Almost Kings

Pocket Kings look good to some poker players. But they're scary to others - because someone with an Ace might show them up on the flop.

But would you like to someday be a king? Our last post examined some interesting writing that indicates you can be. But as we looked closely at it, questions arose. Here's what we read:

And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. - Revelation 5:10 (KJV)

But then we backtracked and saw this....

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb.... - Revelation 5:8 (NIV)

So what's going on? Is the future title of "king" only for some mysterious creatures in heaven?

We found the explanation is as simple as comparing Bible translations. Since we cited the New International Version in verse 8, let's keep reading it....

And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, ad they shall reign on the earth." - Revelation 5:9-10

We emphasized a few key words here. The creatures and elders praise Jesus for purchasing men - as in human beings. A footnote in the New King James indicates some Greek versions of Revelation which have been handed down over time put the emphasis on humans, while others do not.

A check of numerous translations indicates most translate this section as giving the "kings and priests" title to humans. It fits better with other verses in Revelation - verses which explain how you can become a king:

To him who overcomes I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcome and sat down with my Father on his throne. - Revelation 3:21

These are words of a resurrected Jesus. He amazingly offers you the opportunity to be resurrected as well, and sit with Him! (We think Jesus would be the "Ace", overriding our King-ship.)

But as our title (borrowing from a rock band) indicates, there's something we must do. To borrow from an old spiritual, we must overcome. And....

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.... - Revelation 2:26

We overcome this world and our own sinful nature by doing the will of Jesus Christ. Discover that will by reading carefully through the first four books of the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are known as the "gospels," telling the story of Jesus from conception to crucifixion to resurrection.

But we've left one question unanswered here. What about those "elders" mentioned in Revelation 5? We'll keep working on that for another post.