The End Goal

“Begin with the end in mind” is a common motto and we often do it instinctively.

When we begin a project, such as preparing a meal or an artistic work, we have an idea of what we want in the finished product.

What about God? What was God thinking before he created the universe? What was his end goal?

In Ephesians 1 Paul writes,

he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (vv. 9-10 NIV)

Although the details of history look like a scattered mess, the wheels are inexorably moving toward a unified universe under Christ’s rule. It can’t be stopped. God’s plan will be completed.

Likewise, Paul writes:

   Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
    that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
    and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

This is a picture of universal unity with all making the same confession. The Greek word translated “acknowledge” is never used for a forced confession in the New Testament. Rather it is used for people who willingly confess their sins and offer praise and thanksgiving. (See the ten occurrences here.)

If all things will be unified under Christ’s rule as we see in Ephesians 1, we can’t have one group of people willingly confessing that Jesus is Lord while another group does so unwillingly. Think of it: one group rejoices in Christ and acknowledges his supremacy; another group despises Christ yet acknowledges his rule. That’s not real unity. Remember the goal is “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” And yet we have geographic diversity— “in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (I wrestle with this diversity in chapter 16 of my book on hell.)

Some ancient church leaders thought 1 Corinthians 15 provides the deepest view into the future. Paul says,

Then the end will come, when he [Christ] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. (vv. 24-28)

So Christ is reigning in the highest place, all things are under him, then he hands over the kingdom to God the Father. James Ware argues that since Christ has the kingdom and delivers it to God the Father, he must be divine. Who else can give God the kingdom? It’s already his.

Ware also notes that the same Greek verb is used in Matthew 11:27 where Jesus says, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (ESV). So just as the Father handed over all things to Christ, Christ will reciprocate and hand over all things to the Father.

This handing over, however, will only happen after all of Christ’s enemies have been put under him. He will have no competition or rivals. No one else will be running for office or contending for his throne. Not one voice will criticize his rule. All things will be truly united under Christ. After everything is put under Christ’s nail scarred feet, then and only then will he hand over the kingdom to God the Father “so that God may be all in all.”

We are heading toward a universe that is filled with God—divine light permeating everything. And as Gregory of Nyssa taught long ago, if God is “all in all,” evil must no longer exist, because God cannot dwell in evil.

Les Bridgeman

I have served as a high school Bible teacher and counselor in Asia and the U.S. I am passionate about understanding and teaching the Bible. Here’s a link to my book page.