In the context of the 8th day, a significant aspect of God's plan unfolds as we are called to become kings and priests under Christ. Revelation 5:10 declares that He has made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth, indicating a role already established for those in the first resurrection as partakers with Christ in the Melchizedek priesthood. Christ, appointed by the Father as high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, as noted in Hebrews 5:5-6 and Psalm 110:4, oversees the true tabernacle and mediates the New Covenant between God and man. As represented by the 8th day, our position as kings and priests involves serving under our Lord and High Priest in carrying out priestly duties. Those first fruits, having ruled and learned with Christ for 1000 years, will stand with Him at the start of the 8th day as satan is released from bondage to deceive the nations once more. Following this, during the white throne judgment period described in Revelation 20:12, we will participate in significant civil and religious duties alongside Christ, judging the resurrected according to their works. This role as kings and priests will reach its greatest effect and joy on the 8th day, as we serve our great God in His creative process, spreading the knowledge and salvation of God across the earth. Those who by faith overcome, who hear His voice, and who work to avoid worldly entanglements while offering praises to God, are preparing for this service. As II Timothy 2:20-21 advises, cleansing oneself from dishonor makes one a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. The qualities needed to serve as kings and priests are found in those who produce fruits of righteousness and willingly serve others. Christ, acknowledged as Melchizedek, meaning king of righteousness, and king of Salem, meaning king of peace, exemplifies the characteristics of His government that we are to emulate. Thus, on the 8th day, we stand with Him, prepared for good works as His kings and priests, contributing to the establishment of righteousness and peace over all the earth.

In the coming 1000-year millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth, we are reminded of our future roles as kings and priests to our God, reigning on the earth as stated in Revelation 5:10. This significant position underscores our identity as citizens of the Kingdom of God, a royal priesthood and a holy nation, called out of darkness into His marvelous light, as described in I Peter 2:9-10. The elect, including prophets, saints, and all who fear God's name, both small and great, comprise this Kingdom, highlighting the inclusive nature of God's rule. Furthermore, Revelation 11:18 speaks of the time when God will reward His servants, affirming their place as kings and priests in His eternal Kingdom. As we grow in character and prepare for these ultimate positions, we are being trained now for our roles in the literal, future Kingdom of God, where we will reign with Christ for a thousand years and beyond, fulfilling God's purpose for His chosen people.

God has promised to make us kings and priests in His Kingdom, as stated in Revelation 5:10, where He has made us kings and priests unto our God. This future role is a certainty for us, though we are not yet in such positions, and it is unlikely that any of us will become kings in this lifetime due to a lack of lineage, opportunity, or training. Despite our current reluctance or inability to take on such responsibility, God has called us to this office, deeming it a fitting reward for our preparation. He is actively working to ensure we are equipped for these roles in His Kingdom, with the Millennium envisioned as a time of abundant Godly leadership worldwide, where His children will serve as leaders reflecting His own nature. The concept of kingship in Scripture often begins with negative examples. The first mention of a kingdom appears in Genesis 10:10 with Nimrod, whose realm started in Babel and expanded through coercion and warfare, reflecting rebellion against God. Similarly, Pharaoh, an Egyptian king in Genesis 12, is depicted as a tyrant and kidnapper, taking what he desires by force. The first explicit mention of the word "king" in Genesis 14:1 describes powerful Mesopotamian kings waging war, subjugating, plundering, and creating destruction, further illustrating earthly rulers as driven by a desire for control, wealth, and dominance. In stark contrast, God presents Melchizedek, king of Salem, in Genesis 14:18-20, as a model of a Godly king. As the priest of God Most High, he serves by offering bread and wine, blesses Abram, and honors God, embodying righteousness and peace. His name, meaning King of Righteousness, and his title, King of Peace, highlight the characteristics God desires in His kings—justice, fairness, and harmonious relationships, opposing the iniquity and conflict driven by worldly rulers. Jesus Christ reinforces this model of Godly kingship in Luke 22:24-30, correcting His disciples' worldly notions of greatness. He teaches that unlike the kings of the Gentiles who lord over others, true greatness among His followers lies in service, exemplified by His own life of serving even unto death. He bestows a kingdom upon them, promising they will sit on thrones in His Kingdom, yet emphasizes humility, urging them to serve as the younger, recognizing they do not deserve such honor but are granted it by God's grace. This service-oriented, humble leadership prepares us for our future roles as kings and priests in His Kingdom.

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and made the Kingdom of God our goal in life, we signed on to be kings and priests. The Christian life is God's royal school for training future monarchs. In Revelation 5:10, the heavenly choir sings of us as saints, declaring that we have been made kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth. This is not a metaphor or symbolic prophecy; it is a real promise of power over the nations. In Revelation 2:26-27, it is further expanded that those who overcome and keep His works until the end will be given power over the nations, ruling them with a rod of iron, suggesting great strength, durability, firmness of will, superior skill, and the threat of overwhelming violence. The question arises of how we will wield such power. Will we be tyrants, or will we withhold our power and allow anarchy? Are we ready to rule when given our rod of iron? God did not call us to be sponges on society but to be workers and leaders. He never leaves us without the ability to fulfill His calling. In John 14:1-2, Jesus reassures us not to let our hearts be troubled, for in His Father's house are many positions, and He goes to prepare a place for us, working on both ends to ensure we are ready for our roles in God's Kingdom. God has a specific position and office in mind for us, involving ruling this earth and its people as part of the ruling family of the universe. Each of God's children will be responsible for governing some part of it. The Bible provides instructions on preparing for this role, as it would not be fair for God to promise such a position without guidance on achieving it. The wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness serves as a type of the Church preparing to enter the Kingdom of God, learning how to be ruled by a king, with God initially as their King, though He knew they would eventually desire a human monarch. In Genesis 49:10, God planned for a king from the tribe of Judah, first David and ultimately Jesus Christ, ensuring a lineage for the throne. In I Samuel 8, when the Israelites requested a king, God warned through Samuel of the potential abuses of power, such as taking their sons, daughters, fields, and livestock, reducing them to servants. This highlights the necessity of ground rules for human kings, as very few historical kings of Israel and Judah were just and fair. In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, titled "Principles Governing Kings," God provides instructions for kings, which are also relevant for our preparation. These include five principles: the king must be an Israelite chosen by God, signifying our calling and election by His grace; he must not multiply horses, symbolizing a reliance on God rather than military power; he must not multiply wives, avoiding foreign entanglements that lead to idolatry; he must not multiply silver and gold, focusing on the Kingdom of God rather than material wealth; and he must read and write out the law, internalizing God's word to rule justly. As spiritual Israelites, we are being trained to think like God, ensuring that when we are made kings in His Kingdom, we will act as He would. Hebrews 2:17-18 illustrates this through Christ, who was made like His brethren to be a merciful and faithful High Priest, understanding our temptations and aiding us. Similarly, in the Kingdom of God, having gone through similar experiences, we will understand and guide those we rule. The example of King Josiah in II Chronicles 34-35 shows how a ruler should act, purging idolatry, restoring God's worship, enforcing His law, and publicly observing holy days to set an example. Ultimately, in Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, teaches that to be great among His followers is to be a servant, looking out for the best interests of others. Thus, no matter how unready we may feel, diligent preparation will enable us to be good rulers under Christ in His Kingdom.