When it comes to the future, there are many, many things that are uncertain. We can do our best to guess or assume events in the future, but our understanding and knowledge is very limited. While we do not know everything that the future holds, Scripture gives us a glimpse of what is to come: one day Jesus will return as King of all kings, and everyone will bow before Him.
The apostle Paul gives us a glimpse into eternity in Philippians 2. In this chapter, Paul wrote about Jesus, explaining that although Jesus was God, He “gave up His divine privileges” and “humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (verses 7-8). Indeed, Jesus lived His life on earth in humility. Although He is the King, He sacrificed everything in order to rescue humanity from sin and death. His second coming will be completely different. When He comes to earth for a second time, He will not come in humility. He will come as the King of all kings. Paul wrote that one day, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord” (verses 10-11). As the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, Jesus holds all power and authority. While He came on this earth as a baby in the humblest of circumstances, He will return in His fullness and authority as the King who rules and reigns over everything. When He returns, everyone on earth will recognize Him as the King and the Lord over everything. On that day, Paul explains, “every knee” will bow down to Him and “every tongue” will say that Jesus is Lord. This includes those who have chosen to place their faith in Him and those who chose not to believe in Him. Every single person who has lived and will ever live will see Him for who He is: the Lord and Savior of everything. The question is, are we ready for that day?
Jesus is King over all and worthy of our worship. We can praise Him through our words—singing and sharing how great He is—and by living in obedience, bringing honor to Him. Let’s commit to worshiping our King, who deserves all we can offer.
As we look forward to the day when Jesus returns, and everyone will bow down before Him, we can commit to worshiping Him each and every day. Today, listen to your favorite worship song and sing along with it. Worship God for all He has done and for all that is to come when Jesus returns and makes everything right, and every single person will bow down before Him.
“God, as I look forward to the day when every single person will bow down before You, I worship You because…”
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Shine Brightly for Christ
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Paul Commends Timothy
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
