He Will Return Victorious!

He Will Return Victorious!

It was January, 1942. General Douglas MacArthur’s troops were valiantly holding the Bataan Peninsula against the overwhelming Japanese forces. They were surrounded on all sides by water and the enemy. But they were inspired by their leader.

Then suddenly MacArthur was recalled to Australia to become commander of all the Pacific forces in World War 2. Realizing how demoralizing it was to have their leader taken away at this crucial time, MacArthur made his famous promise: “I shall return!” His words not only gave hope to his men on Bataan, but also rallied the allied forces to recapture the Philippines two years later, and go on to win the war shortly after that. MacArthur did return, and was victorious.

This story reminds me of our Lord’s parting words to His disciples. We can only imagine what else MacArthur said to his men just before leaving by boat under cover of darkness, and how they must have hung on every word. We don’t have to imagine our Commander’s last words to us before His departure; they are recorded for us in John 13-17.

Among other things, our Lord shows us how to care for each other. He gives us the inspiring promise we need to face the trials ahead: “I will come again” (Jn. 14:3 NKJV). He shows us how important it is to keep His commands. He assures us that He is the overcomer. In John 17, He even lets us listen to His conversation with headquarters about His mission – and ours.

Unlike MacArthur’s parting message, our Lord’s was not just for those with Him then, but for all who follow Him even now as their General – all who eagerly await His return. And to prove it, He repeated it three times for emphasis at the end of The Revelation, adding one last encouraging word: “I am coming quickly!” (Rev. 22:7,12,20).

Are you clinging to His promise in these trying times? You won’t be disappointed. He will return, and will be victorious.

For more encouragement from The Revelation, read this month’s Features.

By Larry Ondrejack