Jul 1, 2024
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 Daniel 7:9,10,13,14 Revelation 20:1-5
There is a sequence of events in 1 Corinthians 15:22-25. First, Christ is raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:20). "Then, at his coming," those who belong to Christ will be raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:23). "Then comes the end, when [Christ] delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet" (1 Cor 15:24,25).
This passage mentions a kingdom and a reigning of Christ. This is the earthly kingdom prophesied in the Old Testament and specifically detailed in Revelation 20:1-6. It will be a time of peace and justice, as Christ rules the nations of the earth from the throne of David (Isa 2:2-4; 9:6,7; Dan 7:13,14).
The King will come and He will establish His kingdom. It will be a kingdom of peace (Isa 9:6,7) … justice (Jer 23:5,6) … holysovereignty (Rev 19:11-21) … and eternal duration (Dan 7:13,14). The goal of all creation is the everlasting honor of the triune God. When we are consumed with God’s glory then, and only then, will we will work and pray and groan for Christ to have a name in all the earth.
It is the coming of Christ and His promised rule that comforts us in the face of our fears and steels us in the face of our weaknesses. "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Rev 11:15).