"Royal" has to do with kingship. This is a priesthood that consists of kings—those who govern and wield authority. They are going to be installed in two offices that have been blended into one. There are both the civil, represented by the king, and there is the theological, or religious, represented by the priesthood. So we see "church" and "state" combined together with a closeness, an attachment, which is inseparable—and does not even begin to compare with what ancient Israel had.
It is those who are chosen to be a royal priesthood who are being built up a spiritual house. Remember David? I spent a little time saying that the word house could just as well be translated family or dynasty. The modifier here is the word "spiritual." We have been chosen to be a part of spiritual house—a spiritual family, a spiritual dynasty—that rules under Christ (but not yet). "My kingdom is not of this world," He said.
As we collect this information that God gives to us, it is beginning to become clear. Those who hear the good news of the Kingdom of God and respond to it and enter into a covenant with God to become part of it are in process of being built into a spiritual house that is also a royal priesthood. And that is also a holy nation that is going to bear governmental rule over the earth as kings under Christ.
Human history has often confused false light with proper illumination, but Scripture makes clear that only God gives light that leads to life. He calls His people out of darkness into marvelous light, empowering us to shine as witnesses in a world overshadowed by spiritual blindness.
The darkness mentioned in verses 5 and 6 is the universal symbol and condition of sin and death. In direct contrast, light mentioned in verse 7 is the symbol and expression of holiness. God, by His presence and grace, is to His holy priesthood and His holy nation as a marvelous light.
If God and His Son are light, then light also symbolizes salvation and new life. The individual who does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been done in God.
So when Jesus spoke of Himself as the light of the world, those who follow Him are described as people who will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. According to I Peter 2:9, God's own special people are those who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light. And when light exposes something, it becomes illuminated because anything that becomes visible is light, as Paul explains in Ephesians 5:8.
Now we see here that those being called into God's church at this time are chosen, a chosen generation. We also see the change, the catalyst, if you will, that for those who will believe are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. In order to be part of His church, this assembly of His people, we must be called by God.
Now we see here that those being called into God's church at this time are chosen, a chosen generation. We also see the change, the catalyst, if you will, that for those who will believe are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. In order to be part of His church, this assembly of His people, we must be called by God.
