Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode of Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson, titled “Delivering the Kingdom to the Father,” reflects on the cosmic significance of Christ’s second coming. Sinclair Ferguson explores what the Bible teaches about the end of history, unpacking Paul’s perspective from 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. The episode explores themes of the resurrection, Christ’s ultimate triumph, and how, as the second Adam, Jesus brings history to its God-ordained goal—delivering the kingdom to the Father so "God may be all in all." Throughout, Ferguson connects biblical theology with hope for believers, emphasizing both doctrinal depth and practical encouragement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cosmic Eschatology vs. Individual Eschatology

• Ferguson notes the shift in focus from personal eschatological topics (death, judgment, heaven, hell) to cosmic eschatology—what will happen at the end of history when Christ returns.

  “This week we’re really thinking about cosmic eschatology. That is what’s going to happen at the end of history when Christ returns.” (00:13)

2. Certainty and Nature of Christ’s Return

• He references the angel’s promise in Acts that Jesus will return "in the same way you have seen Him go," emphasizing the continuity and certainty of Christ’s return:

  “The Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He’s the one who’s going to return.” (00:32)

3. Paul’s Theological Map of the Future (1 Corinthians 15)

• Ferguson outlines Paul’s sequence of end-time events:
  • First: Christ’s resurrection as the "first fruits"
  • Second: The resurrection of believers when Christ returns
  • Third: Christ destroys all opposition, putting "all enemies under His feet," with the last enemy being death
  • Fourth: The consummation—“the end” comes

    “Paul gives us what we might call a taxonomy, a shape of Christ’s future triumph.” (00:43) “When the Lord Jesus returns in majesty and glory, our bodily resurrection will take place.” (01:00)

  • Ambiguity of “End”: Ferguson explains the dual use of "end": as conclusion and as goal.

    “End is an interesting word, isn’t it?... Here, perhaps Paul actually means both.” (01:21)

4. Delivering the Kingdom to the Father

• Christ’s dominion means everything is placed under His authority, culminating in Jesus delivering the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24).

  “At that point Paul adds: ‘Then comes the end, when Jesus delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after destroying every rule and every authority and power.’” (01:46)

• The episode highlights the mystery and majesty of this act:

  “When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” (01:56)

5. The Role of Christ as the Second Adam

• Ferguson links Paul’s teaching to redemptive history, contrasting Adam’s failure with Christ’s success:

  “Adam was made as God’s image to exercise dominion over the earth… But he failed and he sinned and he fell. So he was never able to bring the completed work back to the Heavenly Father and say, ‘It is finished, Father, and we offer it to you as our gift.’” (02:20)

• Christ as Second Adam: Jesus, as the “second man and the last Adam,” fulfills what Adam could not.

  “Now the Son of God… has undone what Adam did and done what Adam failed to do…” (02:50)

6. The Son’s Subjection: Not About Inferiority

• A significant theological clarification: Ferguson insists Paul is not teaching that the Son is eternally inferior or subordinate to the Father.

  “Does he mean that the Son Jesus is really a kind of second rank deity, eternally subordinated to the Father? Now I think if you remember Paul’s perspective here in 1 Corinthians 15, it all becomes clear and rather wonderful.” (02:10)

7. The Ultimate Destiny: Worship and Union

• At the end, Christ leads redeemed humanity in offering everything back to the Father, fulfilling His work and leading all creation in worship.

  “Along with all those whom he has saved, he’ll lead us in worship of his Father and ours. What a day that will be.” (03:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christ’s Return:

  “This same Jesus is going to return. The Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson (00:32)

• On the End’s Meaning:

  “End is an interesting word, isn’t it?… Christ’s return will be the end of the present story, the close of history… But also the end will come in the sense of the goal will be reached.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson (01:20)

• On Adam and Christ:

  “The Son of God has taken our human nature, has become the second man and the last Adam, and… at the end… he will take it all back to his Heavenly Father, fulfilling what he first said on the cross of Calvary, ‘It is finished, Father, and we bring it to you as our love gift.’” — Sinclair B. Ferguson (02:50)

• On the Son’s Subjection:

  “Does he mean that the Son Jesus is really a kind of second rank Deity, eternally subordinated to the Father?… It all becomes clear and rather wonderful.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson (02:10)

• On Worship’s Culmination:

  “Along with all those whom he has saved, he’ll lead us in worship of his Father and ours. What a day that will be.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson (03:23)

Key Timestamps

• 00:08—00:32: Introduction to cosmic eschatology and certainty of Christ’s return
• 00:43—01:46: Outline of Paul’s eschatological “taxonomy” from 1 Corinthians 15
• 01:46—02:10: Explanation of "the end" and its double significance
• 02:10—02:50: Christ as the Second Adam and the glory of His finished work
• 02:50—03:23: The act of delivering the kingdom and leading creation in worship

Tone & Style

Reflective, pastoral, and rooted in biblical exposition, Sinclair B. Ferguson invites listeners to consider the grandeur of God’s redemptive plan with a reverent, hopeful tone tailored for devotional reflection.

Summary Takeaway

Sinclair B. Ferguson masterfully draws together biblical teaching on the end of history, Christ’s return, and our destined union with God. He emphasizes that Christ, as the Second Adam, succeeds where the first Adam failed—culminating in a cosmic act of worship when the Son delivers the kingdom to the Father. This vision invites believers to anticipate with hope “the day that will be,” spurring deeper love for Christ’s appearing and greater faithfulness in the present.