REVELATION 22:3

Let us never forget that our story, the Christian story, does not end in tragedy but in Triumph, It does not end with the release of Satan from the bottomless pit going out to deceive the nations again and to successfully wage war against the saints, but it ends with the fire of God coming down from heaven to devour the evil One and all his cohorts. It ends with the throne of God and the holy Lamb of God majestically enthroned thereon (Revelation 22:3). The devil shall not be bound just for a thousand years, but in the Holy Writ, we unequivocally perceive that the enemy that deceived so many shall be “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). It doesn’t end in defeat but in total victory for the saints!

Therefore, our message is never one of doom and gloom. This is a book of hope, victory, celebration, and light always triumphing over darkness. This speaks perpetually of the triumph of the crucified Messiah. It tells in no uncertain terms that the crucified Messiah triumphed and became the Risen Savior, who for all intents and purposes has never lost a battle.

Despite all the tragic events of what is now solemnly referred to as Good Friday – thank God it never ended there. It culminated in the most glorious event of our Christian history, the unmistakable triumph of our Savior over sin, hell, death, and the grave. It is indisputable how bleak things looked for the church on that Friday, but right there from the tomb came the most sublime message ever – “He is not here: for He is risen . . .” (Matthew 28:6). It is recorded by every one of the gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We might forget and omit a lot of things, but this part of our message must never be erased or forgotten. It remains the central feature and premise of our faith. For us, it is a simple but most powerful message – He died, but He rose again! In Him, we declare – NO Defeat!

As the Body of Christ, I deduce that we too go down, but like Him, we are destined to come back up. We too, more than likely, will be buried, but like Him, we too, shall rise again. We walk through the valley, but we come out! (Psalm 23:4). We fight but we too shall win! We weep, but we must also remember always to sing! It has become somewhat of a mantra for us “. . . Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). All that we are going through and must go through – are temporal and not permanent parts of life’s journey. The enemy can hurt the body, but never the soul. We follow in Christ’s footsteps (1 Corinthians 15;23). In Him – No Defeat!

In John’s revelation of things that must shortly come to pass, he sees the people of God as gloriously winning. We triumph! We triumph overwhelmingly! Every opposition is not only defeated but completely wiped out and decimated. May this thought help placate our minds, especially in these unprecedented times. We are often conflicted but never decimated. We go down for a while, but we come right back up. There is the crucifixion, but it climaxes not with rotting bones but with a gloriously risen body. For every season of conflict, there is a response from glory bringing blessed consolation and divine assistance. An angel appears from glory to strengthen and assist us (Luke 22:43). It never ends in defeat. His unchanging Word potently declares that we win! In Him – No Defeat! (Revelation 22:4, 5).