Revelation 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
When everything in this life is said and done, we will all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Only the ones who have their names written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” will be given eternal citizenship in the Kingdom of God; not by their good deeds but by the grace of God. Those who have not received the grace of God by putting their faith in Jesus will suffer forever in the lake of fire with the devil and his fallen angels. John wrote in Revelation 20:15, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Jesus taught in John 3:16-18 that the only difference between those who have everlasting life and those who perish is whether or not they believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. In other words, to not believe in Jesus is a sin just like murder and witchcraft. Some theologians believe unbelief was the root sin of Adam and Satan and thus it’s the only unforgiveable sin because as long as you have unbelief you are certain to suffer God’s wrath. John wrote in Revelation 21:8, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Notice how being “cowardly” and “unbelieving” is punishable with fire for eternity!
I write these things humbly and with the fear of God to proclaim to all who read this lesson- if you think letting the devil defeat you and not walking in faith is an option, then please remember the unbelieving and cowardly will have no excuse on Judgment Day.
All of us who are saved should consider the admonition Jesus gave the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:10, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
All faithful Christians are promised victory over the devil when they receive the blood of the Lamb, keep the word of their testimony and don’t shrink back from death (martyrdom).
May all who read this lesson be numbered with those in heaven that are given the eternal Kingdom of God. Let us not be cowardly and unbelieving, but rather have courageous faith and live a life of victory over the devil!
Reflection
Do you believe Jesus has made you victorious over the devil?
Action
- Repent if you are cowardly or unbelieving in any way. A wise person once said, “The first step to victory is to realize that Jesus already defeated the devil!” 1 John 3:8
- Keep your faith and testimony until you meet Jesus face-to-face.
- By faith, help others overcome the devil!
One Year Reading Plan
Daniel 7:1-28, 1 John 1:1-10, Psalm 119:153-176, & Proverbs 28:23-24. Click here to read online.
