“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11 NIV

The 3 keys to victory are:
#1 The Blood Of The Lamb (Know that your sins are forgiven)
#2 The Word Of Their Testimony (Share God’s message that there is salvation in none other than Jesus Christ)
#3 Live For God Not Intimidated By Death

In Revelation chapter 12 we read that war broke out in heaven. Satan and his angels are defeated by Michael and his angels. The Devil and his army lose their place in heaven. They were literally thrown out and cast down to earth. The devil is furious because of this. And because he knows his time is short. He then wages war against the remaining of God’s children. But the people of God defeat satan too. Let’s examine how they gained the victory.

Key #1. THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

Our victory comes first of all because Jesus shed his blood for us. He won the victory for us. Yes, God loves us that much. I know it’s hard to fathom at times how God could allow His son to go through what he went through to save us, but he did. By believing in Jesus Christ and what his death accomplished we are forgiven of ALL our sins. Believing in Jesus means too that we study the word of God and learn his teachings. Then we must follow them.

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:15‭-‬28 NIV

Jesus shed his own precious blood for you and me. His blood cleanses us from sin. We are redeemed to God. We are made suitable in His sight. Believe it. This first key to defeating the devil is the greatest gift of all: faith in the sacrifice of God’s own son.

Key #2. THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY

Often I hear people say they have a testimony. They then start talking about what bad sinners they used to be; you know, drug addicts, alcoholics, fornicators, etcetera. And that’s good they are no longer doing those things. But too often what happens next is not. They go into a very long spill of how they now do all these righteous deeds. They start tooting their own horn. (Matthew 6:1-4) As you listen to them they are testifying more about themselves than Jesus Christ. This is not what, “the word of their testimony,” in Revelation 12:11 means. What it’s saying is that the Saints defeated Satan by witnessing for Jesus. They testify to God’s message of salvation through none other than Christ

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

The victorious saints mentioned in Revelation 12:11 are more interested in testifying how good God is than how good they are. They tell their listeners how they can enjoy fellowship with God, be saved by accepting Jesus Christ, and receive everlasting life. They point people to Jesus plain and simple. Don’t get it twisted: I’m not saying you shouldn’t tell people all the wonderful things God has done for you. What I am saying is if that’s the only message you have when you open your mouth about God; what he’s done for YOU, how good he is to YOU, and nobody else but YOU, you’re missing the boat. People who babble on and on like this are not giving a testimony for Jesus. They are puffed up with self-righteous pride. Let us never be like that. Let people know what God can do for THEM. How he is so willing to forgive THEM for THEIR sins. Let THEM know how much He loves THEM. Show people the only way to God is through Jesus Christ. Focus the attention on HIM, and not ourselves. This is another key to defeating the devil.

Key #3. LIVE FOR GOD NOT INTIMIDATED BY DEATH

“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” Isaiah 57:1‭-‬2 NIV

Throughout the centuries people have put their lives on the line for what they believe in. Harriet Tubman is highly respected for putting her life in harm’s way (and many others). She dedicated her life to helping runaway slaves achieve their freedom through a system called the Underground Railroad. I read that her face will appear on the new American twenty dollar bill. What an honor. Young people join the military everyday. They believe they are fighting for a good cause. They know there is a possibility they may not come home. Yet they join away. What bravery! So why is it strange to some that a person would become a Christian knowing this could mean an automatic death sentence or imprisonment for them? There are countries in the world today where churches must function underground, sort of like the Underground Railroad in Harriett Tubman’s day. Imagine being a Christian under these circumstances. There are some who believe that believing in Jesus will be outlawed worldwide one day. The Saints described as victorious in Revelation 12:11 serve Jesus Christ regardless of their circumstances. They do not disown him even when threatened by death. They are truly worthy to sit with Jesus on his eternal thrown. (Revelation 3:21)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35‭-‬39 NIV

“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:53‭-‬58 NIV

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Romans 3:23-27 KJV “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”

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Let me share something many of you will be familiar with. There is a very wicked person I have to endure on a daily basis. Have people like that around you? At work? At home? Etcetera? I mean this dude is something. But God has been teaching me through him that not only must I endure Him for the time being I must also love Him the way God loves His enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48) The lesson hasn’t been easy y’all but it’s necessary. You see none of us, that’s right, NOT ONE OF US is any better than the other when it comes to righteousness before God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” ALL! We who are in Christ still sin on a regular basis. And where would we be if God didn’t forgive us for these and our past sins?🔥😳

The other night while meditating lying on my bed God showed me a span during my life (after becoming a Christian) of all the women I fornicated with that He could have destroyed me for. Every time I thought he had showed me all of them another woman would pop in my head as if a voice was saying, “Remember her too?” This went on for a while.😞 It was very humiliating. Plain and simple I was a man whore. He also showed me just because it’s been years since I’ve committed this sin I’m still not sinless or any better than any one else. It’s only, ONLY, because of His grace that I am still alive.

God’s grace is His free gift. That’s what justifies us when we put faith in the blood of Jesus Christ God’s son for the forgiveness of our sins. Oh what precious blood it is!😊 Jesus Christ is set forth as THE ONLY sacrifice that appeases God for our sins. He is our only hope of redemption from our fallen human state (our sin nature). No amount of church service, no amount of preaching the gospel, no amount of good deeds done in Jesus’ name period can save us or give us a righteous standing with God. This is ONLY achieved by God’s grace through faith in the atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins:😊

Ephesians 2:8-10 NET “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.”

THE GOD OF MANY CHANCES😊

This is indeed good news!😊 Why? Because not only is God the God of second chances He is the God of many chances! Let’s face it: we are all screwed up, and regularly mess up. If God was not so kind, so loving, so merciful, none of us would make it. None of us! I’m so glad God is not the God of only second chances. I’m glad He is not as hard on us as we sometimes are on others.

There will be times in life when you know, “I’VE BLOWN IT.” “I really messed up bad this time!”😪 This feeling can be so depressing. But God doesn’t want us to be depressed. God wants us to believe in the blood of His son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of ALL OF OUR SINS and come to Him.😊 He will always forgive a contrite, repentant heart:

Psalm 51:17 KJV “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Proverbs 28:13 NET “The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.”😊

Guys, all we have to do is come to God the right way as described in the texts above. Then we can experience the refreshing joy of forgiveness from Jesus for ALL of our sins.😊 If we confess our sins openly with no excuses, devote our lives to forsaking them, and follow God with true faith in the blood of Jesus we are forgiven and saved from God’s wrath. (1 Thessalonians 5:9) We now have eternal life and will even rule with Jesus Christ forever!😊

JESUS REMOVES THE WEIGHT

What a weight is removed from us when we humbly seek God for forgiveness of our sins. I remember when I first became a Christian years ago; God let me know that I was indeed forgiven for my sins and man it was such a great feeling.😃 But what came next didn’t feel so good: The Lord showed me that when I committed adultery before becoming a Christian I broke His covenant and that was serious. Not only did I break my covenant with Him I also broke my covenant with my wife. This too was serious. God let me know that in order to continue enjoying His forgiveness I needed to confess my sin to her as well.😳 Let me tell you, that was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. But God gave me the strength to do it. Yes, it was very humiliating, and embarrassing. But having God as my friend, my Father, my God form now on and forever was worth whatever I had to suffer as a result of my own sins. Nonetheless, the weight of my sins was completely removed by Jesus once I confessed and repented.😊

Psalm 32:1-2 KJV “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”‬

As stated earlier in this article I fell into sexual immorality even after my wife’s and I divorce multiple times (yes even after I had become a Christian).😥 It’s not easy for me to talk about this or even think about it. So why am I telling you this? To say you can sin as much as you want to and God will forgive you? Of course not! (Hebrews 10:26-27) I’m saying this to let you know just how merciful God is! Sometimes I still marvel that He even deals with me. If God can forgave a whoremonger like me I hope you know that He can forgive you too whatever your sins are! Sin is sin to God it’s all no good. Yet He is always there waiting and ready to forgive even the worse of sinners!😊 There is no one as loving as Almighty God. And if this is how God is so willing to forgives us how much more should we be willing to forgive one another? (Matthew 18:23-35)

Don’t run from God when you recognize you’ve blown it. Run to Him. He is there waiting for you with open arms!😃 And share His refreshing mercy with others when they sin against us.

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This is not an easy subject to explain nor is it an easy pill to swallow. I have put together some scripture passages below I think may help answer some tough questions and concerns many have regarding coming persecution and when the church is taken up. 

THE 3 1/2 PERIOD OF TRIBULATION FOR THE SAINTS 

A TIME = 1, TIMES = 2, AND HALF A TIME, TOTALING 3 AND A 1/2 IS A PROPHETIC PERIOD OF SUFFERINGS FORETOLD THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE FOR THE SAINTS:

Daniel 7:24-25 KJV “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. [25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

A PERIOD OF 42 MONTHS (WHICH EQUALS 3 1/2 YEARS) OF SUFFERINGS IS ALSO PROPHETICALLY FORETOLD:

Revelation 13:4-7 KJV “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? [5] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. [6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. [7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”

Revelation 13:10 NET “If anyone is meant for captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed by the sword, then by the sword he must be killed. This requires steadfast endurance and faith from the saints.”

GOD ALSO SAID HE WOULD GIVE POWER TO TWO WITNESSES AND THEY WOULD PROPHESY FOR ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND 60 DAYS, WHICH EQUALS 3 AND A 1/2 YEARS. THERE’S THAT 3 1/2 AGAIN. AND AFTER THE 3 AND A HALF PERIOD THE SCRIPTURES SAY THE TWO WITNESSES OF GOD ARE KILLED BY THE BEAST THAT COMES UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT. LATER THOUGH THEY ARE CALLED UP TO HEAVEN. NOT BEFORE THE PERSECUTION BUT AFTERWARDS:

Revelation 11:3-12 KJV “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. [5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. [6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. [7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. [8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. [9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. [10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. [11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. [12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”

JESUS SAID IMMEDIATELY “AFTER” THE TRIBULATION HE WOULD COME GET US, NOT BEFORE:

Matthew 24:29-31 KJV “IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

ONCE WE BELIEVE AND ACCEPT WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS WILL HAPPEN TO SOME OF US THIS NEXT PASSAGE OF HOW WE OVERCOME SATAN IS BETTER UNDERSTOOD:

Revelation 12:11 NET “But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”

I hope this has helped answer some concerns as well as show why we must be ready. It all ends well. Whether we are alive when Jesus comes (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), are in prison, or have died for our faith, etcetera when He comes we will be with our Lord forever and reign with Him forevermore!😊

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Proverbs 15:10 KJV “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”

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Hating correction = forsaking the way. That’s what God says. When you have a rebellious spirit you will hate correction. You will also hate anyone God uses to correct you:

Proverbs 15:12 KJV “A scorner loveth NOT one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s your best friend, mother, father, husband, wife, son or daughter, if they are a mocker they will hate you for correcting them. They have forsaken The Way:

John 14:6 KJV “Jesus saith unto him, I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

That’s right, those who spurn godly counsel have forsaken the Lord Jesus Christ: THE WAY. Since Jesus is the only way to God those who hate reproof are disconnected from God. And the really sad part is some of them have been tricked by the Devil into thinking they are in good standing with God and Jesus.😪

DO NOT REBUKE MOCKERS

Proverbs 9:7-9 KJV “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. [8] Reprove NOT a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. [9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

Matthew 7:6 KJV “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

Jesus tells us not to rebuke mockers, not to cast our pearls before swine. This will only bring us shame, insults, useless arguments, strife, and other undesirables. When a person makes it clear they reject godly counsel LEAVE THEM ALONE. When people separate themselves from us over foolish ideologies and what not JESUS SAYS to LEAVE THEM ALONE!

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Trust me: if God wants to bring a person back to their senses He knows how to do it. (Daniel 4:30-37)

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Titus 3:9-11 KJV “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; [11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

I know, “But it’s my daughter,” “It’s my son,” “It’s my mother,” “It’s my father,” “It’s my husband,” “It’s my wife,” “It’s my best friend,” etcetera. I know this is not easy but you and I must obey the Lord regardless of who it is. By continuing to try to correct those God says not to rebuke we are making matters worse. Don’t do it. Let us be obedient to godly counsel:

Matthew 19:29 KJV “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”😊

Doing what Jesus says regarding, “They That Forsaketh The Way,” not only protects us but it gets us out of God’s way. Trust me: if God wants to bring a person back to their senses He knows how to do it. (Daniel 4:30-37) So get out of God’s way and obey!😊 You and I will enjoy way more peace because we choose to obey godly counsel.😊

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