“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Rev. 12:11.
By numerous supernatural visions given to children who didn’t understand what they were seeing, we have been shown that this is the hour of the loosing of Satan upon the world. As pointed out in chapter twelve on the Battle of the Ages, the deliverance of God’s people results in the undivided attention of Lucifer and his demon host toward unregenerate humanity.
The devil knows he has but a short time left and he is going to do all in his power to destroy mankind. Although it is a time of rejoicing for those in heavenly places, it is a time of woe for those living in the earth realm. Rev. 12:12. Those living in the earth realm are those whose interest and occupation is with this life. Only those who put on the whole armour of God will be able to stand in this evil day. Eph. 6:13.
In these visions given to the children, they actually entered Satan’s domain and saw millions of demons being released to prey upon mankind. Leaving the infernal regions where they were held captive, these demons began immediately to attack men living in the earth realm. They watched these evil spirits as they entered men causing them to kill, steal, smoke, commit suicide, and become afflicted with terrible diseases. In other visions they saw demons make people argue, curse, drive recklessly, attack God’s people and the holy Angels. Truly it has never dawned upon us just how much we are influenced by demons in this life. But this is the day and the hour when God is pulling back the veil and showing us Lucifer’s kingdom. Praise God! This is also the hour for our deliverance.
The mind is the battleground. This is where the enemy must be recognized and defeated. Through the mind he enters your being and eventually takes control of your life. This is where the fiery darts of poison are buried. This is where evil is conceived -- murder, rape, theft, tyranny against God and man. Control your thought life and Satan is helpless.
All negative and wrong thinking eventually leads to evil. Nip it in the bud and you save yourself much grief and sorrow. Constant and eternal vigilance must be maintained to keep Satan from gaining a foothold.
All thoughts of evil, thoughts that bring unrest and fear into your heart, are from the enemy. Thoughts of evil about your fellowman, suspicion, resentment, discouragement, gloom, dissatisfaction, jealousy, hatred, lust, and covetousness all proceed from Satan.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” I Peter 5:8-9.
Paul had reference to this control in our thought life when he said, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (fleshly) “but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:35.
Any and everything that doesn’t agree with and honor the teachings of God’s Word with respect to man is to be rejected and counted as from Satan. You must not pamper, entertain, or tolerate things that are contrary to God, faith, holiness and love. Even our enemies are to be loved and prayed for. Any spirit that would lead you otherwise is from Satan.
As God’s child, we have a position in Christ that makes us more than conquerors over Satan and all his demon host. Realization of this great truth is a must for those that would overcome the devil. This must be more than a theory with us, we must know it. If we understood this great truth as well as the devil does he would have no more power over us.
Colossians 1:13 says God has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. “Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4.
Praise the Lord! We have been delivered from the power of darkness and greater is he (Christ) that is in us than he that is in the world. Quote this to yourself until it becomes a reality.
Jesus told the disciples, “Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19. “-- We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37.
We who have partaken of Christ’s resurrection life have actually triumphed over the devil through the cross even as Jesus did. In the mind and reckoning of God we went to Calvary when Christ did. In Christ we died on the cross, were buried, and rose again. Rom. 6:3-11, Col. 2:12, 3:1-10. Being one with him we are now seated in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers. Eph. 1:20-21.
Our old Adam man is dead and buried and we must begin to reckon it so (count it so). Rom. 6:11. The most glorious part of all about being dead is that our life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3.
We are not dead because we always feel like it. We are dead because we were crucified with Christ and God says we are dead. Neither do we have victory over the devil because we always feel like it. We have victory because we are one with the one that overcame the devil while in the flesh and then bruised his head at Calvary.
Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world -- whether we feel like it or not. Because of these things the devil literally has to flee from us when we resist him in faith. James 4:7.
There are three things mentioned in the Bible whereby we overcome Satan. The blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and loving not our lives unto death. Luke 4:1-13, Rev. 12:11, Heb. 4:14, 10:35-36.
Because of the blood shed on Calvary’s cross you are free, not because you deserve it, not because you can earn it, but simply because He loved you and gave Himself for you. The cross is your guarantee of freedom.
Because of the shed blood Satan has no legal right or authority over you. Point him to the blood and the cross. He hates it because it was there he was stripped of his power over you. It was there Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, which are Satan and his demon host. The victory of Calvary is our victory because we are one with Christ.
The devil doesn’t want to be reminded of the blood because it spells his defeat. Tell him you have been cleansed and redeemed by the blood and Christ is your Lord and Master, not him. Do this in faith next time Satan tries to intimidate you and see what happens.
When the devil tries to invade your thought life resist him with the blood and the Word of God. This is also your most powerful weapon in coming against demons in others. God, angels, men and demons give testimony to the power of the blood.
Now the word of testimony spoken of in Revelation 12:11 is nothing more or less than confessing the truth of God in the face of faith-trying circumstances. It is the brazen audacity to believe and confess what God’s Word says rather than give in to adverse or contrary circumstances.
Upon first consideration this may not seem to be very important but such is not the case. It is actually that most important piece of armor referred to as the shield of faith in verse 16 of Ephesians 6. Please note Paul says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
It is going against the natural current of prevailing conditions to confess that God is true. Not only confessing that God is true but it is acting upon your confession. It is marching forward into the swollen waters of Jordan before the waters are parted. It is a faith that staggers not at the promise but believes so strongly it gives glory to God in advance. Rom. 4:20.
Not only is it a faith that precipitates confession and action but it also withstands the onslaughts of the adversary when all visible hope and help is gone. It is believing and confessing the promise of God while the enemy rages and hurls his lies, accusations, and sense-laden thoughts of discouragement at you. We cannot overemphasize this divine principle as it is a most vital key to overcoming the devil.
The word of our testimony is called our profession by Paul in Heb. 4:14. The secret is learning to say what God’s Word says instead of what our senses tell us. Be it circumstances, friend, foe or the devil himself, we must learn to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. II Cor. 10:4-6.
The knowledge of God is his Word. When we learn to go by what God says rather than earth knowledge, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set us free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8:2.
Too long we have gone by what we have felt, what we have seen and what we have heard. Observing these lying vanities we have forsaken our own mercy. Jonah 2:8. Confessing these things instead of the Word we have been snared with the words of our mouth. Proverbs 6:2.
We have not understood that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Prov. 18:21. It is a wholesome tongue that is a tree of life. Prov. 15:4. Through a negative confession we minister death to ourselves and to others.
I recently received a letter from a lady who had suffered much physically for several years. In the letter she said, “the pain is almost unbearable at times, I can’t stand it much longer.” This dear lady didn’t realize it but she was laying the groundwork for defeat. The words of her mouth, a negative confession, were the snare.
Had she known and believed God’s Word she would have said, “There is no temptation (trial) taken me but such as is common to man. But God is faithful, He will not permit me to be tried above that I am able, but will provide a way of escape that I might be able to bear it. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I Cor. 10:13. Philippians 4:13.
This confession would have put into motion the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. It would have ministered life and strength to her. It would have delivered her from the law of sin and death.
Another trick of the enemy to keep us from making a positive confession is to get us to put it off until another day. He tells us we are not ready, we must have greater faith, a certain feeling before we can claim the blessing. This amounts to us believing the Lord must come to us in the form of a spiritual experience before we dare believe his Word. This of course is just the opposite from the truth. It is Satan’s lie to keep us bound by the law of sin and death.
“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise. Say not in thine heart. Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Roman 10:6-10.
God is just as close to us as His Word. Even in our mouth and in our heart, the Word of faith. The power of life is in our tongue. With the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confession is made unto salvation. Mouth -- confession -- salvation.
Please notice in the temptation of Christ by Satan in the wilderness that Jesus met every advance of the enemy with the Word of God. Luke 4:1-13. In resisting the three great temptations Jesus quoted the Scriptures to Satan by saying, “It is written.” We likewise need to be fortified with the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit.
If we know the Word we don’t have to give him any quarter when he attacks but meet him head-on and shout the victory while we cut him to pieces with the sword of the Spirit. Hebrews 4:12. Meet every thought, temptation, and trial with the Word of God and see what happens in this battle against Satan.
But surely someone will think, “such phenomenal faith is not for me.” If that is what you are thinking you are right now listening to the voice of the enemy. Rebuke him this instant, tell him he is a liar and the father of it Also tell him that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Phil. 4:13.
As you exercise your faith it will develop and grow. Regardless of how little and meager you may think your faith is, begin to use it every opportunity you have. Confess with your mouth what God’s Word declares. Keep confessing it even if you think it’s only of the mind. Sooner or later it will enter your heart and when this happens, Satan’s power over you is broken.
How we need to realize that if the living Christ dwells in us, potentially, we have the power to raise the dead, cleanse the leper, cast out devils, and heal the sick. Not only that but the Lord has given us power over all the power of the enemy. Luke 10:19. As far as God is concerned, we that are in Christ have overcome Satan and the world. I John 4:4, 5:4.
It is up to us to simply recognize these facts and confess and claim our rights in Christ. The confession of our mouth can mean the difference between victory and defeat. What we believe in our heart we will confess. Therefore let us fill our heart with the Word of God. Psa, 119:11. Let us continually confess it to God, to man, to Satan, and above all, to ourselves.
Though it may not have occurred to most people, communion through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving is a marvelous means of expressing what we believe in our heart. It is a testimony of what we believe. Praise and thanksgiving as well as prayer must be cultivated by those who would overcome.
It should be done orally, in the assembly, and in our private devotions. It should be done in song and in word, always from the heart. Nothing will put the enemy to flight quicker than genuine praise. God dwells in the midst of the praises of Israel.
Regular seasons of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving are as necessary in main- taining a good spiritual condition as good food, rest, fresh air, sunshine, and bodily exercise is in keeping physically strong. This battle being in the realm of the spirit, we must be spiritually strong to wage war against the enemy.
Prayer is one of your most potent weapons. Someone has rightly said, “Satan trembles when the weakest saint goes to his knees.” “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 20.
Through praise and thanksgiving we draw nigh to God and He in return draws nigh to us. James 4:8. Singing unto the Lord from your heart is a very effective form of praise and thanksgiving. It will work wonders in the lives of those being oppressed by evil spirits. God desires praise and worship and will bless you with his presence when you do so. By the same token Satan hates for you to worship the Lord and will flee from you when you do it.
There is a direct connection between being filled with the Spirit and worshipping the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-20. You cannot worship and praise the Lord from your heart without being filled with the Spirit. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.
It is while we are thus in His presence that we are strengthened in the inner man and spiritually fortified to meet and defeat our adversary the devil. Being Spirit, the Lord is approached through these spiritual exercises. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless his name.” Psalms 100:4.
The third thing mentioned in Revelation 12:11 whereby we overcome the devil is to love not our lives unto the death. No doubt many think of this death from the standpoint of becoming a martyr or actually dying for Christ. But I am persuaded it is our self life that we must die to. It is what Paul had reference to when he spoke of dying daily and being killed all the day long. I Cor. 15:31. Rom. 8:36.
Loving not our lives unto the death means daily bearing our cross. It is crucifixion to the natural man as we refuse to give in to the whims, fancies, and lusts of our flesh. It is putting Christ first in our lives. It means to forsake family, fame and fortune to follow him daily. Luke 14:26-27. It means to seek eternal riches rather than earthly riches. Matthew 6:10-34. It means to desire the approval of God more than the approval of man. John 12:42-44. It means a new direction, a new emphasis of spiritual and eternal values rather than earthly things. Matt. 12:46-50.
Perhaps the greatest test of all for God’s people who would be overcomers will come through subjection. I especially mean subjection one to another in the body of Christ. Nothing will bring out the self in us like having to walk together in one body.
Because of the harlot religious world we have always been able to run to another group when old self was crossed or interfered with. This unwillingness to be subject to anything but our own carnal spirits has developed the self life and made us an easy prey for the devil. In this condition we are like a city whose walls are broken down -- we have no defense. Proverbs 25:28.
Restoration of the Church means the restoration of God’s divine authority in the earth. It means we can no longer be a law unto ourselves. We must find our place and walk with Christ’s body. This means subjection and death to self. Those who refuse to honor and bow to this principle will have no part in the Church that is being perfected. Matt. 18:17. Heb. 13:7. II Peter 5:5.
The death-to-self life also requires fasting, in addition to daily humbling of ourselves before God and man. Fasting unto the Lord weakens the carnal man and strengthens the spiritual man. It is denying the flesh that we might experience more of God. The prophets fasted. Jesus, the son of God, fasted forty days. Paul said he was in fastings often. David also knew the value of fasting when he said “... I humbled my soul with fasting ....” Psa. 35:13.
Of course the purpose of self affliction through fasting is to leave the realm of flesh and move into the realm of the Spirit. We do not merit any special favors because we fast. It is merely a means of dying out to our self life that God might more fully control us. Our hard, brittle wills are softened and we can more easily yield ourselves to the will and purpose of God.
Several years ago I was seriously injured in an auto wreck and went thirty-five days almost entirely without food. Although I was a hard, calloused sinner I was humbled and found it easy to forgive my enemies. And though I didn’t become a Christian at the time, the nearness of death made me see the vanity of earthly values.
The natural man is our enemy. He opposes us on every hand when we would do good. Rom. 7:21. Every time we start to obey the Lord the natural man must die, otherwise he will rise up and lead us astray. When we shrink back from obedience to the Lord we invite failure and defeat. We must lose our life to save it. Luke 9:24. When we obey the old man rather than Christ we immediately begin to move in ourselves. It is in this state or condition that we are no match for the enemy.
The death-to-self life must be practiced daily and moment by moment as we reckon (count it so) ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:11.
As we practice loving not our lives unto the death the Christ life in us is going to develop and grow. The old self man is going to get weaker. But we cannot afford to become careless and complacent. We must keep the old man on the cross where he belongs. We want resurrection, but not his.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Rev. 12:11.