March 4 - The Dragon (pt. 2)

March 4 – The Dragon (pt. 2)

Revelation 12 isn’t subtle in its description of Satan. John uses every signle image that there is of this evil.

We’ve met the dragon and found OT references. Revelation 12:9 gives us a few more identities of evil, beginning with ‘ancient serpent,’ just so we don’t forget that Satan was there in the Garden with Adam and Eve.

But, the Revelation isn’t about Satan. We have to be able to identify him where he is, but he has no power. He can’t control our eternity. He has lost the battle. Since he knows he has lost, he continues to rage against God’s people. His time is short.

Revelation 12:12 says, “Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

This is a call to rejoice! Ephesians 6:12-18 tells us that our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the devil’s schemes. We are to put on the full armor – not the easy parts or one or two pieces, but the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, we are able to stand our ground and when everything is done, we can stand.

There are three things in Revelation 12:11 that overcome Satan: The blood of the Lamb, the power of the word of testimony and the power of those who faced death because they loved God more than they loved their lives.

The hardest part has already been taken care of. The Lamb’s blood was poured out on the cross.

What is the word of testimony?

Revelation 1:1b-2, “He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw – that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

John says in Rev. 1:9 that the reason he was on Patmos was “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

Jesus sends us out in Matthew 28:19-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

This is the word of the testimony. This is to be our testimony.

John 1:19-20, “Now this was John’s (John the Baptist) testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He didn’t fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.” In John 1:29-30, he continued, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”

John’s life always pointed towards Jesus Christ. His life was a testimony. Our lives are a testimony to the Lamb and this is what overcomes Satan.