For nearly twenty years Napoleon I, Emperor of France, seemed an unconquerable general. His well-trained armies crushed one enemy after another, until Napoleon’s empire covered most of western and central Europe. But the great general was totally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, and suffered such a devastating defeat at the hands of an army under the command of the Duke of Wellington, a British general known as “the Iron Duke,” that he never recovered. It was such a crushing defeat, in fact, that even today when one suffers an overwhelming setback it is said that “he has met his Waterloo.”
When the news of the great victory by the Duke of Wellington over Napoleon reached London in 1815, it was not sent by telegraph or radio, but the news then had to be brought to the southern coast of England by a sailing vessel. Then it was wig-wagged over land toward London by means of signal flags. Finally, on top of Winchester Cathedral, the long awaited message was spelled out by means of the signal flags: “W-e-l-l-i-n-g-t-o-n D-e-f-e-a-t-e-d....” At that moment a dense fog settled down over the area, and the signal flags could be seen no longer. Soon all of London was in great despair at such sad news, especially since it seemed that the last hope for the free world rested with the Duke of Wellington. But then the fog lifted just as quickly as it had come in, and the complete message was spelled out by the signal flags: “W-e-1-1-i-n-g-t-o-n D-e-f-e-a-t-e-d t-h-e E-n-e-m-y—t-h-e V-i-c-t-o-r-y i-s O-u-r-s!” The joyful news spread like wildfire, and soon all England was filled with rejoicing.
When the Lord Jesus Christ was taken down from the cross at Calvary and laid in a tomb, sadness filled the hearts of His disciples. It was as if Jesus, in whom had been all their hopes, had been defeated by death. But then the clouds of despair, gloom and darkness lifted, as had the thick fog in London in 1815, and the joyful news that Jesus Christ had risen from the grave filled and thrilled the hearts of His followers. The Lord Jesus Christ has defeated the enemy—death and Satan, too—and the victory is ours! “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:5757But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57).
The devil was totally defeated at Calvary, and his power set aside by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and by the power of His precious blood shed on the cross. Now God offers that victory over Satan, sin and death to anyone who will accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as Saviour. Oh, how precious it is to be on the side of VICTORY! How wonderful to know that as to you the enemy has been defeated! Do not wait—but accept Jesus Christ now as your Lord and Saviour, and rejoice along with all others who have.
ML-06/15/1980