Since early December we have been studying Christmas on Sunday mornings at Grace Church from the vantage point of Christ as seen in Philippians 2:1-11. This wonderful passage about having the attitude that brings unity in the church as illustrated by Christ in His incarnation ends in grand fashion. Philippians 2:9-11 triumphantly reads:
“Therefore also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
How can you read that and not just want to stand to your feet and shout, “Hallelujah! Even so come Lord Jesus! Bring it on!” Because of the incarnation and death of Christ, God has highly exalted Christ. Hebrews 4:14 teaches that He passed into the heavens. But that’s not it. Hebrews 7:26 teaches that He passed higher than the heavens. But that’s still not it. Ephesians 4:9 teaches that He passed far above all of the heavens. As a result, He has been given a name that is above every name. This isn’t just a title. This speaks of the total person including the office, rank, and dignity attached to it. It is above every name. In other words, it is more important and greater in position and authority than any other name. Acts 4:12 teaches the following about the name of Jesus:
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
We as His followers already know this. But one day, it will be a universal knowledge. Every knee will one day bow in submission to the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. The big question of eternity is not, “Will you bow before Christ?” The big question is, “When will you bow before Christ?” This will also include a universal proclamation as every tongue confesses that He is Lord…that He is God. This will not be uttered just by humans (those on the earth). It will include those in heaven (the angels) as well as those under the earth (Satan himself and his cohort of demons).
This isn’t teaching a universal salvation of everyone. This is saying that even if you reject Christ now, you will one day bow before Him and acknowledge Him as Lord. This will probably happen at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 19) that results in all who rejected Christ on earth being cast into a lake of fire for all of eternity. Oh, my friend, don’t wait for that day. Call on Him now according to Romans 10:9 which says:
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
And the result of it all will be the glory of God. God is glorified when Jesus is exalted. As we enter this New Year, may that be the purpose of each day we live…to glorify God!
“Therefore also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
How can you read that and not just want to stand to your feet and shout, “Hallelujah! Even so come Lord Jesus! Bring it on!” Because of the incarnation and death of Christ, God has highly exalted Christ. Hebrews 4:14 teaches that He passed into the heavens. But that’s not it. Hebrews 7:26 teaches that He passed higher than the heavens. But that’s still not it. Ephesians 4:9 teaches that He passed far above all of the heavens. As a result, He has been given a name that is above every name. This isn’t just a title. This speaks of the total person including the office, rank, and dignity attached to it. It is above every name. In other words, it is more important and greater in position and authority than any other name. Acts 4:12 teaches the following about the name of Jesus:
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
We as His followers already know this. But one day, it will be a universal knowledge. Every knee will one day bow in submission to the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. The big question of eternity is not, “Will you bow before Christ?” The big question is, “When will you bow before Christ?” This will also include a universal proclamation as every tongue confesses that He is Lord…that He is God. This will not be uttered just by humans (those on the earth). It will include those in heaven (the angels) as well as those under the earth (Satan himself and his cohort of demons).
This isn’t teaching a universal salvation of everyone. This is saying that even if you reject Christ now, you will one day bow before Him and acknowledge Him as Lord. This will probably happen at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 19) that results in all who rejected Christ on earth being cast into a lake of fire for all of eternity. Oh, my friend, don’t wait for that day. Call on Him now according to Romans 10:9 which says:
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
And the result of it all will be the glory of God. God is glorified when Jesus is exalted. As we enter this New Year, may that be the purpose of each day we live…to glorify God!
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