FAQ 136
Overcoming the Adversary
NCW 16, February 1995
Q. What does it mean when it says: "They [Michael and his angels] overcame him [the dragon and his angels] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Rev.12:11)? Does this apply to us too?
Yes. We learn later in the text that Satan pursues and wages war against the Church in the tribulation for three-and-a-half-years ("time, times, and half a time" -- 12:14). Here the Church is defined as "those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (v.17, NIV). Our two-sided protection against the devil is the blood of Jesus, which delivers the believer from his power, and the word of our testimony -- our bold confession of Jesus. This testimony is two-fold: (1) our inward testimony, a holy life acquired through obedience to the commandments written in our hearts by the indwelling Christ, and (2) our verbal (written or oral -- but preferably the latter) testimony, the witness of our mouths that Jesus is the Christ, the only way to God, quick and powerful to save, and the only way to have our wins washed clean. Without these two we are overcome by the world; and in the tribulation this will also mean death physically.
We are angels -- not the glorified beings in heaven, but mesengers of our master, Jesus Christ. The way to salvation and the overcoming life is the same in all dimensions everywhere -- whether we are angels, disembodied spirits, mortal men or resurrected immortals. Therefore let us obey all the commandments, holding fast to the testimony of Jesus, bearing affirmative witness of His salvation, and trusting His redeeming blood for our very life.
This page was created on 1 May 1998
Last updated on 1 May 1998
Copyright © 1987-2008 NCCG - All Rights Reserved