| The Berean Expositor
Volume 32 - Page 239 of 246 Index | Zoom | |
The passage quoted above from Psa. 45: includes the address to The Son, "Thy
throne, O God, is for ever and ever" (Psa. 45: 6). Likewise Zech. 9: 10 declares
"His dominion shall be from sea to sea". The first thing said after the creation of Adam
in the image and likeness of God is, "And let them have dominion" (Gen. 1: 26). This is
expanded in Psalm 8::
"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands: thou hast put all
things under his feet" (Psa. 8: 6).
The words, "all things under his feet", find their real fulfillment only in Christ.
In Heb. 2: 8, 9 we discover that the first great step to this glorious end was taken at
the cross, where He Who was destined to universal dominion, is seen, for the suffering of
death, crowned with glory and honour. In Eph. 1: 22, 23, as Head of the Church during
the dispensation of the mystery, we find that the position of having "all things under His
feet" is associated with His glorious ascension and session at the right hand of God.
Finally, when the goal is in sight, we find the expression "all things under his feet"
associated with the destruction of death, the last enemy, when, at last, God shall be "all in
all" (I Cor. 15: 24-28).
Satan, as prince of this world, has, and seeks to retain, dominion over the earth as the
god of this age, but he further desires to extend that dominion to the hearts of men, and in
such a manner as to have their worship. He would not only sit upon a throne; he would
sit upon the throne of God. All idolatry can be traced back to that climax of attempted
usurpation when our Lord was personally tempted in the wilderness by Satan, who dared
to offer Him the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them if He would but "fall down
and worship" him. This failed, as it could not but do, but in the book of the Revelation,
though it be short-lived, we see at last Satan's end achieved, for it is stated "And they
worshipped the dragon" (Rev. 13: 4).
From these scriptures we may gather some idea of the cause and purpose behind the
conflict of the ages, and consequently realize that in that conflict there can be no neutral
ground. Either we are "for" the Lord or "against" Him.