"A War Worth Winning!" - Parker Webster

Each and every day, we are faced with battles, trials and temptations. Some wars we engage in are against ourselves, others, or even circumstances that exist around us. Many times, we can feel like we are losing our battles. Whether they be emotional, spiritual, or even moral battles we cans often feel vulnerable and desperate. The good news is that we have someone on our side who helps us in every battle that we face. We have someone who is "able to deliver" and someone who "helps in time of need."

I constantly take challenges and comforts from book of Revelation. It is a book with signs and symbols, but it is also a book of victory. For the one who seems to be experiencing life failures and spiritual roadblocks, the book of Revelation is a great place to go. This final book of the New Testament chronicles the age-old struggle between good and evil. It is a story of a war with twists and turns, and even casualties. Yet, there is an overwhelming consolation that the author affords the reader.

In chapter 17, we are given an image of war, and we find our Lord and His followers victorious! John writes, "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful" (Rev. 17:14). 

Consider that this teaches us a Reality--We will have difficulties and adversaries in this life. Paul would write of the war schemes the devil uses against us each day. We must be prepared for this reality. 

This verse also teaches us about our Leader--Jesus is described in three ways here. First he is described as a lamb. An average student of the Old Testament would see the significance of this description from Isaiah 53. Our lord would be "...Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth" (Isa. 53:7). This shows us the willingness of our leader to go into battle and sacrifice even His own life. Second, Jesus is describes as the Lord of Lords. This description shows us that He should be our only master. He sees what needs to be done, He provides what is necessary to complete the job, and he cares for his servants. Another description given here of Jesus is the king of kings. It shows Jesus's divine authority over all things. It is to show that He is the sovereign ruler over heaven and earth and that there is no other like Him!

In final considerations, this verse teaches a grand message of hope. In the war that wages against the Lamb, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings, He is victorious. John says, "...the Lamb will overcome them." Yet, we must also recognize that we can be joined to that victory on certain contingencies. John says, "...and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." Each battle you face in life will only become harder without the greatest power to exist in all the universe. We each need the protection of God, and we need our Savior, Jesus Christ. Holding this company, we can be assured that we will eventually overcome. With Christ, each war we face is a war we can win!