Some correspondants have complained that if Jesus is to be subordinate
to God forever, as I Cor 15:28 says that He will be, that it affects His ability to
be our Advocate. How does subordination to God affect his ability to be our
Advocate? The Jewish high priest was an advocate to God for the sins of the
people (Heb 2:17). The angels were advocates for men prior to Christ’s
high priesthood (Mt 18:10, En 15:2-3). Their subordination to God did not
prevent their advocacy. I do not see how being the second most powerful
being in the universe affects His ability to plead for us. Pleading our cause
does not mean He forces God to do what He asks. His power is therefore
irrelevant in pleading our cause. God’s estimation of Him is what is important,
and God esteems Christ’s name above every other name for ever (Eph 1:21).
When Christ assumes a position subordinate to God, it is after the
Resurrection (I Cor 15:24-28). At that time we will have been raised from
the dead and received the indwelling of the full powers of the Spirit (Acts
2:38-39, Heb 6:4-5). After the Resurrection, we will have personal access
to God (Rev 22:14, 1). Enoch says that we will then not sin any more
because we will be tied to God (En 61:3). We will no longer need an
Advocate at that point because we will not sin, and we will have personal
access to God, and we will have the full indwelling power of the Spirit. We
will be priests and therefore actually be advocates for the subjects of our
kingdom (Rev 1:6). Christ will be High Priest for the whole world and will
be the Advocate for men, but He will not need to advocate for us. We will
be perfect (Heb 12:23).
