A Strange but Glorious Triumph by T. M. French

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 14, 1914

A Strange but Glorious Triumph

By T. M. French

T. M. FRENCH

DURING ancient Roman times, triumphs were awarded generals who had won distinction in campaigns against Rome's enemies. It was the ambition of every Roman general to be accorded one of these triumphs.

A triumph consisted of a triumphal entry into the city of Rome upon the return from a great victory. "The procession formed just outside the city walls, headed by the magistrates and senate, who were followed by trumpeters and then by the spoils. Next came the victims destined for sacrifice, especially white oxen with gilded horns. They were followed by the prisoners who had not been sold as slaves but kept to grace the triumph; they were put to death when the procession reached the Capitol. The chariot which carried the general (triumphator) was crowned with laurel and drawn by four horses. Last came the soldiers, shouting, 'Io triumphe!' and singing songs both of a laudatory and scurrilous kind. On reaching the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol, the general placed the laurel branch on the lap of the image of the god, and then offered the thank offerings. A feast of the magistrates and senate, and sometimes of the soldiers and people, concluded the ceremony."

King Jesus was accorded a triumph similar in some respects to the Roman triumph, but of far different character. He entered the dominion of Satan to win a perishing race and to regain a lost dominion; but not with the most favorable prospects of achieving his purpose: "for verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham." He took on him all the weakness of man in order to win man's victory. Not with the force of arms did our Saviour engage in the mightiest conflict of all ages, but by employing principles that are as lasting as eternity. "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever:

a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom."

Instead of a mission of destruction, our Saviour's was one of salvation. Wherever he went, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast out devils, constantly undoing the work of the enemy. It was this very work that was evidence of the victorious efforts of our Saviour. "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."

"It is finished"—a strange cry of victory, to the human mind, as our Saviour hung on the cross and yielded up his life. To all human appearance his cause had failed. But that righteous life, rather than to destroy a rebellious race, our Saviour laid down as a substitute for man. That death meant man's victory; and as Christ had espoused man's cause, his cause as man's cause triumphed. Never was such nobility, such bravery, manifested in the life of an earthly general as to lay down his life for that of his enemies. A double victory,—the kingdom established, and the rebellious race saved with the lost dominion! No wonder the hero is accorded the greatest triumph ever given to any being!

"All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As he ascended, he led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at his resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train.

"As they draw near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels,—

" 'Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in.'

"Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond,—

" 'Who is this King of glory?'

"This they say, not because they know not who he is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise,—

" 'The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates: Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in.'

"Again is heard the challenge, 'Who is this King of glory?' for the angels never weary of hearing his name exalted. The escorting angels make reply,—

" 'The Lord of hosts: He is the King of glory!'

"Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.

"There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. . . . They are eager to celebrate his triumph and to glorify their King.

"But he waves them back. Not yet; he cannot now receive the coronet of glory, and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of his Father. He points to his wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; he lifts his hands, bearing the prints of nails. He points to the tokens of his triumph; he presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at his second coming. . . . Now he declares, 'Father, it is finished. I have done thy will, O my God. I have completed the work of redemption. If thy justice is satisfied, \"I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.\"'

"The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ's toiling, struggling ones on earth are 'accepted in the Beloved.' Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen worlds, they are declared justified. . . . The Father's arms encircle his Son, and the word is given, 'Let all the angels of God worship him.'

"With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of Life. The angel host prostrate themselves before him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.'"

Canary Islands.