What is THE END of “the world”? The letter “D.” But we CAN know about our future.
1 Corinthians 15:22,23:
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s AT HIS COMING.
Christ is risen from death unto eternal life in a new spiritual body. We will someday receive a new spiritual body “fashioned like unto his glorious body” [Philippians 3:21]. Until then, we live for the Lord the best we can in this soul-based earthly body. Now what about “the end”?
1 Corinthians 15:24-28:
Then cometh THE END, when he [THE LORD JESUS] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he [THE LORD JESUS] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he [THE LORD JESUS] must reign, till he [THE LORD JESUS] hath put all enemies under his [THE LORD JESUS’] feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
For he [GOD, OUR FATHER] hath put all things under his [THE LORD JESUS’] feet. But when he [GOD, OUR FATHER] saith all things are put under him [THE LORD JESUS], it is manifest that he [GOD, OUR FATHER] is excepted, which did put all things under him [THE LORD JESUS].
And when all things shall be subdued unto him [THE LORD JESUS] , then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [GOD, OUR FATHER] that put all things under him [THE LORD JESUS], that God may be all in all.
There a many pronouns here that are clear in the context. Here is what we know about the end:
1. Our Lord Jesus will deliver the kingdom to God, his Father.
2. Jesus will, with the Father’s authority and power, put “all things” under his feet. Psalms 110:1 prophecies that “The LORD [Hebrew Jehovah, meaning God] said unto my Lord [Hebrew adon, meaning the Messiah], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
3. Jesus will destroy death, the final enemy, bringing eternal life as a reality to those who accept him.
4. God has given Jesus FULL LORDSHIP OVER ALL, and put everything under His Son’s feet.
5. Of course, God is excepted. HE is the One Who put all under Christ’s feet.
6. Jesus will subdue all things under himself.
7. Jesus will subject himself to his Father, Who put all things under His beloved Son.
8. God will be all in all. Revelation 7:10 says: “And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to OUR GOD which sitteth upon the throne, and unto THE LAMB.” The Father is enthroned above all. And our Savior, the Lamb, sits upon the throne of rulership and power with him.
Amen. I love you.
Explorers take their resources and discover uncharted worlds. That is true of ancient Greek and Roman armies, Spanish and Portuguese sailors, and modern-day astronauts. There is a verse of scripture that demands our exploration, for it opens new and brilliant vistas of understanding and practical, spiritual life.
The Bible shows us how to live according to God’s plan. It also shows people who did not love God and obey His will in their lives. That includes Cain who killed his brother [Genesis 4:1-8], Balaam who sought bribes [Numbers 22], Saul who preferred worldly prestige and riches to serving God [1 Samuel 15], Solomon who was deceived by the idolatry of his many wives [1 Kings 11:14], and Judas who betrayed his Master for worldly power and money [John 12:6].
Peter is well known as an apostle and leader in the early church. He was married to a wonderful woman who supported him, and Jesus, in their ministry.
Zacharias and Elisabeth are great examples of a united couple who learned, at times from mistakes, and were bold to speak for God. They were filled by the Holy Spirit and saw God’s grace, forgiveness, service, and deliverance in their lives.
Time to get dressed.
The Bible is God’s will for us and is beautifully put together. Paul’s letters, for example, give teaching, reproof, and correction. You see that in “triads” like Romans-Corinthians-Galatians and Ephesians-Philippians-Colossians. Let’s look at this first group and see how God’s spiritual love in us brings true freedom when we manifest it, show it forth with power.
Last night I remembered a couple of old hymns we sang in my childhood going to Roman Catholic mass. They are “Shepherd of Souls in Love Come Feed Us,” and “O Sacred Head, Surrounded.” I can still sing most of the lyrics because we repeated them during many Sundays [and some weekday masses at the RC school I attended] in my youth. They do show a love and appreciation for what Christ has done for us.
Paul taught Timothy to walk by God’s spirit and to use the spiritual abilities that he had in Christ. One specific encouragement he gave can be applied to our lives.
A soldier may wield great power in terms of weapons and training. Yet, he cannot use that power unless given authority by a commander. A rocket has great power to hurtle an object across space. Yet, it won’t move an inch without the authority given from the control tower. The same is true of spiritual power. A person must have both the inherent power and ability, AS WELL AS the authority to use that power. Let’s see how two Greek words exousia [authority] and dunamis [power] are used together in the New Testament. This will help us understand the power and authority that we have in Christ today.