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Overcoming the Dragon
Revelation 12:10-11
In the last year there has been renewed interested in dinosaurs, largely because
of the movie Jurassic 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.
By Matthew Hennecke
From Expository Files 2.1; January, 1995
