The Christian Church In Conflict With Satan

Before Jesus ascended to heaven He established the Christian church (symbolized by the woman). He poured His life into it and sacrificed His life for it. Christ’s death on the cross gave the Christian church the power to defeat Satan.

“They [the Christian church] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
—Revelation 12:11.

Christ is now able to give His power, the fruit of His victory, to His church. We can conquer territory formerly belonging to Satan because of the power of the cross. Just as Jesus decisively triumphed over Satan at the cross, He now continues to triumph over Satan through His church. Three characteristics mark the triumphant church during the passing centuries of the Christian era:

1. “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb.” Jesus was caught up to God’s throne so He could make His blood effective in the lives of his followers. He can clear the record of our sins and save us through His shed blood (1 John 1:7). The life-giving blood of a risen Saviour also gives us power to live a healthy Christian life day by day (1 Peter 1:18-20). (For a full explanation of the meaning of Christ’s blood, see guide 11, section 5.)

2. “They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” “The blood of the Lamb” made them willing to die for Christ’s cause; they did not “shrink from death.” The impact of the cross enabled the martyrs to retain a sense of mission in the face of adversity. God had suffered greatly so they were willing to suffer.