Kings and/or Priests

Some of the most exciting proclamations in the Bible are controversial among believers. Revelation 5:10 is a good example.

Here are the basic differences in translations of this passage. (LINK)

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

King James Bible
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Now I'm no theologian and this is no exegesis but some views, despite sounding good, don't follow Biblical patterns and themes.

There are people who subject themselves to the leading and discipline of God. People who like Job have found who is really in charge. People like you and me. They agree with the "kingdom of priests" translation.

Then there are people who think God wants us to control, take over, dominate earth. You know, Adam lost it and we are taking it back. On the extreme end of this thinking are the Dominionists. We as Christians should take over the government, business, etc. The most extreme believe Jesus will only return once we take over. Others are only "helping" His return along. I suspect some think our taking over is the return of Jesus (Jesus is within us kind of thinking). Whether they even believe in a physical return of Jesus is unclear. These people like to read "kings and priests." The king part fits their dominion theology. So unlike Joseph, who influenced government and Pharaoh, they want to be Pharaoh. Unlike Daniel, who influenced government and Nebuchadnezzar, they want to be Nebuchadnezzar.

Most Christians drift back and forth between these two positions (or hang around the middle) depending on their situation or who they are listening to.

So I was just thinking that I am no longer fuzzy about my position. I'm no king. There is but one king ... The Christ of the Ancient of Days. I may be a priest, created to fellowship with and worship the King, but I'm no king.

I know what you are thinking ... it says we are reigning. But we reign as priests, not kings.

This may be a BigHugeThing.

The Odds of Intelligent Life in the Universe | Universe Today

The Odds of Intelligent Life in the Universe | Universe Today: "The Odds of Intelligent Life in the Universe"

Written by Nancy Atkinson


"When it comes to contemplating the state of our universe, the question that’s probably most prevalent on people’s minds is, “Is anyone else like us out there?” The famous Drake Equation, even when worked out with fairly moderate numbers, seemingly suggests the probable amount of intelligent, communicating civilizations could be quite numerous. But a new paper published by a scientist from the University of East Anglia suggests the odds of finding new life on other Earth-like planets are low, given the time it has taken for beings such as humans to evolve combined with the remaining life span of Earth."

BHT finds it interesting when proponents of an old universe (by man's clock) believe finding intelligent life in space is unlikely.

Republican (Grass Roots)

Father/Daughter Talk - A True Revelation

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of 'the redistribution of wealth.'

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was not easy to maintain. She said she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like others she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't have many friends because she most of her time studying!

Her father listened and then asked, 'How is your friend Audrey doing?'

She replied, 'Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She's popular on campus and college is a blast for her. She's invited to all the parties, and sometimes she doesn't even show up for classes because she's hung over.'

Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.'

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, 'That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've put in a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!'

The father smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to the real world. And, by the way, I'm glad those professors are teaching you to think logically instead of just reacting emotionally?'

BigHugeThing likes this take on things ... even though BHT is trying to be less political.

MyFox Chicago | Sunday Morning Sex Talk

Chad Runge Does Sex

"Two pastors on the North Side are delighting some parishioners and offending others. They are talking about sex from the pulpit. Mike Barz and Nancy Loo spoke with them."