chess

The game of chess came about in 1475. Chess is a board game for two players, called White and Black, each controlling an army of chess pieces, with the objective to checkmate the opponent’s king.

If you have never played, know that the different pieces can only move in specific ways and a number of spaces at a time. There is a hierarchy of pieces from the pawns to the king. There is only one King who becomes the final victor.

The battle between two sides has always been a key part of a good story. Good vs. evil. Light vs. darkness. And, of course, The Rebel Alliance vs. The Evil Empire. I have often thought of God vs. Satan as a chess game, and humans are the pieces that do battle for either side.

Satan wanted to be a god unto himself, but there can only be one at the top. When he and one-third of the angels rose up against God, He had no choice but to banish them from heaven forever. Ever since that time, Satan has been waring against God to get revenge, take over, and destroy His kingdom.

Chess is only a game, but life isn’t! When life ends, there is only heaven or hell. One may say they don’t believe in God. Heaven isn’t real. They may refuse of their own will not to accept God’s gift of salvation to be saved from hell. They may say, “I don’t believe in hell,” but hell believes in them. Satan is not playing a game. Out of hate, he is trying to win. He doesn’t care about humans. He will use them to get back at God and then destroy them. His biggest lie is that there is no God and that there is no punishment for not accepting Him.

I am definitely on God’s side. I am not the King, and I am certainly NOT the queen (LOL), but I have thought of myself as a mere pawn. My moves are limited; therefore, I need to follow the instructions of the King. Who is the King? That is Jesus Christ. The King of Kings. I hope you will choose to be on God’s side. Willing to be led by Him and live according to His ways, which are pure, right, and out of love. For when God says, “Checkmate,” it will all be over once and for all.

⁷And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸but they ^[a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for ^[b]them in heaven any longer. ⁹So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Rev. 12:7-9 (NKJV)

¹⁴These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Rev. 17:14 (NKJV)

⁷Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. ⁹They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where^[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Rev. 20:7-10 (NKJV)

¹⁵And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NKJV)

A man was walking through an art museum, when he suddenly stopped. In front of him was a painting that portrayed two individuals playing the game of chess. The man, being a chess champion was intrigued, and studied the piece of art with intense focus. The title of the painting was “Checkmate”. In the game of chess that means the king is about to be overcome, and there is nothing he can do about it. “Checkmate”, is a word that indicates or announces, you’re done. It’s over. It may even invoke fear.

Do you feel as though someone, or circumstances has recently said, “Checkmate” to you? Is your heart being gripped by fear? I was watching the news the other day, and heard how many people are still unemployed, and are being threatened of losing their dwelling place, and worst yet, are hunger challenged. I don’t like to see anyone suffer, and if it hurts me I know it must hurt God. Yes, God has emotions. Where do you think we got ours as we are created in his image.

There is truth in saying that “some” people create their own problem(s) by how they live, or by what they do with their money, but now is not the time to give a lecture when they are already on their knees. We can only hope they dislike their circumstances so much they make drastic change as soon as they can. In other words, they find a glimmer of hope, and they hang on to that hope, because truth is, there may not be anything else to hold on to. The kind of hope that can eliminate fear. The kind of hope that can only be found in Jesus who is the King of Kings!

The chess expert in the museum cried out,

“This painting is incorrectly titled!”

The museum curator came rushing over to see why the man was making such an outrageous claim. “Sir, why do you claim it is titled wrong?” asked the curator. “Because I have looked at every possibility, and the king has one more move that will cause his opponent to be checkmated!” The piece of art is now in a private collection.

You see, when you place your hope, your trust and faith in the King, you don’t ever have to worry about it being over, for the King of Kings always has one more move.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

Game of Chess

¹⁴These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Rev. 17:14 (NKJV)

¹⁵And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NKJV)

Life Is No Game

“This painting is incorrectly titled!”

14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Rev. 17:14 (NKJV)

15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NKJV)

“This painting is incorrectly titled!”

¹⁴These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Rev. 17:14 (NKJV)

¹⁵And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NKJV)