You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our GodThis phrase reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel and the Church, echoing
Exodus 19:6, where God declares Israel to be a "kingdom of priests." It signifies a spiritual transformation and elevation of believers, who are now part of God's royal priesthood (
1 Peter 2:9). The concept of a kingdom implies governance and authority, while priests indicate a role of mediation and service. This dual role highlights the believers' responsibility to represent God to the world and to intercede on behalf of others. The imagery of a kingdom and priests also connects to the Davidic covenant, where the Messiah would establish an everlasting kingdom (
2 Samuel 7:16).
and they will reign upon the earth.
This phrase points to the eschatological hope of believers reigning with Christ during the millennial kingdom, as described inRevelation 20:4-6. It emphasizes the future physical reign of Christ on earth, where believers will share in His authority and governance. This reign is a reversal of the curse in Genesis, restoring humanity's intended dominion over creation (Genesis 1:26-28). The promise of reigning on earth also ties into the prophetic visions of peace and justice found inIsaiah 11:1-9 andDaniel 7:27, where the saints of the Most High receive the kingdom. This future reign underscores the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over all earthly powers and the establishment of His righteous rule.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LambCentral to the vision in
Revelation 5, the Lamb represents Jesus Christ, who is worthy to open the scroll and its seals. His sacrificial death and resurrection have made the redemption of humanity possible.
2.
The Elders and Living CreaturesThese heavenly beings are present in the throne room of God, worshiping the Lamb and acknowledging His worthiness and authority.
3.
The RedeemedThose who have been made a kingdom and priests. This refers to believers who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and are called to serve God.
4.
The Throne Room of GodThe setting of this vision, where the Lamb is worshiped and the destiny of the redeemed is proclaimed.
5.
The EarthThe place where the redeemed will reign, indicating a future fulfillment of God's kingdom on earth.
Teaching Points
Identity in ChristBelievers are called to recognize their identity as a kingdom and priests. This identity is not based on personal merit but on the redemptive work of Christ.
Priestly ServiceAs priests, believers are called to serve God, intercede for others, and live lives of holiness and worship.
Future ReignThe promise of reigning on earth points to the hope of Christ's return and the establishment of His kingdom. Believers are encouraged to live with this future hope in mind.
Unity and PurposeThe collective identity as a kingdom and priests emphasizes the unity and shared purpose of the church. Believers are called to work together in fulfilling God's mission.
Living Out the KingdomWhile the full reign is future, believers are called to live out the values of God's kingdom now, demonstrating His love, justice, and righteousness in the world.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 5:10?
2.How does Revelation 5:10 emphasize our role as "a kingdom and priests"?
3.What responsibilities come with being "priests to our God" in daily life?
4.How does Genesis 1:26 relate to "reign on the earth"?
5.In what ways can we prepare to "reign on the earth"?
6.How does 1 Peter 2:9 connect with Revelation 5:10's message?
7.What does "a kingdom and priests to our God" mean in Revelation 5:10?
8.How does Revelation 5:10 relate to the concept of the priesthood of all believers?
9.What historical context influences the interpretation of Revelation 5:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 5?
11.What defines a Kingdom of Priests?
12.Why are gold, frankincense, and myrrh significant?
13.What defines a Kingdom of Priests?
14.What defines Christadelphianism as a religious movement?What Does Revelation 5:10 Mean
You have made themJohn’s vision hears the living creatures and elders celebrating Jesus’ finished work. They point out that He “made” a people—this work is complete, deliberate, and solely His doing (Ephesians 2:8-10). Just as the Lamb ransomed men “from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9), He also fashioned those same redeemed ones into something entirely new. The emphasis is not on what we achieve but on what Christ accomplishes.
to be a kingdomA kingdom implies citizenship, authority, and unity under a King. The believers are not scattered individuals; they are formed into a cohesive realm ruled by Christ (Colossians 1:13;Revelation 1:6). This kingdom already exists spiritually—Christ “has seated us with Him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6)—yet it also looks forward to a literal, earthly administration when Jesus returns (Luke 22:29-30).
and priestsIn the Old Testament, priests were set apart for worship and intercession (Exodus 19:6). Now every believer shares that privilege. We draw near to God, offering “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Our priesthood means immediate access to God and a calling to represent Him to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20).
to serve our GodService is the natural outflow of our new identity. The redeemed do not merely enjoy a status; they actively serve—presently through worship, witness, and obedience (Romans 12:1), and in the future by administering Christ’s righteous rule (Revelation 20:6). All privilege is given for purpose.
and they will reignThis promise reaches beyond present spiritual blessings to a future, tangible authority. “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Reigning is not symbolic only; it anticipates believers sharing in Christ’s governmental rule during His millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4) and ultimately in the eternal state (Revelation 22:5).
upon the earthThe location matters. God’s plan is not to abandon creation but to restore it (Romans 8:19-21). The saints’ reign occurs on the very earth that now groans. Prophecies such asDaniel 7:27 picture “the kingdom and dominion… under the whole heaven” being given to the saints. Revelation affirms that promise will be fulfilled literally when Christ returns and establishes His throne in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:9).
summaryRevelation 5:10 celebrates what the Lamb’s redemption has already accomplished and what it guarantees: a people He has molded, a present spiritual kingdom marked by priestly service, and a future literal reign on a renewed earth. Our identity, mission, and destiny are all secured by Christ, motivating worship now and hope for the day we reign with Him.
Verse 10. -
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests;and didst make them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests. Of those whom thou didst redeem from every nation, thou didst make a kingdom and priests. Wordsworth remarks that these honours conferred upon the redeemed imply duties as well as privileges. They receive the princely honours conferred upon them only on condition that they also become priests, presenting themselves, their souls and bodies, a living sacrifice to God (
Romans 12:1, 2), and, being a
holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (
1 Peter 2:5). (On the person of "us," see on previous verse.)
And we shall reign on the earth; or,
and they reign on the earth (see on ver. 9). The interpretation of this passage will necessarily be influenced to some extent by the view adopted of the millennium (see on Revelation 20.), Those who expect a personal reign of Christ on the earth for a thousand years naturally consider that in this verse reference is made to that period. And if the thousand years be understood to denote the time which elapses between the first and second comings of Christ, that is to say, the present time, the two passages - that in
Revelation 20:4 and the one before us - may be connected, and intended to refer to the same time. We have, therefore, to inquire in what sense the word "reign" is used, and how the redeemed can be said to reign on the earth at the present time. In the first place, nothing is more plainly taught us than that Christ's reigning, his power, and his kingdom on earth are a spiritual reign, a spiritual power, a spiritual kingdom; though the Jews and our Lord's disciples themselves frequently erred by supposing that his kingdom would be a visible, worldly power. It seems natural, therefore, that if such is the meaning of Christ's reigning, that of his servants should be of the same nature; and we ought not to err in the same way as the Jews did, by expecting to see the redeemed exercise at any time visible authority over their fellowmen. The redeemed reign, then, spiritually. But it will be well to inquire more fully and exactly what we intend to signify by this expression. The word "reign" is not often used of Christians in the New Testament. In
Romans 5:17 we read, "Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." And in
1 Corinthians 4:8. "And I would to God ye did reign." In both these places St. Paul seems to intend a reigning over self - an ability to subdue personal passions; a power which comes from the "abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness" which are mentioned, and which are possessed only by the redeemed, through Jesus Christ. This ability to subdue personal passions and ambitions is what the apostle wishes for the Corinthians, and of which many of them had shown themselves to be destitute, or only possessing in an inadequate degree. It is the truth which is expressed by Solomon in the words, "Better is he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (
Proverbs 16:32); and in the words of the Collect for Peace in the Morning Prayer of the Church of England, "Whose service is perfect freedom;" or, as it should be rendered, "Whom to serve is to reign." The representatives of the Church and of creation, then, adore the Lamb, through whose redeeming act grace may be given to men of every kindred and tongue, to enable them to overcome sin and Satan, and in the freedom of God's service to reign on earth as kings and conquerors over all unworthy passions. In this way, too, we account for the present tense of the verb, which is most probably the correct reading.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
You have madeἐποίησας(epoiēsas)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.them {into}αὐτοὺς(autous)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.a kingdom,βασιλείαν(basileian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932:From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.priestsἱερεῖς(hiereis)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409:A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.to [ serve ]τῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.ourἡμῶν(hēmōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.God,Θεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.they will reignβασιλεύσουσιν(basileusousin)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 936:(a) I rule, reign, (b) I reign over. From basileus; to rule.uponἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.earth.”γῆς(gēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093:Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 5:10 And made us kings and priests (Rev. Re Apocalypse)