The book of Revelation was written to encourage Christians to endure the sufferings and persecutions ahead of them in order to receive their reward from God. Generally, the sufferings we face today are much different – often less severe – than what they faced near the close of the first century. But one thing remains the same – we must overcome Satan and his devices in order to be rewarded by God in the end.
So how do we overcome? The letter to the seven churches helps answer that question. John recorded, “And they overcome him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (Revelation 12:11). This verse mentioned three things they did, and that we must also do, to overcome the devil and his schemes.
- Be saved by the blood of Christ – Forgiveness of sins is possible through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). If our sins are not forgiven, we are subject to punishment (Romans 6:23). But how do we contact the blood of Christ and receive forgiveness? It is through the waters of baptism. In baptism our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16) and we receive the hope of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). We are baptized into the death of Christ (Romans 6:3), which is where His saving blood was shed (Colossians 1:20).
- Practice the gospel – We can overcome “because of the word of their testimony.” We must hold to the truth in all situations. The early Christians who were persecuted did not merely believe that the word was truth – they lived by it and were willing to die for it. It is not enough to hear the word; we must practice it in our daily lives (James 1:22). If we obey, Jesus will save us (Hebrews 5:9).
- Do not fear the consequences for doing right – Throughout the years, since the time of the apostles, Christians have suffered many things for following the Lord (mocking, rejection, loneliness, imprisonment, torture, death, etc.). Persecution, to some degree, is certain if we are diligently striving to serve God (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12). But we must remember that no matter what we face here, the reward will be worth it (Revelation 2:10).
We can and must overcome Satan. We must not allow him to lead us down the path to destruction. If we obtain salvation through the blood of Christ and do what is pleasing to God, regardless of the consequences, we will overcome just as the ones mentioned in the book of Revelation.
