Thursday, February 27, 2020

Revelation 1:6; Commentary, Greetings and Doxology Continued


1:6  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.” ～ The ransomed and blood washed ones (i.e. the Saints) are themselves made kings and also priests. By this designation the Church is shown to have inherited the prerogatives of Israel. Yahweh told Israel that they would be to Him “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Ex 19:6). Using near to the same words, the Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle Paul, tells the Church, “… ye are ... a royal priesthood, an holy nation” (1 Pet 2:9). The prerogatives of the nation of Israel passed to the Church (the New Israel – see Gal 6:16) on the day of Pentecost A.D. 30. If we would skip forward to 5:10 and take a preview of that passage, we would see the redeemed represented by the twenty-four elders and the four beasts (living creatures) who claim the title of “kings and priests” for themselves. (Concerning these elders and living creatures I will have more to say upon arrival at that place.)

The combination of the two offices of king and priest onto one person was not normative to holy Scripture before the Messianic Kingdom was established. The one noted king/priest personality in the Old Testament was Melchizedek (Gen 14:18-20). This Melchizedek, was the King of Salem (peace) and also the “priest of the most high God.” In natural Israel the same person could not be both, because each must derive from a particular tribe in which one was diverse from the other. However, Jesus is declared a priest after the order of Melchizedek in that He (Jesus) was both king and priest. But more so because He is a priest eternally as is the Melchizedek priesthood (Heb 7:21). Therefore, in that the saints are said to be “kings and priest” it is obviously the Melchizedek priesthood that is in view (Heb ch7 cf. Gen 14:18-20). Those who are born again into the body of Christ become priests after His order. Jesus promised, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, ... .” (3:21). Therefore, Jesus, the Melchizedek priest, is also the King.

The claim by John, here, that the saints are both “kings and priest” is a strong indication that the believers are even now ruling and reigning with Christ.

The idea of king/priest is projected for the Messianic Kingdom by the prophet Zechariah. In that prophet’s writings (ch 3 and 6:11-13) the high priest Joshua, and the king Zerubbabel (he was actually the governor) are viewed as one. Both of them prefigure the “Branch” (Zech 3:8; 6:12) who is the Messiah. 

That the title of king/priest is used for the saints of the present Church, is strong evidence that the Messianic Kingdom and the Church are one and the same entity.

The glory and dominion that is forever and ever belongs to the “ruler of the kings of the earth” (v5 NKJV); but also to the saints who are ruling with Him (5:10; Rom 8:17; 2 Tim 2:12). And to the saints to whom He gave instructions to pray for His Kingdom to come in the earth.

“Unto God and his Father.” ～ Here, the conjunction between God and Father is the Grk “kai.”  Kai is translated: and, even, also, and namely. Here, the meaning is obviously “even.” Otherwise, the meaning would be: God and the Father are two individuals, or, even worse, God has a Father. This Grk conjunction is used many times in Scripture to connect the name of Jesus with that of the Father and Holy Spirit. Whereas the English “and” means: another in conjunction to, the Grk “kai” has other meanings that must be considered. Thus, the word can not be relied on to prove a distinction of persons in the Godhead.

“To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” ～ When armed with this knowledge, Christians will cease running and cowering before the enemy. It is high time to posture ourselves like the kings and priests we are. For our King reigns (Matt 28:18) and has empowered His saints (Luke 10:19) to take the kingdom (Dan 7:18, 21-28). To which end we are to pray (Matt 6-:9-13) and proclaim: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

“Amen.” ～ At the end of v6 is an “Amen.” This word is an affirmation that places an exclamation mark after the verse. Literally, “I have said it. Now, let it be so!”

Apostolically Speaking,
☩ Jerry L Hayes





After spending over forty years in the dispensational doctrine, and having raise my children in that theological framework, I became a convinced adherent to a "kingdom" theology that recognizes the Church as the Israel of God, and that the first century actually saw the fulfillment of most of Matthew chapter 24. "Letters to My Children on Apostolic Kingdom Theology" is a compilation of twenty four letters written to my children explaining my journey. These "Letters" provide a systematic approach to Apostolic Eschatological study of Scripture. It is sure to interest all students of Scriptures.
Order your personal copy today from the link provided here:
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The Apocalypse, is the introduction to the biblical book of Revelation. Here Bishop Hayes also gives a verse by verse commentary of the first three chapters of the Apostle John's Revelation of Jesus Christ, covering the letters addressed to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The Bible student will thrill at the Bishop's easy evangelistic style of presenting deep and unique truths never before published. In this study a wealth of information will be shared with the disciples of Christ on each verse of this great manuscript.

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