Chapter 8

Our Team is Winning

I’m writing this chapter the week after Easter, and it is very easy to see the relevance at this time of year. On the surface, Easter looked to all the world like a great defeat.

Someone said once that on the crucifixion weekend, there were no demons left in Hell. Every last one was sent out on duty. It was like the traffic police on Easter weekend. All leave is cancelled; the task is too important; the risks of losing are too great.

It is doubtful that the demons could read the early signs of their defeat. They no doubt thought, like the wicked animals in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, at the killing of the great lion, Aslan, that they were winning.

But the signs were there, nevertheless, of their imminent defeat. When Jesus refused to run away, or fight, at the scene of his capture; when he healed the sword-slashed ear of the High Priest’s Servant; when he refused to bow down to the judges and accusers; when he chose not to answer in anger at the lying witnesses; when he did not react in fear or scorn as his friends and followers left him one by one; when he refused to judge or condemn the very ones who were crucifying him, but instead prayed for their forgiveness; when he finally cried those last terrible, triumphant words, It is finished! and gave up his life.

Any one of these, with clearer sight, could have given the clue that the demons were on a path of certain defeat. But the howl of gleeful triumph that no doubt went up in the demonic ranks at the moment that the Son of God died soon faded on their lips. Soon this accursed (literally!) preacher was in the very depths of Hell, preaching to their own captives, offering salvation to those who would hear, and taking captivity captive for himself.

And soon, too, as the demons were by now seriously starting to entertain self-doubt at their imagined success, the great archangel and his legions of angels were on hand to roll open the tomb, and pay loving homage to the Son of God, risen from the dead and emerging from the grave to take his rightful place as the King of the Earth and of Heaven.

Although this great King did not take up his full power instantly, allowing the Prince of the Power of the Air some few centuries to continue his now limited domination over earth, yet the writing was truly on the wall.

And you and I live in this time-between-times: in the light of the resurrection triumph and yet in the continuing darkness of a world tainted by sin and evil.

But although we are still seeing battles taking place, although we see our comrades fall by our side from time to time in the great battles that rage, yet we know that the greatest battle has been one. He is a defeated enemy. His withdrawing skirmishes are deadly, still, and frightening, but he is no longer capable of winning the final war. That battle has already been won. And Jesus, the Mighty Warrior-Victor is our Captain. We are on the Winning Team.

One of the classic passages in this vein is that written by Paul from his prison cell.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Philippians 1: 12 – 14.

Despite apparent opposition, and very real discomfort and loss which Paul has suffered, yet the battle is turning to the advantage of Christ. Even the very chains and pain he is suffering that the demons of Hell had hoped would deter Paul and make him give up, even these have been turned to advantage.

This is how it is with every trial that we encounter. It is not to say that the trials are not real. It is not to say that we will not suffer, and weep and bleed. But it is to say that every apparent loss can be a victory for us if we but leave it up to our Captain to take the battle through to its conclusion. Our task is to stand in the breach at the moment of greatest trial, and to remain standing. He will bring the victory.

Hear, too, the glorious song of praise from the book of Hebrews 1: 8 – 14:

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

In this passage, we see that God has already given his Son the laurel crown of success. He reminds us that even as God has been the great Creator, so he will be the great Completer of what he has started.

In the last verse, we get just a glimpse of the way that you and I live our lives in the company of heavenly beings. Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? The surprising truth is that you and I are always accompanied by angels. We have always spoken, often in jest, about our “guardian angels”. But this passage suggests that what we have always spoken about light-heartedly is absolute truth. God has provided us with angelic support. How does it work? I don’t know. Why are some of still killed by accident and fall sick? I don’t know.

But I do know that God has provided his angels for us as part of being on the winning side. There have been times in my life when I have cried out in my spirit, “Angels of God, come to my aid now”. I have not seen an angel, but I have heard many stories of those who have.

My father, when he was in his late 80’s and quite frail was walking to the shops one day, when he was approached by a young man who demanded his wallet. My father, being the stubborn old soldier that he was, said, “You’ll have to fight me for it”. They started to fight and struggle as the man knocked my father to the ground. My father saw a person jogging by and called for assistance. Immediately the attacker fled. When my father pulled himself together and got to his feet, he looked around for the jogger, but he was nowhere to be seen. A nearby homeowner had come out now, and offered assistance. He, too, said that he had not seen anyone else other than the attacker and my father struggling. We concluded that there had been a third person but who it was we were unable to say. But God sends his angels as ministering spirits to serve his people.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,
“He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Hebrews 10: 35 – 39.

The message is, “Don’t give up!” victory is ours and it is certain, even though we may not see it just yet.

The whole message of the Bible is that we are part of the winning team, that our victory is assured. The book of Revelation right at the end of the Bible is not often read by many Christians. I have heard people tell me that they find it frightening, and don’t like to read it.

I must say that I find it anything other than frightening. It is the most glorious story of triumph over death and suffering and the whole world system. Certainly, it has parts which remind us to get our act together. That is no bad thing. But as a conclusion to this chapter, read the following extracts from the book of Revelation. See if you can do anything other than sing praises to God as you read these:

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments…. The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”

Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”...

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (19: 5 – 16)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (20: 1 – 3)

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me:

“It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (21: 1 – 7)

If you can read this and not feel a thrill in your spirit, then perhaps you need to ask yourself if you are actually on God’s team. Is he truly part of your life and are you truly part of his? For this victory which he has won is your victory and my victory if we are truly his.

And this is a Reason for Joy.

Family JoyFinder

Read aloud this passage from Isaiah 53 with your family. Talk about what you think it means to you.

Ask everyone to express some of their deep fears, if they feel able to. See whether there are Bible passages that you can find that answer those deep fears. If you can’t find them, then ask someone else to help you.

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