Psalm 110:1 (NIV)
The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
A few years ago I went on a whirlwind bible study tour of Israel and saw something rather comical upon my arrival. On our first day we made our way up to the Mount of Olives which overlooks the Garden of Gethsemane as well as the Temple Mount. For many complicated reasons, Islam has been in control of the Temple Mount since the late 7th century, despite the fact that it resides within Israeli borders. Interestingly, and rather amusingly, the Muslims filled in the gates on the eastern wall and built a large cemetery along the outside of the wall, hoping to keep out any Jewish Rabbi who dared to enter, as a Rabbi is not supposed to walk through a cemetery containing non-Jews. Imagine their shock and dismay when Jesus returns – the Ultimate Rabbi – and not only splits the Mount of Olives in two, but strides right up and onto the Temple Mount to establish his Kingdom on Earth, once and for all time.
Surely, God will make His enemies a footstool for His feet.
Although every word of Scripture is God-breathed and without error (2 Tim. 3:16–17), there are certain passages that have received special emphasis in the history of God’s people. The New Testament quotes from the books of Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Isaiah more often than it does the rest of the Old Testament. Moreover, there is one single passage of the Old Testament that the New Testament quotes more often than any other. That passage is Psalm 110. Psalm 110 is a Messianic psalm, meaning it is concerned with the reign of the Davidic king and is applied to Jesus in the New Testament both by the Apostles and Christ Himself (Lk 20:41-43, Heb. 1:13). The emphasis in the first three verses is on the comprehensiveness of the reign of the coming Davidic king—KING JESUS. In the ancient Near East, conquering kings and armies would often put their feet on the necks of their foes after they had subjugated these enemies, and from this came the idea of making your foes into your footstool. The image is one of full authority that encompasses even those who in vain oppose the Lord’s chosen regent. Thus, Psalm 110 is pointing to the day when the ruler on David’s throne enjoys total rest from his enemies and unopposed control over them.
The Tuesday of Passion Week was intense. Jesus captured their attention with a donkey and a whip, and then fed them a full day of teaching, showing the Jerusalem elites what the Galileans had seen: one who spoke with authority (Mt. 7:29; Mk 1:22). He didn’t sidestep the inevitable conflict with the powers-that-be but strode back into their courtyard and held his ground. When they questioned his authority, he answered with three parables (Mt. 21:28–22:14). Baffled as they were, he made it plain enough as he directed his riddles against them. Having endured their challenges with patience, he then turned the tables with Psalm 110. At last, he asked, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” As expected, they answered, “The son of David” (Mt. 22:42). Then Psalm 110 and the zinger: “If then David calls [the Christ] Lord, how is he his son?” How could the younger be greater than the older? Unless . . . but alas, the dialogue was done. “No one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions” (Mt. 22:46).
And so it will be when Jesus returns to Jerusalem to establish His earthly Kingdom. The Muslims will be terrified, as will the Jews, but so will every other person who is outside a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. No questions will be asked. No debates will ensue. No efforts will be made to push back on His Glory and Majesty for at His return “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). The Great White Throne Judgment will take place and every single person who has ever lived will either enter into the Father’s house or into the eternal abyss. Will you be among the joyous on that day? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If you have, like the Apostle John, YOU will see the New Jerusalem come down. YOU will see God’s dwelling place among the people. YOU will be there when He “wipes away every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
Amen and Amen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
