7 Conclusion

Hebrews 2:5-10 describes how God put all things under subjection to Jesus' feet for salvation:

4 Hebrews 2:5-8

5 For he didn't subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, "What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don't see all things subjected to him, yet.

Verse 8 establishes that all things have been put under Jesus' feet, including death. This is a spiritual truth and reality; however, the end of verse 8 indicates that humanity has not fully experienced the subjection and submission of all things coming under Jesus' feet. This is why theologians developed the phrase "Already but Not Yet," meaning that Jesus reigns as Lord and King, but not everyone has obeyed His rule. Therefore, there is an expectation that Jesus will someday "right all wrongs."

Verses 9 and 10 also make the credible case that God's purpose in the New Covenant is to bring many sons to glory. With Jesus now positioned before the throne of God, interceding for the whole human race, people can find God's favor when they exercise faith and pursue sanctification, leading to everlasting life:

2 Hebrews 2:9-10

9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

This is the conclusion of Hebrews 3:7-14:

8 Hebrews 3:7-14

7 Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear his voice,

8 don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, in the day of the trial in the wilderness,

9 where your fathers tested me and tried me, and saw my deeds for forty years.

10 Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, 'They always err in their heart, but they didn't know my ways.'

11 As I swore in my wrath, 'They will not enter into my rest.'"

12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there might be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God;

13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end.

Hebrews 4:14-16 reveals that God has made provision for people to continuously draw near to the throne of grace with His assistance.

3 Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 4:13 simplifies the process:

1 Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

For any athlete who has gone through the rigor of preparation for competition, there is a reward for one's labor and for doing their absolute best. There is comradery and personal satisfaction. For anyone who has pursued advanced academics, the same is true. Any man who has won a woman's heart to be his bride experiences joy, but a lifelong commitment of faithfulness and sacrifice results in the greatest gain. Such joy and success can only be experienced on earth when perseverance coexists with suffering and pain, but the chief triumph in all these things is knowing and becoming more like Christ in the process. The rewards are out of this world!

On a personal note, what matters most is that we are secure in our relationship with Jesus. As Habakkuk 3:17-19 put it:

3 Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 For though the fig tree doesn't flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls:

18 yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

19 Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer's feet, and enables me to go in high places.

Since God's covenant with Noah, in which he recognized that man's heart is evil from youth, God made a covenant never to destroy the earth again. Since then, God has always planned to bless those who honor and obey Him. However, it comes at a personal cost: rejection by the world and even death. At the same time, there is a reward for having faith in God. Christian character cannot be developed without choosing obedience over disobedience.

The New Covenant is astounding in promoting people of faith to be seated in heavenly places despite the condition of a wayward world. The wheat continues to grow with the tares. New Covenant people are called salt and light in seemingly insurmountable darkness, but they are the hands and feet of Jesus, offering the light of hope and salvation to a dying world.

God's goal of healing the world has always come at the cost of personal sacrifice. Jesus died a shameful and painful death on the cross to save the world from sin. He didn't immediately topple the rulers around him, but He could have. It gives us a picture of what it means to be his followers.

What would we not give to see our loved ones come to know Christ before they face the consequences of eternity? Jesus taught us that suffering for their gain is better than our comfort. Nevertheless, Jesus comforts us, and sometimes He intervenes to save us from the reprisals of loved ones who reject Him and take it out on us. This is what it means to serve him. There are still commensurate rewards for faith, such as the treasure of learning to love as he loved.

1 Corinthians 15:53-58:

6 1 Corinthians 15:53-58

53 For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

55 "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Considering such words of grace and redemption, I find it difficult to believe that God will ever say, "That's it, I've had enough, no more."

As agents of God's good news, we preach rescue from judgment. Who can stand based on their righteousness? All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God as explained in Romans 3:21-26:

6 Romans 3:21-26

21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;

22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

25 whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance;

26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

As an apostle, Paul understood his life to be one of suffering, but 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 describes how he "reigned" as an apostle:

5 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.

11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.

12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

Consider how the Apostle Peter had difficulty adjusting to the thought of Jesus dying on the cross. It was demonic opposition to Jesus' forthcoming sacrifice for sin.

Peter had likely been caught up with the notion that their Savior was supposed to come to defend Israel against foreign invaders and occupiers, particularly the Romans. Satan exploited that thinking, especially in Judas, who was sympathetic to the zealots and money since he was also a thief.

However, Jesus had unfinished business with Peter. After Jesus was resurrected, the disciples decided to go fishing, reminiscent of the first time Jesus called his disciples to become fishers of men. In hindsight, we see how Jesus orchestrated this event so that He could break through to Peter's still conflicted heart. We pick up the story in John 21:5-7:

3 John 21:5-7

5 Jesus therefore said to them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" They answered him, "No."

6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." They cast it therefore, and now they weren't able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

It was not a time for Peter to ask Jesus to bid him to walk on water. Peter just wanted to get to Jesus as soon as possible but did not know what to say. He could only hope for mercy and grace. Like the prodigal son, He knew that God was just, but Peter also knew that Jesus was love. Let's pick up the dialogue between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-19:

5 John 21:15-19

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?" Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you have affection for me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don't want to go."

19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter wanted to defend Jesus with his human strength, but when he finally surrendered to Jesus, Jesus told Peter how he would give his life to defend the gospel, even by dying on the cross.

Jesus is much better at dealing with wickedness than we are. Peter was impulsive and, like Moses, decided to take judgment into his own hands, but Psalms 37:1-9 provides noteworthy instruction:

9 Psalms 37:1-9

1 Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

6 he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret; it leads only to evildoing.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

Psalms 37:37-40 speak of the future of the man of peace, a peacemaker, and one who abides in God's Covenant of Peace:

4 Psalms 37:37-40

37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40 Yahweh helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.

Perhaps we should focus on who we are in Christ in the present instead of relying on his bodily return to set things straight. He leads us in the battle to rescue humanity by taking the gospel to the ends of the earth!

Doxology from Ephesians 3:20-21

2 Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

"All who seek Me, find Me"