Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 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 12.10-11]
This is a powerful statement found in Revelation 12! I believe this speaks to the time in which we now live. Salvation and the power of God's Kingdom are very much what Jesus repeatedly declared in the authority He claimed to have been given. I say it like this because Jesus boldly declared that He was given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Now, with this said, we must also consider that Jesus profoundly imparted His calling, power, and authority upon those who follow Him in faith. This is where many "believers" back away or fall away altogether. But the Scriptures are clear - and Jesus said in His own words, "Many are called but few are chosen."
For those who truly desire to digest the Word in accuracy and grow in their faith and dominion on earth, there are a couple of Scripture passages that become prevalent:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. [2 Corinthians 10.3-5]
And a really significant one:
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. [Ephesians 6.10-18]
In all my years of reading and learning from the Bible, I have never seen or been taught what I am about to share here. And yet, it was right there in front of us the whole time!
Between the three Scripture references mentioned here thus far, there is a common denominator that is ESSENTIAL to our understanding. And here are three phrases to support what I am saying here:
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 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.
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
and
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
I don't expect anyone to immediately see what I am saying here - but it is still there.
What do these three phrases have in common? OTHERS!
Our "victory" as believers is clearly in the arena of our effect on others. These Scriptures were not given to support our personal battles but instead to strengthen us in our warfare on behalf of OTHERS! Otherwise, not being "afraid to die" has no value (there is a testimony attached to it)! Our warfare is for people according to 2 Corinthians 10!
Why would the final instruction for the armor of God conclude with praying for all believers everywhere if what I am saying here was not true?
All these Scriptures implicate other-mindedness (just like Jesus) instead of self-centeredness.
For the record, Scriptures repeatedly reveal that God takes care of His own. These Scriptures however are NOT about that!
Think about this: Soldiers in most armies of the world are issued a uniform and standard weaponry. They don't bring their own clothes or weapons! Why? Because they are not fighting their own war!!! They fight for a greater cause much larger than themselves! And so it is with God's Army! We are not armed and clothed for our own battles, but for the battles of God.
God's battles are all focused on people!
The modern Church is so self-focused that we have made all these critical Scriptures of commission into warfare about us individually! This is grossly contrary to the very nature and character of God and His Word. Sure, God takes care of His own. But God's soldiers are just that: God's soldiers - doing His work on the earth today and that work is the redemption of men - their reconciliation unto God.
The sooner we understand this, the sooner we actually understand Jesus' sacrifice for others. Jesus did not come to preserve His life, but to lay it down on behalf of others. Boom! God's salvation and power and Kingdom and authority are seen in Jesus' focus on others. These things will be seen in no other way by our lives!
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. [1 John 3.16]
It's not about ME! Never has been, never will be.
Father, may my life reveal other-mindedness and nothing of self-centeredness.
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