The Church Called to Kingship of the Nations
– A Bible Study –
The LORD Jesus has redeemed us to God by His blood "Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV)
Background
This passage is part of a heavenly scene in which the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is being worshiped as worthy to open the sealed Scroll because He was slain and purchased people for God.
The phrase “kings and priests” (or sometimes translated “a kingdom and priests”) echoes Exodus 19:6, where God tells Israel, “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Further, the phrase has deep implications, which include:
• Royal and priestly identity of believers,
• Future reign of the believers,
• The restoration of humanity’s original purpose (a reversal of the Fall.)
Also, this revelation portrays the Church as the fulfilment of Israel’s calling — a new covenant community that includes both Jews and Gentiles.
Royal and Priestly Identity
This “kingdom” (or kings) implies delegated authority, as when Adam and Eve ruled creation for God (Genesis 1:26-27). Believers are seen as ruling with Christ, not just in the future kingdom, but also in a spiritual sense even now (cf. Romans 5:17, Ephesians 2:6).
Also, as “priests”, they will offer worship and offerings, both the incense of prayer (8:4) and the sacrifice of their own lives (6:9).
Application
This revelation is not only for the millennium but for the present age as well. For the Church is called to redeem the world through our prayers and life in words and deeds — imitating Christ, our Redeemer.
He therefore labels us as “the salt…and light of the world.”(Matthew 5:13-14)
Furthermore, He urges us not to be hidden by being nonchalant, complacent or weary. For He as well has given us all the requirements for the task, including His (Holy) Spirit. We simply need to tap at the resources which are at our disposal, especially the Church synergy.
Unfortunately, we are being hindered by wanton denominational differences, competition, and self-centredness.
Called to Entrepreneurship
To be the salt and light of the nation implies that Christians are to be entrepreneurial.
Entrepreneurship is more a lifestyle (or an attitude to work) than just making money. It’s an attitude of confronting human (spiritual or physical) problems for a solution. When one succeeds, he becomes a king — glorifying God. That’s God’s purpose for the Church.
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