There's a line that is drawn through the ages
On that line stands an old rugged cross
On that cross, a battle is raging
Or the gain a man's soul or it's loss
On one side, march the forces of evil
All the demons, and all the devils of hell
On the other, the angels of glory
And they meet on Golgotha's hill
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict
And the sun refuses to shine
There hangs God's son, in the balance
And then through the darkness he cries
It is finished, the battle is over
It is finished, there'll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict
It is finished and Jesus is Lord
Yet in my heart, the battle was raging
Not all prisoners of war had come home
These were battlefields of my own making
I didn't know that the war had been won
Then I heard the king of the ages
Had fought all the battles for me
And that victory was mine for the claiming
And now praise his name, I am free
It is finished, the battle is over
It is finished, there'll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict
It is finished and, Jesus is Lord
It Is Finished
It Is Finished Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"It Is Finished," performed by the Gaither Vocal Band, is a powerful and reflective song that takes the listener to the pivotal moment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Released on May 2, 2020, the song centers around the profound declaration made by Jesus from the cross and its lasting impact. The lyrics establish the scene as a cosmic battleground at Golgotha, where a decisive conflict unfolds. It portrays the forces of evil arrayed against the forces of good, highlighting the immense spiritual stakes involved – the eternal destiny of humanity. The imagery of the earth shaking and the sun darkening emphasizes the extraordinary nature of this event, signifying that the created order itself is reacting to the sacrifice taking place.
The heart of the song lies in the central declaration, "It is finished." This phrase is drawn directly from the words spoken by Jesus on the cross as recorded in John 19:30. The original Greek word is "Tetelestai," which carries significant meaning beyond just completion; it can also mean "paid in full." The song interprets this declaration as the triumphant end of the spiritual battle, the definitive victory over the powers of darkness, and the ultimate affirmation that Jesus is Lord. This victory secured at the cross means that the war for the soul and against the dominion of sin and death has concluded, signaling an era of no more war in the spiritual sense for those who align themselves with this victory.
While the initial stanzas focus on the historical, cosmic event, the song transitions to address the personal reality of the believer. It acknowledges that even after Christ's finished work, individuals can still experience internal battles and feel like prisoners of war, often due to conflicts "of their own making." This reflects the human struggle with sin, doubt, and the consequences of past choices, suggesting a disconnect between the objective reality of Christ's victory and the subjective experience of the individual. The feeling of not knowing "that the war had been won" speaks to a lack of understanding or application of the truth of the gospel.
The resolution comes with the realization that the "King of the ages" has already fought and won these battles on behalf of humanity. The song emphasizes that the victory is not something earned, but something freely available, "mine for the claiming." This understanding brings liberation, leading to a declaration of freedom and praise. The final chorus repeats the triumphant message, solidifying the truth that because "It is finished," the believer can now experience freedom from internal conflict and the assurance of Christ's Lordship over their lives, resting in the completed work of salvation accomplished at the cross. The song serves as a powerful reminder that the foundation of Christian hope lies not in personal effort to win a spiritual war, but in accepting the victory already secured by Jesus Christ.
