Revelation 1:6

who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — John writes to the seven churches in Asia, opening his letter with a doxology to God and Jesus Christ before the vision of the glorified Christ unfolds.

The words — ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen, "He has made") is aorist active, marking a completed, definitive act rather than an ongoing process. The object βασιλείαν (basileian, "a kingdom") is singular, paired with the plural ἱερεῖς ("priests"), so the collective is made a kingdom while its members are made priests.

The thread — Exodus 19:6 calls Israel "a kingdom of priests," and Revelation 5:10 repeats the formula for the redeemed, adding that they "will reign upon the earth."

Why it lands — The verse places the reader inside a completed act: they have already been made a kingdom and priests, not merely promised one. It asks the reader to act from that identity rather than wait for it.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Cross-references

Revelation 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Exodus 19:6 And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.
Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Revelation 5:12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Daniel 4:34 But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.