“But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:35b (ESV)
Contrary to what many people, including pastors and teachers, we win! Though the Bible refers to the great day of the Lord, judgment, even tribulations, the truth is Christ’s kingdom is advancing, growing and expanding throughout the whole earth (Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 2:34-35, Matthew 11:12).
The Scofield Bible was published in 1909 and allegedly was financed by the Masons. And why would they do that? This work has shaped the view of dark days would increase and Jesus coming to rescue His weak defeated people. This view has had a terrible effect upon the church. It has caused a faulty interpretation of end times theology and especially the way the book of Revelation is misunderstood by many. I recently saw a video of a popular pastor teacher saying “we lose!” I had actually followed him when I was a young believer! He declared that the church is not victorious, but will limp across the finish line and need rescuing. This view castrates the church with hopeless, with darkness winning over light! Why would I get out of bed in the morning if I knew I was going to lose and be defeated? This mindset is behind the “bunker down and wait for Jesus to rescue us” attitude!
But that is not what the Bible teaches. Darkness does not win over light! In fact, up till 1909, most of the church believed in a victorious, triumphant church!
I am not saying that there won’t be challenging, dark times of trial and tribulation. In fact, we are in such a season right now! The Word is clear that we will have these tough times. Yes, there are trials, tribulation, suffering and even martyrdom in our world (James 1:2-4 & 1 Peter 4:12-13, 5:8-11). Nevertheless, we are called to contend, not bow down to evil (Ephesians 5:11). We are exhorted to arise and shine in the darkness. We are told that in the context of thick darkness we win (Isaiah 60:1-2).
Jesus said that the gates of hell would not overcome or prevail over the Church that He builds (Matthew 16:18). That doesn’t sound like we lose! Jesus told the seven churches in Revelation there is a reward for overcoming, for being victorious (Revelation 2-3). If victory wasn’t His plan, then why would He offer rewards for it?
We are in the world but not of it (John 16:13-19). The world is being shook, but the Church will stand on the Rock and win! We do not need to fear the terror the night, or the arrows that fly by the day. We will observe with our eyes the punishment of the wicked (Psalm 91).
Paul tells us that we are overwhelmingly victorious in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37)! Other translations say we are more the conquerors (ESV/NIV/NKJ). Jesus said that His kingdom will grow and cover the earth like a mustard tree grows and covers a field, starting from a very small beginning (Matthew 13:31-32)! The church began at Pentecost (Acts 2) with 120 waiting for Jesus’ promised Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit does not lose! God is working even when we do not see it! Today there are nearly 3 billion people on the planet who call themselves Christian! And the fastest growing sector is Pentecostalism, where the Holy Spirit is allowed to operate freely! Jesus Himself said that He overcame the world (John 16:33). He accomplished that! Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and He accomplished that! Likewise, we are told that we are to overcome the world just like Jesus did (1 John 5:3-5). Bottom line, we win!
Ask the Lord to remove any veil that is over your eyes preventing you from seeing a victorious church. Ask Him to pull up the roots of the false teaching of a weak, defeated church that loses. Now ask Him to give you eyes to see the scriptures that confirm this biblical perspective of a victorious church. Ask Him to empower you to play your part in it! Pray for your pastor, that every trace of defeatism, would be exposed and replaced with truth. Pray for the 1 billion soul harvest that is coming soon!
