January 23, 2004

THE SUBDUER OF ALL THINGS

"For he 'has put everything under his feet.' Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:27, NIV).

Calvary was God's V-Day in the great cosmic controversy. Through Christ's death and resurrection, He has secured complete and decisive victory over Satan. Because of this resounding victory, God "has put everything under his [Christ's] feet."

In accordance with God's redemption plan (see Matthew 28:18, NKJV), Christ must reign until the ultimate subjugation of all God's enemies at the second advent. When the triumphant event occurs, sin, Satan, and death itself--personified by Paul as the last enemy--will be destroyed and eradicated from the earth forever (see 1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Christ's present rulership over all things is the prelude to His future eternal reign in a perfect universe. As the second Adam, Christ regained the lost dominion by His victory at Calvary. And this dominion will be fully and permanently restored at the second advent. At that glorious time, death, the last enemy, will be "swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54, NIV). As citizens of God's kingdom, we have the assurance that all things are under the control of our victorious Lord who is soon to return for the final clean-up operation.

Here is a moving picture of Christ's Lordship at the final restoration: "God's entire universe was clean, and the great controversy was forever ended. Everywhere we looked, everything the eye rested upon, was beautiful and holy. And all the redeemed host... cast their glittering crowns at the feet of their Redeemer, and prostrated themselves in adoration before him, and worshiped him that liveth forever and ever."--Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, pp. 218, 219.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I eagerly await the day when my victorious Lord will reign forever. Amen.