The blood of the Lamb refers to basic salvation.

The "word of their testimony" has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit is the Lampstand of the Tabernacle, to speak in a figure. The Holy Spirit testifies through us by the moral transformation He brings to pass in us and also by the gifts and ministries He gives to us. The Holy Spirit is responsible for the fruit of Christ's image borne in us and also for the gifts of power and revelation He gives to us. Both the fruit and the gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and these compose the word of our testimony.

Loving not their lives so much as to shrink from death is speaking of the suffering we experience as we are being taught obedience. We must remain faithful unto death in the prisons in which we are placed. Only then are we eligible for the crown of life and righteousness.

Satan will continue to accuse our brothers before the Throne of God until a company of saints arises in whom the three aspects of overcoming have been brought to maturity, the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and loving not their lives to the point of death.

We think the formation of this Gideon's army is at hand and the wrestling match against Satan is soon to terminate in complete victory for Christ and His saints. This is a wonderful prospect and keeps us going when severe demands are made on us.

The Bible refers to Antichrist as the lawless one, the one whose only law is that which exalts and please himself.

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders. (II Thessalonians 2:8,9—NIV)

Our generation is witnessing the rise of lawlessness, particularly in those nations with a democratic form of government. We have fled from one tyranny, that of the kings and religious prelates of Europe, only to experience another tyranny, that of the self-love of individuals. Which tyranny is worse I am not here to say. But it is evident that infinitely more harm is done to the development of saints in the democracy than in the monarchy. This may be due to the fact that we must enter the Kingdom through much tribulation, and when every effort is being made to keep us comfortable and to secure our rights, we lose the intense consecration to God that one finds in more hostile environments.

The tendency in America today is to change the law rather than the people if the people feel their rights to express themselves are being hindered. Is this true?

To be continued.