Encountering the Lamb

After the dream, shared in last week’s blog, I have been dwelling on Revelation 12:11 each day. The Holy Spirit has captivated my attention and continues to reveal the importance of combatting the aggressive assaults of the Dragon.

As the text states, “They conquered him completely through the blood of the Lamb…” The word “Blood” is vital to the battle, and the significance of the blood will be unpacked next week, but notice where the blood flows from “the Lamb.”

 The first time the “Lamb” is mentioned in the book of Revelation is chapter 5:6. After this introduction He, The Lamb, becomes the central figure in the rest of Revelation. The victory over the enemy is in direct relationship to the Lamb. Those who overcome the Dragon have the blood mark of the Lamb upon their foreheads (7:4).

The conquers, who have been marked by Father God, demonstrate their saving trust in Him by Prayer and Praise. Those who have truly encountered the Lamb do battle on their knees in prayer and through continual worship of the Lamb.

I challenge you to read Revelation 5 and circle each time the word “Lamb” is mentioned. It is amazing to see all of heaven and His followers doing these two things, prayer and praise, repeated over and over again:

“…Each of them had a harp and golden bowls brimming full of sweet fragrant incense –which are the prayers of God’s holy lovers. And they were all singing this new song of praise to the Lamb:

‘Because You were slaughtered for us, You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. Your blood was the price paid to redeem us. You purchased us to bring us to God out of every tribe, language, people group, and nation. You have chosen us to serve our God and formed us into a kingdom of priests who reign on the earth.” (5:8-10).

Those who have truly encountered the Lamb and know His and the Father’s forgiveness and love will battle with the weapons of Prayer and Praise!

During our time in the states my wife Patty and I can give testimony to times we have witnessed believers gathering for Prayer and Praise! In June we joined a Sunday night prayer time at a former church we pastored. This prayer gathering came out of several teams who had served in Africa and visited a Monday prayer service we attend. This experience spurred them to start one. We were overwhelmed by the worship and heartfelt prayers brought before the Lamb being led by high school students. You could feel heaven come to earth as the praises and prayers went up and strongholds of the enemy being shattered. We left so encouraged to see hearts arrested by love for The Lamb.

Then in July we joined some of our family at a Prayer and Praise service at a local church. It was much needed as we both faced some follow up medical appointments and will soon be returning to South Africa. I estimated at least 1000 people of all ages worshiping and crying out to God in prayer. We went in with anxious but expectant hearts and left feeling hope and victory through the glorious Lamb who is bringing revival to the nations through prayer and praise.

Patty and I have sensed this powerful warfare swirling in our midst and these words of scripture and the Prayer and Praise times have been a source of strength and renewed our spirits as we keep looking at the Lamb in the midst of the battle.

Perhaps you have also sensed spiritual battles close at hand. As followers of Jesus together we can once again refocus our sight and look upon a blooded Lamb, who died in our place. I believe the Holy Spirit is pointing us back to the Lamb to find victory over this present darkness we are living in. Our response is to offer prayer and praise not only with words, but also by living a life filled with prayer and praise for His and our victory!