvelous light." Dwelling in the light of the Sun of Righteousness, we [men and women]shall shine as lights in the world. {RH, October 6, 1891 par. 13}