After the sign of the dragon and his two minions, John saw a visions in heaven, midheaven, and on earth. With these, we are assured that those who underwent the pressures of the tribulation make it safely to heaven, the reprobate on the earth stubbornly proceed to their demise, and the wrath of God assuredly comes upon the world as a result. All of this challenges us to be sure that we are overcomers, those who live the converted life, who fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him who made heaven and earth.
An overcomer is the one who follows Christ and holds fast to Him to the very end. In this section of Revelation where the activity of Satan is detailed, we discover how the saints (overcomers) will resist the Devil and enter into glory. The overcomers of the church age are no different in their perseverance and faith, and we exhibit a faith no different than they.
Jesus calls everyone to learn what it means to follow Him. You must deny yourself and take up your cross to follow Him. Jesus Himself has blazed the trail for us to follow in His footsteps.
Biblical love is command-driven rather than feeling-driven. In other words, it is a response to God's commands rather than a self-centeredness. Moreover, it is not biblical until it has been exercised.
Satan fights against the saints. Even though the tribulation is still in the future, he is not dormant today. He actively schemes to destroy souls. Be sober minded and resist him.
Jesus calls the crowd and His disciples to follow Him. Do you wish to come after Jesus? You must be ready to give up your life in order to follow Him.
Jesus died not only to redeem us from sin but also to transform us into people who are eager to do good works that glorify God (Titus 2:14). While salvation is a free gift of grace and not earned by works (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9), God delights in our good deeds when they serve others and meet real needs (Titus 3:14, Hebrews 13:16). Through Christ, we are empowered to live passionately for God’s glory, letting our actions shine as a testimony of His goodness (Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Jesus died to reconcile us to God, restoring the relationship that sin had broken. Our sins separated us from Him, making us His enemies (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 8:7-8). Yet, while we were still lost, God removed His judgment by sending Jesus to suffer in our place (Isaiah 53:5-6). Through His death, we are no longer under God’s wrath but are made right with Him, and through His life, we are assured of our future salvation and eternal glory (Romans 5:9-10).
Jesus gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the deception of this present evil age. Satan blinds people to the gospel, using the world’s lies and temptations to keep them in sin (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). But Jesus’ death was His victory over Satan, breaking his hold and freeing us from sin and the fear of death (John 12:31-32, Hebrews 2:14-15). As believers, we must reject the world’s false wisdom and follow Christ, whose cross brings true freedom and salvation to all who believe (1 Corinthians 3:18-19, 1 Corinthians 1:23-24).
King Herod began arresting Christians to hurt them, because he saw that it pleased the Jews. He had James, the brother of John killed and then arrested Peter too. But God protects Peter through the prayers of the saints. What does God do when Herod enjoys people’s praises that should only go to God?
Cornelius was a God-fearing man. But, he was a Gentile! Would God save the Gentiles just like He did the Jews?
Saul, who had heartily approved of Stephen’s death continued to be a man who wanted kill Christians. But, as he was on his way to capture them in Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and stopped him in his tracks. Saul completely changes!
