Sunday, 22 March 2015
Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:28
This verse brings us to the final realization of the work of Christ and its meaning in the eternal state which will proceed from it. Paul’s words are obvious on the surface, and yet there are those who would attempt to undermine them. We have been shown that Christ will deliver “the kingdom to God the Father.” As noted, this is referring to “God as Father” rather than “the Father” within the Godhead.
After showing us this, Paul then noted that “the last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” This is described in Revelation 21 where Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire. After that time is when Christ will deliver the kingdom over. In order to understand what this means, we arrive at verse 28.
“Now when all things are made subject to Him (meaning Christ), then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him.” Christ’s mission being complete, there will be no more need for the mediatorial role He once performed. There will be no need for “going through Christ” to speak to God. Instead, we shall fellowship directly with God, who is Jesus. As Revelation 1:8 notes –
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Christ, who is now our focal point for all matters related to God will be made subject to Him “that God may be all in all.” Ellicott explains these words thus –
“In these words are expressed the complete redemption both of the race and of the individual. It is the great and sublime conclusion to which the moral enthusiasm and the earnest logic of the previous argument has necessarily brought us.”
There will be no consideration of any special office within the Godhead as there now is. Now we have the anticipation of God the Father as we always look forward to His presence, but He is ever out of reach. We have God the Son who is our focal point in all matters related to our relationship with God. He is the Light and Path to that sublime time when we shall again be in full fellowship with God. And we have the Holy Spirit who is our Helper in this walk. He is our Comforter in our anticipation of full redemption by reminding us of the work of Christ.
However, in the eternal state to come, there won’t be these distinctions within the Godhead. Instead, there will be God ever before us, radiating out His wondrous light for all eternity. This is actually shown to be the case in Revelation 22 –
“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” Revelation 22:3, 4
The distinctions within the Godhead that we now perceive will no longer be perceived in the same way. Instead, an entirely new order of understanding God will be realized. May that day be soon!
Life application: To deny the Trinity is to deny what God has done and is doing for man. We cannot deny the Trinity while attempting to lead someone to salvation because in a denial of the Trinity, we deny that Jesus Christ is the God/Man. If He is not the God/Man, then He is not the Mediator for us to the Godhead. If He is not the Mediator, then we are still in our sins and we are not reconciled to God. Stand fast on the truth of God as is revealed in the pages of the Bible.
What I desire above all else, O God, is to behold You as You are when the redemption of man is finally complete. We shall walk in the purity of Your light for all eternity and we shall know You even as we are fully known. From moment to moment and for all eternity, You will continue to reveal to us Your surpassing beauty, wisdom, and glory. I long for that time, and I thank You that it is already guaranteed because of the work of Christ. Thank You for what You have done for Your children! Hallelujah and Amen.