Revelation 5:10 kjv

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 5:10 nkjv

And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

Revelation 5:10 niv

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Revelation 5:10 esv

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Revelation 5:10 nlt

And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth."

Revelation 5 verses

Revelation 5 10 Meaning

Revelation 5:10, as part of the "new song" sung to the Lamb, declares the transformed identity and future destiny of the redeemed from every nation. It proclaims that Christ's atoning sacrifice has exalted these individuals, making them a "kingdom" (royal, governing body) and "priests" (those with direct access to God for service and worship) belonging to God. Furthermore, it reveals a profound eschatological hope: these redeemed ones "will reign upon the earth," signifying a future active participation in Christ's dominion over the restored creation. This verse emphasizes the profound implications of Christ's redemptive work, elevating His followers to positions of both divine intimacy and earthly authority under God's ultimate sovereignty.

Revelation 5 10 Context

Revelation chapter 5 immediately follows the majestic scene of God the Father on His throne in chapter 4, worshipped as Creator. Chapter 5 shifts focus to the search for someone worthy to open the scroll sealed with seven seals, representing God's plan and judgment for the ages. The initial distress at no one being found worthy is relieved by the introduction of the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" (Christ), who then appears as "a Lamb standing as though it had been slain." This paradoxical image of strength and sacrifice is key. The "new song" of Revelation 5:9-10 is sung by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders (often understood to represent redeemed humanity or heavenly worshipers), glorifying the Lamb's worthiness due to His redemptive act – His death and purchase of people "from every tribe and language and people and nation." Thus, Revelation 5:10 explains the incredible result of the Lamb's sacrifice: the establishment of the redeemed as God's royal and priestly people, with a promise of future earthly reign, laying the groundwork for further eschatological revelations in Revelation. The context contrasts God's ultimate plan carried out through Christ with human, self-sufficient empires and the pagan systems of earthly power and spiritual mediation that fall short of divine appointment.

Revelation 5 10 Word analysis

• and (καὶ, kai): This conjunction links the two main statements of the verse ("you have made them..." and "they will reign...") and connects this verse to the preceding song, maintaining the flow of praise for the Lamb's work. It emphasizes continuity in the divine decree.
• you have made (ἐποίησας, epoiesas): This verb signifies a purposeful act of creation, constitution, or appointment. It emphasizes that the new status of kingdom and priests is not achieved by human merit or effort, but is a sovereign, gracious act initiated and completed by the Lamb (Christ) for the benefit of the redeemed. It is God's making them into this, not merely declaring them.
• them (αὐτοὺς, autous): Refers directly back to the "purchased" ones of verse 9—people "from every tribe and language and people and nation." This highlights the universal scope of redemption and inclusion into this privileged status, irrespective of their origin.
• to be a kingdom (βασιλείαν, basileian): This word signifies a royal rule, a reign, or a body of subjects governed by a king. It means the redeemed are not merely subjects but possess a royal quality and function. It speaks to their destiny of ruling, in stark contrast to their former status as "slaves of sin" (Rom 6:17). This evokes God's original intention for humanity to rule over creation (Gen 1:28).
• and (καὶ, kai): Connects the royal and priestly aspects of their identity.
• priests (ἱερεῖς, hiereis): This term denotes those with authorized access to God, privileged to draw near Him and minister on behalf of others. Unlike the Levitical priesthood limited to one tribe, this speaks of a universal spiritual priesthood of believers (1 Pet 2:9). Their function involves offering spiritual sacrifices—worship, praise, service, prayer (Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15-16).
• to our God (τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν, tō theō hēmōn): This clarifies the direction and allegiance of their royal and priestly functions. Their kingship is in subordination to God's ultimate sovereignty, and their priesthood is exclusively for His glory and service, differentiating it from pagan or self-serving religious systems.
• and (καὶ, kai): Introduces the direct statement of their future activity.
• they will reign (βασιλεύσουσιν, basileusousin): A strong future tense verb, unequivocally stating that ruling is an assured future reality. It echoes the concept of "kingdom" and emphasizes an active, authoritative role.
• upon the earth (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, epi tēs gēs): This specific geographical context grounds their future reign in a tangible reality. It implies a restored or new earth (Rev 21-22), fulfilling prophecies of God's people inheriting and ruling the earth, suggesting a visible, historical reign under Christ, contrasting with mere spiritual influence alone.

• "you have made them": Highlights divine agency and sovereign grace in bestowing this elevated status on the redeemed. It is an act of creation, a transformation from the world into a divinely purposed entity. This directly contradicts any idea of human achievement earning such a position.
• "a kingdom and priests to our God": This phrase combines the regal and cultic (worship/service) dimensions of the redeemed. It's a significant polemic against any singular earthly power or religious hierarchy that claims exclusive mediation or dominion apart from Christ's established body. The emphasis is on all redeemed ones, a universal church exercising both authority and spiritual access.
• "they will reign upon the earth": This definitive future promise is a crucial aspect of Christian eschatology. It presents a tangible, future role for believers that is directly tied to the redemption wrought by the Lamb. This stands as a hope against present suffering and earthly oppression, assuring a future where divine justice and order will prevail through His people.

Revelation 5 10 Bonus section

The concept of a "new song" in Revelation (and other biblical books) often signals a new act of divine redemption or creation that demands fresh praise and recognition. Here, the "new song" is intrinsically linked to the new covenant realities initiated by the Lamb's atonement. The inclusion of "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev 5:9) highlights that Christ's kingdom transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries, a sharp contrast to earthly empires defined by specific territories and national identities. This verse strongly affirms the active participation of believers in the administration of God's redemptive plan beyond merely a spiritual or "already-but-not-yet" understanding. The phrase "to our God" places the entirety of this glorious new identity and future reign firmly under the authority and for the glory of the Almighty God and His Son, Jesus Christ, solidifying a theological framework where God's ultimate sovereignty is unchallenged and perfectly realized through the redeemed. The "reign upon the earth" emphasizes God's redemptive interest not just in human souls but in creation itself (Rom 8:19-22), indicating a future reconciliation and restoration of the physical world.

Revelation 5 10 Commentary

Revelation 5:10 profoundly encapsulates the transformative power of Christ's redemption, articulating the elevated status and future destiny of all believers. Through His sacrificial blood, Christ did not just pardon; He constituted His people into a dual-faceted role as both a "kingdom" and "priests." The "kingdom" aspect signifies a royal people who will participate in Christ's rule, exercising dominion under His authority. This concept fulfills the ancient promise to Israel of being a "kingdom of priests" (Exod 19:6), extended and completed through Christ to all who are redeemed from every background (Rev 5:9). The "priests" aspect means believers have direct, unhindered access to God for worship, prayer, and spiritual service, empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices. Both roles negate the necessity of exclusive human intermediaries between God and humanity. The most striking future-oriented declaration, "they will reign upon the earth," assures believers of a tangible, active, and influential role in Christ's future kingdom. This points towards a significant eschatological period—often associated with the Millennial reign (Rev 20:4-6) and subsequently the eternal state (Rev 22:5)—where God's ultimate plan for justice, righteousness, and order will be fully actualized through His redeemed ones on a restored earth, directly contrasting with earthly kingdoms that pass away. The promise of this reign provides hope, motivation for endurance, and assurance of divine purpose for believers in every generation.