THE GOSPEL BRINGS VICTORY
Then the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.”
Genesis 3:14-15 (NLT)
Some people enjoy knowing the ending of a story from the outset. They’ll flip to the last chapter of the book first or go online to search for spoilers about the movie they’re about to watch. You may have mixed feelings about doing this with works of fiction, but when it comes to real life, we should absolutely take a look at the end of the story. Maybe you’ve been confused or overwhelmed by the Bible’s final book. But Revelation, for all its potentially confusing imagery, states some things very clearly. Jesus is returning in power (19:11-21), Satan will be defeated (20:10), and God will establish His eternal Kingdom (21:1-4). It’s so encouraging to know these things!
What’s even more encouraging is knowing this has been the plan from the very beginning. God wasn’t caught off guard in the garden when Adam and Eve disobeyed Him. Jesus dying on the cross wasn’t the backup plan once humanity messed everything up. The passage from Genesis 3 above is known as the protoevangelium or first Gospel. God is declaring that while the enemy will strike at the heel of Jesus, ultimately, He (Jesus) will strike (or crush in the NIV) Satan’s head. So, while Jesus was betrayed and killed, He ultimately rose in power and victory.
The good news is that His victory is our victory. Consider the following: For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5 (NLT)
Keep the faith. Remember that God has already told us how it all ends. While our enemy has been given power for a season, his days are numbered. And even before his ultimate defeat, we can experience victory over the flesh, the world and spiritual forces through our faith in our Savior.
APPLICATION: Revisit Revelation 21:1-4. Slow down and read the verses aloud. Contemplate how wonderful and beautiful this will be. Ask God to sustain and empower you until we make it to the new heaven and earth when He will dwell among us.
PRAYER: Father, the victory is Yours. Help me to draw confidence and assurance from knowing that You have already established the end of the enemy’s story. Sustain me in the waiting, but come quickly Lord Jesus. I make this prayer in the name above all names, Jesus, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?