Revelation 12:11; They Overcame Him

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Revelation 12:11 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. 

Satan is completely vanquished and overthrown. Never again will his accusations, just or unjust, be listened to in the courts of heaven. The three elements in victory over Satan are emphasised in v11 – the blood of the Lamb, the word of testimony, and the willingness to sacrifice. The precious blood of Christ is the ground and means of victory. Through His blood we have boldness before God, which in turn produces boldness before men. The testimony is prophetic. The willingness to die challenges the devil to do the worst, since a glorious resurrection awaits all who hazard their lives for Christ’s sake.

[Herbert Lockyer, All About the Second Coming, Hendrickson, 2007, 104]

John presents a picture that portrays the redeemed people of God—a picture that is not limited by chronological time. He is concerned with the past but at the same time with the present and future. So he writes in the past tense as if all God’s children have already entered into glory. John writes confidently about the victory of the saints even though the time of Christ’s return has not yet come. On the other hand, countless multitudes have already been victorious and are now with the Lord. They claim victory with Christ on the basis of his shed blood that has redeemed them from sin and set them free from Satan’s accusations. They are “more than conquerors through him who loved [them],” for the Lord Jesus Christ gives them the victory (Rom. 8:37; 1 Cor. 15:57).

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks beto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

John’s perspective is not from earth—still without victory — to heaven, but rather from heaven—triumphant in victory—to earth. He sees the triumph of Christ with all the heavenly saints who overcame Satan and share in that victory. Whereas Satan seeks to accuse the saints on earth day and night, the saints in heaven sing God’s praises day and night in thankfulness for their redemption.

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 364). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Amen.