We are told that during one of the most trying times in human history, believers will overcome the adversary and accuser by the blood of Jesus Christ, (Revelation 12:10-11). That overcoming life is possible because Jesus Christ has defeated the principalities and powers and rulers of darkness, triumphing over them in the cross, (Colossians 2:14-15). I want to talk to you about the greatest power that is able to not only help you through life’s difficulties, but is able to cause you to walk in victory. As soon as you put your trust in the blood of Jesus Christ, this “power of God” begins working in your life. The impact of this can be defined as the overcoming life.
1 John 5:4-5 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Our faith is established upon the finished work of Jesus Christ the Son of God. When Revelation 12 tells us “they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony,” we are seeing a strong expression of faith in Christ’s atoning, sanctifying and powerful blood. This is not limited to a stand we take when the enemy comes in against us and we take authority over him by the blood of Christ. This is kingdom authority that has been given to the heirs of salvation. Our testimony is “I have been redeemed by the blood of Christ!” “I am more than a conqueror by the blood of Christ!” “I am free from condemnation through the blood of Jesus Christ!” “I have been made righteous through the blood of Christ!” “I am living in victory through the blood of Jesus Christ!”
This must be more than a declaration of purpose, it must be a fact of our lives. This is not a goal but a position of power and covering in the blood of Christ. His blood has given us overcoming victory.
What has happened in us is a direct affront to everything that the adversary of our soul is attempting to do against us.
From before the moment that Adam and Eve transgressed against God, Satan has been attempting to gain the upper hand against anyone who puts their trust in God. When Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death, Satan lost authority and victory was gained for us by His blood.
Revelation 1:17-18 KJV And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
The Bible says: “Through death He has destroyed him that had the power of death that is the devil.” Our victory was gained by the blood of the Lamb.
This victory is threefold.
- It has been gained once for all.
- It is a progressive victory.
- We have a share in this victory.
First, the sinless Savior defeated Satan and gained the victory once for all time.
Jesus gained victory over sin and over Satan. The power of sin and death has been defeated. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ victory came. The victory that Christ gained was once and for all. It is an overcoming victory that does not have to be gained again.
In the book of Daniel, Michael the Archangel was in conflict with Satan.
He was interceding to God for the people of God against Satan. It appeared that the people of God were in a conflict they could not win. Things are different now.
Now, we have power to take a bold stand in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of His blood.
The blood of Jesus Christ has given us power over Satan. The old accuser does not even have the authority or right to accuse us, BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD. Since you are covered by the blood of Christ, Satan does not have access. You have been redeemed and cleansed by Christ’s blood. That is why you have been given authority to resist the devil and he must flee from you.
Romans 8:1-2 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Second, there is progressive victory that gains authority and power from Christ’s victory.
The heavenly victory that Christ has gained must be carried on down here. Revelation 12 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.”
As a born again blood cleansed believer, we have a privilege and duty to live in this victory.
Satan still continues the attack, but he cannot hurt the church of the living God, if we stand in the power of the blood. We have power over him through the blood of the Lamb. This is not automatic. We must take action.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” — is the determined action of believers.
This requires vigilance and perseverance. When the enemy comes in, you can stand in the power of the blood of Christ. When you take that stand and refuse to give up, Satan will consistently and continuously be defeated. The blood of the Lamb of God always gives us the victory.
There are three facts we must pay attention to in order to enjoy this progressive victory that is in Christ.
First, there can be no victory without conflict.
We dwell in the enemy’s territory. Satan has been cast down to the earth. He has great wrath because he has a short time. He is striking out at everything that is holy and godly. He tries to gain entrance into every area of our lives.
If we are going to share in the overcoming victory over Satan through the blood of the Lamb, we must be strong and mighty through God.
Satan is on a rampage to defeat us. He is devoted to kill, destroy, and defeat the Church. The world is already under the sway of the wicked one. Having done all to stand, we must continue standing. We must resist the devil steadfastly in the faith. If you persevere you will overcome.
We have a song of victory… “They overcame Him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” This is our anthem of victory.
Second, our victory is through faith.
1 John 5:4-5 NIV For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus said, “Be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
Satan the prince of the power of the air has already been defeated. He has absolutely nothing to say to the child of God. His only entrance against you is when you come out from under the blood covering. When we stand, live, and move in this faith and victory we will live in overcoming victory. This is why the word of our testimony is so important. Jesus is the Victor. We do not meet Satan in our strength or weakness. Jesus is the Victor. Satan has been cast down by Jesus. The blood of Jesus Christ has conquered Satan and we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Our faith is not merely a thought which we lay hold of. It is a conviction that possesses us. This faith brings us into direct contact with God.
Third, faith in the blood of Jesus Christ brings us under its power.
Faith in the blood of Jesus Christ quickens the power of His blood. We have an entrance into all that the blood has supplied. By His blood, we are made kings of power and priests of holiness to God. We have been given the KINGLY Spirit of an overcoming victor by the blood of Christ. We have a kingly courage through the blood of Christ. We have kingly power and victory through the blood of Christ.
Keep reminding yourself, Christ Jesus overwhelmingly defeated Satan and all of the principalities and powers of darkness.
Colossians 2:15 AMP God disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in the cross.
The triumph of the blood of the Lamb publicly defeated and disarmed the powers of evil and darkness.
Revelation 12:11 NKJV And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
There are two popular views of this word “by.”
First, they overcome by using the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, as a weapon.
Out of regard to the blood of the Lamb, we are impelled to take action. When we recognize the power of the blood, we take action. We proficiently use the weapon of the blood of Jesus Christ against evil. By the blood of Christ, the people of God prevail over all of the enemy’s accusations and attacks. We are encouraged to take action for the sake of the blood of Jesus Christ. We recognize Satan’s accusations for what they are and we take authority by the blood of Jesus Christ.
A second view of the word “by” is more in accordance with the general sense of Scripture.
They overcome “by” – on account of the blood and on the authority of the blood of the Lamb. They overcome “by” – because of the blood of Christ. They overcome “by” – by virtue of its having been shed. The blood of Jesus Christ has satisfied all of the charges against us and has provided us with the basis for victory. The blood of Jesus has given us everything that is necessary to defeat Satan’s attack. When Satan comes against you with accusation, he is not just coming against you, he is coming against the testimony of the blood of Jesus Christ.
This brings us to the third fact of our overcoming victory.
We have a share in the victory that Christ has gained.
When we are under attack, the enemy is coming against our testimony of Christ’s victory. The blood of Jesus that has been applied to your life has established an unassailable bond with the sovereign God.
1 John 4:4 NKJV You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Satan cannot separate you from God’s eternal and full resources.
The blood of Jesus has brought us into the overcoming life of victory.
You belong to God and have been made a partaker of Christ’s victory. God has declared us righteous and victorious through the blood of Jesus Christ.
