And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;
The word “kings” implies the existence of kingdoms. In fact, evidence indicates that this portion of the text could also read, “And hath made us a KINGDOM, priests unto God and his Father.” Exodus 19:6, in a similar way, reveals God’s purpose to declare Israel “a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation” should they embrace a covenant relationship with Him (I Peter 2:5, 9; see on Revelation 1:5 and Revelation 5:10). I Peter 2:9, 10 confers this same honor on Gentiles who have accepted salvation in Jesus Christ (Romans 2:28, 29; Galatians 3:28, 29). In other words, all true Christians‒whether Jew or Gentile‒are exalted to the rank, dignity, and office implied in these words. But while some would suggest that such a conferred status is purely metaphorical, it must be adamantly pointed out that there is absolutely nothing whatsoever that indicates an artificiality, of any sort, to its ultimate and literal reality. In fact, there are other verses in The Revelation which unequivocally allude to the future, never-ending, and triumphant reign of the redeemed (italics mine):
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Revelation 3:21
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4
Even before the book of Revelation was written, other New Testament passages anticipated the above declarations:
“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” 2 Timothy 2:12
In essence, in common with their Savior, the saved‒having gained a victory over sin and death and hell‒are represented as reigning triumphantly together for endless ages!
The word “priests” refers to the fact that they are, in their capacity as kings, engaged in the holy service of God‒that is, as revealed earlier, they are a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Here and now, the spiritual kingdom of divine grace (Matthew 4:17, 13; Romans 14:17) declares every believer to be a priest who has the privilege of offering “spiritual sacrifices” to God without the mediation of another human being (I Peter 2:5, 9). Then, when sin and suffering are no more, they will “serve him day and night in his temple” in a capacity of ministry far exceeding and replacing any here necessitated by man’s fallen condition (Revelation 7:15).
to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus’ victory over sin and death made Him the rightful ruler of the universe (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:19-21; II Timothy 6:13-15; I Peter 3:21, 22; see on Revelation 5:12 and Revelation 17:14). There will be no end to this kingdom (Daniel 2:44; Daniel 4:3, 34; Daniel 7:14; Micah 4:7; Luke 1:33; Romans 11:36; II Peter 3:18; I Peter 4:11; see on Revelation 5:13). Of course, this means that sin, suffering, and death will never exist again‒forever! See on Revelation 7:16, 17 and Revelation 21:4, 5.
