Overcoming by the Word of Our Testimony (Rev. 12:11)

HOW DO WE OVERCOME? THREE ASPECTS

The call to overcome: a key theme in Revelation (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11; 15:2; 21:7)

10 The accuser (Greek: diabolos or devil) of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night…11 And they overcame him (Devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev. 12:10-11)

Blood of the Lamb: Jesus’ gained victory over Satan on the cross removing his “legal right” to torment us. We must enforce Jesus’ victory in our life by using our authority against Satan.

15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them (before heaven and hell), triumphing over them in it (His resurrection). (Col. 2:15)

Did not love their lives to death: we set our heart to obey Jesus regardless of what it cost us.

Word of their testimony: our testimony (confession of faith) is what we believe about who Jesus is, what He did on the cross, who we are in Him, what we believe about Satan’s assaults. We enforce Jesus’ victory by exercising our authority in Him and refusing Satan’s lies in our life.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering… He is faithful. (Heb. 10:23)

14 Let us hold fast our confession…16 Come boldly to the Throne of grace… (Heb. 4:14-16)

8 The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith…10 and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (victory)…? (Rom. 10:8-10)

Authority is delegated power. A police officer stops a car by the authority of the government, not his physical power. We use our authority in Christ to resist Satan “breaking in our house” to steal and destroy God’s blessing by fear, addictions, sickness, emotional or financial oppression, etc.

10 The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (Jn. 10:10)

Our problems are the result of several factors working together: demonic attack (release of heightened demonic energy); our mindset (belief systems), physical issues (genetics, food, alcohol, chemicals, porn, etc.) and social issues (what others do to us). Using our authority in Christ helps by removing the “added pressure” that demonic attacks bring to our problems.

By the prayer of faith (confident agreement with the Word), we enforce Jesus’ victory in our life.

15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (Jas 5:15)

16 Taking the shield of faith…to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one… (Eph 6:16)

6 I pray that…your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. (Philemon 6, NAS)

REVELATION OF WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST WITH SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

We need revelation of the spiritual authority that we have based on our connection with Jesus. God gave all authority to Jesus as a Man then gave Jesus to the Church (v. 23). Therefore, whatever is true of Christ in His exalted humanity is true for everyone in Christ.

17 Give to you the spirit of…revelation…18 that you may know…19 the exceeding greatness of His power (authority) toward us who believe…20 which He worked in Christ when He…seated Him at His right hand…22 He put all things under His (Jesus’) feet, and gave Him…to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him (vehicle of expressing Him)… (Eph. 1:17-23)

Being seated in heavenly places means to have access in prayer to God’s Throne (Eph. 2:6).

6 Raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ… (Eph. 2:6)

Because of the work of the cross, we receive the free gift of righteousness that allows us to be accepted by the Father, receive the indwelling Spirit and operate in the authority of Jesus’ name.

17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new….19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them…21 For He made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)

The responsibility for the earthly realm has been given by God to His covenant people on earth.

16 The heavens…are the LORD’s; the earth He has given to the children of men. (Ps. 115:16)

We have authority to open and shut doors in the spirit that looses angels and binds demons. The world is governed by words in the spirit and natural realms. Jesus created with words in Gen. 1.

19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom…and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven (spirit realm) and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Mt. 16:19)

Our words are powerful in causing either faith or fear to grow. As our words agree with God’s will, we release His presence. If our words agree with Satan’s lies, we release his power. Many have “faith” in the devil’s words. Jesus resisted Satan by speaking God’s word (Mt. 4:4-10.)

10 Jesus said to him (Satan), “Away with you, Satan! For it is written…” (Mt. 4:10)

The war of words determines who has dominion in our heart. Whose words do you allow to take root in your heart? Negative words lead to a negative mindset resulting in bad consequences.

Satan’s attack against us continues if we accept it. Instead we challenge it by speaking the Word against him. We must not allow Satan’s attack against us to go uncontested. Do not confuse holy resignation to do God’s will with passive resignation to accept Satan’s attack against us.

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith… (1 Pet. 5:8-9)