LEARNING DAILY

 

Philippians 2:8-11, And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has also highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

 

 “Paul looks beyond the day of Christ’ exaltation into heaven (after His ascension), to a future day when every tongue in heaven and earth will exalt Him as Lord. Though not everyone on earth received the King on His first arrival, there is coming the day when the One who was brought low will be raised high and every knee will bow – believers with joy and unbelievers in sorrow and remorse” (David Jeremiah). WOW!!! I choose to do so today, right now! Praise the name of Jesus Christ, “the undisputed heavyweight Champion and king of the world” (Dr. Ed Newton). You can bow now …. or bow later. What is your choice?

 

To bow now means one needs to be humble in obedience to what the Lord Jesus did for whosoever would come to Him as their Savior. After all, He was born and died in humility; not a show but in obedience to the will of His Father in heaven. Read the last phrase of verse 8 and consider it for a moment. He gave His life on a cross, a terrible, horrific death by crucifixion. It was a degrading and humiliating death. He did not die on a battlefield but on a cross where criminals and enemies were put to death.

 

“Therefore” Jesus was “highly exalted” by God the Father! The name of Jesus is honored above all other names – exalted and to be worshipped! He fulfilled every prophecy spoken of by coming to this earth, by living as He did, doing what He did, and dying for all people. The important thought to consider is He will fulfill every prophecy about His return and the establishment of His kingdom, and it will be for eternity. Part of being “exalted” is people will ultimately submit to Him. Paul wrote it as people, all people, would bow to Him. Paul writes with authority, directed by the Holy Spirit, which tells me this is certain to happen. Can you be sure to see the phrase “every knee”! I understand that to mean every saint who has died and is in heaven, the angels, those on earth -- both saved and unsaved – those under the earth, the devil and his demons will all bow. Believers will bow in joy and humility and unbelievers will bow in sorrow and remorse. 

 

Even further, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Oh, what a great and glorious day that will be! This is the ultimate exaltation for the Lord Jesus Christ and will focus on the glory of God! Every single person will admit Jesus Christ is God and the Messiah. The preference of the Father is that all people would bow now because they want to, before being forced to; then it will be too late. This event is inevitable – because the Scripture says it will happen. Romans 3:23 is clear, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of the Lord”. Christians, true Believers, have already bowed and declared Jesus Christ as Lord. Walking on the narrow way, follows their profession of faith and is the process of being made into the image of Christ. Make sure you are on the only way into God’s kingdom and eternity with Him!