And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Parallel translations
- WEB and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth.”
- BSB You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
- NKJV And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
- NASB You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
- NLT And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The redeemed are made a kingdom and priests to God who will reign on the earth. Salvation grants believers royal and priestly dignity and a share in Christ's reign.
Overview
Echoing Exodus 19:6, the song declares that the ransomed people become God's kingdom and priests, restored to their intended calling. As priests they have access to God and serve Him; as a kingdom they will reign with Christ. Interpreters differ on whether this reign is realized now, in a future millennium, or in the new creation, but all agree it is the gracious destiny of the redeemed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Rev 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
- Dan 7:27And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
- Rev 20:6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
- Dan 7:18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
- Rev 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
- 1 Pet 2:5–9Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
- Exod 19:6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 5:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.