And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. [Revelation 12.11]
Regardless what one thinks about the woman and then the dragon along with the events described in Revelation 12, the fact of verse eleven is fully capable of standing alone (in or out of context).
Ready for this? Fear of death is the love of life.
Nowhere in the Bible are we taught to love life. I know it is a very popular idea today - promoted even in our churches - but it has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God. And, therefore, anyone seeking the Kingdom of God first (in proper priority) will have nothing to do with loving life. In this regard, loving life is a trap designed to prevent one from ever understanding God's intended priority of His Kingdom first.
Loving life is worldly. At best, it is limited to the world and what the world has to offer.
As Jesus both taught and demonstrated, seeking the Kingdom of God above all else, is free from fear of death. In fact, the single greatest event in all of eternity was accomplished through Jesus' fearless encounter with death - even the tortuous death of crucifixion. How much greater then, is loving God (by seeking His Kingdom first) instead of loving life?
Death is a tragedy for those who love life. Death is the ultimate victory for those who seek God's Kingdom first. The contrast is real.
Let's think about this!
Father, forgive me for falling victim to the trap of loving life - yes - I have done it. Help me instead to love and live for Your Kingdom first and foremost.
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