Creator, Father, King #361

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

FROM 1965 TO 1973, the United States engaged in perhaps the most unpopular conflict in the nation’s history, the Vietnam War.

With the Cold War against the Soviet Union simmering, the United States and its ally, South Vietnam, fought a long, grueling war against North Vietnam in the jungles of Southeast Asia, costing nearly three million lives, including more than fifty-eight thousand American soldiers. The war was ultimately unsuccessful. America withdrew its troops in 1973, and Communist forces took control of South Vietnam in 1975.

If the overall failure of the war had been known from the start, would America have gotten involved in the first place? Probably not. Of course, no nation can ever know the full outcome of a conflict before it gets involved. Humans don’t possess that kind of knowledge.

But God does. In the book of Revelation, he reveals some incredible details about an age-old conflict that has been raging since Creation. It’s a cosmic battle of good vs. evil, and yet the great Champion was determined in eternity past.

We are talking, of course, about God’s marvelous salvation plan for his chosen people through his Son, Jesus Christ.

What’s It Mean?

Mankind has been in rebellion against its Creator since Creation. Satan and his spiritual forces of evil have been trying to subvert God’s plan longer than that. Yet the sovereign Lord God Almighty has always been in control, and his plan is culminating perfectly according to his will, as Revelation attests.

In his fury, Satan has tried everything to thwart God’s plan, but Jesus dealt him a fatal blow through his death and resurrection (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8). He continues to wreak plenty of havoc, but only within the bounds of divine allowance as a creature in its death throes (Revelation 12:12).

One day, the sky will break open and the King of kings and Lord of lords will crush all evil with nothing more than words from his mouth (Revelation 19:11-16). Then, as today’s verse indicates, Jesus will share the eternal glory of his triumph with all his followers. Amazing!

This should encourage you when you are feeling weary or discouraged. Don’t lose heart! As a believer, your victory in this great spiritual battle has been assured—purchased by the powerful blood of Christ.

Stand strong, have faith, and rejoice!

Now What?

Check out what Colossians 2:15 and Hebrews 2:14 have to say about this subject.

Did You Know?

Satan will be thrown into hell (Revelation 20:10), along with all other evildoers (verse 15).