Revelation 12:11 says, “And they (followers of Christ) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love (agapeo) their lives to the death.”
I am so thankful for commentary that is concise and to the point. Quoting from my Study Bible regarding the aforementioned verse it says, ” They overcame him by appropriating the victory of the finished word of Christ, by the public confession of their faith and their patient endurance (Rev. 1:9) , even in the face of martyrdom (Rev. 13:10). The church’s constant posture under the authority of the Cross’s victory by the blood of the Lamb and steadfastness to the promises and authority of God’s Word – the word of their testimony – is their key to overcoming. (Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV, page 1977).
Follows of Christ, faithful in their witness, living a self-sacrificing life. Why do I say, ‘self-sacrificing’? Because they love not their life to the death. The word for ‘love’ is agapeo. That is self-sacrificing love. “For God so loved (agapeo) the world that He gave…” This is the self-sacrificing love of the cross. Followers of Christ take up their cross daily. Jesus said in Matthew 10:38-39, “And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worth of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake shall find it.” [Please read Matthew 10:32-39 for the context of these words.]
The New Testament teaches much about embracing the cross. Learning to live by the principle of the cross is the essence of being conformed to the image of Christ.
Hebrew 12:2 states the standard: “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
When Jesus was being crucified on the cross, what words were hurled at Him by those who passed by Him? They cried out, (Matthew 27:39-40), “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” The scripture continues, verses 41-44, “Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ “
Right up to the end, Satan was tempting Jesus to avoid His death on the cross for the purpose of saving His own life and not fulfilling the eternal work that He came to do.
I am so glad, and I am sure, you are too, that He ‘hung in there’ to take away the sin of the world.
Jesus gave up His life, of His own volition; He wasn’t coerced, threatened, or bribed. The giving up of His life was a self-sacrifice. It was the agape of God.
This is the gospel that Paul preached. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I submit to you those words declare Paul to be a follower of Christ. One who overcomes by the blood of the Lamb. In Galatians 6:14, Paul writes, “but God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Paul is one who overcomes by the word of his testimony. And in Philippians 3:10, Paul declares, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Paul, in essence, is one who does not love his life to death. As he stated else where in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
I think it is easy to see that the Apostle Paul was an overcomer. He overcame, as a follower of Jesus Christ, by the blood of the Lamb, the word of his testimony, and he did not love his life to death. It would be simple to substantiate this claim studying the life of Paul. These same characteristics are the bedrock of our walk with the Lord.
Many followers of Christ, I believe, are wondering what is happening in the world? One thing I know, God is allowing this world-wide pandemic for His purpose in the earth. I also believe the Lord is desiring to speak to His Church to prepare them for change. What is the Spirit of the Lord saying to you? What adjustments is the Lord making in your life?
We need to heed Hebrews 13:7-19 (Please read and reflect); Let me especially encourage you to embrace Hebrews 13:12-14, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach, For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.”
A number of years ago, I heard a Bible teacher make this remark: “You and God are incompatible and He doesn’t change.”
I believe we need to hear that and embrace it.
God is changing things. You may need to go ‘outside the camp, bearing His reproach”.
May the Lord richly bless you, strengthen you, and give you peace, a brother in Christ, deo
Living Words of Encouragement 