December 26 - Revelation 20: God Wins

"The question is sometimes asked whether the world gets better or worse as it grows older, and optimists and pessimists take opposite sides on it. Both...are wrong. It does not get better only, nor worse only, but both. Its progress is not simply a progress in good, evil being gradually driven from the field; nor is it simply a progress in evil before which the good continually disappears; it is a progress in which the good and evil alike come to maturity, bearing their ripest fruit, showing all that they can do, proving their strength to the utmost against each other; the progress is not in good itself or in evil itself but in the antagonism of one to the other." 66 LL

As I read about the devil finally getting his due, and being thrown into the lake of fire (20:10), this quote came to mind. From my view, it does seem like things are getting worse, and not just in the world at large.

Harry and I have been overwhelmed lately by how difficult things seem to be lately in the lives of many of our friends and acquaintances. A suicide, a terminal cancer diagnosis in an otherwise healthy friend, the untimely death of a 32-year-old new father, recurring Stage 4 cancer in a mom of an 11-year-old, a 34-year-old mom of three suffering multiple strokes last week, crumbling marriages, believers walking in darkness and believing the enemy's lies. And that's in addition to our own struggles to walk in the Truth and to love others well.

But even though it's not always obvious to my eye, Revelation 20 assures me it's a "realized victory" (66 LL) in which evil is destroyed and final judgment is rendered. The more evil appears to be winning, the more our Sovereign-Strong displays His power and glory. Our faithful and true King of Kings and Lord of Lords (19:11, 16) has defeated Satan forever.

And on this day of celebration of our Rescuer entering our world, I'm also rejoicing at the miraculous news of the 34-year-old mom waking from a six-day coma and the Stage 4 cancer going into remission. Our powerful God has displayed His glory, and in His mercy, answered our fervent prayers for these dear families.

But especially on the days where He is silent, or when prayers aren't answered as I hope, or when I fail to love others well, I am thankful for His Word that assures me that God wins. And gratefully, His victory isn't dependent on my circumstances or my performance.

Hallelujah!

The Master reigns,

our God, the Sovereign-Strong!

Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,

let us give him the glory!

(19:6-7)