Realm of the Footsteps of God

1 Corinthians 15:24-28

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Here we see the oft-quoted little phrase 'put all things under his feet' repeated four times in Scripture. It is not for no reason that he has done so as some are wont to think. Rather he has done it that the fullness of time may come and that the ages to come may ring with his praise. Perhaps before you might remember having seen the footsteps of God. Now are the footsteps seen again though in a slightly different light. Sure, God is still God in the good times as well as the bad. Then too is it not great that he has provided. It is in God's nature though for so is he our good, good Father, my friends. It seems then that the long-awaited end found missing is here. We spoke of before how God's will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.

So too herein is seen the fulfilling and timing of God. God's kingdom comes in the amount that we make ready to receive. See him our perfect bridegroom who is above all, before all, in all, and through all that by him all things hold together. What of it then, if he should bring the end without having received the kingdom of God. Then too what of it should our dear Lord be found missing his kingdom or even the end. Such a thing sounds rather silly does it not. Yet so some of us do in impugning the Lord. Notice too, the Fathers' close relationship that he has with the Son. It's really the same person is it not, just in slightly different forms. So he remains whether young or old, rich or poor, with the kingdom or without, supernatural or not, powerful or not, and the eternal or not. See, never has there been a time when God laid all these aside.

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Sure John 13:4 speaks of Heaven's glory being set aside for a time. Yet still, God, whether the Father or Son, has always been in control of himself. So too has he retained his position. How unlike he is to some of us who are so quick to come unglued at the slightest opportunity. Then too how well he knows having been there himself. He knows completely and he understands. See, owning the kingdom implies far more than just a casual knowledge of such. How often we like to sing of the 'many dangers, toils, and snares' we have been delivered from that we forget that God is reigning over all, my friends. Nothing in this old world has ever surprised him and nothing ever will.

For then would he not know all, my friends. Then too, his knowing all implies the existence of a common enemy. Surely there are some out there of his created beings who would love to be in all-out war against God and his people. Still, the existence of his foot so high up there in the implies that in all things he is providing. But first come the enemies and with it the end of all things. Could it be that in all his providing, these things just get in the way. Look with me now at the scene if you will. There are principalities and powers, rulers and authorities, and even the end of all things.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

Then along comes death, the very last one of all. But how many know that when you have Christ, he alone is all this world has to offer and more. See, what good is the rule and the authority if there is none one greater than all. In order to put all things under himself, he must first reign over all. Then like the servants with the talents that belonged to the Master, even his enemies must serve him as well. What power and authority the disciples found that even the wind and sea obeyed him. See him unto whom the Heavens call and is himself the greatest of them all. Look upon him now, dear church.

See this one who all our sins and sorrows bore. Look well dear church at the all things under his feet. He alone can provide such for the world so serves him well. Yet it is not just merely the world as some are wont to think. Such a view would be a materialistic one indeed and sorely lacking in Heaven's point of view. The all things underfoot then are a sign of the power and majesty of our God. So too is his subjection to the one who put them there, namely that of himself to be seen. For when it comes right on down to it, the Lord has spoken, and none shall disannul it. As in Psalm 110:1, 'the Lord said unto my Lord' sit you here until I have made your enemies your footstool.

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

My, it seems he is the God of the turnaround, my friends. Even now he brings about the shift. The feet indicate preparation being shod with the gospel of peace, the preaching of good news upon the mountains, the speaking of peace unto Zion saying our God reigns. See, within the feet of the eternal are found the familiarity of God. It might not sound like much to you. But is this not how his enemies and his whole house know of all his ways and his doings before they are even yet told. So too there is some comfort found in the provisions of our God. So often in life we think of providing as just food and shelter and scarcely anything more. For no eye has yet seen, "nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of a man the wonders that God has prepared for them that love him."

God desires to do good to his people. It's just who he is, my friends. Notice to what all things have come. It is not that you or I might get the glory. No, rather is seen the overriding purpose of God. See how it says in the text "that God may be all in all." I cannot think of a greater purpose than that, my friends. It is just as a maestro comes to the stage as the curtains are drawn with a 'show's over, it's time go.' So, it appears until we find out that God has just one thing more planned. Might well we sing in the church of the blessings of God over and over again. Until the night falls and shadows flee away, I will get me to the sweet hills of frankincense where our eternal bridegroom awaits saying as with Solomon to "come away" my friends.