This verse continues the Apostle Johns benediction.

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…

VERSE 6 “…and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

AND HAS MADE US A KINGDOM —PRIESTS TO HIS GOD AND FATHER (ESV)

This third and final phrase of the benediction states the ultimate goal for the Church’s selection —the glorious work which awaits the faithful completion of the Church’s earthly experience.

“Here the thought of joint-heirship or joint-rulership in the Kingdom is further substantiated; the over-comers are shown to be “kings and priests unto God.” The hope of the world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity to be brought to all by the Redeemer and his glorified Church in the Millennial Kingdom.

In the expression “unto God and his Father,” the word “and” is the Greek kai, which not only signifies the conjunction “and” but also frequently has the thought of “even.” In this case “even” is the proper rendition of the verse; i.e., Jesus has “made us kings and priests unto God, even his Father.”

Speaking on behalf of the Lord’s people, the Apostle John expresses his admiration of the love that prompted Jesus to leave the courts of heaven to suffer and die a sacrificial death on Calvary for man’s sin. Also implied is an expression of amazement that before the world’s opportunity of restoration in the coming Kingdom, the Church is called to be the rulers and priests over earth’s subjects in that grand era of redemption. The two highest elevations in rank among men, the regal and the sacerdotal, are combined in similitude to the Melchisedec priesthood. Verse 6 mentions these two offices to show the glorious prerogatives and the state of the children of God.”

TO HIM BE THE GLORY AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN

What more can be said? It is likely that this prayer refers to dominion over the Church since the dominion over the world is, at  least in one sense, restricted to the thousand years. But if the earthly dominion is, in another sense, forever and ever, surely no one will object!

“Whether this expression “to him” refers to God Himself or to His Son, the Redeemer might be questioned. Both would be appropriate; but in this particular context John seems to continue the theme of the personal worthiness of Christ, and heartily assents to God’s honoring the Son with such preeminent glory. Of course, the Father, who delegates such honor to the Son, is superior in every way. God does not suppress or expunge the personality of John, but allows him to enthusiastically appraise and heartily endorse the Master with a loud “Amen.” He who honors the Son honors the Father (John 5:23).

In summary, Verses 4 to 6 reveal that the blessing and favor of God, and of His Holy Spirit, and of His Son attend the Church on her journey. Blessed be the God and Father of Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has made such glorious provision for the Church’s need!

VERSE 7 “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

BEHOLD

This little word (somewhat similar to SELAH in the Psalms) is of extreme import as we search the Scriptures. It must never be taken lightly. It is a sign that very great meaning is at hand so long as we are willing to search deeply. Verse seven and verse eight form an important INTERLOCKING unit if we look carefully. If we do not, each of these verses seems somewhat out of place in the context and even in relationship to the other.

This word, Behold, is, of course, a direct quote from a prophecy in Dan 7:13.

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, one like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.”

The quote is actually very appropriate here. It is used because it is an extension of the third point in John’s benediction. It is about the establishment of the KINGDOM. The Daniel prophecy has an enormous correspondence to what is to follow in Revelation. In Daniel, the text is in response to the rule of the four beasts. Dan 7:13 begins by referring to THE NIGHT VISIONS. Revelation is, in effect, a detailed report of the NIGHT VISIONS —prophecies of the activities of the Gospel Age.

The seven Churches must go through the night of the Gospel Age; but then they will see the morning —the blessed culmination, the coming of the Son of Man. Thus, Verse 7 is a response to Verse 6 —the promised kingdom will UNDO the piercing and the long-predominant evils of the “tribes of the earth.”

HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS

It is IMPERATIVE that we notice what Daniel said! He added two very vital words: “the clouds OF HEAVEN.”

The TWO POWERS which will plague the Church throughout its walk are the “Kings of the Earth,” (1:5) and the HEAVENS (the offending heavens the present powers of spiritual control), NOT mentioned in Verse 7, but really there if we BEHOLD the prophecy in Daniel.

Both powers are accounted for. Jesus is RULER (controller) of the Kings of the Earth and will destroy them (Chapter 19). He also will destroy the offending heavens with TROUBLE (clouds) upon his return.

THIS ACT (trouble upon the ecclesiastical heavens) will be the visible manifestation that the promised kingdom IS BEING SET UP.

It is IN THESE CLOUDS (that is it is during this trouble that the last members of the body of Christ, the “feet of him” will finished their consecration in death (Rev 2:10), and instantaneously experience their resurrection change to meet their Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:17.)

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Therefore to US, the clouds presage JOY!

A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Verse 7, on the surface, looks like it is stressing trouble on everyone. IT IS NOT. As we examine with care (as we BEHOLD) the use of prophecy here, we will see that the ONLY trouble shown in this verse is the clouds of heaven. The remainder of the verse stresses wonderful repentance on the part of Israel and the world. To prove this, we must examine Zechariah 12.

AND EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM

The discernment of this presence will spread —eventually to all living intelligent beings. (Understand our Lord’s Parousia or presence is NOT a single time or day event, but rather a period of time, a thousand year “day” event.) The saints will be the first to see (to perceive his presence in the clouds, the trouble then ensuing, NOT with their physical sight, but through eyes of their understanding having been opened to the “times and the seasons”, as recorded in prophecy, and to the events then unfolding.) During this period of time, “even those who pierced him” having been raised from the grave will RETURN to “see” Him —to understand the grace of Divine wisdom which allowed this miscarriage of justice FOR THEIR OWN GOOD!

AND ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH

ALL of mankind. This will be the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham: In his seed will all the tribes of the earth be blessed!

WILL MOURN OVER HIM

The thought IS NOT to mourn (or wail) BECAUSE of him —i.e., to SUFFER because of what he will be doing. The thought is that they will have a genuine MOURNING —a repentance —a sad review of their past ignorance of him and what he meant.

Notice at this point a few of the facts of Zech 12:10 from which this verse is quoted.

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

The mourning is stimulated because the spirit of grace and of supplication is poured out on Israel. Their mourning is like one who grieves because he has lost a firstborn! This is GOOD “mourning” or wailing. It is NOT a fear being spread because of the clouds of trouble on Babylon! THAT will all be passed by this time.

Thus this verse is a genuine mourning over him in the sense of saying, “O, what have we done in ignoring and persecuting the God-sent messengers, Savior, and prophets! O, what have we done for 2000 years in ignoring God and His ways?” Thus this verse is a HAPPY occasion IN RESPONSE TO VERSE 6. It is the change of the world’s attitudes!

EVEN SO, AMEN

Why else would John add these words? He is not rejoicing in their suffering! He is rejoicing in their AWAKENING to the new king!

In our next post we would like to enhance on this verse as taken from another brother’s perspective.