It’s a true privilege to stand before you again today, as we continue our powerful journey in the series “The Power of the Blood.” Last week, we delved deeply into the incredible, atoning, and victorious power found in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We explored the seven precious outpourings of His blood, understanding how each drop covers a specific area of our lives, bringing redemption, healing, and freedom. The basin of His suffering is full, and the power of His blood is absolute!
Today, we move on to the second, equally vital, component of our victory, as revealed in our foundational scripture from last week:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Revelation 12:11 NKJV
Who are “they” in this verse? “They” are us, people like you and me, believers in Jesus Christ. And “him”? “Him” refers to Satan! This clearly demonstrates that there is a direct conflict between us and Satan. The verse declares, with authority, “They triumphed over him!” And then, God’s Word reveals how they did it: it was “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
But there’s a third crucial element in this verse, which reveals the depth of commitment of these overcomers: “they did not love their lives to the death.”
To put it in one word: They were COMMITTED. Totally committed!
This is the only kind of Christian that truly frightens Satan: Totally Committed Christians.
When the verse states, “they did not love their lives to the death” what is it actually saying?
It’s saying that for them, staying alive was not priority number one.
Their absolute priority was to do the will of God, regardless of whether it cost them their lives.
Indeed, staying alive wasn’t the most important thing for them. The most important thing was to be faithful to the Lord and do His will.
We often talk about being soldiers in the Lord’s army, but I believe many of us have no true sense of what it means to be a soldier in the Lord’s army.
“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV
How many of you have served in your nation’s army? For those who do have military experience, when you joined the army in your country, did you get a contract which assured you: “We guarantee you will never lose your life”?
No soldier has ever joined an army on the condition that they will not be killed. In fact, anytime a soldier joins an army, one of their unspoken commitments is: “I may be killed. This may cost my life.”
There is no guarantee that you will not have to sacrifice your life.
The people that Satan truly fears are those who are not afraid to lay down their lives.
What is the most important thing in your life? I believe that we should be able to declare: “The most important thing in life is to do the will of God.”
Can we truly say that we love the Lord? When we look at the church today, it is shocking to see that many seem not to value the Kingdom of God; they do not attach importance to attending Sunday services, cell groups, prayer meetings. There are even people in the church who don’t give their tithes.
“Those who overcame Satan didn’t have any love for their own lives, they didn’t love the world, and they didn’t love money. On the contrary, they loved the Lord over everything!”
They understood that true love for God demands total surrender, which manifests in our dedication, our time, our resources, and, yes, our willingness to follow His will above all else.
Last week, we focused on “the blood of the Lamb.” Today, we will unveil the power of “the word of testimony.” What does it mean to overcome by the word of our testimony? How does our testimony become a weapon against the enemy? And how do we actively engage this powerful truth in our daily lives?
Revisiting Passover: The Application of the Blood
Let’s quickly revisit our illustration from last week: the Passover. Remember how the lamb’s blood was collected in a basin? But it wasn’t enough for the blood to just be in the basin. Its protective power was only activated when it was applied to the doorposts with a bunch of hyssop.
Think of it this way: the Blood of Jesus is the basin – it is the finished work, the divine provision. But Your testimony – your spoken declaration, your confession of what the Blood has done and who God is – that is the hyssop. It is the means by which the power of the Blood is applied and becomes effective in your personal life, in your home, and in your community.
What is “The Word of Our Testimony”?
The word “testimony” comes from a root that means “to bear witness” or “to declare.” It’s more than just telling a story. It has two main dimensions:
- Confession of Faith (What God’s Word Says): This is declaring who God is and what His Word says about you and your situation. It is speaking aloud the truth of scripture and the finished work of Christ.
- Personal Story (What God Has Done): This is sharing your personal experience of God’s power and faithfulness in your life – what He has delivered you from, what He has healed, how He has provided.
So, when we talk about “the word of our testimony,” we are talking about speaking aloud the truth of God’s Word and sharing what God has done for us thanks to the Blood of Jesus.
Why is Our Testimony So Powerful?
Why does Revelation 12:11 link our testimony so directly to overcoming Satan?
- It Contests the Enemy’s Accusations
Revelation 12:10 calls Satan “the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night.” Satan’s primary tactic is accusation. He constantly reminds us of our past sins, our failures, our weaknesses, trying to convince us that we are unworthy, unloved, and powerless.
But when you open your mouth and declare what the Blood of Jesus has done for you – “By the Blood of Jesus, I am forgiven! By the Blood of Jesus, I am righteous! By the Blood of Jesus, I am healed!” – you are silencing the accuser. You are testifying against his lies with the truth of God’s redemption! Your testimony is a legal declaration in the spiritual realm that contests every accusation.
- It Activates Our Faith
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:10 (NIV)
Faith is not just what you believe in your heart; it is also what you speak with your mouth. When you testify, you are not merely recounting a past event; you are actively engaging your faith in the present. You are declaring your agreement with God’s Word. Speaking strengthens your belief and brings it into reality. It’s like breathing: you breathe in God’s truth and breathe out your testimony.
- It Brings Glory to God
When we share our testimony, we are giving God the glory He deserves. We are proclaiming His goodness, His power, and His faithfulness to others. This draws others to Him and strengthens the body of Christ.
- It Encourages and Strengthens Others
Your testimony is not just for you. When you share how God has delivered you, how He has healed you, or how He has changed your life, it plants seeds of faith in the hearts of others. It says: “If God did it for them, He can do it for me!” Your story becomes a beacon of hope, inspiring others to trust God and experience their own breakthroughs.
Biblical Examples of Powerful Testimonies
The Bible is full of people who triumphed by their testimony:
- The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34): She said to herself: “If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.” Her confession of faith preceded her healing. Then, after being healed, Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” and she came forward and told Him the whole truth. Her testimony glorified God and confirmed her faith.
- Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52): He cried out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He confessed his need and his belief in Jesus’ power. After receiving his sight, he didn’t just walk away; he followed Jesus on the road. His life became a walking testimony.
- Paul’s conversion (Acts 22 and 26): Time and again, when Paul was on trial or given an opportunity, he shared his powerful testimony of how Jesus transformed him from a persecutor into an apostle. His testimony was his most potent tool for evangelism.
Applying the Word of Our Testimony Today
So, how do we actively use the word of our testimony to triumph in our lives here in Monaghan, in Ireland, and wherever we go?
Confess the Blood Daily:
Start your day by declaring what the Blood of Jesus has done for you.
- “By the Blood of Jesus, I have been redeemed from the hand of the enemy!”
- “By the Blood of Jesus, I am continually cleansed from all sin as I walk in the light!”
- “By the Blood of Jesus, I am justified – declared not guilty and righteous!”
- “By the Blood of Jesus, I am sanctified and set apart for God!”
- “By the Blood of Jesus, I have the very life of God within me!”
- “By the Blood of Jesus, I have access to God’s presence!”
Your confession is your “hyssop”, it’s how you apply the power of the blood to your life!
Speak God’s Promises Over Your Circumstances:
Don’t just talk about your problems; speak to your problems about God’s promises. If you are facing sickness, declare His healing. If you are in need, declare His provision. If you are scared, declare His perfect love that casts out fear.
- Share Your Story Courageously (and Wisely):
Be ready to share what God has done for you. Your testimony is uniquely yours, and it is powerful. You don’t have to be a theologist; you just need to tell what Jesus has personally done in your life. Whether it’s a great miracle or a small daily provision, God can use your testimony. - Embrace the Cost of Testimony:
Revelation 12:11 ends with: “they did not love their lives to the death.” This speaks of a radical commitment, a willingness to prioritise God’s truth above our own comfort or even our lives. A powerful testimony often comes from a consecrated life. When we truly love Jesus more than our own lives, our testimony gains undeniable authority and purity.
Conclusion
My dear brothers and sisters, we are called to be overcomers. We are called to triumph over the enemy. We have the ultimate weapon: the Blood of the Lamb! And we have the means to apply that power: the word of our testimony!
Do not underestimate the power of your spoken word, when it aligns with Jesus’ finished work on the cross. The enemy hates it when you declare what God has done. He hates it when you remember, and remind the spiritual realm, of the victory purchased by the Blood.
This week, I challenge you: become intentional about your testimony. Confess the power of the Blood daily. Speak God’s promises over every area of your life. And be ready to share with others what Jesus has done for you. By doing so, you will experience new levels of triumph and see the enemy defeated in ways you never thought possible.
God bless you!