Israel would rule over the nations in the Messianic Kingdom. But within it, it will not only be royal, but also priestly. What does this mean? To answer that question, we must first consider what a priest actually is according to Scripture.
Mediator
A priest stands between God and people and represents God to the people. Under the Old Covenant, the priests taught God’s word, His laws, and His ways. They came from the tribe of Levi and cared for the objects in the Tabernacle, such as the candlestick and the altar of incense. The Israelites also brought their offerings to them, after which the priests offered them according to the regulations.
High Priest
A special task was reserved for the High Priest. Once a year, he entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement (>shelter) for the sins of the people. This function as mediator is a representation of “the Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).
A similar task is reserved for the Jewish people. Israel, as a people, would function as a priest toward the nations and minister to them with the word of God. In the Messianic kingdom, Israel will be the center of knowledge of God on earth.
Isaiah 2 NIV
3 Many nations will go and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; then He will teach us concerning His ways, and we will walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Peter, who addresses his letters to the people of the circumcision (1 Pet. 1:1), also speaks of this priestly function of the people of Israel.
1 Peter 2 ISA
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for acquisition, so that you might proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
a holy nation
Israel would be a holy nation, that is: set apart, made God’s property, and destined for a specific purpose. God’s purpose is to make all peoples acquainted with who He is, and Israel will teach that to the nations. To that end, they are God’s chosen people.
center
Israel will be the spiritual center for the nations (Zech. 8:22-23), the peoples will go up to Jerusalem to worship the King (Isa. 60:3; Zech. 14:16), there will be worldwide peace (Isa. 2:4; Micah 4:3), and Israel and Jerusalem will receive a central position among the peoples (Isa. 60:11-12).
Isaiah 61 ISA
6 But you shall be called priests of YAHWEH, you shall be called servants of our God…