Jesus Has Defeated Death: Live in His Power and Victory

“He said, ‘Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet.”’ —EZEKIEL 43:7

Throughout the Old Testament, the ‘setting of feet’ signifies the occupation of land. It was to step into enemy territory and conquer it. The glory of God, as seen by Ezekiel in his vision, was the consequence of conquered and occupied territory.

 Paul writes of this same theme in the New Testament. Speaking of Jesus, he says, “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’” (1 Corinthians 15:25-27). To conquer an enemy is to put him underfoot. By the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the last enemy has been defeated, putting death itself under the feet of Christ. 

This has fantastic implications for us. Jesus has defeated the last enemy, which is to say that every other enemy has also been defeated. If we have ten enemies and finally defeat the last one, it means the other nine are not still running around uncontrolled. In defeating the last enemy, Jesus has defeated everything that threatens to defeat us. That is why Paul can mock death as the ultimate enemy. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?” (15:54-55) Death will still stalk us and we will still die, but it will not defeat us. Sin will stalk us, but perfection in this life is not an option, yet we need not be defeated for in the cleansing of Jesus and the power of His indwelling Spirit we are justified and may know the power to live a holy life.

Into the heart of every Christian, the Lord Jesus comes not only to occupy the throne but to conquer and defeat the enemy. As the throne speaks of His position of Lord and His exercising authority, the “soles of His feet” speak of His activity, defeating the enemy and reigning as conqueror. 

These two aspects of His role must not be separated. They come together in two of the last statements Jesus makes in the interim between His resurrection and ascension to His Father. In Matthew 28:18, He said to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” In Acts 1:8, He tells them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” It is the power and authority of Jesus Christ that puts us on the side of victory and ensures an everlasting life with Him.

Thank You, Lord, for your work on the cross in defeating death and reigning as conqueror in my life. 

Do I realize that in Jesus Christ I am already on the side of victory in anything that threatens to defeat me?