Overcomer

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Rev. 12. I love it because of its rich imagery but more importantly because it reveals the key to being an overcomer.

"And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon . . . But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon as hurled down" (vs. 7-9)

"They overcame 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." (vs. 11)

What has the power to hurl Satan from heaven? Why did he lose his place there? It clearly tells us there are three things that enabled the angels to reak havoc and cause Satan to lose his place.

1) Blood of the Lamb

2) Word of their testimony

3) Boldness - even unto death

This is such a great picture and lesson for us. We become an overcomer by the blood of Jesus, proclaiming the word of our testimony, and great and mighty boldness. If you want to overcome any and everything that sets itself against you as a Christian, this is the answer.  But what about going even a step further and operating in the above for the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus (for others and not just yourself).

After Satan and his angels are hurled down and defeated vs. 10 says "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ."

So by operating in the three things from vs. 11, we are bringing the salvation, power, kingdom, and authority of Jesus into the world. When we push forward in this way, we are shifting the spiritual realm and forcing Christ's light into the darkness - literally expelling the darkness, just as Satan was casted down.

Matthew 11:12 says "the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it"  We are called to advance the kingdom, to forceably take hold of it and push God's light forward. Shining the light of Christ that is within you in the darkest of places advances His kingdom. There can be no darkness where the light of Christ resides. Nothing can overcome Him.

So take hold of God's great and mighty spirit within you and shine that glorious light, and forcefully advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ!