Friday, June 14, 2019

GOD’S RULE IN THE CONSUMMATION



God claims dominion over all because of His position.  Paul assures us that in the end Christ will return, seize universal power, and consummate all by delivering it to the Father.

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him, ” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 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 Cor.15:20-28).

GOD ESTABLISHES AND ENDS KINGDOMS.  King Nebuchadnezzar found out.  Daniel 4 records how he boasted and God brought him down.

“While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.’ That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” (v.31-33)  

He learned his lesson—the hard way.

“And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.” (v.34-37)!

GOD EXALTS HIS KINGDOM.  Puny men defy Him and plot against Him.  Do you know how God reacts to that?

“The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: ‘Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.’”  (Ps.‭2:2-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬).

The fact is that there is coming a day—I think soon—when God will bring this satanic conspiracy to an end, visit wrath upon a Christ-rejecting world, and establish His forever Kingdom.  “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”  (Rev.11:15).

With the Apostle John, I cry, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev.22:20b)

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