But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57, NET)
In the 1989 motion picture, Back to the Future Part II, one of the characters, Biff Tannen, takes a sports almanac from the year 2000 and travels back in time from 2015 to 1955 and gives the almanac to his younger self. The almanac contains the results of numerous sporting events from 1950 to 2000. Armed with this almanac, the 1955 Biff goes on to become rich by betting on events that he already knows the winner of. By knowing who won, Biff is able to dramatically change his life.
SPOILER ALERT! The Bible has given us the results of earth’s final battle, a battle that will be fought at a place called Armageddon. Although we don’t know the day or the hour, we know that one day Jesus will return to earth. When that time comes, Satan, along with the Antichrist and the false prophet, will send demonic spirits into the world to deceive earthly rulers into joining them in battle against Jesus (Revelation 16:13-14, 16). The forces of evil will gather at Armageddon, the battle will be fought, and the armies of evil will be defeated. Satan will be bound and Jesus will be victorious (Revelation 19:19-20:3). A thousand years later, Satan will be let loose from his prison and will deceive the nations of the world. They will join together for battle, but fire from heaven will consume them and Satan himself will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:7-10). The winner is Jesus!
Just as Biff Tannen was able to change his life because of the words of that sports almanac, we too can change our lives through the words of the Bible, God’s Word. But the change that will take place will not be in the gaining of earthly riches. The change that will take place will be in our hearts. The Bible is the living Word of God, the story of God’s love for us that was demonstrated by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sins (John 3:16). When Jesus died for our sins, then rose from the grave three days later, He conquered sin and death. And when we believe in Him, turn from sin, and follow Him, we share in His victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). With Christ in us, we become a new creation, changed from within (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become part of the winning team. And that change brings with it the promise of eternal life with Christ, a treasure far greater than all the riches in the world.
A Worshiper's Journal 