The Winning Team

[The Son of Man] was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Daniel 7:14

IF YOU’RE A sports fan, you’re not alone. Athletic competition is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world today among both men and women. People from all cultures and nations regularly invest their time and energy in rooting for team sports such as football, soccer, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, and more.

But the sad side of following sports is that the vast majority of fans are disappointed at the end of the season. That’s because most athletes and teams don’t win a championship or a coveted prize in a given year.

Take football, for example. The National Football League has thirty-two teams, and each team has millions of devoted fans. Yet only one of those teams will win the Super Bowl each year—which means only one set of fans won’t feel the sting of disappointment and loss. Even worse, some professional sports teams can go decades without winning a championship. In fact, in baseball, the Chicago Cubs haven’t won the World Series in more than one hundred years!

As disciples of Christ, we have a different experience than most sports fans do. That’s because we have a guarantee that our team will emerge victorious at the end of all things. Who and what will be defeated? Satan, sin, and death, to name a few. God’s promise in Daniel 7:14 (and in many other places throughout his Word) is that his Kingdom will never end but those in opposition will. Therefore, those who choose to follow him can do so with complete commitment, trust, and confidence in the final outcome.