We usually hear this passage quoted out of context. People love to quote the first part of verse 11 like this…
“ they overcame him because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony”

In the original Greek— the whole verse-and thought—contains the Greek word Kai 3 times— not 2. It is a conjunction that means (and).
The last part of the verse is usually cut off because it makes us uncomfortable. But we are missing an important part of the context. Here is the part that is usually left out:

“and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”

The truth in context is responding not only to the physical threats of Satan in the previous verses—- but the fact that in Christ we have died to our “old self”. If we stay in the truth of our new identity— born again and alive in Christ- eternally (by our testimony of and conviction to salvation through the blood of the Lamb), it cancels every accusation of the enemy.

Therefore, even the penalty of sin — death— has already been defeated— along with the fear of death. This empowers us to stand for and in Christ in the face of death for the sake of His name. There is so much more—

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

(And) they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb (and) because of the word of their testimony, (and) they did not love their life even when faced with death.”
Revelation‬ ‭12:10-11‬ ‭NASB‬‬

(Scripture emphasis is my own, photo from one of my trips to Israel — Aquaducts of Caesarea Maritima)

I have wrestled in prayer these last few days— heart breaking as tears traced my cheeks. My guts churned in horror as I watched the video of a black man suffocated on the street at the knee of a wicked hate filled white man in a police uniform. To see the pain, death and destruction from evil prejudice, racism, violent riots and lawlessness– is just overwhelming.

The real issue swirling around us is not just racism, but sin. Sin is the issue. Disgusting racism, brutality, and injustice are the fruit of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. This demonic rot spreads and feeds on selfishness and pride. Sin entered humanity when Eve believed a lie about God and her God-breathed identity. She let satan convince her that God and his love could not be trusted and that she was less than. She doubted that she was perfectly loved and made in the image of God. Hurt and pride led her to steal the fruit of the forbidden tree. Adam passively joined her and the poisonous rancid fruit of sin quickly spread as a deadly plague infecting– corrupting their hearts, minds, bodies and everything around them.

I have deeply repented for the hidden prejudice, rebellion and self righteousness in my own heart. I will never understand the pain and struggle of what it means to be black in America. My cries are for Holy Spirit to consume my heart with God’s love so that all I say and do brings the Kingdom of God– not the Kingdom of darkness. My pastor friend Lori Slaughter said recently, “repentance is not just asking for forgiveness, it is turning from the lies you believed about God that lead you to sin”. The book of Hebrews puts it this way, “let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” Heb 12:1-2

This is the kind of repentance that is needed to defeat the plague of racism. Change needs to start in us and through us in order to change our world. This is a heart issue that started back in the garden and is seen throughout history. It is not just an American curse– it is the curse of human nature. Protests won’t change it—riots definitely won’t change it–throwing out the police won’t change it— and new politicians won’t change it. Only the Spirit of God— only Jesus can change and redeem the hearts of sinful wicked humans.

Jesus clearly modeled what our response to this crisis should look like. We should refuse to let the world’s systems and media tell us how we should think– or feel or act. We should not be bullied into taking a side between two worldly answers. As His followers, we are not to align ourselves with the world’s movements and hashtags. Especially if they promote violence or support those who steal– kill and destroy. Jesus already started a movement against racism— it’s called the Kingdom of God. If we claim to follow Christ, that is the only hashtag we should be aligning ourselves with. We are called higher.

Let’s be clear—it is not racist or uncaring to say “all lives matter”– Jesus spoke and acted in a way that would wholeheartedly confirm that statement. God loved his precious created world so much that He sent His only son Jesus TO DIE so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. The sacrificial life of love that Jesus invites us to is so radical–so beyond just standing in solidarity against injustice. He called us to sacrifice our own lives for the sake of others– not sacrifice others for our own sake. This kind of supernatural love values, respects and honors EVERY PERSON– every unique and beautiful person– no matter the color of the skin– or nationality, age or gender.

Jesus shattered the racism and classism of His day– eating with tax-collectors and drunkards. Allowing a broken sinful women– considered unclean by the religious leaders— to wash His feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair. Touching those labeled untouchable– unworthy– less than. One of His most scandalous acts came at Jacob’s well in Samaria.

The Jews and Samaritans despised each other. The Jews considered them mixed breeds who practiced a counterfeit version of Judaism. They called them unclean “dogs”. Less than humans. According to Jewish tradition, a Rabbi would never speak with a woman in public! A Jew would never accept a drink from a Samaritan’s cup. But Jesus tore down all those barriers on that day. He modeled love for His disciples as they stood with their mouths hanging open and eyes popping in unbelief.

Jesus did not hashtag a selfie with her– #samaritanlivesmatter. He did not stand in solidarity or patronize her. He did not organize a protest at the temple. He saw her and loved her as the unique and beautiful person– individual– that she was. He did not offer her pity– but living water! The living water Jesus offers creates something life-giving in the heart of the one who drinks it. He offered her the Kingdom of God– not what the kingdoms of this world had to offer.

The disciples learned something deeper in that moment. Jesus showed them that something greater was at stake. Bringing people into the Kingdom of God was the urgent priority. His redemption of a single Samaritan woman led to a shift in the spirit realm that changed a village– and the hearts of his racist disciples.

Jesus and the disciples spent two days in Samaria— something neither the disciples nor the Samaritans would have ever dreamed of. The story ends with these amazing words,
“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony.”
And many more believed because they encountered the redeeming love of Jesus for themselves.

As followers of Jesus, we should stand against injustice and against the evils of racism– but we are also called to more– something higher. We have the very answers to the chaos and hatred in our world. We have a mission that we should be more preoccupied with. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-19)

If we actually spent our lives doing that, we would see God bring real change to our hearts and culture. I confess–I am guilty of not living wholeheartedly– sacrificially for this mission. I repent and choose to run after Jesus. I choose to live this mission of sacrificial love from this day forward– in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit! I refuse to let the world dictate any longer how I see and respond to people.

#bringthekingdomofgod