“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb… and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev 12:11).
seek Him in the actual moment
“And by the word of their testimony;” and on account of the word, etc. The one phrase is the natural complement of the other. “The blood of the Lamb” would have been shed in vain without the testimony, the outcome of the faith of his followers; that testimony would have been impossible without the shedding of the blood. And they loved not their lives unto the death; their life even unto death. That is, they valued not their life in this world, even to the extent of meeting death for the sake of giving their testimony.
All who will can be overcomers. Let us strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day.
When James and John came to Jesus with their mother, asking Him to give them the best place in the kingdom, He did not refuse their request, but He told them it would be given to them if they could do His work, drink His cup, and be baptized with His baptism.
Do we want that kind of competition? The greatest things are always hedged about by the hardest things, and we, too, shall find mountains and forests and chariots of iron. Hardship is the price of coronation. Triumphal arches are not woven out of rose blossoms and silken cords, but of hard blows and bloody scars. The very hardships that you are enduring in your life today are given by the Master for the explicit purpose of enabling you to win your crown.
Do not wait for some ideal situation, some wild-eyed difficulty, some far-away emergency; but rise to meet the actual conditions which the Providence of God has placed around you today.
Your crown of glory lies embedded in the very heart of these things– those hardships and trials that are pressing you this very hour, week and month of your life. The hardest things are not those that the world knows of. Down in your secret soul unseen and unknown by any but Jesus, there is a little trial that you would not dare to mention that is harder for you to bear than martyrdom.
We become overcomers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The keeping of the commandments of God will yield in us an obedient spirit, and the service that is the offspring of such a spirit, God can accept {7BC 974.4}
Right there, in the very center of our trials, lies our crown.
To live and love like Jesus in the middle of our sorest trials.
May God help us all to overcome, and to one day wear it.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world FOR A WITNESS unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:14, KJV)
“as a mighty witness” Mat 24:14
Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly people everywhere are ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. Everyone diligently follows what is called ‘the news. Or some political or religious figure. But in humanity no suitable answer or expectation can be found. When Jesus comes, there will only be two classes of people on the earth. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord’s appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Savior’s coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times.-Fundamental Beliefs, 25
Jesus said that before he returns, the “gospel of the kingdom” would be preached throughout the world AS A WITNESS. (Mat 24:14) This was the disciples’ mission—and as Christ-followers today, it is also our mission now. The final evidence of the end times is the universal proclamation of the gospel AS A WITNESS to every nation, kindred, tribe, tongue, and people. Jesus talked about the gospel and the opposition to the gospel a lot, especially in Mathew 24.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Mat 24:3)
It is very interesting to note here that when the disciples asked Jesus this question Jesus had one overarching concern to convey to them and He replied:
“Take heed that no person deceive you.” (Mat 24:4)
From just looking at the Bible text here it appears that Jesus is trying to warn us that the biggest concern in the time of the end will be deception. That seems to be quite logical. The first casualty in any war is truth and as reflected here in Mat 24 and elsewhere there is a nasty battle going on between God and Satan. Between good and evil. Jesus’ first concern in this battle is that we do not let “any human” deceive us. This can only mean that Jesus wants us to get our gospel from a divine source. This can only mean that no human can better tell us what is truth than Jesus can. Jesus did allude to this when He said things like
“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” (John 14:6)
Jesus says he is the only way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this way is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, “Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to you!” As the way, Jesus is our path to the Father. As the truth, he is the reality of all God’s promises. As the life, he joins his divine life to ours, both now and eternally. Jesus is, in truth, the only living way to the Father. Jesus. Living Hope.
During the final stages of the battle between good and evil, there is but one way to defeat the devil and His goals. We read about it in Rev 12:11
They won the victory over him because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life so much that they refused to give it up. (Rev 12:11, GW)
The Secret of Overcoming Sin
We become overcomers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The keeping of the commandments of God will yield in us an obedient spirit, and the service that is the offspring of such a spirit, God can accept {7BC 974.4}
God’s people everywhere must have a personal testimony about “the blood of the Lamb” and what has happened in their life as a result of His shed blood. This verse tells us “they overcame the devil by the blood of the lamb and the Word of their testimony” about that shed blood. This is exactly why the apostle stated
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3)
What does a personal testimony look like, according to the Bible? We can view a very quick snapshot of the entire picture in the following
“…if any one is in Christ, that person is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up; for grace is not inherited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies. Those who are born again (John 3:3) unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature, (2 Pet 1:4) and in all their habits and practices they will give evidence of their relationship to Christ. When people who claim to be Christians retain all their natural defects of character and disposition, in what does their position differ from that of the worldling? They do not appreciate the truth as a sanctifier, as a refiner. They have not been born again because nothing is really changed. The Bible is clear. if anyone is in Christ, ALL THINGS become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
Jesus gives people no encouragement to think that He will accept a patchwork character, made up mostly of self, with a little of Christ. This is the condition of the Laodicean church. At first there seems to be some of self and some of Christ. But soon it is all of self and none of Christ. The root of selfishness is revealed. It continues to grow, striking its roots deeper and deeper, till its branches are covered with objectionable fruit. And Jesus did say “You will know them by their fruits.” (Mat 7:20) Christ looks with pitying tenderness on all who have combination characters. Those with such a character have a connection with Christ so frail that it is essentially worthless.
Jesus said in John 12:32 that if he was lifted up he would draw all people unto Himself. This could only mean the cross. its the only thing we can call “everlasting.” And when we have a personal walk and experience with Jesus, we will have a personal testimony.
The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light which streams from the cross of Calvary, and in connection with the wondrous, central truth of the Savior’s atonement. Those who study the Redeemer’s wonderful sacrifice grow in grace and knowledge.
Personal Testimony Work Sheet
1/ My Life Before I Accepted Christ:
Share this part of your testimony with people in order to identify with them:
“I needed help and I found it in Jesus.” (8T pg 321).
2/ How I Became A Christian:
Tell how it happened. if you were brought up in a Christian home, there was still some point at which you gave your life fully to Jesus. Your testimony may resolve around a particular answer to prayer or perhaps some victory in your life that has meant a lot to you; and that has made Jesus real to you:
“I found the Bible to be the Voice of God to my soul…” (8T pg 321)
3/ My Life Since I Became A Christian:
Tell how your personal life has changed. (not too personal). Talk about something that you now enjoy in your experience as a result of knowing Jesus.
“In Christ, the hunger of my soul has been satisfied…” (8T pg 321)
4/ In Summary:
of your Christian experience, try to use an appropriate Scripture verse that sums up your life, and that will be a precious Bible promise for whomever you may be giving your testimony to.
“So everyone may be able through their own experience to set their seal to this, that God is true.” (John 3:33, ARV).
“I believe in Jesus. Jesus is to me a divine Savior.” (8T pg 321).
Whoever accepts what he says has given proof that God speaks the truth. (John 3:33, ERV) If we are willing to do whatever God’s Word reveals to you, you will then know what is the truth. (John 7:17)
Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-denial. He sought not to attract people to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. {DA 179.4}
Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. No rivalry will mar the precious cause of the gospel. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, (John 12:32) and with Him humanity will be lifted up. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa 57:15. {DA 179.5}
You may be sure that a personal testimony will result as you pray the following, giving your heart, your life, to Jesus:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. (Psalms 51:1-13, ESV)
I “looked and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud” (Exodus 16:10).
“by the still waters”
I wondered why I felt strange this morning when I first got up. And then I realized that today is the fourth anniversary of my late wife’s death.
I started this post with a verse that tells us God is in the thick dark clouds of our experiences, even today. Now I would like to relate how I saw God in some of our darkest clouds, and share with you a small piece of our amazing story.
I have realized that somehow, no matter how bad things got, I never doubted her love for me, nor did she ever doubt my love for her. Because we always reminded one another of our love for each other. Every day.
I remember one time, in my typical humorous manner, I asked her:
“Hon, do you ever get sick of me saying I love you?”
To which she replied with a smile:
“No. Please tell me again hon.”
Later, when she could no longer respond, it was just me reminding her. I made a point of telling her each time I went into the room to do some aspect of her care. Or sometimes when I was just sitting with her, she would smile when I said it.
Exactly four years ago today she died in my arms, thus helping me to keep my promise to stay with her until the very end. I know many people who have serious regrets now because they did not say certain things to their lost loved ones. I have immense gratitude in my heart for our love story. Our experience. And how that love carried us both through all the way to the end. We wrote our own love story. No one else wrote it for us. Although there are a couple things I am sure we would both do a little differently, there are no regrets. Not one.
Enclosed is a picture of a pond where we used to go and watch the ducks. I even took her there sometimes in a wheel chair. Those were the most loving moments of our relationship. I would have great fun teasing her that she was interfering with my photography because she would always wrap her arms around me when we went there and it was impossible to take photographs of ducks or anything else when that was going on!
This pond was very important to us for it symbolized the kind of true love that is possible if people would choose it. It reminded us of the still mountain lake, where I often hiked, that runs so deep. In fact I called our love “still water love” because unlike the shallow rocky rivers that never stayed the same, the still mountain lake was steady, faithful, always there. Never failing or flowing away from us. We sometimes thought of how there are these two kinds of love. One, the shallow rocky river, undependable, fast moving, shallow, and hard to walk in, and flowing away from us. But, the still water kind of love, that runs so deep, well, nothing could interfere with it. I am guessing this is why the Bible says “God is love” and “Love never fails.” (1 John 4:8, 1 Cor 13:8)
I appreciate very much how the Book Of Heaven describes what I am talking about:
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalms 23:2)
Any disturbance or intruder scares sheep. Especially something like fast moving water. They are very fearful animals and cannot lie down unless all is quiet, and calm. But they are always totally secure by “still waters.” God’s provision of “still waters” has a soothing effect and calms the sheep. According to my experience in being a caregiver for 5 years with my late wife, Still Water Love runs deeper than death itself.
Our still water love ran so deep that even death could not erase it. And this is the “unspeakable gift” (2 Cor 9:15) that God has given to us all,in His Son Jesus Christ. I can imagine that it is called “unspeakable” because very few human words or thoughts could adequately describe this kind of love.
One small part of our love story happened during the last Christmas we had together. She was in hospital and so I made a full Christmas dinner for two with all the trimming and brought it to her in the hospital. Try as she might, she was unable to eat or drink any of it. But we toasted anyways and she seemed happy to watch me enjoy the dinner. I was starving after all that cooking! But at the end of it all, as I was putting things away into the coolers, she held my arm for a minute and said
“Hon, thank you. That was such a good dinner.”
That is how my human words would describe the kind of still water love I am talking about here.
In the 23rd Psalm we are lovingly reminded that God Himself desires to lead us to the still waters that are always available to us all.
“He leads me beside the still waters,” (Psalms 23:2)
As I said earlier, I can think of no regrets. I am happy that I chose God to shepherd my late wife and I to the green pastures, and the still waters where all can find true rest for the soul. The resurrection promise where we would see each other again was our “little light in every cloud.”
In my experiences, I have been finding new ways with each passing year to realize how our great Shepherd leads us to the green meadows and to the still water love where we know we are loved and where we find restoration by going the Shepherds way.
Never before was there such a general knowledge of Jesus as when He hung upon the cross. He was lifted up from the earth, to draw everyone to Him. Into the hearts of many who beheld that crucifixion scene, and who heard Christ’s words, was the light of truth to shine. With John they would proclaim:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Present there at the gruesome scene on Calvary were those who never rested until, searching the Scriptures and comparing passage with passage, they saw the meaning of Christ’s mission. They saw that free forgiveness was provided by Him whose tender mercy embraced the whole world. They read the prophecies regarding Christ, and the promises so free and full, pointing to the still water love that runs so deep.
In everyone who seeks for Still Water Love, we may behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we might be called the sons and daughters of God. This love, like the sacred fire on altars of old, burns on the altar of the heart today. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Jesus.
It is on the earth that His children are invited and enabled to choose, then reflect this still water love in their own, personal, lived experience. Thus all can be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God in all His glory. I saw Him there the day she died in my arms. When I put her down on the bed, she was white, still, quiet. She looked peaceful. After not being opened for weeks before she died, her eyes were wide open, and looking right at me. It seemed as though the very Light from Heaven was in that room then. It was so light that I couldn’t cry or react. I just stood there in amazement. Was this the last thing she did? To look at me? That would definitely be another example of “Still Water Love.”
Today, I can only exclaim:
“Amazing! The height and depth of the love of Christ. The deep mountain lake of His love stronger than death itself!”
My friends: still water love isn’t going anywhere. Unlike the shallow rocky rivers here in the mountains that flow away from us, the still waters of the deep mountain lake are always there, and even for the next relationships that we form later on.
Jesus said once “I, if I be lifted up will draw all people unto Me.” (John 12:32) Jesus, The Good Shepherd wants to lead us through all the dark clouds to the amazing heights and depths of His love. “herein is love, not that we loved God but that He first loved us and sent His Son to be our Still Water place. And I found that that “place” is actually a Person.
Behold what manner of love the father has given unto me and my late wife that we should not only be called but also treated like the children of God.(1 John 4:10, 1 John 3:1)
This concludes my personal story about the “unspeakable gift.” I have never doubted God’s love the whole time that I was her caregiver. Because in many ways similar to the above, God reminded me every day.
