|
Patriotism and the Kingdom of God
Revelation 12:11
by Dr. H.D. McCarty, Brig. Gen. USAF (Ret)
“They overcame 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.”
“They Overcame Him”…Earth’s Greatest Victory “By the Blood of the Lamb”…Earth’s Greatest Value “And by the Word of Their Testimony”…Earth’s Greatest Voice “They Did Not Love Their Lives”…Earth’s Greatest Vision “As to Shrink From Death”…Earth’s Greatest Vindication
Dr. McCarty was the guest preacher at First Baptist Church in Springdale, AR and the Church at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers,AR on July 3, 2005. His message was entitled, “Patriotism and theKingdom of God” from
Revelation 12:7-12. The defeat of evil is achieved by a final “war in heaven” with the great accuser, Satan, thrown down to the earth. The event ushers in the beginning of Kingdom
manifestation. The Father’s salvation, power and authority is revealed, as the Accuser is diminished and relieved of the power to prevail! (We are most like Satan when we become accusers of His people!)
In verse 7 we see that war is never ending (until the kingdom) and it breaks out even in Heaven! This cosmic battle between the angels of our God and the angels of “the dragon” (Satan) has its effect
on all mankind. Those who love the Creator-Redeemer experience “the now” of God’s salvation, power and kingdom! They taste the authority of Christ the Son and know deliverance from their great
Accuser. (People, even Christians, are most like Satan when they are accusers of others!)
Although our first priority is the Government of God, our second loyalty is to the government of man that the Father has put over us (Romans 13:1). We do the most for our country when we “first” do
the most we can for our King. The same way the Father’s followers enhance His kingdom is the same way we are to be used to enhance the earth and bring the greatest blessings possible to the sons of men.
Note the five-fold pattern of true greatness by “Patriots of the Kingdom” in Revelation 12:11.
I. “They Conquered Satan”- This is Earth’s Greatest Victory
There is no greater victory on earth than to destroy evil’s touch on ourselves, our loved ones, our church, our country and our earth. “Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.” (I
John 3:8)
II. “By the Blood of the Lamb”- This is Earth’s Greatest Value
No event in the history of the world was more costly to reality than the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. Finding and accepting His sacrifice for us is the highest discovery of life! “…and the
blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin!” (I John 1:7)
III. “And the Word of the Testimony”- This is Earth’s Greatest Voice
The most wonderful words I have ever heard were the ones that said the Lord Jesus loved me, died for me, would save me, forgive me, and give me His kind of life. A person’s voice can say nothing more
profound or magnificent! “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son.” (I John 5:11)
IV. “For They Did Not Love Their Lives”- This is Earth’s Greatest Vision
Earth’s most wretched moments come when people are consumed with themselves. They destroy themselves and countless others with low vision! To love yourself is to lose yourself. To love God
and others is to find and save yourself. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (I John 4:10) To love others, though
undeserving, before they love you, is the vision of becoming most like Christ.
V. “In the Face of Death”- This is Earth’s Greatest Vindication
Total belief in someone or something can only be proved by sacrifice and the willingness to die. Our Lord’s greatest sermon came to mankind while He hung on the Cross. He lived and preached while He
bled! We first live and preach…and consider our death for the Father’s will as optional! No wonder there is so little vindication, proof and evidence of God’s love in us and in our churches.
So few seem to be willing to die for what they say they believe. Only death to the false self in us enables our Lord to live His life through us. The more we die for all He wants, the more we are alive
to what we really want! “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.” (I John 3:16)
In summary, the “Patriot of the Kingdom” who bleeds first for the will of the King cannot help but bleed right as a “Patriot of His Country.” May our Lord grant that we be patriots of
both.
| 
