Has the Kingdom Come?

(By Pastor Mark Fontecchio)

Question: Why shouldn't we understand Rev. 1:5-6, 9; 5:10 as clearly asserting that the Kingdom 'has come' in some form?

Answer: Let’s take the time to take a brief look at each of the verses that you mentioned. In Revelation 1:5 the text speaks of Christ as the, “ruler over the kings of the earth” (NKJV). The key to correctly interpreting this section of Scripture is to recognize that the Apostle John was drawing these words from Psalm 89. This particular psalm is about the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:5-16). The context of Psalm 89 demonstrates this (vv. 3-4). In Revelation 1:5, the verse that John was alluding to was verse 27 of this psalm, “Also I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” By John repeatedly (three times) pulling these expressions from Psalm 89 demonstrates that the original intent of this verse was to show that one day the promises made to David will be completely and perfectly fulfilled in the person of Jesus the Christ. This will be fulfilled in the Millennium.

In Revelation 1:6 the text states, “and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (NASB). At this point in the text John has now moved into a doxological praise of Christ which began in the latter part of verse 5. Certainly the idea of a kingdom is present, but just what is the intended meaning here? Charles Ryrie provides a succinct answer, “He made us a kingdom (not ‘kings’) and priests to God. ‘Kingdom’ views believers corporately and anticipates our association with Christ in His future reign (5:9–10), whereas ‘priests’ sees them individually ministering to our Lord forever.”¹

Revelation 1:9 teaches that John referred to himself as their, “brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (NKJV). At this point in the letter, John wanted the believers in Christ located in these seven churches to recognize that their current suffering for Christ was directly related to the future kingdom of the Lord (2 Thess. 1:4-5). He wanted the believers to wait for the kingdom in patience. This is the consistent message found in the Word of God. Believers in Christ will encounter suffering (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 3:12) before the arrival of the Messianic Kingdom (Rev. 11:15; 20:4, 6; 22:5). It is for this reason that believers are to patiently await the coming Kingdom of God. Paul told Timothy, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1). Clearly the Kingdom of Christ is yet future.

The other passage mentioned in this question is Revelation 5:10 which reads, “And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Unfortunately, the New King James translation misses the mark with this verse. The first part of the verse mistakenly reads, “have made us kings and priests.” However, the manuscripts agree that the correct reading is a third person plural. Thus, the correct reading should be, “You have made them kings and priests.” Again, instead of reading at the end of the verse, “and we shall reign on the earth” the Majority Text testifies, “And they shall reign on the earth.”²

Verses 8-9 provide us with the context, “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song.” Verse 10 is part of that song. In particular, verse 10 is about those who will enter the Kingdom of God and have been faithful to the Lord. Because of their faithfulness, they will reign with Christ in His Kingdom. There is nothing in this text that suggests that the Kingdom is here now. This, once again, looks forward to the future Kingdom of Christ.

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¹ Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Revelation, Everyman’s Bible Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1996), 15.

² I believe the Majority Text contains the most accurate manuscripts.