When you say "US" in verse 10, who is doing the talking or should I say, "who is doing the singing." Who is the "THEY THAT SUNG?" Let's walk through this again. I think we need to freshen up on basic reading comprehension and grammar.
Definitions
A noun is a word or set of words for a person, place, thing, or idea.
A verb is a word or set of words that shows action (runs, is going, has been painting); feeling (loves, envies); or state of being (am, are, is, have been, was, seem).
Examples:
He ran around the block.
I like my friend.
They seem friendly.
Rule 1. To find the subject and verb, always find the verb first. Then ask who or what performed the verb.
Examples:
The jet engine passed inspection.
Passed is the verb. Who or what passed? The engine, so engine is the subject. (If you included the word jet as the subject, lightning will not strike you. But technically, jet is an adjective here and is part of what is known as the complete subject.)
From the ceiling hung the chandelier.
The verb is hung. Now, if you think ceiling is the subject, slow down. Ask who or what hung. The answer is the chandelier, not the ceiling. Therefore, chandelier is the subject.
Rule 2. Sentences can have more than one subject and more than one verb.
Examples:
I like cake, and he likes ice cream. (Two subjects and two verbs)
He and I like cake. (Two subjects and one verb)
She lifts weights and jogs daily. (One subject and two verbs)
Rule 3. If a verb follows to, it is called an infinitive, and it is not the main verb. You will find the main verb either before or after the infinitive.
Examples:
He is trying to leave.
To leave is an infinitive; the main verb is trying.
To leave was his wish.
The main verb is was.
So, let's try this again. Verbs in blue, subject nouns in red:
[SUP]8 [/SUP]Now when He (Lamb) 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. [SUP]9 [/SUP]And they (4 LC & 24 E) sang a new song, saying:
Who had taken the scroll? He (Lamb)
Who fell down before the Lamb? Four Living Creatures and Twenty-four elders.
Who has the harp? Four Living Creatures and Twenty-four elders.
Who has the golden bowls? Four Living Creatures and Twenty-four elders.
Who sang a new song? They. Who does the "they" refer back to? Four Living Creatures and Twenty-four elders.
Now that we established that the 24 Elders were singing the new song, what does the song say?
“You (Lamb) are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
Lamb takes scroll
Lamb opens seals
For You (Lamb) were slain,
And have redeemed us (4 LC & 24 E) to God by Your blood
Lamb redeemed 24 Elders to God by Lamb's blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
The 24 Elders were redeemed out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation.
Are you with me so far? The prayers of the saints are the incense in the bowls that the 24 Elders were holding. The Saints themselves are not the subject matter, it is the Four Living Creatures and 24 Elders who are singing about themselves. They happen to be holding "prayers of the saints" not the saints themselves.
Now that we've had this little Grammar lesson, who are being made kings and priests to God and who is reigning on earth?
[SUP]10 [/SUP]And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
Again, who is the "we?" It is NOT the Church. The Church isn't mention or even inferred. Did you follow the progression? The "we" is not all the Saints. The "We" are the 24 Elders and perhaps also the 4 Living Creatures.
The Lamb has made the 24 Elders priests to God and the 24 Elders shall reign on the earth. There is nothing in this passage that tells us that ALL THE SAINTS are going to be reigning too.
The only other passage I can think of on short notice is Paul writing to Timothy where he mentions to Timothy that if we "endure" we will reign with Him. The "we" is Paul and Timothy. The context is enduring suffering for the faith. Then we have Revelation 20 which discusses those specifically beheaded. The context there is clear and concise.
I am not aware of any passage that clearly and precisely tells us all Saints (from the beginning of Saints to the end) reign on earth with Christ. If you know of a passage, please enlighten me. Thank you.
