Post 29 / The Next Language
November 24, 2020
The Ultimate Weapon
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 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. Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time. … And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:10-12, 17, KJV).
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man has an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints (Rev 13:7-10, KJV)
In recent weeks, beginning when I was preparing and delivering training to our recordists, I have spent a lot of time in the Books of Daniel and Revelation. I personally know a lot of other people that are doing the same. What we understand and believe about the future can and should help us position ourselves for the future and help to shape our kingdom work. This is not the time or place to be exhaustive but I want to point out a little about the verses listed above that are very sobering.
Of course, if you are not of the “remnant of the seed of the woman” you can ignore this but I suggest that the Lord wants us to have a mindset to understand and accept the what the Lord is setting up for the “Saints.”
First- notice the testimony that “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.” I knew this well. What I had not noticed or remembered was that a few verses later, in chapter 13, it says that “it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
How does the overcoming of Rev 12:11 fit with the clear statement that the saints are overcome by the beast only 13 verses later? I believe that this is telling us that the ultimate victorious weapon over the beast will be the blood of the saints- added to the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. I believe the Word is communicating that this is the “patience and the faith” of the saints.
I have come to believe that if we do not attempt to finish the task of taking the gospel to every nation armed with this mindset we will be doomed to irrelevancy – at the very least – and destruction at the worst. In this text it is pretty explicit that at the end of this chapter of history the saints will either have taken the mark of the beast or have given their lives to the wrath of the beast. All who remain after this will face the wrath of God in that great and dreadful day of the Lord when the final harvest sickle will be thrust down and sweep over the whole earth.
I would love to hear how you read this?? And more importantly how you plan to live out the rest of this age?
God Bless,
Larry DeVilbiss | Executive Director
Global Recordings Network USA
P. S. As a “thank you” for your continued support of the ministry of Global Recordings Network USA, and in celebration of over 80 years of God’s faithfulness, we have compiled a collection of 80 daily devotions written by GRN founder, Joy Ridderhof. You may read or download your copy of Rejoice Always – 80 Devotions with Joy Ridderhof here.