The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21st comes exactly 3 weeks before Remembrance Day on November 11th when a wreath is laid on the tomb of "The Unknown Warrior" in Westminster Abbey. So what's the link?

Southey, in his life of Nelson, congratulates the hero of Trafalgar on dying in the hour of victory! He could not have chosen a better hour because even if he had lived longer he could never have added more lustre to his famous name. Moses was another great warrior who died in the hour of victory on a mountain top viewing the Promised Land! His grave has been called "The Warrior's Unknown Tomb". It has never been found and no doubt God intended it to be kept secret to prevent it becoming an object of worship. It's comforting to know that the eternal future of the departed does not depend upon knowing where their body is. [Deuteronomy 34:6, Jude 1:9].

Like Nelson and Moses, many have died in the hour of victory but they have all died with regrets. They have made mistakes and often broken God's commandments. Out of about 60 billion people who have ever lived on the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ stands out as unique. He alone lived a perfect life, then hung upon the cross without any regrets. After 6 hours of agony He died triumphantly, saying in a loud voice, "It is finished!" He had indeed finished paying the ransom that God's justice required, so that all who repent and trust in Him as Saviour can be released from the guilt and grip of sin.

The confirmation of His victory came 3 days later when He rose from the grave and death was conquered! There can be no greater victory than this! Here is the best news in the world! [See John chapters 19 & 20]