Revelation 1:6

Kings and priests. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading “a kingdom, priests,” probably an allusion to Ex. 19:6 (cf. Rev. 5:10). Christ had constituted His church a “kingdom” and its individual members “priests.” To be a member of the kingdom is to be a “priest.” Compare the “royal priesthood” of 1 Peter 2:9. Those who have accepted salvation in Christ make up a kingdom whose king is Christ. Reference here is to the kingdom of divine grace in the hearts of men (see on Matt. 4:17). A priest may be regarded as one who presents offerings to God (cf. Heb. 5:1; 8:3), and in this sense every Christian has the privilege of presenting “spiritual sacrifices”—prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, glory—to God (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9). Because every Christian is a priest, he may approach God on his own behalf, without the mediation of another human being, and on behalf of others. Christ is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), our great “high priest,” and through Him it is our privilege to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15, 16).

God and his Father. That is, God, even His Father.

To him be glory. Literally, “to Him the glory,” that is, to Christ (see v. 5). The definite article “the” implies all glory. For comment on doxa, the word translated “glory,” see on Rom. 3:23.

Dominion. To ascribe “dominion” to Christ is to acknowledge Him as the rightful ruler of the universe. After the resurrection He received “all power … in heaven and in earth” (see on Matt. 28:18). Christ merits the unending praise of mankind in return for His triumph over sin and death (see Col. 2:15). Satan had challenged Christ’s right to “glory and dominion,” but these are rightfully Christ’s. With this doxology, or ascription of praise, John concludes the salutation to his letter (Rev. 1:4–6).

For ever and ever. Gr. eis aiōnas tōn aiōnōn, literally, “into the ages of the ages,” and thus “forever.” For a discussion of the word aiōn see on Matt. 13:39. John foresees no time limit to Christ’s right to “glory and dominion.”

Amen. See on Matt. 5:18.