DRAGON-SLAYER! (PART 2)
Rev. 12: 10-11, 17
Sermon Objective: Through Jesus Christ we have victory over sin and evil; this series of 3 sermons describes the nature and sources of that victory.
Supporting Scripture: Proverbs 24:16; Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 3:11; Luke 22:31-32; John 12:32; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7-8; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 7:14
10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
17Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
SERMON INTRO
“It is finished.” You know those words and you know who said them and when. It is very pertinent to our conversation about sin, Satan, and victory because it was on the cross that Jesus overcame (prevailed against and subdued) sin’s grip. It was there that he canceled sin’s debt. As we will see soon, the resurrection broke its power but only after the debt was paid for on the cross.
I am sure that all of us would agree that “It is finished” has far greater implications than we can imagine. Someday, the full impact of those words will be realized but not in this life. Here we get glimpses but even those glimpses have powerful potential. For example, if “It is finished” means anything it must mean that Satan’s hold on humankind has been broken and we can now, through the cross, live victorious lives.
Revelation 12 affords us the opportunity, once again, to look at what it means to be over-comers. As we are discovering, verses 10 and 11 give us three descriptive phrases to help us grasp what it means and how we can be described as over-comers – dragon slayers.
Last week we looked at the first and the foundational one. Jesus’ own victory over sin by shedding his blood. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” is a very beautiful and powerful portion of the declaration of praise we find in the midst of this chapter on our struggle with Satan and sin.
Human sin … your sin … my sin … places such a stain on the human heart that we cannot, even with all the effort we can muster, cleanse it. There is no industrial strength bleach that can even begin to make the heart white as snow; only the blood of Jesus can remove the scarlet stain (c.f. Isaiah 1:18). We fall so short of God’s glory and expectation that we are disqualified from fellowship. Something … someone … has to come to our rescue and Jesus Christ was more than adequate for restore us to God’s favor.
Jesus broke the penalty of sin and washed us clean. Revelation alludes to this over and over as the source of our victory over sin (c.f. Rev. 7:14). You have nothing to rely on to cleanse you from sin except Jesus’ blood.
May I digress for a moment and speak of the power in the blood? I know many colleagues and friends that rail against human vice. They preach incessantly against things like pornography, gossip, dishonesty, anger, lust, corrupt speech, or whatever their “pet” vices are (since there is no way they can list them all). I understand their passion and I know there is a place for addressing specific sins but I am convinced that we leave the Church weak when we preach like this because it misses the point. These vices are simply “thresholds” or “windows” to the soul. They are not the real problem. The problem is that the heart is not set free from the grip of sin.
I know a man who has diabetes. It has gone unchecked and he has some serious problems with his feet. He is always hindered by his foot problems and he’s afraid he will lose one to amputation so he has the tendency to treat the foot concerns. The problem is that any treatment he gives his feet is temporary and inadequate. He may get them to feel good for a while but until he addresses the real disease … the diabetes … he will always have recurring foot problems.
Some people are, similarly, fixated on a sin (s) that they keep having recurring problems with. They beat it down but eventually it rears its ugly head again. Some say, you need counseling. Others think the answer is hard preaching or strict accountability – but those don’t work either. The problem is the “disease” of sin that resides in the heart has never been addressed. Until the heart is fully surrendered to God and purified the sin will continue to shackle them. There can be no victory until the power of Jesus’ victory over the enemy is applied to the diseased heart. Only then will the dragon be slain.
John the Baptist foretold of this wonderful cleansing (Matthew 3:11) “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
James says (4:7-8) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
There can be no victory until Jesus’ blood cleanses you from sin and He fills you with His HOLY SPIRIT!
SERMON
Now … back to your regularly scheduled programming.
THE FIRST PRINCIPLE FOR OVERCOMING THE ENEMY IS THE POWERFUL BLOOD OF JESUS. IT IS SO POWERFUL THAT IT ALONE CATCHES SATAN FLAT-FOOTED. HE HAS NO WEAPON AGAINST IT. SO, AS OUR PASSAGE MAKES CLEAR, HE PLACES HIS CROSS-HAIRS ON YOU. VERSE 17 SAYS, “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—THOSE WHO OBEY GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND HOLD TO THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS.”
THIS BRINGS US TO OUR NEXT PRINCIPLE FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING.
1. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb.
2. WE OVERCOME BY THE WORD OF OUR “TESTIMONY”
We spent three weeks looking at the word “testimony” or “witness” while in chapter 11. We know it comes from the same word that we get “martyr” from … “martus.” We will not revisit those sermons but you may want to refer to them if you want to know more.
“Testimony” does not apply to your words as much as it applies to your faith, love, and holy lifestyle that is lived out among other saints and unbelievers. That is why it must be maintained (guarded) and that is why it is so powerful. Verse 17 uses the word “hold” or “keep” to describe the follower’s relationship to their testimony. The word is “tereo” and it means “to guard as to prevent escape.” It carries the imagery of building a fortress for protection.
You see, it is essential that we maintain and guard our testimony because your testimony not only helps you overcome Satan; YOUR LIFE IS ALSO A WINDOW FOR OTHERS TO SEE WHAT THE GOSPEL CAN DO. Your testimony is intended to lift Jesus up and draw all men to him (c.f. John 12:32). Your testimony / witness is intended to help others overcome sin. YOU SLAY THE DRAGON AND DESTROY HIS GRIP ON HUMANKIND WHEN THEY TURN TO CHRIST IN FAITH.
Think about how many people have been persuaded NOT to follow Christ because of the damaged testimony of the Saints. Ghandi once said, “I would become a Christian if it wasn’t for Christians.”
Think about how many millions more HAVE come to faith because of the testimony of humble loving saint. This is our aspiration and this defeats the enemy like nothing else can!!!!
God has given each of us a testimony … an opportunity to speak and live for Christ, thus being a living example of the Gospel’s grace. Don’t despise your testimony and don’t take it for granted. Each of us can show Christ to the world by our lives.
The Revelation has a lot to say about your testimony. A proper testimony:
1} Gives witness to Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:8-9; 19:10)
2} Is watched by the on looking world (1:9)
3} Must be maintained (6:9 & 12:17)
4} Is offensive to Satan and those who live in sin (11:7; 12:17; 20:4)
5} Is a source of victory over the enemy – its sustains us! (12:11)
Maybe the following story will help. It comes from Hank Hanegraaff’s book, “The Last Disciple” (which refers to the Apostle John, the last one of the 12 to die). It is set within the historical context of first century Rome’s persecution of the church. Leah is the sister of a young Christian named Nathan whom Caesar has sentenced to death by the wild beasts in the amphitheater.
A cacophony of sounds assailed Leah in the darkness beneath the amphitheater, sounds of quiet desperation. Groaning. Fear. Beyond those sounds coming from the prison cells on each side of the tunnel, she heard the occasional distant roar of animals trained to do the executing later.
She wanted to be brave. Needed to be brave. For Nathan.
She lifted the hem of her dress, blocked out her fear, and moved deeper into the darkness. As she left the shafts of light behind, the air seemed to close in on her, and her throat tightened as smells of suffering added to the sensation of smothering-body wastes accumulated at each cell, vomit, and the cloying, nauseating sweetness of alcohol from those fortunate few with enough money to bribe the guards and acquire the numbing forgetfulness from wine.
In this terrible labyrinth of doom and death, as darkness fell on Rome Leah began to search for her brother.
When she finally found Nathan, Leah expected to see the same despair that she’d seen in the other cells crowded with prisoners as she had peered inside, straining her eyes in the dimness to find her brother.
The prisoners gathered in her brother’s cell, however, were not catatonic or drunk or wailing like those condemned to the arena for murder or robbery or arson. Instead, they were quietly singing hymns as they held hands. They were men and women and children, a dozen of them, making a joyous sound that seemed to brighten the cell as surely as if each had been holding a candle.
…
Nathan {speaking to Leah} closed his eyes briefly, “I wish so badly that you would understand. It is not turning away from the faith of our fathers. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and the promises of God.” He opened his eyes. “I’m sorry. You’ve heard me say that many times. I will continue to pray that you … find this faith.”
Leah did not understand. Here was Nathan. In a horrible cell. Facing a horrible death. And he prayed for others to share his faith? …
{Nathan speaking} “It is faith in the resurrected Christ that gives us hope through all tribulations.”
She gestured at the prison cell. Helpless. Hopeless. “Even through this?”
He was emphatic and looked her directly in the eye. “We willingly face brandished steel, the lion’s gore, the tunica molesta because we follow the Christ and we are utterly convinced that we, like our Master, will one day rise from the grave in resurrected, glorified bodies.”
Leah bowed her head. Rubbed her face. What was it about her bother’s faith that made him so resolute yet so joyful?
{Nathan speaking} “The people who are destined for prison will be arrested and taken away,” Nathan whispered. He’d reached through the bars with both hands and gently cradled her face. “Those who are destined for death will be killed. But do not be dismayed, for here is your opportunity to have endurance and faith.” These are the words of John, the last disciple of our savior … and he has given us comfort.”
“What is our destiny? … For all of us, is it not death? … I’m not afraid of dying, Leah. I am afraid that my family will never understand what faith in Jesus means. The real tragedy is not to die young. The real tragedy is to live a long life and never use it in service of the Master. If my death leads you to eternal life—“
Nathan took a deep breath. He, too, was fighting tears. “I am heartbroken too. But if I have been called to be a witness in the arena with the others who believe, I cannot deny my Savior.”
…{After the Christians are led into the arena}
Instantly, the beasts stopped the frenzied circling and responded by crouching. The crowd became silent as the moment of horror approached. In this silence, a sound rose from the sand. It took several moments for Leah to realize that her brother had begun to sing a beautiful hymn. Others on the sand joined with him, and their voices rose like a choir.
This serenity and peace were not the reaction that the mob had expected, and the silence of the audience continued, more from surprise than anything. The words of the hymn became more clear as the men and women poured joy into their singing.
A few lions crept closer.
Her brother fell to his knees and clasped his hands in prayer.
The boldest lion suddenly leaped forward.
Leah… turned her head and closed her eyes in that last moment as the lion closed in on her brother with outstretched claws.
One of the subtle yet powerful undercurrent’s of Hanegraaff’s book is Rome’s failure to comprehend the source of joy, strength, and courage the Christ-followers possessed in the face of Nero’s (and others) reign of terror. THAT SOURCE, THE PRESENCE OF THE RESURRECTED CHRIST, IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR ABILITY TO OVERCOME AND MAINTAIN A TESTIMONY. The Roman’s did not understand that “conquering” did not mean victorious in battle but faithfulness to the end and its impending reward.
Hanegraaff’s story goes far in helping us understand the reasoning behind John’s writing Revelation … and chapter 12 in particular. It was not simply so we’d know about the history or character of the dragon called Satan. No … much more … it was so we could remain faithful and indeed “overcome”. It shows us the place and value of a faithful testimony.
Your testimony (not so much our words as our life of faith, love, and holiness) is essential to God’s plan to overcome evil’s reign of terror on earth.
And that story leads me to the final element of one who overcomes. We will look at it next week.
WRAP-UP
In closing, remember, YOU, through Jesus Christ, are a dragon-slayer.
1} THE BLOOD OF JESUS PROVES TO BE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE DRAGON
2} THE WITNESS OF THE SAINTS PROVES TO BE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE DRAGON
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,
and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Revelation 2:10
MAINTAIN / GUARD YOUR TESTIMONY!
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This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene, Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
