As we approach Christmas Day coming up this Sunday, we would do well to remember that it really wasn’t a “Silent Night,” as much as we enjoy that carol and others like it. Jesus’ birth was an invasion and the battle is ongoing.

I just noticed in my reading of the letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation (Revelation chapters 2 and 3) that there’s a comment element in each short letter: “the one who conquers,” ESV, or “to him who overcomes,” NKJV.

The one who conquers…

• Will eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God, 2.7
• Will not be hurt by the second death, 2.11
• Will receive some of the hidden manna, 2.17
• Will receive authority over the nations, 2.26
• Will be clothed in white garments and not have his name blotted out of the book of life 3.5
• Will be a pillar in the temple of my God, 3.12
• Will sit with me on my throne, 3.21

Conquering and overcoming imply there’s a battle.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the beginning of it.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3.8, ESV)