July 31, 2025

Dutch Sheets
Jul 31
5 min read

Introduction

Yesterday, I began reemphasizing a few biblical truths that are important but seldom taught. Continuing this, today’s teaching brings insight regarding the dual functions we have as we represent Christ here on earth. As believers, we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9); all of us are privileged to represent Christ in both His kingly and priestly roles. There is a teaching that has circulated over the past few years in the body of Christ stating that “priests” are those in full-time ministry and “kings” are those in the secular workforce. This is not biblically accurate. All believers, regardless of our vocation, are called to represent Christ in both His kingly and priestly functions. Let’s look at this incredibly important subject. This teaching is also shared in our Give Him 15 Devotional, Volume One. Today’s title is:

Understanding Kingly and Priestly Intercession

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6)

“You have made them to be a Kingdom and priests to serve our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)

In the late 1980s, I was having a friendly phone conversation with a seasoned prophet, Chuck Flynn, when he began prophesying to me. One phrase in particular stood out. He said God was going to bring forth “the fresh age of the Melchizedek order” and that I would play a role in it.

“What is that?” I asked when he concluded.

“I don’t know,” he said somewhat humorously. “But when you find out, let me know.” It took a while!

Fast-forward approximately fifteen years to October 2002. I was praying for America’s Supreme Court when I heard Holy Spirit clearly say, “The church will fully shift the government of America when the prayer movement fully shifts from priestly intercession only to kingly intercession as well.” I suddenly remembered what Chuck had prophecied to me, the dots connected in my mind, and I finally understood “the fresh age of the Melchizedek order.”

The Scriptures describe Jesus as a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-10). Melchizedek is first mentioned in Genesis 14, again in Psalm 110, and then in the New Testament book of Hebrews. He was both a king and a priest, and as such, became a picture of Jesus, our King and High Priest. And this is key to understanding the “Melchizedek order.”

Old Testament priests primarily represented the needs of people TO GOD; kings, on the other hand, represented the authority of God TO PEOPLE. In His unique role, Christ functions as both. As our Savior, High Priest, Mediator, and Advocate, Jesus represents humankind to God. On the other hand, as King, Christ represents God to humankind.

But Christ doesn’t release these functions by Himself. He established a new order. An “order” is not just one person, but a group of people in the same profession or performing the same function. He works through His body, the church. We are His voice, His hands, His feet; what He does on earth, He does through us. Both His kingly authority and His priestly ministry are now administered by Holy Spirit through His people. This is the “Melchizedek order.”

We are expressions of Christ in His priestly role, representing the needs of people heavenward. Just as Christ “offered up both prayers and supplications” while on earth (Hebrews 5:7), we also, as priests, “offer up spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5).

However, not only are we priests, we’re a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Spiritually, we are seated with Christ on His throne (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6), told to reign in life (Romans 5:17), instructed to extend His scepter (Psalm 110:2) and as His Ekklesia, are given keys of Kingdom authority with which to bind and loose, forbid and allow (Matthew 16:19). Just as Christ “decreed” the will of the Father in various situations – pronouncing blessings and curses, casting out demons, healing the sick, even raising the dead – we are told, as Christ’s ambassadors, to do the same (John 14:12). When representing Christ in His kingly authority, we do not petition – we command!

Both the priestly and kingly aspects of prayer, the Melchizedek order, can be seen in the model prayer Christ gave us, often referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13):

The prayer begins with praise, an obvious example of priestly activity: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
The prayer then shifts to kingly intercession, telling us to command God’s will and authority into situations: “Your Kingdom come! Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (The verbs “come” and “be done” are both in the imperative tense, making them a command in Greek. In other words, we are not only to request His Kingdom rule and will – we are to decree them into situations for Him. This is kingly, governmental intercession, releasing heaven to earth.)
The prayer then shifts back to priestly petitioning, asking for provision, forgiveness, and freedom from temptation.

In 1980, I was asked to lead in prayer for a newborn baby with a fractured skull. During a difficult birth, the doctor used forceps and, in the process, fractured the baby’s skull. I began with priestly intercession (petitioning the Lord), but then was led to command healing into this infant’s skull (kingly intercession). I, along with the congregation joining me, decreed that by the redemptive power of Jesus, the baby’s skull was being healed.

It happened instantly! Through this miracle, the mother was born again, and the following Sunday, I had the privilege of dedicating this baby to Jesus.

The Melchizedek order is arising on the earth. The priesthood of Christ, the church, is offering up the incense of worship and petitions. But as ambassadors of the King, representatives of His Kingdom on earth, we are also issuing heaven’s commands and decrees against the forces of darkness. This is Christ’s “Ekklesia” – legislators, liberators, deliverers, and enforcers.

Pray with me:

Father, thank You for the honor of being extensions of Christ’s ministry, releasers of His love and Kingly authority on the earth. We ask for more understanding, insight, and revelation regarding this privilege. May we go deeper in humility and higher in authority. It is Your will we want, and only Your pattern can release it. Yours is the Kingdom, power, and glory forever!

Today, as priests, we appeal to heaven for Your mercy and grace to be extended to America. Cleanse us from sin and deliver us from evil strongholds. Awaken America to truth and, as the Psalmist prayed, renew a right spirit in us (Psalm 51:10). Cause the revival that has begun to increase and multiply; breathe on the dry bones of America.

And as kings, we decree that nothing will stop the reset You have begun. We declare that evil will be exposed as Your light shines in the dark places. We break the power of darkness that covers and hides evil, and release the light of truth to shine into it. We declare that this truth will shine as bright as the noonday sun! You said our government would fully shift when we began operating in both priestly and kingly intercession. We are now doing this. We appeal for – but we also decree – America’s shift! We believe now is the time! We ask and declare all of this in Christ’s name and authority. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that God is moving and operating to bring victory and renewed purpose to America!

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