What does "He must reign" reveal about Christ's current and future reign?

◄ What does "He must reign" reveal? ►

He Must Reign—Reading the Line in Context

“For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.” 1 Corinthians 15:25

The Necessity Wrapped in the Word “Must”

• “Must” signals divine necessity, not mere possibility.

• God’s sovereign plan guarantees Christ’s reign; no rival can derail it (Isaiah 46:10).

• The statement ties directly to Psalm 110:1, where the Father promises to make the Son’s enemies His footstool.

Christ’s Present Reign—Seated Yet Active

• Exalted Position: “Sit at My right hand” (Psalm 110:1). Christ is already enthroned.

• Universal Authority: Ephesians 1:20-22—everything is “under His feet,” even now.

• Head of the Church: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17-18).

• Spiritual Kingdom: Believers have been “transferred…into the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).

• Ongoing Subduing: Through the gospel, hearts are conquered; demonic powers are restrained (Mark 3:27).

Christ’s Future Reign—Stages Still Ahead

• Tribulation Victory: Revelation 11:15—earthly kingdoms become fully His.

• Millennial Kingdom: Revelation 20:4-6—Jesus rules literally on earth for a thousand years, fulfilling promises to Israel (Zechariah 14:9).

• Final Defeat of Evil: Revelation 20:7-10—Satan released, then crushed forever.

• Last Enemy—Death: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). At the resurrection of the righteous, death’s reign ends.

• Eternal State: After delivering the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28), Father and Son reign in perfect unity forever (Revelation 22:3-5).

Why This Matters for Daily Life

• Confidence: A reigning Christ means no chaos is beyond His control.

• Purpose: Serving a victorious King gives eternal significance to everyday faithfulness.

• Hope: Because death will be abolished, grief is tempered with certain resurrection joy.

• Urgency: The same King who now offers mercy will soon judge; proclaiming His gospel is vital.