FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
Scripture: Revelation 12:7-11

                Revelation 12:7-11 states, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.’”  It is obvious the New Testament says there are not only wars on earth, but the book of Revelation says there is a war in heaven.  God is not surprised by war.  He is not surprised by rebellion in individuals and He is not surprised by the rebellion of nations.   When we have a war over our nation it is the church’s responsibility to bring the Hand of God on the enemy so that evil does not prevail.  If we do not, then our passivity enables the enemy. Only religious tradition could blind the church from the God of War in the New Testament.  But the enemy has, and the fruit is utter passivity.  According to Revelation 12:11, they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.  They were not afraid to go to war.  That is just another translation of, “…they did not love their lives to the death.”  They were willing to stand up and die for something.  The church in America is passive.  Is it any wonder that we are far from the New Testament church?