Does not Scripture declare everywhere that Christ will remain King forever and that His kingdom will have no end? How does that agree with the statement made here that He will deliver the Kingdom to the Father and subject Himself to Him, laying His crown, scepter, and everything in His lap? Answer: St. Paul is here speaking of Christ’s present kingdom on earth. This is a kingdom of faith, in which He rules through the Word, and not in a visible and public manner. It is like beholding the sun through a cloud. To be sure, one sees the light but not the sun itself. But after the clouds have passed, both light and sun are viewed simultaneously in one and the same object. In that way Christ now rules undivided with the Father. It is one and the same Kingdom. The only difference is that it is dark and hidden at present, or concealed and covered, comprehended entirely in faith and in the Word. All that is seen of this is Baptism and the Sacrament, and all that is heard is the external Word. These are the only power and might with which He rules and executes everything. I suppose that we would like to see Him reign like emperors and kings, surrounded by external splendor and power, and see Him lay about Him with fists against the evildoers. He does not want to do that now. He wants to reign quietly and invisibly in our hearts, solely through the Word. Through this Word He wants to protect and preserve us amid our weakness over against the world’s might and power. And this Kingdom on earth is identical with the one which will later be in heaven, only that it is hidden now and not open to view. A florin in a purse or pocket is a genuine florin and also remains genuine when I take it out and hold it in my hand. The only difference is that it is no longer concealed. Similarly, Christ will take the treasure which is now veiled to us, who know nothing of it but what we hear and believe, and reveal it openly and before the eyes of the whole world. But nonetheless we surely possess this treasure. Martin Luther Luthers Works, AE 28:124, Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Corinthians 15:24
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 11:27:55 +0000
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