Victory!

So check it,

Today I was studying at Ebenezzar's (a GREAT coffee shop not too far from my house). I was studying both my math class and my Daniel/Revelation class. Well, in my reading for Daniel/Revelation I had to read Revelation 12-18. This is the verse I got excited about today: 

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death. 

The context of the verse is this: the great red dragon which is meant to symbolize the Devil, he is red because of the murder and blood he pours on the earth through all the killings he does, and the Woman (whose identity is debated on either Israel or the Church...I found out that Reformers believe it's the church, but much evidence shows that it is not the church). So the Great Red Dragon is banished out of Heaven which makes him really angry so he takes this out on the Woman's child (Jesus Christ), but Jesus Christ has been "caught up" to heaven with God.  So the Devil goes after the Woman, but the Woman escapes him, so the Devil then goes after the brethren (which is us). It says in verse 10 that he is the accuser of the brethren before God day and night.  I think of the song by Shane and Shane "Embracing Accusations" which talks about how Satan is constantly going before God accusing the saints of their sins. . I read Matthew Henry commentary on Revelation he made a point that really stuck out which was this, "Though he hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear there to accuse the people of God.". Satan's plot to kill and destroy all Christians and those who want to give up their lives to follow Christ is so severe that he would even go to the place he hates the most (the presence of God) to make sure we fall and are condemn and made guilty, but he has forgotten the refrain which is Jesus Christ. Because of his grace, we are no longer condemned before God as much as Satan tries to accuse us of our wrongs, God, who is holy and just, declares us innocentThis also flows into verse 11. I'll write it again:

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death." 

We have victory over these accusations! In case, you can't see them already, there are three reasons we why have the victory of the accusations: 

1. the Blood of the Lamb.

This is Jesus Christ, the refrain, dying on the cross for our sins. He shed his perfect spotless blood to satisfy the wrath of God.

2. The Word of their testimony.

Matthew Henry notes that the word of their testimony if the great sword of Truth. It is the Word of God that we are given that is to be used on our mouth. It is the Truth we use to fight back when Satan tries to defeat us by the lies he has given. Also, it is the preaching of the Gospel and evangelism. 

3. They did not love their life even to death.

This is the perseverance of the saints. As saints, we know and understand that our lives are not our own. The earth is not our home. Our home is the eternal heavenly kingdom with our loving God and Father. We know our bodies are sinful and so we desire to be at home with the Lord. Also, Matthew Henry notes that as Christians, we are so willing to give up our lives for the sake of the Gospel. This is a compliment to the verse that says, we daily take up our cross and follow Him. 

This verse was an encouragement to me today. I hope it encourage you as well to remember that as much as Satan tries to accuse us to God, we are no longer declared guilty. We have been redeemed and we have the stamp of approval by the Holy Spirit. By the blood of the Lamb, the Word of our mouths, and not loving our lives to follow to the world but giving it up for the Gospel is how we have the victory over the accusations! WOO HOO!!

♥