"And they overcame 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, NASB)
Very few people throughout history were, "faced with death," because they spoke of "God." Millions throughout the centuries, however, were, "faced with death," because they mentioned Jesus, proclaimed Jesus, "because of the Word of their testimony," Jesus Christ.
One translation of our text reads, "because of the Word to which they bore witness." The emphasis here is not on my testimony, but What and to Whom I bear witness. The Followers of Jesus are moved by the Holy Spirit to only bear witness to, "the Word," Who is Jesus Christ and His "God-Breathed" Words, which are themselves testimony to Jesus. If my testimony is not "to" the Word of God, then it is a self-centered testimony, a testimony which glorifies me, not Jesus. I may have given such testimony over my life time. What stupidity! This is not a false humility clothed in religious wording, as it was neither to Paul, "Of whom I am chief." This is the realization of anyone who for one moment considers reality.
The shepherds were directed to Jesus. The "wise men" were directed to Jesus. Simeon and Anna were directed to Jesus. It was Father by/in the Holy Spirit which took them to the stable, then the house, then the Temple. Everywhere Jesus "was" the Father led others to Him, "This is My Beloved Son." This is not exalting one of the Godhead over another. This is the realty of the Universe, "No one has ever yet seen God at any time; the only begotten God Who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." Anyone, I repeat, anyone who attempts to "explain" God without the Person, the Name of Jesus preeminent is speaking nothing but Gibberish. Jesus is, "....the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
To talk of "God" without the Name of Jesus is the reason for, "Well, Allah and the God of the Bible are the same." Islamic theologians mock the Blessed Trinity; therefore, Followers of Jesus have nothing in common with Islam. To talk of God without the Name of Jesus may be "ecumenical," but it leads to disastrous results. No devil or ISIS will ever stop a person from using the term "god." They will, however, fight you and me "tooth and nail," even cause us to be, "faced with death," if we even contemplate speaking the Name of Jesus. May the Name of Jesus be ever in our hearts, our minds, and on our lips. May no one ever doubt as to the God Whom you and I serve. "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for the Overcoming, "Blood of the Lamb," Jesus. Amen.
Very few people throughout history were, "faced with death," because they spoke of "God." Millions throughout the centuries, however, were, "faced with death," because they mentioned Jesus, proclaimed Jesus, "because of the Word of their testimony," Jesus Christ.
One translation of our text reads, "because of the Word to which they bore witness." The emphasis here is not on my testimony, but What and to Whom I bear witness. The Followers of Jesus are moved by the Holy Spirit to only bear witness to, "the Word," Who is Jesus Christ and His "God-Breathed" Words, which are themselves testimony to Jesus. If my testimony is not "to" the Word of God, then it is a self-centered testimony, a testimony which glorifies me, not Jesus. I may have given such testimony over my life time. What stupidity! This is not a false humility clothed in religious wording, as it was neither to Paul, "Of whom I am chief." This is the realization of anyone who for one moment considers reality.
The shepherds were directed to Jesus. The "wise men" were directed to Jesus. Simeon and Anna were directed to Jesus. It was Father by/in the Holy Spirit which took them to the stable, then the house, then the Temple. Everywhere Jesus "was" the Father led others to Him, "This is My Beloved Son." This is not exalting one of the Godhead over another. This is the realty of the Universe, "No one has ever yet seen God at any time; the only begotten God Who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." Anyone, I repeat, anyone who attempts to "explain" God without the Person, the Name of Jesus preeminent is speaking nothing but Gibberish. Jesus is, "....the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
To talk of "God" without the Name of Jesus is the reason for, "Well, Allah and the God of the Bible are the same." Islamic theologians mock the Blessed Trinity; therefore, Followers of Jesus have nothing in common with Islam. To talk of God without the Name of Jesus may be "ecumenical," but it leads to disastrous results. No devil or ISIS will ever stop a person from using the term "god." They will, however, fight you and me "tooth and nail," even cause us to be, "faced with death," if we even contemplate speaking the Name of Jesus. May the Name of Jesus be ever in our hearts, our minds, and on our lips. May no one ever doubt as to the God Whom you and I serve. "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for the Overcoming, "Blood of the Lamb," Jesus. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
