CHRIST'S VICTORY
FOR OUR VICTORY

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Col.2:15

     The weight of these words of Paul deserve a close examination to see just what Jesus accomplished: by His sinless life, His innocence before the blind rage of "covetous" priests, and His victory over death’s dominion.

     There are only two governments competing for the supremacy of this world. The one government says: I must secure your safety and happiness and for those you love no matter what it costs me, and only then are you safe with me. The other government says: I only serve myself, my opinions, my pride—my lust for gain. If that means I have to sacrifice your life and the lives of those you love on my altar of ambition so be it!

     Now, which of these two governments is the predominant force ruling this world? The latter of course! But which one would you rather see on the throne of life's government?

     When Satan began his military coup in heaven (Rev.12:7) the artifice of his campaign against GOD and His sacred laws preserving life was ingenious. So successful was Satan’s 'democratic campaign' that one third of the angelic host believed him and stood with him in his war against GOD (Rev.12:4). And had GOD immediately shut down this rebellion Satan’s accusations would not have been answered in accordance with heaven’s supreme law: the law of sacrifice and love. GOD desires the love of His created beings with no strings attached. So GOD had to allow Satan to play out his ‘call to liberty’ to reveal both his true character and the end result of his newly formed government.

     The heavenly hosts were not totally convinced of GOD'S vindication from the devil's accusations for a long time. Not until Satan led wicked men of their own free will to crucify the very Creator of heaven and earth, Who out of love had taken fallen humanity to Himself to die in their place that they may live. Now the angelic hosts of heaven and the men of unfallen worlds had tangible evidence that Satan would treat them in the same fashion as He treated His own Creator should they go against his authority. His is an authority exercising great power, but void of even the least hint of love; for tyranny and sin are his rule of life. His whole argument against GOD and His sacred law proved to be merely a façade of virtue.

     Now that all of heaven was convinced of Satan's tsunami of destruction to everything and everyone standing in his way, now it is our turn to be convinced. Before GOD can resolve the sin problem on the Earth He must allow the sinful course of man to destroy the "vital organs" of the Earth's ecosystems. And as the threat of extinction becomes more pronounced, it is prophesied unruly men will wind up treating the saints the way “the Son of God” was treated: by legislating their death sentence: to perish from the Earth, simply because they refuse to sin against GOD (Rev.13:15).

     The fate of every professing Christians in the days ahead will be determined by their integrity to Christ and their willingness to endure affliction. The warning of Christ will reach its apex: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." Mk.8:35. Those who have exercised little faith now will have to learn these lessons under great pressure and discouragement. And many who appear strong in their faith and unmovable in their allegiance to Jesus Christ will abandon their heavenly calling just as Peter and the other disciples abandoned Jesus on the night of His arrest.

     As the controversy over the Law of GOD [that was inscribed in the permanence of stone by Jesus Christ (Jn.8:58)] becomes more pointed in its contrast to the heaven-rebellious laws of men a great division within the ranks of the church will take place. Only two types of men will stand through “the seven plagues” of Revelation 16: those with “the seal of God” and those with “the mark of the beast.” At the heart of this final battle called "Armageddon" is GOD’S Law founded on benevolent love vs. man’s law founded on tyranny and the perpetuation of sin.

     Those who hold to the leading of Jesus in their lives will go through a similar experience to what Jesus went through during His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Jesus lived His life in perfect devotion to His Father and love to His fellow man so His saints will walk a similar path. But while Jesus was called to die, the saints are called to live! Nevertheless, the prophet Daniel addressed this coming event in the lives of every faithful believer, "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan.12:1.

     To them who go through this experience will see the LORD come in the clouds of glory. They will show the heavenly universe that the Spirit of Christ's love will always be the victor, even in the face of death! GOD will guard those who cherish the Spirit of Christ's love as “the apple of his eye!” (Zech.2:6). This little group of saints: the LORD'S "little flock" will have a privilege given to no other generation of human history. And although, for a time, they will appear before the world as the most forsaken of men, they will come through victorious to "the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thess.2:14). By this final test of faith they will more closely understand the Saviour’s heart than any generation in history.

     But while Jesus faced the wrath of the world alone, many of the saints will be blessed to stand together in small praying companies beseeching the LORD for His deliverance. It will be as when fierce enemies surrounded Judah, and Jehoshaphat prayed for his people: "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's...Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you." II Chron.20:12-17.

     Because of the saints' intimacy with Jesus, and their refusal to unite in the sins of an apostate church and "desperately wicked" world, the Apostle James encourages us: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." Ja.1:12. Wrote the Apostle John: "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Rev.14:1-5.