In the last few weeks, we have focused on the power that enables God’s people to not only overcome the events of the last days— the events in this unfolding vision—but in all of life. Many people’s worst Armageddon will come in the form of an accident or other tragedies and disasters. The principles we’re studying here apply to all of life, not just the events outlined in Revelation.
The next thing said about those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb is that they added to this “the word of their testimony” (see Rev. 12:11). How does the word of our testimony help us to overcome? As Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34b). If our heart is filled with faith in the Son of God and the power of His cross, we will proclaim it. There is power in that proclamation.
Are these testimonies that have caused many to be martyrs? Yes. That leads us to the third factor of why they overcame in Revelation 12:11b: “and they loved not their lives unto the death.” To the earthly minded, death is the ultimate defeat, but to those in Christ, death is graduation into our reward, and martyrdom is the most honorable way it can come.
Without question, death is an enemy, and it will be done away with, but in this age, it is a teacher of reality. Life is the ultimate gift, and those who prove willing to risk it, or give it, for the sake of the gospel will be great heroes in heaven and carry great weight with the Lord.
How do we get to the place where we are willing to risk our life for the gospel or gladly suffer martyrdom rather than deny the Lord? We invest our treasure in heaven, in eternity. Where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also. If we have been “seeking the things that are above” and are seated with Christ in the heavenly places, then we will gladly sacrifice anything in this life for the eternal purposes of Christ. So an important question is whether we are earth bound or heaven bound, and this is determined by that which has our devotion and worship. Such a devotion is helped by what is stated in Revelation 12:12:
“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! woe unto the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.”
From the point when the accuser is cast down to the earth, the experience is going to be different depending on where we are dwelling. When the devil is cast down, he comes with great wrath and will take it out on all that he can. At this time, the only safe place on earth will be abiding in Christ and doing His will.
The devil cannot strike Christ again, but Christ can strike the devil and destroy any of His works at any time. The devil would not be able to release his wrath on the earth if the Lord did not allow it, and He will for a short time. This too is working toward the ultimate purpose of the Lord to show the clear contrast between following the devil and his ways or following the Lord. After this history of the earth has been completed, all of creation, in every realm, will know what a huge mistake it is to not obey the Lord in all things and worship Him alone. {eoa}
Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the senior pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He is the author of more than 40 books, including The Final Quest, A Prophetic History and Church History. He is also the president of The OAK Initiative, an interdenominational movement that is mobilizing thousands of Christians to be engaged in the great issues of our times, being the salt and light that they are called to be.
This article originally appeared at morningstarministries.org.
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