Dominion: Every Christian's CallSample

Every kingdom has a center, and every priesthood has an office. For Israel, it was the ark of the covenant. Wherever the ark rested, God’s presence marked the ground as holy. David understood this, so his first royal act was not conquest but to return the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–19). He knew His reign would not endure without God at the center.

History shows what happens when rulers forget this. In 1804, Napoleon declared himself emperor of France. His message was clear: authority belonged to him alone. His empire spread wide, then collapsed into exile. In that same era, another man took a different path. William Carey sailed to India with no army, wealth, or throne. He had one thing: a call from God. While Napoleon conquered Europe, Carey labored faithfully, translating the Bible, planting churches, and training pastors. Napoleon died in defeat. Meanwhile, Carey’s work is still changing the world. He left behind schools, Bible translations in several languages, and a missionary movement still declaring the Gospel today.

That clash of legacies points us to Revelation 1:6. Christ is not raising emperors who crown themselves. He is building a kingdom of priests. Authority without priesthood is tyranny. Priesthood without authority is impotence. Together they display Christ’s dominion on earth.

Peter picks up the same truth and expands it: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). Royal speaks to the lineage of King Jesus. Priesthood speaks to the office of worship and intercession. Nation speaks to witness in the world. The purpose is plain: proclaim His excellencies. Kings exercise dominion. Priests proclaim worship. Together they testify.

And this identity is not theory; it presses into the details of ordinary life. Your calendar becomes holy when surrendered to Christ. Your bank account becomes worship when stewarded for Him. Even your meetings carry dominion when led with truth and integrity. Every sphere becomes kingdom ground when anchored in priestly calling.

That balance only holds because Christ Himself carries both mantles. He is Lion and Lamb, King and High Priest. To belong to Him is to carry both. Strip one away and witness collapses. Kings without priests build Babel. Priests without kings retreat into ritual. Together they reign under God’s presence.

David understood this long before Revelation put it into words. At the start of his reign, he tethered his authority to God’s presence, not his own power. His dance was more than joy; it was personal alignment with heaven. He was a king stripped of pride, choosing God’s presence over dignity. He knew he could not reign unless his heart bowed in worship. Neither can you. Authority without alignment collapses. You reign well only when you worship first.

That same alignment is demanded of us. Our calling is not half-built but whole in Christ. You are a royal priest, called to live in worship and lead with authority until all the world sees His glory.

Reflective Question:

Where in my life have I tried to reign without worship, or worship without reigning?

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