1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet. Even in his earthly humiliation, Christ was a King. Once the devil offered him the kingdoms of the world; once the people would have taken him by force and have made him their King. Such secular dominion he sought not, neither would accept. Yet he entered Jerusalem in royal state; before Pilate he confessed himself a King; and over his cross it was written, "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Little notion had men during his ministry of the nature and extent of that dominion which should one day be his. Yet the apostles came to understand that not only the prophetic and the priestly, but also the kingly dignity and office, were appointed for him whose gospel they proclaimed. I. CHRIST'S RIGHT TO REIGN. This is grounded upon: 1. His Divine nature and authority. 2. His moral right and qualifications. 3. His definite appointment by the Father. 4. His mediatorial sufferings and sacrifice. II. THE SUBJECTS OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM. They are spiritual and willing subjects. He cares nothing for a pretended loyalty or a merely outward obedience. His aim is to gain a dominion over human hearts, and thence to rule human society. III. THE FOES WHOM CHRIST'S REIGN SUBDUES. These he is to put under his feet. They may be enumerated: 1. Ignorance. 2. Error. 3. Superstition. 4. Irreligiousness and worldliness. 5. Vice, crime, and sin. 6. All false and corrupt religions. IV. THE MEANS BY WHICH CHRIST'S REIGN IS ADVANCED AND HIS FOES SUBDUED. 1. The weapons are the truths of the gospel, the exhibition of the righteousness and love of God. 2. The agency is that of believing, sympathizing, and consecrated natures. The kingdom comes by the labours and the courage and enterprise of the spiritual subjects. 3. The power is that of the Holy Spirit of God. V. THE PERIOD OF CHRIST'S REIGN. 1. It commenced at our Lord's ascension, when he was "raised to be a Prince and a Saviour," "from henceforth expecting, etc. 2. It has been constantly advancing, the kingdom has been extending its boundaries, and the number of the subjects has been multiplying. 3. It will not terminate until victory shall have been gained over every foe. "Thy throne is forever and ever." Only when all opposition is vanquished, shall the Son himself yield the dominion, and God shall be all and in all. - T. Parallel Verses KJV: For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.WEB: For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. |
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