"He Wins! We Win!" December 28 Readings: Zechariah 11-12, Revelation 19, Psalm 148:1–8, Proverbs 31:22–23

Today's Readings - Zechariah 11-12, Revelation 19, Psalm 148:1–8, Proverbs 31:22–23

Devotional 

Do you ever feel like there is no hope for the future in this world?

There is nothing in sports more thrilling than a come-from-behind victory, when one team seems to have surefire victory and the team that seems destined to lose mounts a heroic effort to win. I could regale you with great Yankee victories against overwhelming odds, but I can already feel you rolling your eyes!

Revelation 19 is the moment when the apparent victory of evil in this world comes crashing to a halt. Right now, the wickedness seems to be getting its way, doesn't it? The moral foundations are crumbling and people are abandoning truth and righteousness to embrace evil. Even in the church our values are more shaped by the culture of the world than the revelation of the world. I've talked to more than one skeptic who has gloated that Christianity is fading and the church is dying. Sometimes, it seems like they are right.

But they are wrong. At least in the long run, they are. I don't know what is going to happen here in America - we may continue in the course we have set, following the European path of spiritual and moral decay. But this much we know - Jesus is going to win it all. If you think he's losing right now, it's all an illusion. The end has already been written and evil will be utterly, eternally, and infinitely defeated.

Yes, things look bad and it can be tough to be positive and faith-filled. But never forget what happens in the end. People talk about "being on the right side of history." If you are on the wrong side of Revelation 19:11-16 you are on the wrong side of history.

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war with justice. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 14 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

From this moment until the end, mankind will marshal his strength to continue the war begun in the Garden, when Adam and Eve chose the other side. Most will continue on the wide path and stand in rebellion against the Lord who paid for the sins of the world. That war isn't going to cease, or even lessen. It will intensify until that climactic battle. But at that moment Jesus will ride out of heaven in glory and he will establish his authority over all the world. Jesus is Lord and he will stand supreme. 

Don't forget that. Yes, the world is evil. The god of this age has blinded minds and hearts are bound in sin. We live in a world with loyalties to the kingdom of darkness and we serve the light. It is going to be hard. But as we face hardships, as we see things going badly, we can rest in this hope - that Jesus Christ's ultimate victory is guaranteed. 

The end is written and Jesus wins. Don't forget that during those times when things seem bad right now. 

Father, help me never to forget, when I see the specter of the victory of evil, that your Son will one day stand in glory and defeat all of your foes. He wins, and we win with him - those of us who have been born by your grace. Thank you Lord.  

Think and Pray

Do you ever despair at the apparent victory of evil in this world?
Remember that Jesus is the conqueror of all. The victory of evil is apparent - only!