Getting and Giving Forgiveness (Priest and King)

The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. The decorative sash was made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved. He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses. [Exodus 39.4-7]

It occurred to me today that the Old Testament was about getting forgiveness. This is the summation of the priest's "religious duties" - to obtain forgiveness. In contrast, the New Testament is about giving forgiveness. This contrast should necessarily consume the life of every true believer to the point that he recognizes the relationship between the two more so than the contrast.

How do the statements above reconcile with the scripture reference here?

The priest's role was to represent the people before God. This is clearly seen in the stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. The priest's role was to obtain forgiveness for those he represented so they might enjoy the blessings of God.

It was God's chosen role to forgive the people whom the priest represented.

The process was about getting forgiveness. It involved both king and priest... See where this is going?

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [Revelation 1.4-6 NKJV]

Kings and priests? Both? Yes, both. The New Living Translation reads like this:

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. [Revelation 1.4-6 NLT]

So, for those squeamish about assuming role as "king" there remains the role of God-authorized Kingdom work on His behalf!

How does this relate to my opening comments about getting versus giving forgiveness?

Well, getting forgiveness is actually not enough - in fact getting forgiveness is not possible without giving  it:

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [John 6.14-15]

This is precisely why the Old Testament eternally needs the New Testament!

Here is a scripture sure to provoke thought (that confirms what is being said here):

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.23]

Getting forgiveness on behalf of others was and is the role of a priest. But giving forgiveness was and is the role of God.

...And His representatives!

Whatever translation of the Revelation scriptures quoted here one wishes to cling to, the responsibility remains the same: getting forgiveness and giving forgiveness. This is the work of the Kingdom!

The Apostle Paul said it like this:

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. [2 Corinthians 5.17-19]

Jesus said it like this:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

One can easily see then why Jesus said the following about the message we are to spread:

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]

I lay this out as a challenge to every believer. In a world whose culture is predominantly godless, we who call ourselves "Christian," need to actually look like Christ. Our intercession for others needs to be based on Jesus' words on the Cross: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (from Luke 23.24). From that starting point, all the ministry of Jesus will manifest through our lives. His words reveal both the role of King and Priest!

Father, help us all to understand our role in Your Kingdom! Help us to understand that we must necessarily function as both king and priest in order to fulfill our purpose on the earth.