“Therefore God highly exalted Him (Jesus) and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Philippians 2:9-11
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Jesus’ Humility
When will every knee bow before Jesus? The above passage from Philippians is part of a section whose point is that Jesus, the Son of God, is our example. The Apostle Paul tells us to model Jesus’ attitude. The Son of God existed as God from eternity past. But He voluntarily emptied Himself of the glory, pre-eminence, and invulnerability that belongs to deity.
He submitted Himself to His Father’s plan for redemption: He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, adding a human nature while remaining God. Jesus was born to the virgin Mary, and she named Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Read more about the Judgments.
Jesus’ Exaltation
Because Jesus humbled Himself, the righteous Father rewarded Jesus by highly exalting Him. Since Jesus’ death on the cross is the supreme example of humility, Paul tells us how God will exalt Jesus to reign over the earth from David’s throne forever.
Jesus Judges
There are various times of judgment described in the scripture. And Jesus claims that the Father has given Him all judgment:
“ The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all men should honor the Son” (John 5:22-23).”
Many people now use Jesus’ Name as a curse or a swear word. But that will change so that every knee will bow before Him.
When Will Every Knee Bow Before Jesus
Every knee will bow before Jesus at the Great White Throne Judgment. This is the final judgment immediately before eternity starts:
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it…. The dead were judged according to their works as recorded in the books…. And they were judged, each one by his works…. This is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-14).
Willingly or Unwillingly
In our time, people can choose to bow their knees before Jesus. We do this figuratively by believing in His Name and becoming a child of God (John 1:12). Everyone has a choice: come to Him now willingly or bow under overpowering compulsion at the Great White Throne.
But, make no mistake, every knee will bow before Him.
“Kiss the son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way,
for His wrath kindles in a flash. Blessed are all who seek refuge in Him.”
Psalm 2:12