Joel M Bradshaw

11They [the faithful followers of Jesus] triumphed over him [Satan, the dragon] 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.–Revelation 12

1. This chapter poetically pictures the Gospel salvation story by means of a grand war.
2. As a consequence, Satan and his minions would be cast out of Heaven.
3. He would be known as the accuser of Christians.
4. This text reminds me of when I visited Machu Picchu in Peru. It involved a big plane ride and a small train ride.
5. The “big plane ride” is the work of Jesus. We triumph over Satan because of the work of Jesus on the cross and in the empty tomb. The Gospel victory depends upon Jesus and His saving work. Jesus has already defeated Satan.
6. The “small train ride” is our testimony. We are still expected to live this Christian life by denying ourselves, picking up our crosses, and following Jesus (Luke 9:23).
7. We are tempted to compromise in the face of worldly pleasure and pressure. We must not do so. Jesus provided the victory. We depend in faith on that victory and then live obediently in a way that in proclaims that victory.–JMB