plain_n_simple
Active Member
6
Who, being in very nature of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The timing is important in these verses. Even though it speaks in a forward looking tense, it is after Satan has been crushed and judgement has been rendered to the saved and the lost. Why? If there were still unbelievers on earth they will not bow, and God will not force them to bow (freewill) as Bro C stated.
For all to acknowledge Him freely, first everyone has to understand the truth of who Jesus is first. That will not happen to the unbeliever until after death. Whether "in heaven, on earth, or under the earth" all will bow because they all finally understand who He is. The unbelievers knee will finally bow because he will now believe, though it is too late.
Who, being in very nature of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The timing is important in these verses. Even though it speaks in a forward looking tense, it is after Satan has been crushed and judgement has been rendered to the saved and the lost. Why? If there were still unbelievers on earth they will not bow, and God will not force them to bow (freewill) as Bro C stated.
For all to acknowledge Him freely, first everyone has to understand the truth of who Jesus is first. That will not happen to the unbeliever until after death. Whether "in heaven, on earth, or under the earth" all will bow because they all finally understand who He is. The unbelievers knee will finally bow because he will now believe, though it is too late.