(Preached at the KILSKEERY CONFERENCE, 25th September 2022.)
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool,” Hebrews 10:12-13.
The first part of this statement is often quoted and savoured by Christians. However, the final element of the verse is somewhat ignored.
What fear would be engendered in the hearts of wicked men if they could but get a glimpse of the mind and purpose of God regarding those who set themselves against Him and His truth! There is a most terrible end awaiting that rebellion. Of course, something of that is realised upon the death of the rebel, but by no means all of God’s wrath! See Hebs 9/27, Rev 20/13-15. See also Matt 10/14-15.
Let us remember that we were all born the ‘enemies of God’. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,” Colossians 1:21.
If we are no longer enemies, it is by the wonderful grace of God. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life,” Romans 5:10. Our unconverted state was one of great misery, though we knew it not. “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ,” Ephesians 2:12-13. The blood of Christ has reconciled us to God and made us nigh unto Him.
But it was not always so with us and the vast multitude in this earth remain in sin and rebellion against the Lord. How dreadful is the future that lies ahead for them if they die in their sin and rebellion!
Consider our text:—
I. WARFARE IS PRESENTLY BEING WAGED BY THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST
Few realise that the world is at war with God. (See Gal 1/4, 1 John 5/19). It is for this reason that we read of Him at His second coming : “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war,”Revelation 19:11. See also Isaiah 59:16-21. Wars will cease after His coming. Isaiah 2:4.
They are not yet subdued. We are called upon today to ‘fight the good fight of faith’!
1. The battle is the Lord’s. They are His ‘enemies’! Christ will fight for us as we fight with them for Him. David’s words to Goliath - “The battle is the LORD’S,” 1 Samuel 17:47.
Moses words to Joshua - “Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you,” Deut 3:22.
2. Christ is joined in this battle by His Father. “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies,” Psalm 110:1-2.
What need we fear? What hope of victory have those opposed to God?
3. However it may appear that evil is in the ascendancy today, its fate is sealed. We, like the Lord, have to wait the Father’s time. Let us live in the joy of this certain victory.
II. SINCE CALVARY, CHRIST HAS BEEN WAITING
1. The word ‘henceforth’ carries the meaning of ‘finally’. It is so translated in 2 Cor 13:11; Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 3:1, 4:8. It underscores the truth that Christ has finished the work of redemption and this is His ‘final’ act. He waits! Bless God, we preach a ‘finished work’! The Lord says of our sins: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” Hebrews 10:17.
2. The first use of the word ‘expecting’ tells us something of the Saviour’s present frame of mind. The first appearance of the word, John 5:3. “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.” Surely the scene suggests excitement and longing! Such is the mind of Christ as He awaits the day of His manifested triumph over His enemies.
3. There is a lesson here for us. How many Christians today share in the excited anticipation of their Saviour with regards His return? How many are waiting with the same patience and assurance as does He?
III. HE IS ESPECIALLY WAITING FOR THE SUBJUGATION OF HIS ENEMIES
1. This is the final outworking of Calvary’s victory. Much has flowed from Calvary that is still being gathered in. The redemption of all the elect was accomplished at the cross but their gathering has been ongoing since the beginning of time! Heaven for us will be the final and full enjoyment of Calvary’s triumph. For the enemies of God, their utter overthrow and the ending of all rebellion will be the final harvest of the victory of the cross.
2. The final overthrow of Christ’s enemies has been promised to Him by the Father. “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel,” Psalm 2:7-9. He has asked for this promise to be fulfilled, John17:4-5, 24, and it will. “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed,” Daniel 7:13-14.
3. Note the measure of their defeat. “His enemies . . . made his footstool.”
* For the first time they are where they ought to be - under His feet!
* Note their shame. Here is utter humiliation. The contrast of the saints - “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together,” Romans 8:17.
* The weight that will bear down upon them. “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God,” Revelation 19:15.
* The justice portrayed. They who trample Christ’s word and honour under their feet are here under His feet.
In the end, the wicked will contribute to Christ’s comfort and honour.
IV. WHEN WILL THIS TAKE PLACE?
1. It begins when He stands up! He sits at present. The signal of His return is His standing up to claim His kingdom. Daniel 7:13-14, Rev 10:1-6.
2. It continues when He puts down the armies of Antichrist. Rev 19:11-21.
3. It is finalised when the last enemy, death, is destroyed. “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; (Then an interval of over 2000 years) afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. (Then follows another interval, this time of 1000 years, Rev 20:6-15) 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. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” 1 Cors 15:23-26.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death,” Revelation 20:14.
This takes place as the last act of the final judgment.
The enemy is no more.
Where will you be on that day?
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” 2 Cors 5:20-21.