The phrase “God will be all in all” comes from 1 Corinthians 15:28 which says, “When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” This verse points to a future time when God’s sovereignty over all of creation will be fully realized. There are a few key things to understand about what this verse is teaching:
1. This refers to a future event
Paul is speaking of a future time when something will happen – “when all things are subjected to him.” This has not yet fully taken place, so Paul is referring to a future event in God’s plan. The full manifestation of God’s rule and reign over creation is still to come.
2. It involves all things being made subject to Christ
This verse says all things will be subjected to God the Son, Jesus Christ. The scope here is universal – the entire created order will be made subject to Christ. As Hebrews 2:8 says, “In putting everything in subjection under him, he left nothing outside his control.” This shows the complete authority and rule of Christ over all of creation.
3. Even Jesus will be made subject to the Father
Surprisingly, this verse says that when this full subjection happens, even Jesus himself will be made subject to the Father. This shows that there is an order and hierarchy even within the Trinity. The Son subjected himself to the Father when he took on human flesh (John 6:38). This verse indicates that Son’s subjection to the Father will continue into eternity future.
4. The result is that God will be “all in all”
The purpose and end result of the Son and all creation being put in subjection is that God the Father will be “all in all.” The phrase “all in all” means God will fill and consummate all things. God will reign supreme. All of creation will be united under his glorious reign. The good news is that we will be there to share in the glory!
So in summary, 1 Corinthians 15:28 reveals a future time when God’s kingdom and reign will hold full sway in a renewed creation. Jesus will reign over all things. But he himself will be subject to the Father, who will reign as all in all.
God’s Reign “All in All” Means:
1. God’s sovereignty will be total
God will exercise complete divine sovereignty over all things. Nothing will be exempted from submission to him. Any rebellion or opposition to him will be no more. He will reign unchallenged as King of kings. All knees will bow before him. There will be nothing outside the scope of his royal rule and reign.
2. Creation will be unified under God’s reign
With God reigning supreme, the fragmented state of the current world will be no more. Both mankind and the natural world will be brought into harmony and unity again. The disorders and brokenness resulting from sin will be fully repaired. There will be harmony, peace, and shalom saturating all of creation.
3. God’s presence will saturate all things
God’s glorious presence and perfections will infuse all of creation. Just as the air is everywhere present around us, so God’s Spirit will permeate everything. All of creation will overflow with the radiance and beauty of his divine presence.
4. God will fulfill all things
All of creation will find its purpose consummated in God. All the longings and desires that echo in the human heart will reach their fulfillment in him. All the grand narrative of history will culminate in the exaltation of God’s glory. The mission of redemption will reach its grand finale.
5. God will be the delight of all creation
When God is all in all, he will be the supreme treasure and delight of all. The psalmist anticipated that day declaring, “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). When God fills all things, our joy will be made complete. We will delight ourselves in the beauty and glory of our great God. He will be irrestibly alluring as all that is lovely finds its source in him.
The Current State of Things
In order to understand the significance of this future event, we must see how it contrasts with the current state of things in our world. As of now, God’s sovereign reign is not fully manifested on earth. In our current state:
– Sin, evil, and rebellion still exist. God’s will is not done perfectly. His authority is still rejected by many.
– Creation is subject to brokenness and disorder. Disease, natural disasters, andEntropy increase. There are weeds, thorns, and pain in the natural realm.
– God seems distant and detached from creation. His presence is not visibly felt or known by all people. Many live as if he did not exist.
– Humanity still seeks fulfillment outside of God. We look to idols and false saviors for meaning and satisfaction.
– People do not treasure God or delight in his glory. Most live for self-centered pursuits, ignoring God.
This present world is clearly not yet reflecting the reality of God being “all in all.” But this verse promises that one day, all of this will change. God will decisively intervene in history to bring redemption and restoration at the consummation of his kingdom.
How Does this Happen?
How does God bring about this incredible change from the current state of affairs to this future reality of being “all in all?” The fulfillment of this verse happens through the coming of the eternal state – the new heavens and new earth prophesied about in Scripture. Revelation 21-22 provides the most vivid description of this climactic realization of God’s kingdom.
Several key events usher in this eternal state:
1. Jesus’ Return in Power and Glory
This begins with Jesus returning visibly and bodily from heaven (Acts 1:11, Matt. 24:30). He will come on the clouds in great power and authority to manifest his reign over all the earth.
2. The General Resurrection of the Dead
At Christ’s return, there will be a resurrection of the dead, both believers and unbelievers (1 Thess. 4:16). The saints will be raised to eternal life. Unbelievers will be raised to stand in final judgment.
3. The Final Judgment
All mankind will stand before God and Jesus will judge all people for how they lived (Matt. 25:31-32, Rom. 2:5, Rev. 20:11-15). Every deed will be judged. Justice will be served.
4. A Renewed Creation
After judgement, God will renew the heavens and earth. He will liberate creation from its bondage and decay (Rom. 8:21).There will be no more curse, pain, suffering, or tears (Rev. 21:1,4).
5. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
The church will live in a new Jerusalem and celebrate with Jesus, the Lamb, at a great wedding feast (Rev. 19:9, 21:2)
6. Defeat and Banishment of Satan
God will remove Satan from having any power or influence over creation. He will be permanently banished to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).
7. The Eternal State Begins
This ushers in the eternal state with a new heavens, new earth, and New Jerusalem where God reigns supreme as all in all. Sin and death will be no more. Only righteousness will dwell.
So God’s plan to restore all of creation culminates with Jesus returning to rid the cosmos of sin once for all. This enables the dawning of a renewed creation with God reigning Supreme for eternity.
Objections and Questions
This vision of God’s future reign raises many questions for people. Some objections people raise include:
1. An eternal state seems boring
Our earthly minds tend to think an eternal state of perfection and peace would be dull. But this fails to grasp the endlessness and beauty of God. Eternity with him will be more adventure, joy, fascination, and pleasure than we can imagine now. When we see him face to face, boredom will be impossible.
2. Don’t people cease to exist after death?
The Bible teaches that all people are resurrected and given eternal bodies (John 5:28-29). No one simply ceases to exist. We will live forever, either with God in the new creation or separated from him.
3. What will life look like in the new creation?
The Bible does not give a precise description of what life will look like in the eternal state but it will certainly be glorious. We will live in resurrected bodies on a renewed earth. There will be continuity between the current and renewed creation. But everything will be made perfect.
4. Isn’t this idea of “all in all” pantheism?
Pantheism teaches that God is everything and everything is God. But that is not what this verse means. God remains distinct from his creation even while filling it with his glorious presence and reign. The all in all describes God’s supremacy, not his identity with creation.
5. How does free will exist in this state?
Our free will continues into eternity future. But having been perfected and freed from sin, our will freely chooses good, truth, and obedience to God. We will freely worship and serve him forever.
So while we have limited comprehension of this future state, we can trust it will be far better than anything in this present world. Just as we have faith in Jesus for salvation from sin now, we have faith that the One who redeemed us is also preparing a place for us to share in his glorious reign (John 14:1-4).
The Significance of This Truth
What impact does this future hope of God being “all in all” have on our lives now? There are many profound implications:
1. God is sovereign, worthy of worship
Since God will reign unchallenged in eternity future, we can trust he is still sovereign now during our trials and pains. We can worship him as the worthy King over all.
2. The world’s brokenness will be repaired
We long for a perfect world without sin and suffering. God promises it will come through his return. There is hope for justice and renewal of all things in Christ!
3. The future grace will be worth present suffering
Knowing this eternal destiny motivates us to patiently endure present suffering. Our trials are temporary and light compared the eternal weight of glory to come.
4. We can have an eternal perspective
This world is not all there is. We can live each day in light of eternity. We can invest our lives into what will last forever – the kingdom of God.
5. We long for Christ’s return and God’s kingdom
We should yearn for and pray for the return of Christ when God will be supreme over all. We should seek to spread his kingdom that will have no end.
Living in light of this eternal hope changes everything. It gives us strength, perspective, motivation, and inoculates us from the deception of the world. As we long for the day when God will be “all in all”, we can rest in the fact that the best is yet to come for those who put their hope in Christ. Come Lord Jesus!