And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Rev. 12:10-11
Dear Lord Jesus, even as these words first thundered from heaven by a loud voice, so your Spirit shouts this good news in my heart today with great force. What a focusing and freeing perspective on spiritual warfare this passage gives us. We live in the “NOW” of your salvation, power, kingdom, and authority. You’re calling us to warfare, not war-fear. Though evil is hunting us, your love envelops us. Though darkness means us harm, your delight has secured our joy.
I cannot help but wonder if Martin Luther was meditating on this portion of your Word when he wrote these remarkable words: “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.” O sing, my heart, sing the praises of Jesus! The Prince of Peace has gloriously triumphed over the prince of darkness! The most fallen angel has been vanquished by the One who created the angels, and everything else!
Indeed, Lord Jesus, though Satan is yet to be removed, you have already thoroughly routed him. The “accuser of our brothers” has been eternally defeated by you, the great Lover of your Bride. It’s because you loved us so much that you didn’t “shrink from death” on the cross. Now, in light of your irrepressible love and imputed righteousness, empower us to love you more than we fear death. Empower us to show up rather than shrink back. Empower us for overcoming the darkness in our hearts, communities, and culture. For one Day the knowledge of your glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!
We will overcome, not by our muscle but by your mercy—by the sacrifice of your blood and our grateful testimonies to your glory and grace. Indeed, Lord Jesus, may the Spirit declare the gospel so loudly in our hearts that it literally drowns out Satan’s constant protestations of our guilt and shame.
With our gaze set on you, how can we keep from singing? “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He. Lord Sabboth, his name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.” Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! So very Amen we pray, in your holy and wholly trustworthy name.
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