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This text has been put on the rack, like Rom. 9: 5, by those who cannot tolerate the
Deity of Christ. It has been put as a parenthetical exclamation "O God"; it has been
rendered "Thy God-like throne" and "Thy throne of God", but all such are obviously
forced and without justification. A "throne", Greek thronos, is described as "a free open
seat with a footstool", and the footstool is seen to be an integral part of this throne "Until
I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Heb. 1: 13; 10: 13). "Heaven is My throne, and
the earth is My footstool" (Isa. 66: 1). It must be remembered that of the nine
occurrences of the word "footstool" in the New Testament six (seven?) speak of enemies,
and that not one speaks of worship. It is also an interesting fact that Psa. 110: 1 is quoted
in the New Testament more than any other Psalm.
"Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool."
While the verse before us in Hebrews stresses a throne, a sceptre and a kingdom, we
are aware that "the principal thing" according to Paul's own summing up is that Christ is
an High Priest. In Psa. 110: 4 we read "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec", and we learn from Hebrews that Melchisedec was also a king. Several
items need careful examination in order to enable us to perceive the Divine intention in
these related passages. For clearness sake let us tabulate them here:
(1)
The "sceptre" of Psa. 45: 6 is in the Hebrew shebet.
(2)
The "rod" in Psa. 110: 2 is in the Hebrew matteh.
(3)
But both words are translated rhabdos in the Septuagint.
(4)
The "rod" of iron of Psa. 2: 9 is the Hebrew shebet.
(5)
The "rod" of iron of Rev. 2: 27; 12: 5; 19: 15 is the Greek rhabdos.
(6)
The priesthood of Melchisedec is "for the age".
(7)
The throne of the Son is "for the age of the age".
(8)
Psa. 110: 1 is quoted in six places in the New Testament.
(9)
Three of these quotations are in the Gospels, and record the Saviour's challenge
"Whose Son is He?"
(10)
One is in the Acts, to prove that Christ ascended.
(11)
One is in Heb. 1: 13 and
(12)
One in I Cor. 15: 25 which takes us beyond the "age" of Psa. 110:, or the "age of the
age" of Heb. 1: 13 to the "End" when God shall be all in all.