Rev. Don Campbell
Revelation 19-22
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
“THE FINAL VICTORY”
Following the reign of which we spoke yesterday comes the loosing of Satan who goes forth to deceive the nations and gather them together to fight against the rule of heaven. This great battle of which so much has been written never takes place. That is right! There is no Battle of Armageddon. Those who have aligned themselves with the devil encompass the beloved City of God, but fire then comes down from heaven and consumes them. Then comes the judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). That judgment is universal, individual, and just. The defeated have another death to face: the dreaded second death, the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8).
Those who have gained the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ will enjoy fellowship with God (Revelation 21:1-8), eternal protection by God (Revelations 21:9-26), and eternal provision from God (Revelation 22:1-5).
Whatever one’s interpretation of the Book of Revelation may be, this much is clear: The devil, his allies, and those deceived by them lose the battle. We have read the synopsis of this great cosmic drama. We know the outcome, although we may not be sure what our exact lines are or how we will exit the stage.
We are compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) who knew much, much less than we know, and they remained faithful and have their names engraved on the great honor roll of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven, and—more importantly—in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 3:5-6; 21:27). We are urged to follow their example, laying aside sin and unbelief and fixing our eyes on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the cross and now sits on the right hand of God.
Run, runner, run! Don’t look back
Til your race is run.
Run, runner, run! The witnesses cheer Their race is done.
Run, runner, run!
Fix your eyes on Jesus
The race he’s won.
Run, runner, run! Run, runner.
Run!
After six years and over half a million words, the “Thought for Today” will be put to bed. Tomorrow we will begin “A Song for Today,” in which we will connect a passage of Scripture with a hymn. If there is a story behind the hymn, we will share it.
As we close, I offer one last word from Jesus: “Surely I am coming soon.”
