The Glorious Conqueror

The Glorious Conqueror
Christ has forever overcome all His foes, and divided the spoil upon the battle-field, and now, even at this day, is He enjoying the well-earned reward of His fearful struggle.

Lift up your eyes to the battlements of Heaven— the great metropolis of God. The pearly gates are wide open, and the city shines with her jeweled walls like a bride adorned for her husband.

Do you see the angels crowding to the battlements? At last there is heard the Song of a trumpet, and the angels hurry to the gates— the army of the redeemed. “The church of the first-born” is approaching the city. Hark to the shout of acclamation! “Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.” Hearken to them as they enter.

Every one of them waving his helmet in the air, cries, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His bloody unto Him be honor, and glory, and dominion, and power, for ever and ever.”

Mark the heroes as they march along the golden streets, everywhere meeting an enthusiastic welcome from the angels who have kept their first estate. On, on they pour, those countless legions—was there ever such a spectacle? For four thousand years streams on the army of Christ’s redeemed.

But see! He comes. I see his immediate herald, clad in a garment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about His loins. The Prince of the house of David is not far behind. Let every eye be open. He comes! He comes! He comes! It is Christ Himself! Lash the snow-white coursers up the everlasting hills; “Lift up your heads, O, ye gates, and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may come in.” See, He enters in the midst of acclamations.

It is He! but He is not crowned with thorns. It is He! but though His hands wear the scar, they are stained with blood no longer. His eyes are as a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns, and He hath on His vesture and on His thigh written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Clothed in a vesture dipped in blood, He stands confessed the emperor of heaven and earth.—SPURGEON.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

True Worship that Pleases the Lord

Timothy Keller

A little boy left his toys out and went in to practice the piano, using hymns for his lesson. When his mother called him to pick up his toys, he said, “I ca n’t eat; “I’m singing praise to Jesus.” His mother responded: “There's no use singing God's praises when you're being disobedient.”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

From Heavenly Greatness to Inexhaustible Love

Timothy Keller

The number of stars is still uncountable by human science, yet God knows them by name (verse 4; cf. Isaiah 40:26). Job speaks of the creation, when “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7).

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Gift of Himself

David Jeremiah

Long ago, there ruled a wise and good king in Persia who loved his people and often dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar so he could visit the poor and learn about their hardships.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Healing Time

J. Stephen Lang

1868: On this date a political leader who grew up poor, had no formal education and was illiterate until his wife taught him to read and write, issued Proclamation 179 “granting full pardon and amnesty for the offense of treason against the United States during the late Civil War.”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A Personal Promise

Charles Stanley

Jesus came to earth with the view of offering you salvation. He wanted you to have a restored relationship with the Father, a relationship that was so close, so intimate, that you would have your special place in the Father’s house (John 14:1–4).