July 30, 2006
FROM HENCEFORTH EXPECTING
Hebrews 10:13

   "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:12-14). The superiority of Christ over angels was manifest, for "to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool?" (Heb. 1:13). Again, "Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him." (Heb. 2:8). These verses show "all things put under His feet," Though not yet visible to our eyes. But, His work completed, "from thenceforth" He had every expectation of reigning Supreme, "all things under His feet"!
   Psalm 110:1 is quoted seven times in the New Testament. Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Luke 20:43 show the Lord using this very verse to stump the scribes by asking how it was that David's son could be David's Lord. In Acts 2 Peter likewise explained that David had not ascended into the heavens, but had said in Psalm 110, "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on my right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool." Peter concluded that all the house of Israel should "know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye...crucified, both Lord and Christ."
   Christ Himself was "the firstfruits" in resurrection and, after Him others would follow. But before the end comes He will deliver up "the kingdom to God...the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For 'He has put all things under his feet.' But when He said, 'all things are put under Him,' it is manifest that He is excepted, Who did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (1 Cor. 15:24-28).
   God had raised Christ "from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places far above...every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and...put all things under His feet, and gave him to be the head over all things..." (Eph. 1:20-22).

Ivan L. Burgener