Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 12:11

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death." — Revelation 12:11 (ASV)

This second stanza is both a statement and an appeal. It announces that the followers of the Lamb also become victors over the dragon because they participate in the “blood of the Lamb,” the weapon that defeated Satan, and because they have confirmed their loyalty to the Lamb by their witness even to death. The blood of the martyrs, rather than signaling the triumph of Satan, shows instead that they have gained the victory over the dragon by their acceptance of Jesus’ cross and their obedient suffering with him. This is one of John’s chief themes (1:9; 6:9; 14:12; 20:4). Verses 12 and 17 lead to the conclusion that only a portion of the martyrs is in view (cf. 6:11). Thus this hymn of victory also becomes an appeal to the rest of the saints to confirm their testimony to Christ, even if doing so means death. This seems to suggest that in some mysterious sense the sufferings of the people of God are linked to the sufferings of Jesus in his triumph over Satan and evil (Romans 16:20; Colossians 1:24). Since the martyrs have gotten the victory over the dragon because of the cross of Jesus, they are now free even to give up their lives in loyalty to their Redeemer (Revelation 15:2).