What Revelation 1:6 really means: Kings and Priests

Context of Revelation 1:6

This verse flows directly from the praise to Jesus in verse 5, who loves us, freed us from sin by His blood, and now establishes us as a kingdom of priests.

Verse 6 continues the doxology - a hymn of praise - highlighting the result of Jesus' work: believers are saved and given a sacred role. The original readers, facing persecution and isolation, would have found hope in knowing they were part of God’s royal priesthood, a role Israel also received in Exodus 19:6.

This identity as priests means we draw near to God and represent Him in everyday life, not through rituals, but through worship, witness, and service.

A Kingdom of Priests: Rooted in God's Ancient Promise

This vision of believers as both a kingdom and priests directly echoes God’s original calling of Israel in Exodus 19:6 - 'you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' - now fulfilled in the church through Christ.

In Exodus 19:6, God called Israel to be set apart as a nation and as a people who would represent Him to the surrounding world through holiness and worship. Now in Revelation 1:6, John declares that Jesus has fulfilled this promise by making all believers - Jew and Gentile - a new spiritual priesthood. We are not serving in a temple made of stone, but living as God’s holy servants, offering spiritual sacrifices like praise, thanksgiving, and acts of love.

Because of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, every believer now shares in a priestly role, offering spiritual worship and reflecting God’s light to the world.

Together, 'kingdom' and 'priests' paint a powerful picture: we are both citizens of God’s eternal rule and His appointed ministers, called to live with dignity and purpose under Christ’s authority.

A Royal Identity in the Midst of Suffering

This truth was meant to comfort the seven churches facing real suffering, reminding them their value and position come from Christ, not their circumstances.

God sees every believer as part of His royal priesthood now - honored, set apart, and empowered to serve, no matter the trials they face on earth.

Even in hardship, believers are already kings and priests - not by status, but by grace through Christ.

This heavenly perspective was meant to strengthen their endurance, calling them to live with dignity and hope, knowing their true identity is secure in Jesus.

A Priestly Calling Across Time: Already Yours, Not Yet Complete

This identity as a kingdom of priests isn't new to Revelation - it's a promise echoed throughout Scripture, showing both our present hope and future glory.

In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are called 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession,' showing that this priestly status begins now, in this life, as a reason to live differently and declare God’s praises. And in Revelation 5:10, it’s said of the redeemed: 'You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth,' pointing to a future fulfillment when Christ’s rule is fully established.

You are already a priest of God, not because of what you've done, but because of what Jesus has done for you.

Together, these verses show the 'already/not-yet' of our faith: we serve as priests today, even as we wait for the day when our service reaches its full meaning in God’s eternal kingdom.

Application