“overcame him by the blood of the Lamb”
(Open 12:11, NKJV)
In the previous two teachings we focused on the blood of Jesus which enables us to have a ministry of reconciliation. In this exploration we also discussed the age-old quandary of the sovereignty of God versus man’s free will and calling to dominion over the earth. An important verse which we need to consider in the light of this is Acts 3:21 – “Jesus must remain in heaven,” (GNB), “until the restoration of all things” (AGV) and the Darby translation which reads: “the times of the restoring of all things”. It is only when all things are prototypically reconciled with Christ (by reconciling all things through His blood) through the ministry of reconciliation, that Jesus can return. This will later be explained in more detail.
The second added advantage of Jesus’ blood is articulated in John 1:7 – “This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.”
We often understand the blood only in terms of personal redemption, as the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matt 24:14) first requires a form of personal action in our accepting (John 1:12) of the blood of Jesus. But this Scripture makes it clear that it also has a certain bearing on our collective walk of faith. If we walk together in the light, this is the basis of our communion with one another, a scenario in which the blood cleanses us from all our sins. We know from Acts 20:28 that Paul warns the elders and the church that all must look after themselves, but also after “all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood”. Not only are we called to forgive one another’s sins (Col 3:13), but we are also taught that love covers a manifold of sins (1 Pet 4:8). John 20:23 does however have very important implications with regard to this matter – “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
It is very important to realize that your right to the blood of Jesus implies that you will forgive those who have sinned against you (Matt 6:12; 18:21-27). “Forgive others, and God will forgive you,” Jesus said (Luk 6:37, CEV).
The third advantage of the blood of Jesus is found in Rev 12:11 – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.” The him spoken of here is “the Devil and Satan” (verse 9). The mightiest weapon to be used against him is the blood of Jesus. This the trump card of all spiritual warfare, not delving into Satan’s depths (Rev 2:24). All that is needed to overcome Satan is encapsulated in the blood of Jesus. Please sela! (Later, when discussing the altar of incense, we will examine this more thoroughly.)
- Sela: What are the implications of this third advantage of the blood of Jesus for your life?
- Read: Lev 18; Hag 2; Isa 58
- Memorise: Isa 58:6-14
- For a deeper understanding: Read Chuck D Pierceand Rebecca Wagner Systema’s Protecting your home from spiritual darkness and ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance in understanding how the demonic mythology developed over time within spiritual communities. Why aren’t we just using the most powerful weapon that Jesus has made available?
