September 9: POWERED BY LOVE

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.” Revelation 12:10

This loud voice is no heavenly solo. The poetic style here suggests a magnificent hymn being sung by redeemed humans. It is a joyous announcement – in a flawless unison of voices – that followed the crucifixion and ascension of the Savior in John’s vision. Although John does not name the singers here, the words “our brethren” provide a clue that it is the twenty-four elders.

Following the five identifications of the enemy in yesterday’s opening verse, we come to yet another: accuser. Think of the brash effrontery. The originator of sin will lead you into sin, and then turn you in for sinning. His betrayals are multidimensional. Jesus said he was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). And though he did not physically kill anyone in the Garden of Eden, his actions motivated by anger without a cause, are equated to murder according to Jesus (Matthew 5:21-22). Satan’s goal for humans is clearly loss of eternal life, for he knows that disobedience to the Creator leads to death (Genesis 2:17, 3:19).

The Now of this hymn sung in perfect unison is a major landmark on the map of God’s plan of salvation. Although the rebel had been cast out of God’s dwelling place, it was on the day of the cross that he was cast down [and confined] to the earth. The show of the unfailing love of God in the face of evil becomes a source of strength for citizens of the kingdom of our God. The power of His Christ overrules the usurping power-grabber and his insidious abuse of that power.

True service to the God of love is powered by love for Him. Open and transparent, it is the distinguishing characteristic that marks the countenance of all whose citizenship is no longer on earth, but in heaven.

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 90:8