The Dragon and the Lamb

Thursday 8 December
READ: Rev. 12: 1-17
MORE LESSON: Rev. 20: 1-2

Today's text shows a vision of a woman that was to give birth and a dragon stood waiting to devour the Child. The devil is depicted as a dragon in the Bible, ...The dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan...: Rev 20:2. The Child was born and taken to sit on the throne of God far beyond the reach of the dragon. Not only that, the dragon was defeated and hurled to the earth. When the dragon couldn't get the Child, he pursued after the woman that gave birth to the Child, he spewed water against the woman but the earth helped the woman. The nation of Israel has been the subject of anger as the enemies of God try to destroy her. However, God will not allow the flood of the enemy to prevail against this chosen nation.
It is of interest to note that the devil was defeated in Heaven. The Bible says, they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death: Rev 12:11. It is the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, that conquers the devil. Jesus the Lamb is the victory you seek over the devil, the dragon. When you accept redemption through the blood of the Lamb of God, the power of the devil cannot touch you. Through Jesus, you can conquer satan. The blood of the Lamb gives you continual victory over the enemy after you are born again. Each time the dragon raises its ugly head in any area of your life, engage the blood of the Lamb and the devil will quickly hide its wounded head. James 4:7 puts it this way, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
After the dragon was defeated and frustrated in not getting the woman (Rev. 12), he went to make war with the remnant of the seed which keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. The devil is now working diligently on the surface of the earth against men because he knows that his time is short. He is using deceit by luring people into eternal damnation. For those who are already born again, he tries to divert their focus and make them miss Heaven. He is unleashing sickness, war, poverty and all manner of evil against men.
Nevertheless, whatever satan does, I want you to know that the victory and antidote to all his works is found in the mystery of the blood of Jesus. Through the blood, you have salvation, eternal life, health, protection, provision, power and wisdom. Regularly activate the blood of Jesus by declaring its power over your destiny in the place of prayer. Also, eat the communion, plead the blood of Jesus on your ways and plan, and confess your trust in the blood constantly. There is victory in the blood.

Prayer/Action
* Satan, I overcome you today and forever by the blood and name of Jesus.
* Satan, you are a loser and you remain a loser, in Jesus’ name.
* I plead the blood of Jesus on (mention what you want) for defence and cover, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
This December, the Lord shall preserve my going out and my coming in, I shall be preserved in every way, in the name of Jesus.

The Testimony

Wednesday 7 December
READ: I Sam. 17:33-36
MORE LESSON: Rev. 12: 11

Testimonies are needed in these days more than ever, as clouds of doubt about God's ability loom over people's hearts. People confess God's ability but seek for alternatives in life. This is because their hearts are shaking when it comes to real trust in the power of God. This was the same for the nation of Israel in the face of Goliath and the host of Philistine. The Israelites confessed with their mouths that God was powerful but none was ready to stake his life to face the giant until a young boy showed up with his testimony.
When David wanted to fight Goliath, the people didn't believe in him because he had no evidence and track record. All that David had was his sling and a bag of sling stones and these were not enough. However, David had something extraordinary in addition to this; he had a testimony. Testimonies equip you and others to face battles and overcome. Testimonies make your faith in God to be so strong that it strengthens the faith of others. David said that a lion and a bear had come to attack his sheep and by the power of God, he slew them both. The lion and the bear either came one after the other and he killed them or better still, they came at the same time and he slew them both. When people heard this supernatural testimony, they believed in the God of David.
It was the testimony of David that equipped him to defeat Goliath. It was the testimony of David that strengthened Israel. Every testimony is the key to the next one. The testimony of your success last year should be the ladder to your greater success this year. And your failure last year is also the stepping stone to the success of this year; just turn it to a testimony. Paul the Apostle had challenges of shipwreck, hunger, persecutions, scourging and accidents but he turned them to testimonies that equipped him to achieve more for God (2 Cor. 11:25). You will succeed where you have failed before and where you have succeeded before, you will have greater success. All you have to do is to engage the power of the testimonies of God from your life and the lives of others, The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat: Prov. 15:30.

Prayer/Action
* I declare today that where I failed before I shall rise again, in Jesus’ name.
* I know that my Redeemer lives, therefore I can face tomorrow.
* I receive a greater and better ending over my small beginning, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, even to the last second of this month, Your promise of progress over my life will continue to be at work, in the name of Jesus.

The Lake of Fire

Tuesday 6 December
READ: Rev. 20: 10 - 15
MORE LESSON: Rev. 21: 8

In the text for today, the Bible shows the end of satan and all that are joined with him. It is important to know that anyone who is not with the Lord Jesus is with the devil. Just as Jesus said that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for those that are His so that they may be where He is (John 14: 2 - 3), the devil also is going somewhere and those that follow him will be where he is. The devil, the antichrist, the false prophet and all those whose names are not found in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire which burns forever and ever, And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever: Rev. 20: 10.
The lake of fire is a place of eternal torment created for the fallen angels who rebelled against God and left their abode in Heaven. Satan and all the fallen angels know that they have been irrevocably sentenced to eternal anguish in the lake of fire. They want to carry as many other people as they can along, this is why they work so hard at deceiving the world , making people reject God and neglect the salvation in the blood of Jesus. The judgment of the lake of fire is on the head of satan and not on yours, so why will you allow yourself to be dragged into satan's sentence? Satan's sentence cannot be reversed but every man alive still has the opportunity to repent and cross over to the side of the Lord.
Don't go and suffer satan's punishment with him. Any man's sin can be forgiven if he will come to the Lord in repentance through Jesus Christ. The sin of the devil can never be forgiven because his fate has been decided. This is the reason you should accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour now that you still have breath. Once a man dies, it is too late to repent. As it is written, ...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Heb 9:27.
There is no sin and iniquity that a man has committed that the blood of Jesus cannot wash away. All you have to do is invite Jesus in and say no to sin. Today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late, And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30.

Prayer/Action
* Lord Jesus, today I invite You into my life afresh, have mercy on my shortcomings.
* Satan, I renounce you in my life, pack your things and leave, in Jesus’ name.
*Today, little foxes of sinful nature in my life are renounced, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I declare my year shall not end in sorrow or disaster, but in testimony and songs, in the name of Jesus.

His Return

Monday 5 December
READ: : Matt 24:36-44
MORE LESSON: Rev. 22: 12

In history, there have been times when someone would stand up and predict a date that Jesus was coming back. There have been prophetic 'date-fixing' of when the world will end and many were swayed by these 'fixtures'. At a particular occasion, a date was fixed by someone who claimed that God told him that Jesus would arrive on that day. Several people sold their possessions so that they could quickly enjoy the money before the end of time. Unfortunately, the day came and went and nothing happened. The Bible states categorically, ...of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only: Matt 24:36. Jesus said only the Father knows the time and the hour of His Coming.
Though the day and the hour is not known, it is still a surety that the Lord Jesus will soon return. A lot of people do not believe that Jesus will come back again. However, what benefit is there if Jesus came as He did the first time, He suffered, shed His blood and died and went to Heaven and never return. If the first coming of Jesus is all there is to Him, then Jesus was merely a martyr. The truth is that Jesus is not just a martyr, He is the Saviour, Lord and returning King. He promised that He was going to Heaven to prepare a place for His own and He added that He will come back and take them to where He is. In John 14: 3 Jesus said, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. He has gone to prepare a place and He is coming to take us there, that should be enough a reason for all to prepare, so that we will not miss the place He has prepared.
Since He is coming back and we do not know the time but we know that it could be any moment from now, what should we do? We should be ready for every hour so that whatever hour He returns, you will be ready to receive Him. Talking about His return, Jesus reinstated, heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall never pass away: Matt 24:35. Jesus meant every word He said and wants you to be sure that His return is certain. It is as certain as death for every natural man, it will certainly come but no man knows the time. The Lord will return, live your life in active preparation, not in fear, being aware that as you live for Him, His return is to your joy and advantage.

Prayer/Action
* I declare today and forever my eyes are fixed and ready for His return.
* I refuse to be distracted by either delay or false doctrine concerning His return.
* I declare that nothing in life is worth making me to miss the first flight.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, God will honour my destiny, strengthen my future and uphold my blessing, in the mighty name of Jesus.