H.G. Bissinger’s book Friday Night Lights is a non-fiction story about my home town Odessa, Texas, and the cross-town rival high school football team, The Permian High Panthers. I had some really good friends who lived in the school district zoning that fed Permian High School. We went to church together, hung out together, dated, and sang in church choir together. Some of us all went to college together. But on Friday nights, from a football perspective, we were mortal enemies. I never let the hype of football define me as a person, but I know plenty of people who did. Consequently, this book rings true for what I remember of how things went down. At one point, I remember my best friend’s little brother was the panther mascot, running around inciting the fanatic crowds into a frenzy every time their team scored. Since 1959 this football team won or tied the State Championship Game more times than I can count using all my fingers and toes… so I quit counting. Those evil, crosstown rivals dominated football across Texas, but in Odessa they walked around like kings. For such they were. They were beaten occasionally, but not often. They lost some battles, but seldom lost the war. They were champions.
It makes me think about the world today. Looking around this ole world, it would be easy to think that Evil is winning the battle, and the war. Between the political unrest, the sexual identity craze, the dark-net, ISIS, and nuclear threat from North Korea, it’s a little unsettling to read the paper in the mornings. Which is why I don’t read the paper, I actually click on my computer to a news source I semi-trust, and read headlines. If the headline entices me, or pricks my interest, I’ll read the story. Seldom do I read the whole story, before my mind says, “It’ll be ok. Don’t worry.” Now why would I say that?
Daily I remind myself that my life is based in a simple truth. I believe that the true Champion of all things is Jesus Christ. The world around us is filled with evil things only because God allows it to be so. The “god of this world” according to Paul, has been at work a really long time. He seems un-defeatable. But hear me carefully. This is a lie. He has already been defeated. Satan remains in power (limited by God) to fulfill God’s timetable for the redemption of mankind, and God’s creation. His defeat was sealed at the resurrection of Jesus, and his destiny is judgment, and the destination for his punishment is the Abyss first, then The Lake of Fire. I know it. I can prove it. Scripture teaches it.
Satan’s mojo will come to an end. Revelation 20:1-3
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
Revelation 20:10
And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:11-12
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Who is “Him” in verse 11? Jesus Christ, the King of kings, the Lord of lords…
THE CHAMPION
Find out more about this Champion by clicking here.
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As I was saying... 