And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
11. by the blood ] More literally because of the blood and because of the word.
they loved not their lives ] St Joh 12:25, St Luk 14:26 are the closest parallels among the similar sayings of our Lord. Here, as in all of them, the word for “life” is that elsewhere rendered “soul” not the same as that used for “life eternal” in St John, l.c.
unto the death ] They carried the temper of not loving life (not only to the renunciation of life’s joys, but) even to death.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And they overcame him – That is, he was foiled in his attempt thus to destroy the church. The reference here, undoubtedly, is primarily to the martyr age and to the martyr spirit; and the meaning is, that religion had not become extinct by these accusations, as Satan hoped it would be, but lived and triumphed. By their holy lives, by their faithful testimony, by their patient sufferings, they showed that all these accusations were false, and that the religion which they professed Was from God, and thus in fact gained a victory over their accuser. Instead of being themselves subdued, Satan himself was vanquished, and the world was constrained to acknowledge that the persecuted religion had a heavenly origin. No design was ever more ineffectual than that of crushing the church by persecution, no victory was ever more signal than what was gained when it could be said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
By the blood of the Lamb – The Lord Jesus – the Lamb of God. See the notes at Rev 5:6; compare the notes on Joh 1:29. The blood of Christ was that by which they were redeemed, and it was in virtue of the efficacy of the atonement that they were enabled to achieve the victory. Compare the notes on Phi 4:13. Christ himself achieved a victory over Satan by his death (see the Col 2:15 note; Heb 2:15 note), and it is in virtue of the victory which he thus achieved that we are now able to triumph over our great foe.
I ask them whence their victory came.
They, with united breath,
Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,
Their triumph to his death.
And by the word of their testimony – The faithful testimony which they bore to the truth. That is, they adhered to the truth in their sufferings, they declared their belief in it, even in the pains of martyrdom; and it was by this that they overcame the great enemy – that is, by this that the belief in the gospel was established and maintained in the world. The reference here is to the effects of persecution and to the efforts of Satan to drive religion from the world by persecution. John says that the result as he saw it in vision was, that the persecuted church bore a faithful testimony to the truth, and that the great enemy was overcome.
And they loved not their lives unto the death – They did not so love their lives that they were unwilling to die as martyrs. They did not shrink back when threatened with death, but remained firm in their attachment to their Saviour, and left their dying testimony to the truth and power of religion. It was by these means that Christianity was established in the world, and John, in the scene before us, saw it thus triumphant, and saw the angels and the redeemed in heaven celebrating the triumph. The result of the attempts to destroy the Christian religion by persecution demonstrated that it was to triumph. No more mighty power could be employed to crush it than was employed by the Roman emperors; and when it was seen that Christianity could survive those efforts to crush it it was certain that it was destined to live forever.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
NOTES ON CHAP. XII., BY J. E. C.
Verse 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb] Here is given the reason why the followers of Christ prevailed at this time against all their adversaries. It was because they fought against the dragon in the armour of God. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb-by proclaiming salvation to sinners through Christ crucified, and by their continual intercession at the throne of grace for the conversion of the heathen world.
And by the word of their testimony] By constantly testifying against the errors and follies of mankind.
And they loved not their lives unto the death.] They regarded not their present temporal estate, but even gladly delivered up their lives to the fury of their persecutors, and thus sealed the truth of what they spake with their blood.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And they overcame him; Michael and his angels, mentioned Rev 12:7, overcame the dragon and his angels: the Christians overcame the pagans.
By the blood of the Lamb: some translate here, propter, because of, as denoting the meritorious cause, which is true; for Christs blood was both the meritorious and exemplary cause of their victory. But this will not agree with the usage of the term in the next words. Others therefore rather choose to translate it, by, as denoting the efficient cause, whether principal (as was the blood of the Lamb) or instrumental.
And by the word of their testimony; as was their preaching, and professing the gospel.
And they loved not their lives unto the death; and by their patient bearing the cross, not shunning the danger of death, that they might preach Christ, and own his truths, and live up to the holy rule of his gospel.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. theyemphatic in theGreek. “They” in particular. They and they alone.They were the persons who overcame.
overcame (Rom 8:33;Rom 8:34; Rom 8:37;Rom 16:20).
him (1Jn 2:14;1Jn 2:15). It is the same victory(a peculiarly Johannean phrase) over Satan and the world which theGospel of John describes in the life of Jesus, his Epistle in thelife of each believer, and his Apocalypse in the life of the Church.
by, c.Greek(dia to haima accusative, not genitive case, as EnglishVersion would require, compare Heb9:12), “on account of (on the ground of) the blood ofthe Lamb”; “because of”; on account of and by virtueof its having been shed. Had that blood not been shed, Satan’saccusations would have been unanswerable; as it is, that blood meetsevery charge. SCHOTTGENmentions the Rabbinical tradition that Satan accuses men all days ofthe year, except the day of atonement. TITTMANNtakes the Greek “dia,” as it often means, outof regard to the blood of the Lamb; this was the impelling causewhich induced them to undertake the contest for the sake ofit; but the view given above is good Greek, and more inaccordance with the general sense of Scripture.
by the word of theirtestimonyGreek, “on account of the word of theirtestimony.” On the ground of their faithful testimony, even untodeath, they are constituted victors. Their testimony evinced theirvictory over him by virtue of the blood of the Lamb. Hereby theyconfess themselves worshippers of the slain Lamb and overcome thebeast, Satan’s representative; an anticipation of Re15:2, “them that had gotten the victory over the beast”(compare Rev 13:15; Rev 13:16).
untoGreek,“achri,” “even as far as.” They carriedtheir not-love of life as far as even unto death.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,…. The Lord Jesus Christ, by whose blood they were redeemed and ransomed out of the hands of Satan, that was stronger than they; and by which they were justified from all sin, and so all charges and condemnation were of no avail against them, whether of Satan or the world; and by which they were cleansed from all pollution, both internal and external; and by which even their conversation garments were washed and made white; by this they also, drew nigh to God with boldness, as to their own God, notwithstanding the accusations of Satan; and this they could, and did make use of as a shield to defend them against all his charges; and this being sprinkled upon them, as it gave them an inward conscience peace amidst all, so it was their security from the destroying angel; and under this purple covering they went triumphantly to glory, having through it obtained an entire conquest over Satan: as also
and by the word of their testimony; either by Christ, the essential Word, they bore record of, who is sharper than any twoedged sword, and through whom they were made more than conquerors; or rather by the use they made of the Scriptures of truth, the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to which they bore a faithful testimony, and to which they adhered, and by so doing gained the victory over Satan and his instruments, whether false teachers or persecutors; and particularly by the Gospel, which they embraced, professed, and preached with constancy and courage, and by their last testimony they bore to it at their death, on the account of it, as it follows:
and they loved not their lives unto the death; they did not value them; they made no account of them; they were not anxiously careful to preserve them; they chose to lose them; they ran to the stake, and willingly and cheerfully laid them down; they did not count them dear unto them, as said the Apostle Paul, that they might finish their course with joy, and testify the Gospel of the grace of God, or bear a testimony to it, Ac 20:24; yea, as Christ has directed,
Lu 14:26; they hated their lives in comparison of him, and when in competition with him and his Gospel; and by dying thus they conquered Satan; had they loved their lives, and saved them by denying Christ and his truths, Satan would have conquered them; but dying in the cause of Christ, and for it, they got the victory over him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They overcame him ( ). First aorist active indicative of , the verb used by Jesus of his own victory (Joh 16:33) and about him (Rev 3:21; Rev 5:5). “The victory of the martyrs marks the failure of Satan’s endeavours” (Swete).
Because of the blood of the Lamb ( ). As in Rev 1:5; Rev 5:6; Rev 5:9; Rev 7:14. The blood of Christ is here presented by as the ground for the victory and not the means, as by in Rev 1:5; Rev 5:9. Both ideas are true, but with the accusative gives only the reason. The blood of Christ does cleanse us from sin (John 1:29; 1John 1:7). Christ conquered Satan, and so makes our victory possible (Luke 11:21; Heb 2:18). “Thus the Lamb is the true (like Michael) of the New Israel, its (1Jo 2:1)” (Swete).
Because of the Word of their testimony ( ). The same use of , “because of their testimony to Jesus” as in John’s own case in 1:9. These martyrs have been true to their part.
They loved not their life even unto death ( ). First aorist active indicative of . They did resist “unto blood” ( Heb 12:4) and did not put their own lives before loyalty to Christ. There is a direct reference to the words of Jesus in Joh 12:25 as illustrated also in Mark 8:35; Matt 10:39; Matt 16:25; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33. Paul’s own example is pertinent (Acts 21:13; Phil 1:20). Jesus himself had been “obedient unto death” (Php 2:8). These martyrs seem to be still alive on earth, but their heroism is proleptically pictured.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Overcame [] . See on 1Jo 2:13.
By the blood of the Lamb [ ] . The preposition dia with the accusative signifies on account of. Hence Rev., correctly, because of : in virtue of the shedding of that blood. Similarly in the succeeding clause, “because of the word of their testimony.” For lamb, see on ch. Rev 5:6.
Testimony [] . See on Joh 1:7.
They loved not their life even unto death. Alford, correctly, “they carried their not – love of their life even unto death.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And they overcame him,” (kai autoi enikesan auton) and they overcame (they conquered) him,” those accused by Satan before God, against whom Satan brought accusations in the presence of God. They kept on serving God on earth in spite of Satan’s testings on earth and accusations against them to God, Rev 3:21.
2) “By the blood of the Lamb,” (Idia to haima tou arniou) “because of the blood of the Lamb,” not because of natural birth, piety, morality, good works, baptism, or other religious ceremonies or deeds, but by, through and because of the blood of the Lamb, faith in which and in whom brought them victory, Rom 3:25; Rev 5:9-10.
3) “And by the word of their testimony,” (kai dia ton logon tes marturias auton) “and (through) because of the word of their testimony or their witness,” Mal 3:16-17; 2Co 5:10; Heb 11:4-5.
4) “And they loved not their lives,” (kai ouk egapesan ten psuchen auton) “and they loved not their life,” did not love, in priority their own lives, their own necks, more than Christ, His word, His church, and His work, Mar 8:34-38; Mat 16:24-27.
5) “Unto the death,” (achri thanatou) “even to (until) death, Rev 2:10; 2Ti 4:7-8; 1Co 15:58.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(11) And they overcame him . . .Better, And they conquered him (not by, but) on account of the blood of the Lamb, and on account of the word of their testimony, &c. They overcame himi.e., the accuser, the devil: their victory over him is owing to the blood of the Lamb. Who is he that condemneth, when Christ hath died? What power can the accusations of the adversary have when the Lamb of God hath taken away the sin of the world (Joh. 1:29), and when we have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus? (Heb. 10:19.) Dean Alford mentions the tradition that Satan accuses men all days of the year except on the Day of Atonement. But their victory is also in virtue of the word of their testimony: in virtue of the word to which they bore witness; not simply, I think, because they had a word of God to which they could bear witness, but because they had a word of God and did bear witness to it. The Christian victory is a victory of dependence and of obedience: of dependence on Him without whom they can do nothing; and of obedience to Him: it is in keeping of His commandments there is great reward: and in bearing testimony that the testimony becomes a power and a treasure. So it was the man who did Christs commandments who was like the man whose house was founded on the rock. Theoretical religion relaxes the energy of faith, even though it may brace the intellect; practical religion invigorates faith, gives it its force, and moulds the heroism of those who, in their love of Christ, love not their lives even unto death. It is thought that these last words imply that the martyred saints alone are spoken of. This seems to me a mistake. It is true that in the martyr we have the fullest practical token of that spirit of devotion to Christ which loves Him more than life itself; but the spirit of such devotion and such love has breathed in thousands who have never died the martyrs death, but who have devoted their lives to Him they loved. The martyr spirit needs not death to show itself; many lose their lives for Christs sake who have never been called to lay down their lives for Him, and these, as truly as those who have passed away in the shroud of flame, have loved not their lives unto the death. He may bid us die for Him: He does bid us live for Him. If we do not the onethe lesswe may be quite sure that we shall never rise to the otherthe higher and the more glorious (Dr. Vaughan).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. They overcame him For Michael’s victory was their victory; since they are the literal of whom the woman was symbol. And this victory on earth Christians won by faith in the blood of the Lamb, as well as by their unshrinking testimony against the idols and for Christ. They loved not ( or, as Alford well puts it, they carried their not-love of life) unto death They so persisted in not loving life as to attain martyrdom.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Rev 12:11 . . That the refers to . ., and, therefore, those accused by the dragon ( . , Rev 12:10 ), but not the angel Michael (Rev 12:7 ), are here represented as those who have conquered [3136] the dragon, results not only from the words in themselves, which do not allow an immediate reference of the to a subject in Rev 12:7 , but also from the manner of the conflict and the victory indicated, which does not at all agree with what is described in Rev 12:7 . [3137] From the identity of those accused in Rev 12:10 , and contending in Rev 12:11 , it does not follow, however, that the idea of is: “They have won the case against him,” as Beng. [3138] wishes; but the idea of the here is the same as everywhere in the Apoc., which regards every kind of temptation which Satan has prepared for believers as a mighty conflict, [3139] and therefore every confirmation of faith as a victory over the arch-enemy. [3140] On the fundamental conception, 1Jn 2:13-14 , is to be compared, although, as the form, so also the reference there is different. The perf. describes the life of faith then existing in Christian young men, as having for its foundation the victory obtained over the wicked one by faith itself; the aor. , however, by placing the victory over Satan as a definite fact entirely in the past, is said by a prolepsis similar to that whereby, in Rev 7:9 sqq., believers are beheld in a proleptical vision after the victory has been won. [3141] In fact, the is applicable not until the conflict lasting unto death, requiring the surrender of life in fidelity to the cause, [3142] is actually fought through, and the garment washed in the blood of the Lamb [3143] has been kept pure in spite of all the temptations and persecutions on the part of Satan. But although the worshippers know that the conflict against the dragon still in reality impends over their brethren on earth, [3144] yet they can celebrate the victory of believers as one already gained, because the victory won over Satan in heaven [3145] has rendered him an overcome enemy also to believers on earth. Since thus the victory still in fact to be won by believers to which properly all the consolatory language of the Apoc. refers is celebrated by these heavenly voices as already obtained, the strongest encouragement is given believers. Hence Rev 12:11 appears not as a “digression,” [3146] but is in every respect appropriate.
, . . . On account of the with the accus., the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony of believers appears not as the means ( with gen.), but as the reason or cause on account of which the victory is won. This form of the presentation is no less suitable than the former; [3147] but in the first member . . , the latter corresponds much more accurately with the inner connection, sustained by Rev 12:11 , to what precedes. Entirely analogous is the relation in Rev 3:21 between the , . . . , and the , . . . The victory of believers on earth is based upon the victory won over Satan in heaven; the peculiar truth, however, in what is reported from Rev 12:7 on, and in the closest connection with Rev 12:5 , that, viz., which, beneath the shell of the occurrences beheld, must be properly understood as the actual cause of the victory for believers on earth, is Christ’s victory over Satan. This victory the Lamb has won over the dragon by shedding his blood. The blood of the Lamb is therefore the cause of the victory of believers. [3148] In the same way the statement is added: . Here we would expect the gen., because the testimony given by believers presents itself most simply as the means whereby they conquer. De Wette is inclined to assume this mode of representation by “a sort of zeugma,” which he tries to maintain in the . But the with the accus. has its complete justification, because the word of the testimony of believers, like the blood of the Lamb, can appear as the objective ground of their victory, since it is the word of the testimony given by believers with all fidelity even unto death, [3149] yet, also, at the same time, the word of such testimony as believers have previously received, which they now have as the condition of their victory beyond and above themselves. [3150] Thus the word of testimony has also an objective side, according to which it appears, like the blood of the Lamb, as the ground, not as the means, of their victory; while, on the other hand, the blood of the Lamb can be considered the actual ground of the victory only when the subjective side, viz., the believing participation in this blood, or the being washed thereby, [3151] is kept in mind.
, . . . The not loving their souls, i.e., readiness to surrender life replacing . [3152] As faithful witnesses, therefore, they suffered death, and just by this, like the Lord himself, won the victory. [3153]
[3136] Beng., Ew., De Wette, Hengstenb., Ebrard.
[3137] Cf. the closing words of Rev 12:11 .
[3138] Cf. Rom 3:4 .
[3139] Cf. Rev 12:17 .
[3140] Rev 15:2 . Cf., in general, the in the epistle, chs. 2, 3.
[3141] When Klief. here opposes a prolepsis, this must be taken together with the fact, that, understanding the woman (Rev 12:1 ) as Christianity of the last times, i.e., of believers mentioned in Rev 12:11 , purified by suffering, he finds in the entire vision a representation of actual circumstances and events of the end. In this sense, he considers, e.g., the victory of Michael (Rev 12:7 ) as the execution of the moral victory previously gained by believers (Rev 12:11 ).
[3142] Cf. close of Rev 12:11 .
[3143] Cf. Rev 7:4 .
[3144] Cf. Rev 12:12 , and, besides, Rev 12:17 .
[3145] Rev 12:7 sqq.
[3146] De Wette.
[3147] Against De Wette.
[3148] Utterly preposterously Ew. rationalizes by remarking on the . . . .: “By Christianity established by Christ’s death, which was also an example to them.”
[3149] This is the meaning of the with . . . .
[3150] Cf. Rev 12:17 .
[3151] Cf. Rev 7:14 , Rev 1:5 ; Var. Lect .
[3152] Cf. Rev 2:10 ; Phi 2:8 .
[3153] Cf. Rev 3:21 , Rev 1:18 , Rev 5:5 , Rev 6:9 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
DISCOURSE: 2513
HOW SATAN IS TO BE VANQUISHED
Rev 12:11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.
THE establishment of Christianity, whether in the world at large, or in the souls of individuals, is, by means of a warfare, carried on between the god of this world, and the God of heaven and earth. Such is the representation given of it in our text. There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth: and his angels were cast out with him [Note: ver. 79.]. By this I understand, that whilst our blessed Lord sought, by means of faithful ministers and active saints, to establish his kingdom upon earth, the devil, through the agency of persecuting emperors, and idolatrous priests, and heathen philosophers, laboured to the uttermost to counteract this gracious design. During the three first centuries the conflict was severe: but at last the Lord Jesus prevailed, so that Christianity, under Constantine, became established through the Roman empire, and idolatry was in a great measure destroyed. Then was heard in heaven a loud voice, saying, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night: and they over-came him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death; that is, this victory was gained, not by the sword, but by the faith of believers, the fidelity of ministers, and the constancy of all.
The words which we have taken for our consideration at this time belong more particularly to believers, who maintained their steadfastness, and were useful in the diffusion of the truth, by the simple exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were accused before magistrates continually, through the influence of Satan; but they overcame their great adversary by the blood of the Lamb.
Let us consider
I.
The character of the adversary with whom we have to contend
He is called the accuser of the brethren: and this name justly belongs to him at the present day: for he accuses all the Lords people,
1.
To God himself
[We are told how repeatedly and how confidently he accused Job [Note: Job 1:9-11; Job 2:4-5.]: and that, when Joshua the high-priest stood before the angel of the Lord, Satan stood at his right hand to resist him [Note: Zec 3:1-2.], To the same effect, in the words immediately before our text, it is said, He accused the saints before God day and night. How far that wicked fiend may be permitted to prosecute his impious course in the presence of the Most High, we will not undertake to say: but whatever efforts he made in former days, he uses still: and by whatever means he sought to injure the saints of old, ho still has recourse to them for the purpose of offecting his murdorous designs.]
2.
To their fellow-men
[Here we can speak without hesitation. We see how this deceiver accused Gods people of old, to Artaxerxes, to prevent the re-building of the temple [Note: Ezr 4:12-16.]; and to Ahasuerus, in order to effect their utter destruction [Note: Est 3:8-9.]. In like manner he accused the Apostles as ring-loaders of sedition; and oven our Lord himself as a blasphemer and a demoniac, And what is there that he does not lay to the charge of the saints at this day? Through him they are still, exactly as they were in the apostolic age, a sect that is every where spoken against [Note: Act 28:22.]. Our blessed Lord taught us to expect that mon would speak all manner of evil against his followers falsely for his sake [Note: Mat 5:11.]: and so it is, and so it will be, as long as the accuser of the brethren retains his influence in the world.]
3.
To themselves
[Few, if any, of the Lords people are altogether strangers to the wiles of Satan, Exceeding powerful are the suggestions, whereby he tempts and harasses the souls of men. They are justly compared to fiery darts, which penetrate the inmost soul, and which nothing but the shield of faith can quench [Note: Eph 6:16.]. Sometimes he insinuates that we have committed the unpardonable sin, the sin against the Holy Ghost; and that we can therefore never be forgiven. At other times he suggests, that we are not of the number of Gods elect; and that, consequently, it is in vain to seek his face, At other times, he would make us believe, that we have sinned away our day of grace; and that therefore our state is remediless and hopeless. Now though the world at large are ignorant of these devices, the Lords people know them by bitter experience [Note: 2Co 2:11.]; and find, that, whilst this subtle enemy, by accusing them to others, creates to them many fightings without, so by accusing them to themselves he generates many fears within [Note: 2Co 7:5.].]
But, formidable as this enemy is, my text informs us,
II.
By what means we may be sure to overcome him
Of the saints in glory we are told, that they evercame him by the blood of the Lamb: and we in like manner shall overcome him also, if we regard the blood of the Lamb,
1.
As the ground of our hopes
[It is the blood of the Lamb which has procured our reconciliation with God: and if we be sprinkled with it, as the houses of the Israelites were sprinkled with the blood of the Paschal Lamb, no enemy whatever can prevail to hurt us. Thousands may fall beside us, and ten thousands at our right hand, but destruction can never come nigh us. There is in that precious blood a sufficient atonement for the sine of the whole world; so that, if we had the sins of the whole world upon our own souls alone, we need not despair: we need only to plunge into the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, and we shall be pure, even as an angel is pure; our sins of scarlet or of crimson dye shall instantly become as wool, yea, and as white as snow itself. In vain will Satan then attempt to accuse us: for God, who seeth our secret reliance on the blood of Christ, will behold no iniquity in us: and in vain will he attempt to distress our minds; for, being justified by faith in that blood, we shall have peace with God, and peace in our own conscience. That plea, the death of Christ for us, will be sufficient to silence every accusation, and to defeat every assault of our great adversary.]
2.
As the source of our strength
[That precious blood has purchased for us all the blessings both of grace and glory; and relying on it, we may be assured that our strength shall be according to our day. What is there that God will not de for these who are reconciled to him through the sacrifice of his dear Son? Will he not come down to them, and dwell in them, and be a Father unto them; and deal with them as sons? But there is one promise which comprehends within it every thing that our hearts can wish: I will be a God unto them [Note: Heb 8:10.]. Consider what is implied in this. If it had been said only, I will be a friend, or a father unto them, it would have been most encouraging; because it would have secured to us all that might reasonably be expected from persons standing in such relations to us. But, when it is said, I will be a God unto them, it secures to us the exercise of infinite wisdom, and almighty power, and goodness, and love: and with these on our side, we may defy all the assaults whether of men or devils.]
3.
As a stimulus to our exertions
[Sweetly encouraging was the testimony given to Abel, when he offered a firstling of his flock to God; insomuch that Cain, who understood its import, was filled with rage at the distinguishing grace shewn to his pious and believing brother [Note: Gen 4:4-5.]. But the blood of Christ sprinkled on our souls speaks infinitely better things to us [Note: Heb 12:24.], And shall not his love in shedding it for us influence our minds? Shall it not constrain us to live unto him who died for us and rose again [Note: 2Co 5:14.]? What will be able to stop us when impelled by gratitude to him? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No: in all those things we shall be more than conquerors through him that loved us [Note: Rom 8:35-36.]. None of these things will move us: we shall be ready not only to be bound, but also to die, for our adorable Benefactor; and shall never cease to fight against our adversary till he is overcome, and bruised under our feet.]
Application
Seeing then that our victory over this great adversary is to be gained by the blood of the Lamb, let us exercise faith in that blood,
1.
With simplicity
[This is the precise idea contained in our text. The redeemed overcame by a simple reliance on the blood of Christ as the only ground of their hopes. And in this we must resemble them. We must not blend any thing else with this. We must not endure the thought of uniting any work of ours in any degree whatever with Christs meritorious death and passion. We must make Him our only foundation, and glory in him alone ]
2.
With boldness
[It is added, that they overcame Satan by the word of their testimony. No doubt they all testified of Christ where-ever they went: and by their testimony they prevailed on thousands to embrace the faith, and to burst the bonds in which they had been held. You are not all, it is true, called to be ministers of Christ, but you are all to be witnesses for him in the midst of a dark benighted world. With the heart you may believe unto righteousness; but with the mouth you must make confession unto salvation. By this you will give the deathwound to Satan: for let light only shine, and the kingdom of darkness will be utterly destroyed ]
3.
With constancy
[To the honour of the saints in glory it is recorded, that they loved not their lives unto the death. This is the sure way to conquer. Jesus himself, by death overcame him that had the power of death, that is, the devil: and in the same way must we triumph also. If we would vanquish Satan in the world, or in our own hearts, it must be by shewing that death has no sting for us; and that we can welcome it for Christs sake. Be ye then faithful unto death, and Christ will give you the crown of life ]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Ver. 11. By the blood of the Lamb ] By his merit and spirit, Christ’s blood (as Pliny saith of Polium) is a preservative against serpents.
And they loved not their lives ] When one said to a certain martyr, Take heed, it is a hard matter to burn; Indeed, said he, it is for him that hath his soul linked to his body, as a thief’s foot is in a pair of fetters. (Acts and Mon.) In the days of that bloody persecutor Diocletian, Certatim gloriosa in certamina ruebatur, saith Sulpitius, multoque avidius tum martyria gloriosis mortibus quaerebantur, quam nunc Episcopatus pravis ambitionibus appetuntur. Those ancient Christians showed as glorious power in the faith of martyrdom, as in the faith of miracles; the valour of the patients and the savageness of the persecutors striving together, till both, exceeding nature and belief, bred wonder and astonishment in beholders and readers. a One martyr said, Can I die but once for Christ? Another, Had I as many lives as I have hairs upon mine head, they should all go. Hanc animam in flammis offero, Christe, tibi, saith Jerome of Prague.
a Non maiori unquam triumpho vicimus quam cum decem annorum stragibus vinci non potuimus. Sulp.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rev 12:11 . This sentence, like Rev 12:7 , suggests that earth’s history is the reflex and outcome of transactions in heaven, on the common principle of Jalkut Rub. (on Exo 14:7 ): “there was war above in heaven) and war below (on earth), and sore was the war in heaven”. Satan’s dislodgment from heaven is another ( cf. on Rev 11:19 ) sign of messiah’s approaching victory ( cf. Yasna xxx. 8). What Jesus had already seen in his own victory over daemons (Mat 12:24 f.; cf. J. Weiss, Predigt Jesu , 28 f., 89 f.), John hails from another standpoint, as inaugurating the messianic age. Vexilla regis prodeunt. How readily the mythological trait could be moralised is evident from a passage like Rom 8:33 f., of which Rev 12:11 is a realistic variant. In the background lie conceptions like that of En. xl. 7 where the fourth angel of the Presence is heard “fending all the Satans and forbidding them to appear before the Lord of Spirits to accuse men” Rev 12:11 chronologically follows Rev 12:17 , but the author, by a characteristic and dramatic prolepsis, anticipates the triumph of the martyrs and confessors, who refute Satan’s calumnies and resist his wiles. In opposition to the contemporary Jewish tradition (Ap. Bar. ii. 2, xiv. 12; 4 Esd. 7:77, etc.), it is not reliance on works but the consciousness of redemption which enables them to bear witness and to bear the consequences of their witness. This victory on earth depends on Christ’s previous defeat of evil in the upper world (Col 2:15 ; cf. above on Rev 2:10 , also Rev 21:8 ) which formed its headquarters.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
word. App-121.
testimony. See Rev 1:2.
loved. App-135.
lives = life.
the. Omit.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
they overcame: Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:26, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:21, Joh 16:33, Rom 8:33-39, Rom 16:20, 1Co 15:57, 2Co 10:3-5, Eph 6:13-18, 2Ti 4:7, 2Ti 4:8, Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15, 1Jo 2:13, 1Jo 2:14, 1Jo 4:4, 1Jo 5:5
the blood: Rev 7:10-14, Rev 14:1-4, Rev 15:3
the word: Rev 12:17, Rev 1:2, Rev 1:9, Rev 6:9, Rev 11:7, Rev 19:10
they loved not: Rev 2:10, Rev 2:13, Rev 20:4, Luk 14:26, Act 20:24, Act 21:13, Heb 11:35-38
Reciprocal: Jdg 5:18 – their lives Jdg 9:17 – adventured his life Jdg 12:3 – put Psa 17:4 – word Pro 4:13 – Take Pro 14:3 – but Pro 23:23 – sell Son 8:6 – love Jer 9:3 – valiant Eze 13:23 – for I Dan 3:18 – be it Dan 3:28 – yielded Mat 16:25 – General Mar 8:35 – will save Luk 9:24 – General Luk 21:16 – and some Joh 1:29 – Behold Joh 12:25 – that loveth Rom 8:37 – Nay 1Co 1:6 – the Eph 6:17 – which Phi 1:30 – the same Phi 2:30 – nigh 2Ti 1:8 – the testimony Heb 12:4 – General 1Pe 2:21 – leaving 1Jo 5:4 – overcometh Rev 5:6 – a Lamb Rev 7:14 – the blood Rev 12:8 – prevailed not Rev 15:2 – that had Rev 17:6 – the martyrs
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE VICTORIOUS CHARACTER
And they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:11
If we Christians believe at all, we must believe in an ideal for humanity. Jesus Christ is the Son of Man, and therefore He represents so completely the ideal for manhood, apart from any of the idiosyncrasies of race, that we feel He must be the expression of the Divine will for all humanity.
Let us see how one of the disciples of the Master conceived of this ideal, to realise some of the features of the type and ideal of character which the writer of the Book of the Revelation puts before us. He says:
I. A man must have faith in good.
II. A man must realise, because of the very strength of his confidence in good, that it is worth paying a price for.
III. A man must also read this deep spiritual principle, so often forgotten by superficial teachersthat it is not enough that he shall be a believer in goodness, that a man must pay a price to maintain good in the world; he also thinks that only they will adequately promote good who have participated in the spirit of the ideal.
Bishop W. Boyd Carpenter.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Rev 12:11. The pronoun they stands for “our brethren” in the preceding verse, who are said to have overcome Satan in the war that was fought in heaven. Verse 7 says that Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. There is no conflict in the statements which show that the forces of heaven are always ready to join in any battle with the forces of evil. This recalls the statement of Paul in Heb 1:14 that the angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. The blood had brought them the hope of salvation and that hope gave them the courage to fight Satan. By the word of their testimony. They persisted in their defence of the testimony of Jesus and that helped to put Satan to flight. Jas 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Loved not their lives unto death. Their faith in the righteousness of their Master’s cause was so strong that even the threat or presence of death could not dampen their zeal. (See Mat 10:28.) An army of such soldiers can rout the fiercest attacks of Satan.
Verse 11.
3. But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death–Rev 12:11.
The victors here are not the same company as Michael and his hosts of verse 7. The dragon had lost that war and had been cast out of that sphere of conflict but continued his opposition to the brethren of those of whom Michael was defender and protector– he extended his persecutions to the woman’s offspring, or the church beyond the region of Jerusalem and Judea. But as Michael and his hosts had prevailed against him in Judea so did the brethren elsewhere who became the objects of the dragon’s extended persecutions. And this verse commemorates by anticipations the victory which the saints had won on the ground or cause and by the means of the blood of the Lamb, the shed blood of Christ. The further reason for their victory was the word of their testimony– because of the faithful testimony which they had borne in oral declarations. The high tribute in the praise that they loved not their lives unto death meant that these persecuted saints had disregarded their lives for the sake of their cause; in the willingness to join the martyrs they displayed the fidelity that brought them victory over their accuser and persecutor.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they {b} loved not their lives unto the death.
(b) He is said in the Hebrew tongue, to love his life, who values his life more than anything else: and on the other side, he is said not to love his life, who does not hesitate to risk it, if need requires it.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
This verse contains the second stanza of the song of praise begun in Rev 12:10. "They" refers to believers whom Satan formerly accused before God. Jesus Christ’s death is the basis for believers’ ultimate victory over Satan even though he has accused us. Because of the proleptic nature of this song, the singers were probably referring to believers who would yet suffer martyrdom during the last half of the Tribulation. The word of God to which they bear testimony is another key to their success along with the Lamb’s blood (cf. Rev 1:2; Rev 1:9; Rev 6:9; Rev 20:4). They would consent to die rather than proving unfaithful to Christ.
"The blood of the martyrs, rather than signaling the triumph of Satan, shows instead that they have gained the victory over the dragon by their acceptance of Jesus’ Cross and their obedient suffering with him. This is one of John’s chief themes (Rev 1:9; Rev 6:9; Rev 14:12; Rev 20:4). [Note: Johnson, p. 517.]