How do we overcome the enemy of the kingdom of God and of God’s children? Let us take a look and see what Scripture says,
“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.” (Revelation 12:11) During the Tribulation, the saints will have things much harder than we have them now. Not only will there be opposition that puts their physical lives in danger, but there will be psychological and spiritual opposition against them as well. The Satanic and demonic influences that may trouble us now will be much greater during the time of the Tribulation. Even so, the saints will overcome their enemy, the Devil, the accuser of the brethren, with two things – the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
Today, we overcome bombardment from the devil in the same way as the saints will do it in the tribulation. Jesus spoke these encouraging words in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We have overcoming power because we have Jesus, and Jesus has overcome the world. Satan will be defeated because Jesus will defeat him. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross, and Satan’s final demise will also come at the hand of Jesus. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Romans 16:20)
Victory comes through Jesus Christ and by the use of the word of God. Consider the following verses.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:57)
“3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:3-5) The weapons that God gives us are strong enough to bring even our thoughts into obedience to Christ.
Ephesians 6:12-18 lists the weapons that God has given us, “12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:12-18)
Who overcomes the world? Who can fight against the wiles of the devil? Who has this overcoming power? Those who know Jesus as their Savior. I John 5:5 says, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Because we believe in Jesus, He dwells within us. I John 4:4 says “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Now we must always be on guard, always ready for the wiles and attacks of Satan. But there is coming a day when Satan will be defeated and cast down for the last time. Revelation 20:10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” That will be a time of great joy for God’s people because after that the tabernacle of God will be with men “and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 20:3-7) What a happy day that will be when we will see our Father face to face! “3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:3-5)
As Christians we have overcoming power because we have Jesus and Jesus has overcome the world. We have hope while the battle is still raging, and we have hope when the battle is done. We have hope – hope for this world and for the next and for all of eternity.