And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
Parallel translations
- WEB and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth.”
- KJV And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall 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.”
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 he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- Dan 7:27The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
- Rev 20:6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.
- Dan 7:18But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.
- Rev 22:5There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.
- 1 Pet 2:5–9You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Exod 19:6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to 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.