Go! Fight! Win!

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good FIGHT, I have finished the RACE, I have kept the faith. NOW THERE IS IN STORE FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. GO! Not only does the human race have a beginning and an end, so do individuals. How do we run? Why do we run? What is important at the finish line? What is not important at the finish line? Can we be disqualified? Perhaps the most important question of all is: how do we finish strong? As Jesus Christ was crossing the finish line, do you think he was thinking about the pain of the race? Not a chance! He ran with us in mind and we are his reward. Now, we run with him in mind and he is our reward. If it sounds like a love story, that's because it is. FIGHT! The race we run takes the form of a battle. In this age, there is an on-going war between two kingdoms. Humans are at the very center of this conflict. If we do not understand the nature of this battle, we will surely not finish strong. Why is the earth such a mess? Whose side are we on? What are we fighting for? Where is the battlefield? Who are we fighting? Why is it important to know our enemy? Does God lead us away from the battle or into the battle? How do you define a win? We can be the most trained and disciplined soldiers on the planet, but if we are confused about the nature of the battle we are in, we will not stay the course. WIN! There is a purpose in all of history. If we do not know where we have come from or where we are going, ultimately we will embrace the idea that history is a series of pointless events. This philosophy leads to selfishness and little reason to hope. Only in understanding the whole story will life make any sense at all. Through inspired prophetic writers, we can see the end of the race, the final battle, and a wedding celebration. God inspired the Prophets of Old to write as a gift to us. He wants us to be aware of what is to come. God is looking forward to the judgement of evil and the redemption of the earth, but he is patient. He wants the world to know about his love and he wants all men to be saved. In a world of pain, persecution, evil, and oppression, Christ calls us to endure. The Revelation of Jesus Christ can be summed up in this way: the title deed to Earth is once and for all taken away from Satan and placed back into the hands of the Groom (God's Son) along with his Bride (the Church). Together, they will eradicate all evil from the earth and reign together in eternal bliss. The bride, clothed in white linen, will take her seat on the throne next to the Lord of the universe. This is the grand event. It is not a fairy tale; it is the glorious finish line for all the saints. WE WIN! This scripture-rich text helps de-mystify and uncomplicate many biblical truths and principles that get lost in religious jargon and confusion. It will equip you for victorious living in this present evil age until the very end of time. It is not only educational, but it tells a story. In it, you will find the beginning and the end. You will see where YOU are in the story. Keep running! Don't stop! Keep fighting! Don't stop! Keep the faith! Finish strong! GO! FIGHT! WIN!