The Trinity and Consummation
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one breathtaking story. It’s the story of the Triune God creating, redeeming, and ultimately consummating all things for His glory. As John MacArthur has aptly summarized, “a promise (was) made in eternity past among the Members of the Trinity. Wrapped up in that promise was the entire redemptive plan of God. In short, the Father had promised the Son a redeemed people for His bride. And the Son had promised to die in order to redeem them. All of this occurred in eternity past, before creation was begun.”[1]
The entire storyline of the Bible, every promise, and every act of redemption, is authored by the Father, accomplished through the Son, and applied by the Spirit.
In the previous two articles of this series, we have marveled at the Trinity in creation and in salvation. Now, we lift our eyes to the horizon of history, to the day when the Triune God will bring all things to their consummated, glorious end.
The Father’s Sovereign Decrees and Determinations
In Daniel 7, we are given a magnificent glimpse into the heavenly courtroom:
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom… His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away…” (Dan 7:13-14).
Here, the “Ancient of Days”—God the Father—sits in sovereign majesty. Thrones blaze with fire. Ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Him. The books are opened.
And then, in stunning splendor, “one like a Son of Man” approaches—the eternal Son—to receive dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
From eternity past, the Father decreed that His Son would reign supreme over all creation. His sovereign purposes are not haphazard or reactionary; they are deliberate, wise, and unchangeable.
Jesus Himself affirmed this. When speaking of His return, He said:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matt 24:36).
It is the Father who has fixed the times and seasons by His own authority (Acts 1:7). It is the Father who sits enthroned in Revelation 4, receiving endless worship as the Creator and Sustainer of all.
And for us—His children—this brings profound peace. No matter how chaotic the world appears, the Father holds history in His hand. His decrees are firm. His purposes are sure. And His love for us is everlasting.
The Son’s Righteous Rule and Reign
The Son of Man in Daniel 7 is given a kingdom—a dominion that will never pass away. And the New Testament fills out this picture with glorious detail.
After Jesus completed His redemptive work, He ascended to the right hand of the Father (Heb. 1:3), where He now intercedes for His people. Psalm 110:1 records the Father’s decree: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” This ongoing session of Christ is not passive; it is the prelude to His return.
According to Luke 1:32–33, Jesus will one day reign on the throne of David. This is not a metaphorical reign, but a literal, earthly one that will take place when He returns in glory (cf. Matt 25:31–32). At that time, He will judge the nations, separate the sheep from the goats, and establish His Millennial Kingdom in fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
At the close of that reign, 1 Corinthians 15:24–28 reveals something remarkable. After Christ has subdued every enemy—even death itself—He will hand the Kingdom back to the Father. The Son, who reigns with all authority, will subject Himself to the Father in order that “God may be all in all” (1 Cor 15:28). This is not a loss of glory, but the crowning moment of Trinitarian harmony. The Son delights to glorify the Father.
And so He is worshiped in heaven with eternal praise: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:12). This is the reward of the cross: a blood-bought people from every nation, made into a kingdom and priests to our God, who will reign with Christ upon the earth (Rev 5:10).
The Spirit’s Holy Presence and Power
From the beginning of the New Covenant era, the Spirit has indwelt believers, sealing them for the day of redemption (Eph 1:13–14). But His work is not just individual—it’s cosmic. He is the agent of renewal in all of creation.
Jesus promised His disciples that the Spirit would come (John 14:16–17), and through Him, believers are sanctified and conformed to the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). Romans 8:11 assures us that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies.
This means that our perseverance is ultimately God’s preservation. The Spirit sustains our faith, shapes our affections, and empowers us to endure until the end. And His work will not stop until the final renewal of all things. As Revelation 22:17 declares, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’” Even at the close of Scripture, the Spirit’s heart is on display—extending the gospel invitation, magnifying the Son, and preparing a people for glory.
Glory to the Father, Son, and Spirit
When we consider the consummation of all things, we must do so through the lens of the Trinity. The Father decrees, the Son reigns, and the Spirit empowers. Each person of the Godhead is gloriously and perfectly involved in bringing about the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes.
This is not dry doctrine. This is fuel for worship.
In a world of uncertainty, we rest in the sovereign will of the Father. In a culture of rebellion, we bow before the Lordship of the Son. And in the weakness of our flesh, we lean on the power of the Spirit.
And we long for the day when our faith shall be sight, and our hope shall be fulfilled. Until then, we echo the final prayer of Scripture:
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20)
References:
[1] John MacArthur. “The Triune God of Creation.” Grace to You. August 8, 2007. https://www.gty.org/library/blog/B200708/the-triune-god-of-creation