by Alexis Jergensen
Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.
God Wins Wars
This week as I was studying the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, I came upon a verse in chapter 1 that really caught my attention. Verse 18 is Christ talking, and He says “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Because of the Atonement of Christ, He overcame death and hell within. He is the only one who has done that, and we must turn to Him to overcome it ourselves. We are each fighting our own battles. Satan is surrounding us to try to pull us down to misery with him. I think it is so ironic that in this verse it says that Christ has the keys of hell and death. On the judgment day He ultimately decides who is on Satan’s side. Satan doesn’t even have that power. This selfish, powerful, hypocritical man tries so hard to bring others down with him yet doesn’t even have the keys to his own home. He has no place he can call home. Why then does it seem so hard at times to resist the temptations of the devil? Because he is powerful, he is convincing, and at times it seems easier to give in to his traps than to fight for what we know is right. He uses everything against us simply because he wants us to be unhappy just like he is.
I love what Brother Griffin said, “Satan wins a few battles, but God wins wars.” We know whose side will win. God will prevail, and Satan will be dragged down to Hell. We need to stand against Satan. God needs strong men and women whom He can count on to put Satan in his place and stand up in this world where so many bad things are taking place. The way we do that is by every day taking the small steps of righteousness. Each small step or choice we make on God’s
side builds us a foundation for when Satan blows the big winds of temptation. If we cling to God, we will be able to withstand Satan and his false deceptions. I’m grateful that I know my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and that His way is the right way. He will win.
If you are reading this post and have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.