RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-06-04	God Will Be All in All (1Co.15:28)
		1Co 15:28 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 is Paul's famous resurrection chapter. God’s being “all in all” is rooted in the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and the resultant future. When Christ returns, He himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all (1Co.15:28). Paul begins 1 Corinthians 15 by discussing the gospel message, namely, that Jesus died, was buried, rose from the dead, and appeared to many witnesses (1Co.15:1–11). Some of the Corinthians claimed the resurrection of the body from the dead was a false doctrine (1Co.15:12). Paul responded that the resurrection of Jesus is crucial for believer's future glorification. Paul argues that if the resurrection is not true then the Christian's future would not be possible. In fact, Paul said concerning believers if there is no resurrection, “we are of all men the most pitiable” (1Co.15:19). Paul makes a clear defense of the resurrection of Christ beginning in 1 Corinthians 15:20. Christ's resurrection will lead to a future resurrection for all those who have life through faith in Him. Jesus was the first person to be raised from the dead, never to die again. His is an eternal resurrection. Christ is the “firstfruits” leading the way for future events. Believers who die before His Coming will be resurrected at His Coming. And believers still living at Christ's Coming will be made incorruptible (1Co.15:50-58; 1Th.4:13-17). After Jesus comes again, He will bind Satan, set up an earthly kingdom, and physically rule for 1,000 years (Re.20:1–6). At the end of that time, Satan will be released from imprisonment, and Satan and his followers will rebel and be destroyed (Re.20:5–10). Jesus will then give authority back to the Father, and Himself will be in subjection to the Father. It’s based on these truths that Paul claims, “God may be all in all.” Ultimately, all in all is an expression of the rightful authority that God possesses. In the future, when evil has been eradicated forever, God will reign as the unchallenged Supreme over all the universe. He will be the one and only Ruler of all hearts and lives and the only desire of His creatures. When God is all in all His glory will fill all creation (Ps.72:19). It is important to note that God has always had complete authority over His creation. Yet in this present world, His rule is not as evident since He has enemies. One day, all God’s enemies will be vanquished. Not even death can last (1Co.15:26). Christ is not inferior to the Father, but his work is to defeat all evil on earth. He defeated sin and death on the cross, and in the end, he will defeat Satan and all evil. God is in control allowing evil to remain for a time until He sends Jesus back to the earth at His Second Coming. Then he will present to God a perfect new world. Christ will continue to rule because His reign is eternal (Re.11:15). The Son will rule in His former (before becoming man) and glorious place within the Trinity. This work of the Son will find ultimate completion in the glory of the Father (Jn.17:4-5). He will be subject to God in the way eternally designed for Him in full trinitarian glory. Paul's application to these truths is, “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1Co.15:34). Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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