EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW

Second Coming by Jon McNaughton

I am often enthralled with the way the Saviour proclaims His godhood in the scriptures with such confidence and self-assurance. Imagine if He was less than sure of His attributes and was reluctant to tell us just how perfect He is for fear of sounding proud…He could never say: “there is no God beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. (Isaiah 44:21)

How could we possibly exercise faith in a God who wasn’t sure of himself and that we did not know? How could we ever put to a test His promises and become recipients of His grace and salvation in such ignorance?  

Through my study of the scriptures I have counted 18 of Christ’s characteristics, the most prominent of which for me, have been ones of power and mercy. One year whilst studying the Doctrine and Covenants, I came to understand one of His virtues which I had not paid much attention to before. It was the virtue of humility.

This is the scripture which made me reflect on the extraordinary nature of His character as a God: “Therefore, I command you to build a house unto me, for the gathering together of my saints, that they may worship me” (D&C 115:8). Can you imagine the amount of humility it would require saying such a thing for a God of perfect attributes and completely devoid of pride? It would have to be someone who knows exactly who he is, is confident in that knowledge and most of all, has a purity of spirit and heart. Compare this to Lucifer’s pride when he demanded to be worshipped by Moses and his tantrum and melt-down when he couldn’t get his way (Moses 4:1-4; 1:16-22).

It amazes me that someone so powerful who calls himself “the king of heaven”, who can create worlds and annihilate them by the power of His word can be so humble (2 Nephi 10:14; Helaman 12:9-17; D&C 63:4; Isaiah 11:4). This is Christ, the Beloved Son, the Saviour of the world. This quality of humility is what made it possible for Him to divest himself of His glory, leave His throne and condescend to be born to a lowly life: in a stable, a carpenter, willing to be subjected to ridicule and unacceptance. I cannot imagine Lucifer, as proud as he is, lowering himself to such a life.

You might say the Saviour experienced mortal life at ‘ground zero’. And in doing so he ‘descended below all things that he might comprehend all things’ (D&C 88:6). What things? Our difficulties, our sorrows, our sins, our imperfections, our sufferings, our inabilities, our mortal weakness; the ultimate comprehension coming through the Atonement where He came to understand what it is like to be you and me.

Imagine a God leaving His exalted throne and all that comes with it, to be rejected, spat upon, scourged, reviled and crucified. Imagine the humility it would take to subject yourself to all that, despite the power within your grasp....and all this for the sake of someone else and not yourself. Is this not a God to reckon with?? One who could in all honesty say: “To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal and compare me, that we may be like?” (Isaiah  46;5). There is no comparison to anything or anyone within the realm of idolatry for such an attempt because there is no other power, goodness, perfection and ultimate love and mercy but in Christ.

And this is the greatest surety of His being as our God and our Redeemer: “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.” (Isaiah 45:23).

There will come a day when all the earth shall kneel before Him and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, that there is no one beside Him and that His judgements are just because of His mercy, love, long suffering, patience, humility, meekness, wisdom, tolerance, forgiveness and power (Romans 14:11; Mosiah 27:31; D&C 76:110; 88:104). In the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

“Everyone needs to accept the reality of Christ’s return in majesty and power before that event occurs; for, as C.S. Lewis put it, it will do men little good to kneel down when it is no longer possible to stand up, for when the “Author of the play comes on stage, the play is over!”

 

 When amidst the clouds of glory

You appear on Your trusted steed,

Our heads will bow,

Our knees will bend,

Our tongues be loosed to confess,

Your Sonship and Your Kingship,

Worlds without end.

 

-     Cathryne Allen 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN