December 29th

They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

Persecution is designed to make its victims feel powerless, helpless and hopeless. They are made to feel that they have no recourse or answer to their persecutors. Their actual persecutor is not a human being but Satan working through that person. This involves spiritual warfare, using spiritual weapons to fight through the powerless, helpless and hopeless feelings. Only spiritual warfare can produce victory over spiritual beings.

Satan uses the fear of torture and death as his ultimate weapon. The blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and the word of their testimony are the two spiritual weapons used to overcome Satan. Their testimony carried with it the seed of faith, and this made it powerful. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:1). God has given us the Word of God, our Bible, as an offensive weapon. This Word changed their hearts so that they could overcome their fear of death and give up their lives.