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In Revelation 12:10 we read of the accuser of the brethren being cast down, and in the next verse we read how Satan was overcome: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."
Evil days are upon us and one of our greatest needs is to know how to overcome the devil as he comes in repeated attacks against us. The shed blood of God's Calvary Son is the foundation of all our victory over Satan--but we must have the faith that enables us to bear testimony to the power of that precious blood.
In the Old Testament we see the types set forth in the shedding of the blood of bulls and goats, which could never take away sin. There was also the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb and the placing of that blood on the door posts and lintels of the houses with the blessed assurance that when God's judgment passed over Egypt it would pass over them (Ex. 12:13).
These types teach us many lessons about the great Antitype--our Lord Jesus Christ. But we will pass them by and study some of God's statements regarding the precious "blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (Heb. 12:24).
Christ's Purchased Possession
When we begin to understand what the blood of Jesus does for us, we will testify to the power of His blood, and shall thus have power continually to overcome the enemy. It is blessed to note that the blood of Jesus is the purchase price of our full salvation.
"Take heed...to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14).
"Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot" ( 1 Peter 1:18,19).
And the "new song" in Heaven is still the same, "Thou art worthy to take the book...for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5:9).
How Blest The Assurance!
As we read these "wonderful words of life" how blest is the assurance that we are not our own, but that we are "bought with a price," and that therefore we are called upon to glorify God in our body and in our spirit which are God's (1 Cor. 6:20).
For the same reason, because we are bought with a price, we are commanded not to be servants of men (1 Cor. 7:23). As we continually recognize the purchase price, and yield our whole lives to Him that bought us, He is able to work in and through us His own good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
God's Blood-Bound Promises
Oh, this blessed purchase price makes us free from sin and self, and from all forms of satanic bondage--free to serve our adorable Lord, and to show forth His praise.
Because of our being redeemed, we are able to experience the purifying power of the blood. We read in Revelation 1:5 an ascription of praise, "unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." This washing of the blood is also brought out in 1 John 1:7, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Peace Through The Blood
Do we feel troubled in any way? Look to the blood for He has "made peace through the blood of His Cross" (Col. 1:20). Also see Romans 5:9: "Being now justified by His blood." Do we feel far away from His blessed Presence? Look to the Blood for His Word tells us that we are "made nigh by the blood" (Eph. 2:13).
Do we hear God's call to lead a victorious, overcoming life, and realize the impossibility of doing this in our own strength? Look yet again to the blood, for we read, "Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate" (Heb. 13:12). To this place of companionship with Jesus we are also called: "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach" (Heb. 13:13).
See also Hebrews 10:19-22: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus...let us draw near."
Romans 3:25 tells us that God has set Christ forth "To be a propitiation through faith in His blood." Still more intimate is the relationship with our blessed Redeemer, as He teaches us that we must drink His blood and eat His flesh (through His quickening Word) in order to have His life dwelling in us.
Do we need healing for our bodies? Look to the blood, for with His stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). The costly medicine which heals our sick bodies is the blood which He shed on the Cross of Calvary.
We read in Matthew 8:16,17, "He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our...sicknesses." What a sure, blessed foundation for our healing! Since He bare my sicknesses I need not bear them. His bruising heals me.
Silencing The Enemy!
Thus we see that at every point we overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb of God! But the Word of God says, "and the word of their testimony." How can we so testify to the power of the blood that it will effectually silence and overcome our adversary, the devil? (1 Pet. 5:8,9).
First, we must remember that the blood has been carried into the most Holy Place by our blessed Redeemer Himself, and it is there where the Father always looks upon it. He says, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). He always sees it, and now we must ask Him to cause us always to see what He sees, the Blood of His dear Son.
As we see the blood with our spiritual vision, we shall understand that our victory comes through His blood. As we testify to this fact, God will work in us, spirit, soul and body--the life more abundant, the holiness, the health of Jesus! Satan will stand by our side to distract us, to persecute us, to keep us out of our rights, but we must not heed him; we must testify to the power of the blood of Jesus!
How many times I have testified in this way, "I testify to heaven, and to hell, to angels and to devils and to my own soul--that I do overcome the devil just now by the blood of the Lamb of God, according to that which is written!"
How many times I have realized that the enemy's power was completely broken because of my taking this firm stand on the authority of God's immutable Word and--in the all-powerful Name of Jesus, the Victor, I have resisted boldly the enemy, in the power of Jesus' great Name, and through the efficacy of His shed blood! Glory to our all-conquering Deliverer forever!
Our Redemption has already been purchased--by the Blood of Jesus! It is up to each and every one of us to APPROPRIATE that which our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has provided--bought--for us.
On His Cross, Jesus said, "IT IS FINISHED" (John 19:30). Let us accept ALL the Great Redemption--from sin and sickness--that He bought for us!
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