
#268 Every Knee Shall Bow Phil 2.11
(A replay of last year’s meditation)
As I watch the video (see the link below) and observe the people in this mall, some fascinated by the Christmas message in song and some indifferent, I am overcome with a desire for all people to know Christ.
I can just see the Kingdom reality, when people will break out in song in the middle of everyday life to praise the Father and the Son, when at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
“Therefore also God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Paul quotes from Isaiah 45, and the context of this chapter clarifies what it will mean for every knee to bow. Throughout the book of Isaiah Israel’s deliverance from the Babylonian captivity is a picture of the greater deliverance of Israel and all the families of the earth in the Kingdom on earth, by the Greater than Cyrus, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 45:1-3
Though Cyrus was an unlikely choice to the Jewish mind because he was a Gentile, the One who is the First Cause chose him (Isaiah 45:4-7) and had a right to choose him. Jesus as the Greater than Cyrus was esteemed a ‘Samaritan’ and rejected because he did not accept the tradition of men. He was also an unlikely choice according to the expectations of the time. Isaiah 51:2-3
Israel’s return to their land and God’s blessing upon them is referenced in verse 13: “He will build My city and will let My exiles go free…”
Even the enemies of Israel are pictured as coming to the Jewish people in an attitude of great respect . While still in the chains of bondage to sin, they will come to Israel for help. Zechariah 8:20-23 Isaiah 2:1-4
The salvation of Israel will be eternal and complete. Isaiah 45:15-17; Romans 11:22-26
The Lord created the earth to be inhabited, (not destroyed) to house the eternal salvation of Israel. Vs 15-17
The idolatry of the nations will be challenged, 20-21, and all the ends of the earth will be invited to turn to God. Vs 22
God’s word is absolutely sure that every knee will bow and every tongue will swear that ‘Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.’ Israel and all the nations will recognize God’s provision of righteousness through His Son. 23-24; Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 1:7
“Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame.” Any past disesteem for Christ or zeal of rebellion against God’s ways and plan will no longer be a cause of boasting, but a motivation for repentance. Vs 24
“In the LORD all the offspring of Israel will be justified, and will glory.” Vs 25 The offspring of Israel will include all the people of the nations that join Israel in acceptance of Christ and his covenant. Isaiah 14:1-3, 4-7
It is our privilege to have Jesus Christ as Lord of every facet of our life now. Living this total commitment prepares us for this future work. Romans 8:19-21
Imagine all those who were once ‘under the earth’ under the sentence of inescapable death, the masses of humanity who have no relationship with Christ, resurrected, instructed and brought to the point of full responsibility. The majority will choose to wholeheartedly accept Jesus as their personal Savior, and will walk up the Highway of Holiness, (Isaiah 35) but some will not. After the ‘Little Season’ Satan, angels and human beings in rebellion against God and Christ are destroyed in the oblivion of the second death. Revelation 20: 14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:23-26 Then there will be no vestige of evil anywhere in God’s universe.
Imagine the glory to God when every sentient being on any plane of life in heaven or earth confesses and lives the authority of Christ in their life.
“The whole earth is at rest and is quiet;
They break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7
I especially am touched by this video at around 4 minutes and 35 seconds to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAh66PMpefk
(A replay of last year’s meditation)
As I watch the video (see the link below) and observe the people in this mall, some fascinated by the Christmas message in song and some indifferent, I am overcome with a desire for all people to know Christ.
I can just see the Kingdom reality, when people will break out in song in the middle of everyday life to praise the Father and the Son, when at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
“Therefore also God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Paul quotes from Isaiah 45, and the context of this chapter clarifies what it will mean for every knee to bow. Throughout the book of Isaiah Israel’s deliverance from the Babylonian captivity is a picture of the greater deliverance of Israel and all the families of the earth in the Kingdom on earth, by the Greater than Cyrus, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 45:1-3
Though Cyrus was an unlikely choice to the Jewish mind because he was a Gentile, the One who is the First Cause chose him (Isaiah 45:4-7) and had a right to choose him. Jesus as the Greater than Cyrus was esteemed a ‘Samaritan’ and rejected because he did not accept the tradition of men. He was also an unlikely choice according to the expectations of the time. Isaiah 51:2-3
Israel’s return to their land and God’s blessing upon them is referenced in verse 13: “He will build My city and will let My exiles go free…”
Even the enemies of Israel are pictured as coming to the Jewish people in an attitude of great respect . While still in the chains of bondage to sin, they will come to Israel for help. Zechariah 8:20-23 Isaiah 2:1-4
The salvation of Israel will be eternal and complete. Isaiah 45:15-17; Romans 11:22-26
The Lord created the earth to be inhabited, (not destroyed) to house the eternal salvation of Israel. Vs 15-17
The idolatry of the nations will be challenged, 20-21, and all the ends of the earth will be invited to turn to God. Vs 22
God’s word is absolutely sure that every knee will bow and every tongue will swear that ‘Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.’ Israel and all the nations will recognize God’s provision of righteousness through His Son. 23-24; Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 1:7
“Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame.” Any past disesteem for Christ or zeal of rebellion against God’s ways and plan will no longer be a cause of boasting, but a motivation for repentance. Vs 24
“In the LORD all the offspring of Israel will be justified, and will glory.” Vs 25 The offspring of Israel will include all the people of the nations that join Israel in acceptance of Christ and his covenant. Isaiah 14:1-3, 4-7
It is our privilege to have Jesus Christ as Lord of every facet of our life now. Living this total commitment prepares us for this future work. Romans 8:19-21
Imagine all those who were once ‘under the earth’ under the sentence of inescapable death, the masses of humanity who have no relationship with Christ, resurrected, instructed and brought to the point of full responsibility. The majority will choose to wholeheartedly accept Jesus as their personal Savior, and will walk up the Highway of Holiness, (Isaiah 35) but some will not. After the ‘Little Season’ Satan, angels and human beings in rebellion against God and Christ are destroyed in the oblivion of the second death. Revelation 20: 14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:23-26 Then there will be no vestige of evil anywhere in God’s universe.
Imagine the glory to God when every sentient being on any plane of life in heaven or earth confesses and lives the authority of Christ in their life.
“The whole earth is at rest and is quiet;
They break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7
I especially am touched by this video at around 4 minutes and 35 seconds to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAh66PMpefk