KINGS AND PRIESTS – THE POWERBROKERS OF THE COMING KINGDOM
During the Revelation on Patmos, the apostle John was given the invitation, “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” He went on to write, “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne ... And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting... and they had on their heads crowns of gold... And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts ... And the first beast was like a lion , and the second beast like a calf , and the third beast had a face as a man , and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle . And they [elders and beasts] sung a new song, saying... For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests : and we shall reign on the earth ” (see Revelation 4:1-5:10). This heavenly scene that
