messengers. We proclaim the victory of Calvary and Christ the
128 Back to the Cross
and his powers are defeated. The victory of Calvary is still powerful today: ". . . nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2.14-15); "that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2.14). Many think that Christ crucified was the Lord's defeat, not realizing that this is where the victory was won. At the end of this age two armies will confront each other. But the battle is won without fighting. For when Christ was crucified and raised from the dead, He had entered into death, fought with it, and conquered it. The victory was then and there secured. His victory over Satan was not accomplished without His death and resurrection. In death Christ fought with Satan—who had the power of death—and conquered him. His resurrection is the evidence of His victory. As He moved forward, with His face towards Calvary, He declared: "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out" (John 12.31). Satan was defeated at the cross. Waging war against Satan in any other place would have ended in defeat. Satan is victorious in all places except Calvary. He was defeated only at the cross, and he was forever defeated there. So that all who are joined to the Lamb of Calvary stand on the ground of the victory of Calvary. They are not opening a new frontier; rather, they are applying that former victory to this present conflict. And in so doing, they shall overcome. Defeat is due to our depending upon self, but victory is because of standing on Calvary. The cross is the victory ground! Calvary is our home! What, then, do we have to fear?
3. The battle announced by messengers. We are the Lord's messengers. We proclaim the victory of Calvary and Christ the Victor: "I send thee to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God" (Acts 26.17-18). The victory of Calvary is still in effect today. Jesus the Savior is still the Conqueror. And Satan is still the vanquished. Satan has no power over us, for we have been delivered from the power of Satan unto God.