It’s not every day I go around trying to tackle the deep things of the book of Revelation. But lo and behold, this is where I am for the blog on number 12. I felt led to Revelation 12. I am going to keep it in very simple eschatological (end times) view of Revelation in its relation to depictions of Christ( The Messiah) and the Church (His Bride).
In Revelation 12, there are a series of signs which the Apostle John wrote down while exiled on the island of Patmos. Keep in mind, John, also known as “the beloved,” was in prison. There are these amazing descriptions of a Man with eyes of fire, hair white as wool, swords coming out of His mouth and John shared how many times he was terrified! I can not imagine. What was it about John’s position, that could invite such a visitation by Christ The Messiah Himself, to reveal these deep hidden mysteries to us, the Church? One can read the book of Revelation and get caught up in the revelation, but I am in awe of the time of visitation for John…in prison, exiled, alone and fully immersed in God.
You know there is a preaching here, right? How merciful our Savior God is, who visits us in our bondage, in our dark night of the soul, in our sense of abandonment to reveal His passionate fiery love to our hearts so that we physically die and spiritually come to life!
There is a battle for us; for our worship, devotion, attention, and life, This is between our Creator the rightful Owner and the adversary. This is where eschatology can seem difficult right? We ask, did these things happen already or are they going to happen? And my answer to both is "Yes!" How is that you ask? Well, because God is outside of time and to Him it is NOW. If we remember that we passed from this mortal shell into a spiritual existence, we are also in the now. Let us look at a reality that is for us now because of what Yeshua our Lamb has purchased for us.
Revelation 12:10
Now it has come, the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (The Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out!
According to this, today there is no accusation that is before God against us because the authority, the reign and the dominion of Christ is for us. Yet, so many times, our mind and our heart are accusing us. Our memories of what we did and who we were are accusing us and we stand there like the women caught in adultery waiting for the stones to be thrown. But the humble, meek Man with all authority and justification to throw the stone, says to us “where are your accusers?”
John 8: 10-12
When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on, sin no more. Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.
This is the Light that has come into the world, and darkness cannot overwhelm it.
This scripture is in John 1:5 "The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]."
means that there is no darkness that can overtake our mind, body, emotions and our life in Christ. This is the Light that has come to illuminate us. God’s authority, power and dominion, actively working in us, deliver us from darkness today. In Revelation 12:11 it continues to say "And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony. For they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing]."
Who is the “they” in these verses? Doesn’t it sound like many of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the globe today? Doesn’t it sound like some of our experiences when we have to die to self and overcome the hostility and oppression within the context of an unbelieving workplace or family. We find ourselves uttering the name of Jesus and His power becomes alive in us and we humble ourselves and persevere in victory because of Christ. There is a fight for our character, integrity, and our attitude as to whether we will exemplify the life and light of Christ or give in to the adversary. But we are victorious because of Christ.
Life Application:
I have a feeling that many of you who have been reading our Tirzah blogs, are entering into a new dimension of leadership and it is time to apply the blood of Jesus over your life and arise victoriously in Him, by Him and for Him! It is time to go forward victoriously in your sphere of influence and take the dominion, authority, and power he has given you in Christ and stake it into the ground for Jesus! I felt to share from the John Maxwell Leadership Bible the following devotional on leadership that corresponded to Revelation 12: 7-12 which is subtitled, "The Law of Victory; Godly Leadership Won’t Succeed Without a Fight." In order for leaders to find a way for the team to win, there must be a contest. In Revelation 12:11 we read about the ultimate contest between the forces of good and the forces of evil. The hosts of heaven take on the dragon and his angels. Good eventually wins out through the blood of Christ and the testimony of the believers ). The truth for leaders? First, victory rarely comes without a fight. There is no success without sacrifice; there is a cost to every crown. The good news is anything worth achieving is worth the battle. Second, victory rarely comes without a team effort. Michael didn’t fight alone (12:7). The saints didn’t overcome the enemy alone (12:11). God designed us to win in community. Third victory should never come without a celebration. The heavens rejoice at the victory of the Lamb (12:12). The greater the victory the greater the celebration!
Let's Prayer:
Father, I confess that Jesus is the Christ, and He has all authority, dominion, and power. I accept this testimony of Jesus for my life, and today, I choose to walk in victory because of His blood over my life. I choose to walk in victory and overcome self-accusation. I declare that “he has been cast down and he can no longer speak to me!” I must confess, I have been living in the land of darkness for too long and I want to step into the fullness of His light! I no longer walk in agreement with the accuser, but I choose to stand firm in what Christ has done for me on the cross. I remember that one of Your names is Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of Hosts. You are Captain of the angel armies and I believe You are fighting on my behalf. I declare I will walk in the calling that Jesus has for me, leading those he has placed in my life, and celebrate the victories together. In Jesus' name, AMEN!
Next steps:
If you have been reading our blogs and you are feeling called to go into that next level of leadership, consider Trumpets of Tirzah. As women, we need a strong community of like-minded women to help stir us up in our most holy faith, as we pursue excellence together. May 2024 be the year where you pick up that baton you laid down years ago and get back in the race. You are not disqualified, neither are you exiled from His presence; He can find you. He is pursuing you in your bondage, in your prison of lies that the enemy has convinced you of about yourself. It is a moment of visitation, see Him and respond. See Him and love Him. See Him and give Him your life.