(The following is the December 14 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Revelation 11 and pay close attention to verses 7-13.)

Christians face battles on many fronts. We enter regions hostile to the faith to fulfill the Great Commission. We plead with individuals to receive Christ. We work in our communities to overcome the darkness of evil with the light of Christ. Praise God that we take new ground regularly through faithful believers filled with the Holy Spirit and committed to the truth of God’s Word.

Still, the paths forward for Christ are fraught with danger as Satan and those serving his purposes fight against God’s people. In response to the effectiveness of two faithful witnesses serving Christ in remarkable ways in Revelation 11, a beast comes from the abyss, makes war on them, and kills them. The godless people of earth are thrilled at their death and “gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another” (v. 10). Evil ones rejoice because they believe they have conquered the prophets of God and their message. But the story doesn’t end there. After three and a half days, God raises them from the dead, and they ascend to heaven at God’s command. Their enemies watch and are terrified while God is glorified.

You and I are not the two witnesses of Revelation 11, but we are witnesses for Christ. Satan and his minions will fight against us if we faithfully proclaim God’s truth. They will boast when they think they have won battles. But our story won’t end there. As the voice from Heaven cried out to the two witnesses, our Lord will one day tell us, “Come up here” (v. 12). When he does, we will rise with new breath and glorified bodies, and he will get the glory for winning a great spiritual war against his enemies.

Next Step:
Have you encountered people opposed to Christ who boast about their supposed victories over Christians and the church? If so, how did that impact you? How should you handle it if it happens in the future?