S144P6 – When worlds collide: the victory to come

Mt. 27:50-54

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.  The tombs also were opened.  And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

We already have spoken of the full authority that Christ was given from the Father. [Mt. 28:18]  His authority is complete over the heavens and the Earth, and the timing of this conveyance of authority is crucial.  Remember that God instructed Adam and Eve to subdue the Earth. [Gen. 1:28]  They had authority to run the show.  They even named the animals.  Then, only a few passages later, they gave their authority to the devil and let sin enter the Earth.  The Father then sent his Son to take back that authority, and we see the result here.  After declaring that it was finished [Jn. 19:30], this frightening event occurred.  The transfer of power was complete, but this is also a picture of a battle yet to come.

Our great enemy is nothing if not consistent.  Regardless of the certainty of his fate, he will try to push the envelope.  He lost at Calvary, but he continues to try to take God’s creation down with him.  There is nothing left for him to win or try to win, but he will lead God’s enemies in a final battle as if he had any hope.  This literal Earth shattering scene when the rocks split, the land shook and the dead rose is nothing compared to what will result on that day. [Rev. 16:12-21]  Just as Jesus himself proclaimed at Calvary, a heavenly voice will proclaim in the Valley of Armageddon, “It is done!” [v. 17]  It is the same picture of the moment when Christ completed the work necessary to defeat sin, death and the devil.  Neither event, neither the cross nor Armageddon, was or will be a battle.  These are just victories.

We can see the work that Jesus completed on the cross and the physical manifestation of that work as a spiritual crescendo.  That was the high note.  That was the moment for which the heavens waited with bated breath.  Yet, another high note will come in that valley.  Mortal men will have the gaul to try to fight the Lord Almighty, but they already are defeated.  The time of tolerating opposition to holiness and perfection will be gone soon.  There will be no more battles, no more futile coup attempts by dark powers, no more collisions.  Father, thank You that the victory already has been attained, and thank You that the day will come when good and evil will collide no more.