Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

29 December 2024

Reading From Revelation 12-18

“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
They triumphed over him
    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.
Therefore rejoice, you heavens
    and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.”

–Revelation 12:9-12

     Your story matters to God.  The way that Jesus Christ has worked in your heart and life becomes part of the ammunition that eventually will take out the enemy of our souls.  It helps me to know the end of the story.  It encourages me to know that Satan, his demons and their horrific, destructive, and cruel strategies will soon be thwarted and cast down. 

The Great Commandment and the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ to His Church are that the sons and daughters of the Most High God are to share His love and message with others.  As more people choose to believe and receive salvation from Him, the Kingdom of Light expands, gaining ground against the kingdom of darkness.  The blood of Jesus paid for ultimate victory over evil and we are witnesses to the unfolding effects and implications of this victory.  One day, we are promised, that it will be complete.

“Lord Jesus, thank You.  Any words I can come up with are so inadequate to express the gratitude I feel for what You accomplished on the cross and out of the tomb.  Thank You for the working of that victory in my own life.  Every time I say no to my sinful nature and yes to You, that victory expands.  Thank You for the grace and mercy You extend to me when I fail.  I give You all the praise and honor and glory, for only You are worthy of it.  You are worthy of my love and worship.  In Your Name, Amen.”

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

–I John 5:2-5