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TEXT_133.txt
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1994-12-16
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OVERCOMING THE DRAGON
Rev 12:10-11
Matt Hennecke
In the last year there has been renewed interested in
dinosaurs, largely because of the movie Jurrasic Park. If
you've seen the movie, you'll recall that several
dinosaurs are cloned and then proceed to reek havoc on
those humans unlucky to get too near. Some of the most
frightening moments occur as the humans try to protect
themselves and overcome the terror of the T-Rex and three
ferocious velociraptors! While Michael Crichton and
Steven Spielberg have brought an entertaining story to the
big screen, it is interesting to note that nearly 2000
years ago John spoke of a similar situation. Only, it
wasn't a dinosaur he wrote about, but a Dragon!
Revelation 12:3 vividly describes a red Dragon with
seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems (more hideous
and frightening than even a T-Rex!) This Dragon,
identified as the Devil and Satan (v.9) wages war in
heaven with Michael and his angels until he is finally
"thrown down" to earth where he begins to "accuse" the
brethren "day and night" (v. 10).
Now, there is much about the book of Revelation that I do
not know. I'm not an advocate of an early or late date
(though I do recall from my college days having several of
each!) So, while there are many things I cannot affirm
about the symbology of Revelation 12, the message of verse
11 is clear and unmistakable: Christians overcame the
Dragon because of:
STEP 1: THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB
Blood is an important substance in our society. We
frequently hear pleas for blood donations and despite
man's ingenuity, he has not been able to replicate the
life-giving qualities of blood. The Jews were also
familiar with the power of blood and the sacrifices for
consecration (Ex 29:10-14). But, in verse 11, we are not
talking about the blood of bullocks, but of Christ
himself! And the message is clear: overcoming the Dragon
depends on the blood of the Lamb!
Note Peter's assertion of that very fact in 1 Pet.
1:18-19: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your
vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot."
STEP 2: THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY
The second step in overcoming the dragon seems a bit
puzzling. Of whose testimony is John speaking? We get
some insight from the word itself when we consider that
"testimony" is second cousin to the words "testify" and
"test." Witnesses are called to testify in court. They
provide testimony. Similarly, all of us have taken tests,
which are designed to determine whether we pass or fail.
But, the Greek word itself provides even greater insight.
The word "testimony" comes from the Greek "marturia" from
whence we get the word "martyr."
John is telling us that we can overcome the Dragon by
heeding the testimony of the faithful. Note Rev 6:9 and
12:17 as it relates to the testimony of "our fathers."
John's message echoes the idea expressed in Heb 12:1-2:
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne
of God."
STEP 3: DID NOT LOVE LIFE, EVEN TO DEATH
God has programmed us for survival. Yet John indicates
that one of the ways to overcome the Dragon is to
willingly put aside our "survival instinct." We must be
willing to die for God's cause! Need proof? Examples
exist everywhere: Daniel and his three friends "did not
love life, even to death." They were willing to put aside
the "survival instinct" for a higher calling. Peter died
in service to Christ because "he did not love life, even
to death." He loved Someone else more than life itself!
The same idea is expressed by Jesus himself in Mark 8:35 -
"...whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the
gospel's, the same shall save it."
Satan still is at work and we are still in danger. How
do we overcome the evil one? The same way John instructed
the seven churches of Asia: "they overcame him by the
blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and
they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev 12:11.
Contact the writer:
MattHenn@AOL.com
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