John the Revelator states: “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest” (Revelation 15:2-4).

“The angel from heaven came to John in majesty. His countenance beamed with the excellent glory of heaven. He revealed to John scenes of deep and thrilling interest concerning the church of God, and brought before him the perilous conflicts they were to endure. John saw them pass through fiery trials, and made white and tried, and, finally, victorious overcomers, gloriously saved in the kingdom of God. The countenance of the angel grew radiant with joy, and was exceeding glorious, as he showed to John the final triumph of the church of God. John was enraptured as he beheld the final deliverance of the church.”1

So this is the scene of the final deliverance, the triumph of God’s church.

“The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant.”2

“Christians are engaged in a warfare. The church militant is not the church triumphant. The followers of Christ, marching toward Zion, must fight at every step.”3

More than nineteen centuries have passed since the apostles rested from their labors. Written under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the history of their strenuous, exhausting labor and their sacrifices for Christ is still among His children for their edification. It was recorded in order that by it God’s children might be encouraged to greater sincerity in the cause of the Saviour.

The Revelator describes a special people who are going to triumph.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). These are the people that are going to triumph that we read about in Revelation 15. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). These are they who believe that he who loves Him keeps His commandments. They are in harmony with that law that rests in the ark in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary.

Indeed, there is a group of people who are going to triumph and it is the church, the remnant that will enlighten the earth with its glory. “‘God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people.’”4

This is a movement of people, the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon,5 a movement with a message from heaven which has great authority, for they follow after Christ.

Emperors, kings, governors, priests, and rulers tried to destroy the temple of God to eradicate God’s children. But in spite of imprisonment, persecution, harassment, and death, faithful men continued to forward the work with devotion and there was a remnant in all periods of earth’s history to bear the banner of Christ. Many times they were almost destroyed by the aggression of their opponents. But with determined faith and unfailing courage they moved forward with the hope of triumph.

One after another the enemy tried to eradicate the foremost architects of God’s church. Stephen was stoned; James was slain by the sword; Paul was beheaded; Peter was crucified; John was exiled. But more and more faithful ones took the place of those who fell, and more blocks were added in the building of God’s temple. Slowly the temple of the church of God ascended. Although many workmen were killed, the work of the Lord progressed. The Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, Martin Luther and Zwingli, Cranmer, Latimer, and Knox, the Huguenots, John and Charles Wesley, and many others brought to the foundation material that will continue throughout eternity.

Many centuries of violent persecution followed but there was never a lack of persons who valued the Work of God more than their life. There were people who could not be bought or sold and who stood firm as the needle to the pole. Of such it is written: “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:36-38).

All these righteous men and women have done their part. But we must continue, for the work is not yet complete. We who are living in this age have a work to do, a part to act. We are to bring to the foundation material that will stand the test of fire - gold, silver, and precious stones, “polished after the similitude of a palace” (Psalm 144:12). To those who thus build for God, Paul speaks words of encouragement and warning: “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:14).

These are the people by whom God will give His last message to this world “in this generation” (Genesis 7:1). But He cannot have such a church to give the message until He shall have a people who will love their fellowmen and be ready to make sacrifices for their salvation.

Those who say, “I am part of the church, I am part of the remnant church,” but have the world in them, are not going to triumph. Those who are indifferent are not going to triumph. The church that will triumph will not be a professed church that is joined to the world or its customs. It is not enough to say, “I am part of the church” and have other gods with them. “The Lord hath a controversy with His people, and although in His great mercy He bears long with them, yet if they persist in living in transgression of His law, they will not stand in the day of His rebuke.”6

The great time of trouble begins after the close of probation. But God’s people are prepared for the trying hour before them. The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger - a faith that will not faint, though severely tried.

“The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects. He has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God.”7

A death penalty, similar to that issued by Ahasuerus will be pronounced for all who do not honor Sunday. “A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance.”8

But the remnant make God their defense. “If the people of God will put their trust in Him and by faith rely upon His power, the devices of Satan will be defeated in our time as signally as in the days of Mordecai.”9

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God” (Revelation 15:2).

“Our greatest trials will come from those who profess godliness. It was so with the world’s Redeemer; it will be so with His followers. I should doubt whether I were a child of God, if the world, or even all professed Christians spoke well of me. Those who are in earnest to win the crown of eternal life need not be surprised or disheartened because at every step toward the heavenly Canaan they meet with obstacles and encounter trials. The opposition which Christ received came from His own nation, who would have been greatly blessed had they accepted Him. In like manner the remnant church receives opposition from those who profess to be their brethren.”10

Notice again the last sentence of this prophecy: “In like manner the remnant church receives opposition from those who profess to be their brethren.” The remnant church is going to receive opposition, but from whom? From those who say, “We are the remnant church” - from those who profess to be their brethren. That is where the hostility is going to come from.

God draws a line right there in the middle of this great big group of people. He draws the line between those who profess to be His children, the remnant church, and those whose characters show who they actually are. They are actually obedient. They do not just make a profession, but they actually obey.

Who are those that will triumph? Here are their characteristics, from the Bible. If you have these characteristics in your life, you will be part of the triumphant company.

1. The people who triumph will not be joined to the world. They will separate themselves from the world and worldliness.11 (James 4:4.)

2. These triumphant ones will be a people who are faithful to the truth and to the church. The church is a pillar and the ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

3. These triumphant people will take the final warning to the entire world and proclaim the message of that other angel with power. “The third angel’s message will triumph, and we must hold fast to the truth and triumph with it.”12 “The truth of the third angel’s message is bound to triumph, and those who purify their souls from all defilement will triumph with it.”13

4. The church that triumphs will actually keep the commandments of God (Revelation 12:17; 14:12) by the power that Jesus provides. They will not only make a profession.

5. The people who triumph will not be seeking worldly recognition or honor (Revelation 13:15-17; chapters 14 and 15).

6. The people who triumph will have conquered selfishness. As a result of the death of Christ on Calvary’s cross, they no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them (2 Corinthians 5:15).

7. They are wholehearted in doing God’s will, not half-hearted. They do not do mere lip service but actual heart service.14 They understand that mere forms are as sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal. Many are content with lip service, but the few who triumph will have a sincere, earnest, affectionate longing after God.

8. They walk humbly with God in meekness and contrition of spirit, and the Lord recognizes them and gives them the grace of His Holy Spirit, in order that they may do the work, according to their ability, which God would have them do. Micah 6:6-8.

9. They are laborers together with God. They claim no wisdom of their own, but acknowledge that divine power alone can enable them (1 Corinthians 3:9).

10. The church triumphant will be a church that has gone through a mighty conflict, as described in Revelation 13, 14, 15, and 17:14. They withstand all difficulties. “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

11. These people understand that it is not by belonging to the church that they belong to Christ, but that they must belong to Christ in order to belong to the church. And the difference between these two things is the difference between Christianity and the mystery of iniquity.

12. These are part of the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5).

13. “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

The hour had come. The patriarch Jacob was facing one of the darkest chapters of his life. The cruelty of his sons in slaying the innocent inhabitants of an entire city sadly reflected to some degree the patriarch’s own negligence in guiding his family aright. God was dishonored and all their lives were now in serious jeopardy. Events had escalated to a real crisis, and where could Jacob turn? What hope did exist in the face of such obvious guilt?

The outlook appeared painfully bleak. There seemed to be absolutely nowhere to turn, no arm to lean upon, no sweet light to dispel the darkness. The only glimmer of hope that he found was in humbly bowing down to beseech the tender mercies of a compassionate Saviour.

“Jacob ‘had power over the Angel, and prevailed’ (Hosea 12:4). Through humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal prevailed with the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling grasp upon the promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away the sinner’s plea.”15

Unwavering effort and unconditional faith is essential for victory. Jacob was in fear and anguish while he tried in his own power to gain the victory. He mistook the heavenly visitor for a foe, and struggled with him while he had any strength left. But when he threw himself upon the compassion of God he found that he was enclosed in the arms of immeasurable love, and instead of being in the hands of an enemy, he realized his sins were pardoned. This was his victory.

Jacob’s efforts to remove wrong were accepted by God. Jacob was humbled, and required his family to humble themselves, and to lay off all their ornaments, for he was to make atonement for their sins by offering a sacrifice unto God that He might be entreated for them, and not leave them to be destroyed by other nations. God accepted the efforts of Jacob to remove the wrong from his family, and appeared unto him, and blessed him, and renewed the promise made to him, because His fear was before him. This was his victory.

As evidence that Jacob had been forgiven, his name was changed from one that was a reminder of his sin to one that commemorated his victory. “Thy name,” said the angel, “shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28).

“Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian, are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth, or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power.”16

“We can do nothing of ourselves. In our helpless unworthiness we must trust in the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour. None will ever perish while they do this. The long, black catalogue of our delinquencies is before the eye of the Infinite. The register is complete; none of our offenses are forgotten. But He who listened to the cries of His servants of old, will hear the prayer of faith, and pardon our transgressions. He has promised, and He will fulfill His word.”17

“We have an enemy which we must meet, who is vigilant; who is not off his guard one moment. The claims of our country are not higher than the claims of God. If hardships are borne and trials endured by our soldiers fighting in behalf of the country to obtain the mastery and bring into obedience the rebellious, how much more willing should the soldiers of Christ endure privation, self denial, and any taxation for Christ’s sake. The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering that He might bring many sons and daughters to the Lord. We are standing under the blood-stained banner of the cross of Christ. We are to meet Satan and his host. We must conquer in the name of Jesus or be conquered. Armed with the mind of Christ we shall be more than overcomers. As faithful soldiers of the cross we are not to fight against principalities and powers, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. There is no rest in this war, no release. Obedience and faith must characterize us as Christ’s servants.”18

The Lord wants us to be triumphant over the powers of darkness. He is ready and willing to save all who come to Him. It is through Him that “we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand” (Romans 5:2). With the sword of truth He defeated the enemy. Equipped with this sword, and protected by the shield of faith, we, the church militant, shall be able to stand unyielding before Satan’s attack. Continuing to resist the enemy, we shall always increase in power and at last become the church triumphant.

“If the church will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance with the world, there is before her the dawn of a bright and glorious day. God’s promise to her will stand fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.”19

We are to examine ourselves and ask, “Am I a member of the church because I am enrolled in the books of the church? Or am I a member of the church because my name is in the book of life, since I have given myself to Christ, and belong to Him, and live and move and have my being in Him?

“I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9, 10).

“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 7:14-17; 21:4).