Defeat Or Victory?

Good News – March 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Defeat Or Victory?

Have you ever heard how Wellington’s victory over Napoleon was announced in England? In those days there was no television, radio, telephone or even telegraph. News of the history-making battle came by sailing ship to the south coast of England, and then by semaphore – a system of flag signals – all the way to London.

From the top of Winchester cathedral in southern England the semaphore began slowly spelling out the message, letter by letter, “WELLINGTON DEFEATED ...”

Suddenly, a dense fog settled over the city and the flags could no longer be seen. The heartsickening, incomplete message spread gloom and despair all the way to London: “Wellington defeated.”

When the fog finally lifted, the cathedral semaphore became visible again, and everybody could read: “WELLINGTON DEFEATED THE ENEMY.” The good news spread like wildfire all over England, lifting the people from gloom to gladness.

This story closely parallels that of another great battle which took place on the day Jesus Christ died on Calvary’s cross. During three hours of darkness and suffering followed by death, God punished Him for your sins and mine!

To His followers on that dark day, it seemed that Jesus Christ had been utterly defeated, and that all their brightest hopes were gone. They had thought He would deliver them from their great enemy, Death; but now apparently He, too, was defeated.

The despairing words of two of His followers seemed to express the feelings of all: “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Lk. 24:21 NKJV). Humanly speaking, it appeared that Jesus was defeated!

But another great event occurred two days later. After Christ was crucified and buried, that which seemed utter defeat became the greatest spiritual victory in the history of the world. Easter commemorates it: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

When the awful darkness and gloom lifted, to those who trusted in Jesus there came a glorious message of victory – Jesus is risen from the tomb. Jesus defeated the enemy!

That Jesus defeated the enemy was not just good news almost 2,000 years ago; it is also great news for you and me today: “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28).

It is through His death and resurrection that those who believe on Him are set free from the slavery of sin and death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (Jn. 11:25).

Would you like to make this victory of the Lord Jesus Christ your victory for all eternity? If so, trust Him as your Savior today! We can tell you how..

This article is adapted from the Easter tract, “Defeat Or Victory?”

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