Seeing And Tasting Victory

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In every stage of sports, winning is exciting and fun. Whether its a little league team or a major league ballclub, seeing and tasting victory never gets old. Chapter nineteen of Revelation is a celebration chapter of God's win over the antichrist's corrupt empire. Revelation 19:1-6 says;

"After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven, shouting, "Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. 2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants." 3 And again their voices rang out: "Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!" 4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, "Amen! Praise the Lord!" 5 And from the throne came a voice that said, "Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest." 6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: "Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

John opens this chapter by explaining that the great tribulation has ended by saying, "after this." Thus, chapter nineteen serves as a bridge between the tribulation's unprecedented events and the Second Coming of Christ (chapter 20). The crowd of angels and followers is in a holy frenzy because the return of Christ is imminent at this point, and they can see and taste the victory God has promised. In what will be a landslide of a win listed later in chapter 19.19-21, God will utterly defeat the antichrist, the false prophet, and their evil government by way of judgment.

The smoke rising up (v.3) symbolizes that the antichrist's and the false prophet punishment will be forever. John also reports that the twenty-four elders (representatives of the churches 4.4) and the four living creatures (special order of angelic beings 4:6) will present in the celebration. Finally, John says this incredible praise of victory sounds like mighty ocean waves as they praise God for His greatness.

All this reminds us that we stand in a place of victory because of the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what life or the devil throws at you, remember that you are victorious in Christ. Romans 8.37 says;

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."