Revelation 12:11 – We overcome by the blood of Christ and our testimony
Have you even wondered how Satan was overcome in the pre-existence? Have you even wondered how we will overcome Satan in this life? The formula is the same. Let’s learn how Michael and his angels overcame him in the pre-existence. Again, the Joseph Smith Translation clarifies a few things for us.
Revelation 12:11.
KJV
And 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.
JOSEPH SMITH TRANSLATION
11 For they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death. Therefore, rejoice O heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
I don’t know about you, but I can absolutely feel the power in these words! The central theme of the Book of Revelation and of all scriptures is that salvation only comes in and through the name of Christ. But, one thing I find amazing about this scripture is that they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, when Christ had not even been born yet, let alone was offered for our sins as of yet, so how were they able to overcome by the blood of the Lamb? This is where the power comes in, we had to have great faith in Jesus Christ and His ability to truly become the Savior of the world and fulfill all that was prophesied that He would fulfill. That is how we kept our first estate, not by knowledge, but by faith in Christ and in an event that was just prophesied of by the Father. This act of faith was in Christ, but also in our Father who prophesied that Christ could and would perform this role as our Savior and Redeemer.
Romans 1:17 JST
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed through faith on his name; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The just in all ages of time or eternity, must live by faith. So, we too must live by faith. It also interesting that their faith gave them power to overcome Satan and our faith will give us like power in our own lives to overcome Satan. Joseph Smith teaches us about faith as power in the Lectures on Faith:
13 But faith is not only the principle of action, but of power, also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven, or on earth. Thus says the author of the epistle to the Hebrews. (11:3):
14 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God: so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
15 By this we understand that the principle of power, which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith; and that it is by reason of this principle of power, existing in the Deity, that all created things exist—so that all things in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, exist by reason of faith, as it existed in HIM.
So, how do we develop such faith that is power in our lives? Boyd K. Packer helps us understand the two kinds of faith:
There are Two Kinds of Faith.
One of them functions ordinarily in the life of every soul. It is the kind of faith born by experience; it gives us certainty that a new day will dawn, that spring will come, that growth will take place. It is the kind of faith that relates us with confidence to that which is scheduled to happen.
There is another kind of faith, rare indeed. This is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. It is the kind of faith that is worthy and prepared and unyielding, and it calls forth things that otherwise would not be. It is the kind of faith that moves people. It is the kind of faith that sometimes moves things.. It comes by gradual growth. It is a marvelous, even a transcendent, power, a power as real and as invisible as electricity. Directed and channeled, it has great effect.
This second kind of faith is given to us, as a gift from God, when we with clean hands and clean hearts have unshaken faith in Jesus Christ and in His power to save us and to fulfill all His words that He has spoken, does speak, and will speak. This kind of faith is developed when we take the Holy Spirit as our guide and answer “here am I” (1 Samuel 3:4) whenever or wherever Christ speaks to us, we are ready to go to battle or to go to work in His name and in His power. Let us develop such great faith that brings power in our lives and makes us an instrument in the Lord’s hands to bring about much righteousness. Armed with the faith in Jesus Christ, let us never falter in our testimony of Him, so that we too like Michael and his angels in the pre-existence overcome Satan in our lives, in our families, and eventually in the world.
Craig
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