How to live in Victory! {Revelation 12}
10:30 PM
In today’s chapter, John
describes in the first 6 verses: “And
a great sign [warning of an ominous and frightening future event] appeared in
heaven: …” (AMP), and he enlists the following symbols:
- The woman, representing Israel (Gen. 37), the source of Messiah.
- The dragon, representing Satan (Dan. 7), ready to devour God’s people.
- The man-child, referring to Jesus’ birth, life and ascension to Heaven
(Psalm2:9, Matt. 2:13-14)
In the
scriptures, this woman clothed with the sun should be identified with
Israel, according to Joseph's dream (Gen.37:9-11). In that dream, the
sun represents Jacob, the moon represents Joseph's mother Rachel, and the
eleven stars are the sons of Israel which bow down to Joseph. In this sign
with twelve stars, Joseph is now "among" the other tribes of
Israel.
“6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had
a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand
two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). (AMP)
God will provide a place of protection for the remnant
of Israel who are saved during the Great Tribulation (during the last half of
the Tribulation period).
Then a war in the heavens takes place: “Michael [the archangel] and his angels waging war with the dragon.” (Vs.
7) The dragon and his angels were defeated and thrown down to the earth!
(Vs.7-9)
Satan has access to heaven to accuse us day and night (Job 1: 6-7,
2:1-7; Zech. 3:1-5), but this will be over!
Then, a joyful declaration in heaven is heard:
“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of
our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the [e]accuser of our [believing] brothers
and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps
bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and
night. 11 And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of
the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love
their life and renounce their faith even when faced with
death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them [in the presence
of God].” (Vs. 10-12)
And, the word "overcame", means,
to conquer, to prevail, to obtain the victory. It's used in to speak of being
victorious. Of Christians that hold fast to their faith in Jesus even unto
death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions!
Here in verse 11, John is speaking of people who during the Great Tribulation have come to faith in God, and are being persecuted by the devil for it. And, it speaks of the fact that they were victorious and describes three things they did that brought them this victory (and we should live by):
Here in verse 11, John is speaking of people who during the Great Tribulation have come to faith in God, and are being persecuted by the devil for it. And, it speaks of the fact that they were victorious and describes three things they did that brought them this victory (and we should live by):
1.
Accepting
Jesus’ redemption through His blood (the blood of the
lamb).
“In Him we
have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood,
[which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete
pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and
understanding [with practical insight].” (Eph. 1:7-8)
2.
Testimony: “Yet we have the same
spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I
spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak,” (2 Corinth.
4:13), 1 Tim. 6:12
3.
Willing to give your
life for your faith = deny self/submit to God. Commit yourself to God regardless of the
cost! “So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil
[stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Yes, the death of
Jesus on the cross as our substitute purchases us as God's personal property,
and this makes us want to live unto God. "If anything can make a man holy
it is a firm faith in the atoning sacrifice. When a man knows that Jesus died
for him, he feels that he is not his own, but bought with a price, and
therefore he must live unto him that died for him and rose again." (Spurgeon)
Realizing his time is
short, Satan tries everything in his power to destroy Israel, but God protects them (Vs. 14) just like He did in the past: God bore the
Israelites “on eagles wings” when He enabled them to escape from Pharaoh (Exod 19:4; Deut 32:11). God often uses this metaphor to refer to His protection of Israel (Ps 55:6-8; Isa 40:31) (Bible.Org).
Since Satan has
failed in his plans of destruction: “the dragon was enraged with the woman, and
went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments
of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Vs. 17)
These “children” are
any true child of God, Jew or Gentile. Satan wars with those “who keep the
commandments of God” (1 John 5:2-5) and “hold to the
testimony of Jesus” (1 Cor 2:1-2; 1 John 5:11-12).” As Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12: “If you live a godly life in Christ
Jesus, [you] will be persecuted.” The Christian life is not a playground; it’s
a battleground and we must always be on guard! (Eph. 6:12, 1Pet. 5:8-9)
Remember the 3 keys to live a Christian life in Victory! There will be afflictions
in our Christian walk, but the rewards will be eternal!
Blessings my sisters!
Mari
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