The Apostle Peter wrote:

"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

What is Peter referring to too?

Is this just talking to the males in this "holy nation", or is it talking all human beings called out of darkness into God's marvelous light?

Is it restricted to any particular national "nation"?

What is this "Royal Priesthood"?

How does it differ from the restrictive priesthood officiating in the temple services?

Some inspired comments on this passage:

"Many of the believers to whom Peter addressed his letters, were living in the midst of heathen, and much depended on their remaining true to the high calling of their profession. The apostle urged upon them their privileges as followers of Christ Jesus. "Ye are a chosen generation," he wrote, "a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. AA 521


"To us it is written, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9. {CD 26.3}

" Drawn by the cords of love to Christ, constantly look unto Him who is the Author and Finisher of their faith. By beholding Jesus, by obeying His requirements, they increase in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. Thus they become changed into His image from character to character until they are distinguished from the world, and it can be written of them: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:9, 10). {AG 52.3}

Every soul needs to turn his face toward the light that he may reflect this light. We need to praise God much more than we do. We are to show that we have cause for rejoicing. "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Are we doing this as fully as we should? Are we revealing that love in the home that will honor and glorify our Redeemer? {HP 96.4}


"Ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise." "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (Leviticus 20:24, 26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Isaiah 43:21; 1 Peter 2:9). . . . {HP 189.4}


(In context with the story of Nadab and Abihu)
All who occupied positions of sacred responsibility were to be men of strict temperance, that their minds might be clear to discriminate between right and wrong, that they might possess firmness of principle, and wisdom to administer justice and to show mercy. The same obligation rests upon every follower of Christ. The apostle Peter declares, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." 1 Peter 2:9. We are required by God to preserve every power in the best possible condition, that we may render acceptable service to our Creator. {PP 361}


Who are the subjects of the kingdom of God?--all those who do His will. They have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The members of Christ's kingdom are the sons of God, partners in His great firm. The elect of God are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a holy nation, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. They are living stones, a royal priesthood. They are in copartnership with Jesus Christ. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. . . . {TM 422.1}


The people of God have a high and holy calling. They are Christ’s representatives. Paul addresses the church in Corinth as those who are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.” . . . Says Peter, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
These passages are calculated to impress the mind with the sacred, exalted character of God’s work, and with the high and holy position His people are to occupy. Could these things be said of those who do not seek to be refined by the truth? {BLJ 366}

Conclusion--
The Royal Priesthood is not an office, or a position of "authority" over others.

It's not referring to earthly sanctuary priests, or to "clergy" or ecclesiastical persona.

To be part of God's royal priesthood is open for everyone, no matter their gender, nationality, or social status. It is open to all who will respond to the call of God, and who look to Christ as the author and finisher of their faith, walking with Him in obedience, and by beholding Him being changed into His image, thus by their lives they show forth the glory of God and bring forth His praises, revealing His love.

If it's not an office nor a position, what is it? Your conclusion is ambiguous.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Blessings everyone,

Exodus 19 has been quoted and mentioned before in reference to the passage dedication has referenced. So, this royal priesthood existed at the time of the Sanctuary in the wilderness. If we really want to understand it, I believe we need to start in Exodus 19.

No - Israel never realized the promise and did not become a Royal Priesthood. God's promise had conditions. Israel did not fulfill the conditions and thus did not become a Royal Priesthood.

Exodus 19:5-6 Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. 6 And you will be My kingdom of priests, My holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel."


God's promise was that of the New Covenant. Instead, they relied on their own works, Old Covenant, Exodus 19:8 And all the people responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the LORD.

The people rejected God's offer and did not become a Royal Priesthood. What should have been the people's response?

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.

But reread all those quotes --

Those texts refer to God's genuine people.
People who have accepted God fully into their lives, and who are changed by His power, and thus bringing glory and honor to God by their lives.
They are the citizens of God's kingdom. Yet they are still in the world, a living example and witness of the power and grace of God.


These texts are NOT talking about the Levitical priesthood, or of some hierarchy of clergy holding positions authority.

We are all called to become part of that "royal priesthood" "an holy nation, a peculiar people". And by God's grace we can part of that group. That group compose the citizens Christ's kingdom.

That texts are not talking about the Levitical priesthood or any priesthood of office or hierarchy of authority I submit these quotes.


Yet, the tribe of Judah was not allowed to function as a priest in any religious services --
So this "royal priesthood" is not the office or position holding type of priesthood.

I already illustrated how "kingdom of _________" does not mean every citizen of the kingdom was _______________.

But some people still seem to think this fallacy is true.

Judah was certainly a part of the kingdom of priests, just as much as any other tribe, including the tribe of Levi itself, among whom not all were priests.

Buddhists, perhaps, understand the role of a single member of the family officiating in the temple on behalf of the other members of the family a little better than modern Christians, for this is still a part of their tradition, just as we see exhibited through the sanctuary system in the Old Testament that God Himself established. Look at Thailand, for example, which has a king and calls itself "The Kingdom of Thailand." We could truthfully call it a kingdom of monks, for there are many monks to serve the people within the kingdom. Is every man, woman, and child in Thailand a monk? Far from it! But it is nonetheless a kingdom of monks, and a Buddhist nation (95% Buddhist).

Mrs. White is not saying that the entire tribe of Judah was comprised of priests. She says Judah was a part of the nation known for its priests, and for its high and holy calling.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

My statement was quite clear and requires no further explanation.