Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Revelation 12 features a woman in labor, a dragon, and an angel, each playing a significant role in John's vision. This part of His revelation is not to be overlooked. It can be challenging to grasp the depth of what John witnessed and conveyed, but one verse particularly caught my attention today.

"They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; for they did not love their lives to the point of death." Revelation 12:11 (CSB)

Jesus is the Lamb of God, and as believers, we understand that His death on the Cross paid for our sins. Colossians 2:13-15 tells us that His sacrifice also defeated and disarmed the evil present in our broken world. The Blood of the Lamb is undeniably powerful, which raises a question for me: what does "the word of their testimony" add to this? Is anything else needed in addition to the Blood of the Lamb?

The term testimony refers to a personal account that provides evidence of an event in one's life, much like a witness recounting what they saw in a courtroom. A biblical example is the Woman at the Well, who returned to her hometown of Samaria to share her experience with Jesus. If you are a Christian, you possess a testimony about how you came to place your faith in Jesus Christ. I have my own faith testimony, along with accounts of the miraculous things He has done in my life. He has rescued me from financial ruin, blessed me with children after I thought it might never happen, and so much more.

Testimonies hold incredible power. Revelation 12:11 illustrates this, showing us that evil in this vision is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb and the believers' testimonies. I envision a multitude of witnesses proclaiming the greatness of the Lamb based on what they have witnessed Him accomplish! Can you imagine that? A great crowd shouting, "I was sick, and He healed me!" or, "I was in need, and He provided for me!" Perhaps someone proclaims, "I saw orphans cared for in Jesus' name!" or, "My marriage was in turmoil, but God stepped in!"

What testimonies do you have that highlight the power of the Lamb of God in your life? Are you aware of the strength found in sharing your story? Someone nearby may feel defeated today, longing to hear about what God has done in your life. Look around; this world longs for good news, and those of us in Christ have stories to share! Stories of goodness, grace, provision, and blessings.

Lord, help us to be people who share the victories You have granted us in our lives. Empower us to boldly recount our testimonies to a broken world, remembering that they are powerful narratives of Your works! In Jesus' name, Amen!

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God's Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today's passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

Be Generous 2025

On Be Generous Sunday, November 30th, through Tuesday, December 2nd, 100% of all financial gifts will go toward funding three special projects to ignite ministry and lead more people to know, love, and follow Jesus! For more information, visit venturechurch.org/begenerous.