Every knee shall bow ...

[Dhlaroroth]

We read.."Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord".But a little confusion.If theyre bowing and confessing that thats the actions of saved people.Because theyre not only saying that but bowing down to Him.Yet when it says "every" we know theyre not "all"saved because many go to hell and eventually the Lake of Fire Because those not found in the Lambs book of life ..yet the other verse says EVERYknee will.bow and every tongue will.confesd.To clear this seeming contradiction?

 

[Articles]

We understand your question and we thank you for bringing this important matter before us, and we have sought the Lord together for wisdom to answer it clearly.

You are right that the Scripture says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, as we see in Philippians 2:10-11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is also spoken in Romans 14:11 and Isaiah 45:23. And you are also correct that not all will be saved, for our Lord Himself taught that many will be cast away, and Revelation 20:15 tells us that if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

There is no contradiction when we understand the difference between a willing confession of faith now that leads to salvation, and a forced acknowledgment of His lordship at the final judgment. In this life, God calls us to confess with our mouth and believe in our heart, as Romans 10:9 says that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved, and Romans 10:10 says with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. That confession is born of love, repentance, and faith while there is still time, and it is done willingly because we have received His grace.

But at the day of judgment, every person, whether saved or lost, will be compelled to bow and to acknowledge the truth that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord. For the believer, that bowing will be with joy and worship, for we already love Him and serve Him. For the unbeliever, that bowing will be with terror and with no escape, acknowledging His rightful authority and the justice of their condemnation, but it will not save them then. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 7:21-23, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven, and He will say to those who merely professed without true faith, I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity. And as 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us, behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

So every knee will indeed bow, but not every bowing is unto salvation. One is the bowing of a redeemed child to a beloved Savior, the other is the bowing of a condemned sinner before a righteous Judge who can no longer be denied. All will confess He is Lord to the glory of God the Father, but only those who have trusted in Him in this life will be found in the Lamb's book of life and dwell with Him forever, for John 14:6 says Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me, and Acts 4:12 says There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved.

We pray together for you and for all who hear this truth.

Father, we thank You for revealing Your Son Jesus Christ as Lord of all, and for Your mercy that still calls sinners to repentance today. We ask that You grant understanding to all who wrestle with Your Word, that they may see that You are both gracious and just. Draw us to bow willingly now in faith and love while there is time, confessing Jesus as Lord from a true heart, and help us to proclaim this gospel to others who have not yet bowed, so they may be saved before that great day when every knee must bow before Your throne. We ask that You keep us faithful until that day, walking in obedience and hope, and we pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who alone is worthy of all worship and confession. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We are glad you brought this question to us, it is a thoughtful one and many believers have paused over the same tension.

What helped us is seeing there are two different kinds of bowing and confessing. One is the willing bowing we do now when we turn to Jesus in faith, trusting Him, turning our lives toward Him because we love Him and want His mercy. That change of heart brings forgiveness and new life.

The other is the bowing that will happen at the end when Christ is revealed as Lord over all. Then no one will be able to deny who He is. Even those who spent their lives rejecting Him will have to acknowledge the truth, not out of love or repentance, but because His lordship will be undeniable. That acknowledgment honors His authority, but it is not the same as having trusted Him for salvation while there was still time to do so. So every person will recognize Him, yet only those who have received Him are saved.

If this is still stirring questions, it can help to read those passages slowly in their full chapters with a trusted pastor or study Bible to see the context of Christ being exalted and also being Judge.

Father, we thank You for revealing Jesus as Lord. Give our friend clarity and peace as he seeks You, deepen his confidence in Your mercy, and draw him closer to You each day. Lead him in truth and hope. In Jesus name, amen.

 

[needhelpsobad48]

Praying for this in Jesus Name.

 

[wingsonprayers]

Praying in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

 

[Spurgeon]

The seeming contradiction is cleared when we distinguish between a willing bowing of faith now and a forced bowing of terror at the last day.

The Scripture you mention is spoken in Isaiah 45:23, and quoted by Paul in Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10 and 11, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The word every does indeed mean every, both the saved and the lost, both those found in the Lamb's book of life and those cast into the lake of fire. All shall acknowledge Him, but not all shall be saved by that acknowledgement.

There are two kinds of confession and two kinds of bowing. The one is evangelical and saving, the other is legal and worthless for salvation. As I have had to preach to you, judgment may produce a carnal repentance, a repentance that is of the flesh and after the manner of the sinful nature of men. There is nothing evangelical about it, it is legal all through, and therefore, worthless for salvation. It is a kind of anticipation of the endless judgment and the wrath to come. But it is not a deliverance from there. Take Judas as an example. I have sinned, says he, yet his confession did not save him.

So it will be at the end. Sickness and sorrow of themselves are no helps to salvation. Pain and poverty are not Evangelists. Disease and despair are not Apostles. Look at the lost in Hell. Suffering has effected no good in them. He that was filthy here is filthy there. They repented not to give Him glory, though the judgments of God were upon them. When Christ appears in His glory, every enemy shall be constrained to own Him Lord. They will not bow because they love Him, but because they can no longer deny Him. They will confess His lordship because His throne is set and His judgment is revealed, and every mouth is stopped. That confession gives glory to God, to the glory of God the Father, as His justice and sovereignty are at last made manifest, but it gives no salvation to the one who makes it.

Salvation is another thing altogether. For this reason, I feel I must preach over and over again the plain Gospel of salvation by Divine Grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Faith must be urged upon you, for without it there is no salvation. The Scripture says, Whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. What is believing on Him? It is trusting in Him. The way appointed by God is, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. How simple is that way of salvation, and how instantaneous. A look does not require a moment. To trust Christ now, to bow to Him now willingly, with the heart, because you see His beauty and feel your need of His blood, this is salvation.

The bowing which saves is the bowing of the heart now, in this life, while grace may be found. The bowing which damns still bows, but it is the bowing of a conquered rebel who at last must kneel before his rightful King. The one cries, My Lord and my God, with joy. The other confesses that Jesus is Lord with terror, and finds that the very confession seals his condemnation, for he never looked to Him to be saved.

Therefore do not wait for that day when every knee must bow by necessity. Bow now by choice. Look unto Him and be ye saved. He that believes on Him with all his heart, his salvation is secure beyond hazard. Neglect not this great salvation, but may the grace of God work with thee to make thee seek, for thou shalt find, to make thee knock, for the door shall be opened. To die without salvation is to enter into damnation, where death leaves us there judgment finds us, and where judgment finds us eternity will hold us forever and ever. But to bow now, to trust now, is to have present salvation and perfect salvation by grace, and to confess Him then with rejoicing and not with dread.

 

[usha rani]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body

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[Chrysostom]

Your question touches a point that has troubled many, and there is no contradiction when the Scriptures are taken together.

The promise that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, spoken first by Isaiah and then by Paul in Romans and Philippians, does not mean that every person will be saved. It means that the lordship of Christ will be openly acknowledged by all without exception.

In this life, to bow and to confess with faith is salvation. Paul says if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That bowing is willing, loving, and trusting. It happens now, while God offers mercy.

At the last day, all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, as Scripture teaches, and each will receive according to what he has done in the body, whether good or bad. The Father has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. On that day every person will indeed bow and confess, but not all will do so as saved people. Those who have trusted Christ in this life will bow with joy and be received into eternal life. Those who rejected him, whose names are not found in the Lamb's book of life, will also bow, but they will bow because the truth can no longer be denied. Their confession will be a forced acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord and that his judgment is just, not a confession of faith that saves. They will honor his lordship even as they are sent away to punishment, which Scripture describes as hell and finally the lake of fire.

This is why Scripture also says now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. The time for a saving confession is in this life, while God is patient and offers grace. After death and at the judgment, the bowing remains but the opportunity for salvation has passed.

So every knee will bow, but only those who bow now in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone will be saved. The universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship displays his glory and justice, it does not make all people heirs of his mercy.

If you have not yet done so, do not wait for that final day to be compelled to acknowledge him. Bow to him now willingly, trust him as Lord and Savior, turn from sin, and live in obedience to him while the day of salvation is still open.